Bible Study

January 26, 2026

2 Thessalonians 2:1 – 4 (NKJV)

2 “Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.”

Yesterday I mentioned about that I would share some thoughts on the rapture and what I believe is the timeline fro Jesus to come for His church.

Here are three vies of the rapture of the church.

A. Premillennialism is a Christian belief that Jesus Christ will physically return to Earth before (pre-) a literal 1,000-year reign of peace, the Millennium, as described in Revelation 20, establishing His earthly kingdom after defeating evil, contrasting with other views like Amillennialism (Christ’s reign is symbolic/present) and Postmillennialism (Millennium precedes Christ’s return). Key aspects include a literal interpretation of prophecy, a future Tribulation period, and distinctions between Israel and the Church, with major forms being Historic Premillennialism (post-tribulation rapture) and Dispensational Premillennialism (pre-tribulation rapture).

B. The End (Part 7): Postmillennialism – is an optimistic Christian view that Jesus’ second coming will occur after a golden age (the Millennium) of widespread Christian peace, righteousness, and prosperity on Earth, achieved gradually through the Church’s successful spreading of the Gospel and God’s kingdom, not through a sudden catastrophic event. It contrasts with premillennialism (Christ returns before the Millennium) and sees the Millennium as the current church age’s triumphant spiritual growth, culminating in a predominantly Christian world before Christ’s return, establishing the eternal state.

C. Amillennialism is a Christian view of eschatology (end times) that interprets the “thousand years” (millennium) in Revelation 20 symbolically, not as a literal future 1,000-year earthly reign of Christ, but as the present spiritual reign of Christ from heaven during the entire Church Age, between His first and second comings. It teaches that Satan’s binding began with Christ’s resurrection, preventing him from deceiving the nations on a grand scale, allowing the Gospel to spread, culminating in Christ’s return, the final resurrection, judgment, and the eternal state, without an intervening earthly kingdom.

D. Comparison Premillennialism, Amillennialism, and Postmillennialism are Christian views on Christ’s return and the Millennium (Revelation 20), differing mainly on when Christ returns relative to the thousand-year reign: Premillennialism sees Christ return before a literal, earthly millennium; Postmillennialism sees Christ return after a golden age of Christian influence; and Amillennialism sees no literal millennium, interpreting it symbolically as the current Church age, with Christ’s return concluding history.

From what I study and can reasonably conclude is the premillennialism teaching. I believe scripture supports this position. Secondly, I do not believe Jesus would allow His church to endure any more persecution that we are seeing in today’s world. Just look back at heathern that infiltrated the Cities Church in Minneapolis.

God Bless.

January 25, 2026

Good morning it’s cold, snowy, but thankfully warm in our home. I just finished reading 1 Thessalonians as I asked our church to do as we prepare to look into this book of scripture next.

My text for next Sunday is 1 Thessalonians 1: 1- 5 where Paul speaks of “Peace and Grace.”

We are living in perilous times from world issues to those occurring in America. Paul wrote to the church to be watchful as the day of the Lord approaches. That day is the day He returns for His church. Paul as well as Jesus spoke of the end times and what to expect. You can find much about this throughout the scriptures.

I want to address what is occurring in Minnesota at this time. You may or may not agree but we can agree to disagree and remain friends. My intent is  not to change your mind only look to all the facts before jumping to any conclusions.

Why would people intentionally riot than peacefully protest? President Trump said to “peacefully march to the capital.” Before you ask I would not have entered the capital on January 6^th. We have the same rhetoric from the leadership in Minneapolis and the state saying these are peaceful demonstrations. That’s a lie. Throwing bricks and biting off the finger of an ICE agent is not peaceful, it is anarchy.

We are guaranteed the right to protest (peacefully) that is not the point. If you are stupid enough to try to block an armored vehicle you should ask yourself why am I here? No matter who you support we should be able to agree this is not peaceful.

It was unfortunate that two people have died in Minneapolis. I have been stopped by police before. In fact, one time I ran a red light and got stopped I was wrong. In Ohio you needed to have CCW permit to conceal carry I had one but you were also told you needed to advise the officer if you had a weapon. I did and he said, “thanks for letting know.” No big deal I just complied with his request; I didn’t get shot. I did get a ticket.

You may or not like ICE you have a right to have an opinion. But I would ask if you do not support ICE then do you support the murder, rape, sexual abuse, sodomy and  other crimes committed by illegal immigrants? Yes, if anyone comes to America illegally – you are an illegal immigrant. The left is refusing to stand for those that have been killed but will stand for those guilty of crimes. Why?

You may say Americans commit crimes and you are correct. Policing would be simpler if we did not have the millions of illegal immigrants who many are felons in their own country added to the crime we have. We offer a path to citizenship that is leagl. Do it the right way. My grandfather immigrated from Ireland doing it the right way. By the way, my other grandfather was full blooded Blackfoot Indian.

We as Christ Followers are called to love each other. You can love a person yet disapprove of their actions / lifestyle. Love concerns the soul of man. Jesus spoke against sin He never spoke against the person.

It could be much better if the governor, mayor and others in leadership would denounce the actions of the rioters, encourage peaceful demonstrations maybe things would calm done. Leadership needs to take a leadership role to insure the safety of all. But honestly I believe they have let it go on too long. Are the suffering from TDS? I have no idea. To hate the president so much to do what is being done is beyond conscionable.

I feel bad for those two who were killed they died too young but could their actions have sustained their lives? I do not believe the scriptures teach us that. The writer of Hebrews wrote these words in 9:27 “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,” Only God knows our days on this earth. What happens he knows about before it ever happens. Although He knows our actions it grieves Him of what we do.

Consider our actions before we act. Let me encourage to pray for peace in Minneapolis, pray for those who protest to keep it peaceful, pray for those trying to make America safe like all our first responders, ICE agents local and state authorities. Pray for those who are in charge in Minnesota.

Larry

Bible Study

January 2, 2026

2 Thessalonians 1:10 – 12 (NKJV)

10 “When He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. 11 Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, 12 that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

“The Model”

We hear much about role models from sports figures to entertainers almost any walk of life. I remember hearing Charles Barkley say, “I do not want to be role model.” I do not remember the reason but there is great deal of responsibility played on the role model. Most recently after the recent national championship football playoff the sore loser quarterback for the Miamai team refused to shake hands. Not exemplary of a role model.

Our role model as Christ Followers should only be Jesus. Paul wrote in Romans 8:29 “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

To live into the image of Christ is a life long endeavor. We may see some quick changes but our lives are meant to be lived in His shadow. What will make us worthy of His calling is to do what is right and good in His sight. Maybe looking at the old idea of WWJD is a good example.

We are not perfect but if we follow His example we are moving in that direction.

God Bless.

Bible Study

January 21, 2026

2 Thessalonians 1:7 – 9 (NKJV)

“Retribution is the Lord’s”

“To give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,”

Two things are relevant in the verse seven. First, we can rest assured that the trials we endure will make us stronger although it may not seem like it at the time. Seccndly, have you ever wished revenge on someone for something they did to you but you were reminded of Romans 12:9. “Vengeance is mine” is a famous biblical quote,  meaning believers should not seek personal revenge, but leave retribution to God, who promises to repay wrongdoing; instead, people should show love and mercy, even to our enemies. We can rest assured that one day everyone will stand before the judgment of God knowing at that time all wrongs will be corrected.

He will bring everlasting fire upon those who have rebelled against Him. Judgement belongs to God love and grace belong to us no matter how serious we believe we have been harmed their destruction will be forever.

Paul refers to everlasting punishment in the lake od fire. John Also wrote about this in Revelation 20:14 – 15. “14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.”

This is final for those turning their backs on God. It is eternal there is no hope of escape or redemption once one is cast into the lake of fire.

God Bless

Bible Study

January 21, 2026

2 Thessalonians 1:4 – 6

“So that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, 5 which is manifest[b] evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; 6 since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you,”

We’re back doing Bible studies. If you wondered what happened a couple of things have set me back for short period of time. First, I had a cold that developed into pneumonia. Thankfully that has mostly subsided except the nagging cough. Secondly, in trying to breakup a dog fight between our two dogs one bite me that became infected that too has mostly subsided but it limited by ability to use a keyboard (that was already limited).

“Patience and Faith”

Those two words are the key to face the troubles that come to us in this life. Knowing that God is fair in all His dealings with us gives us assurance He has not forgotten us. How many times have we thought we were abandoned only to find God move in a mysterious way that changed all circumstances.

We were never promised we would not face trials but the trials we face make us stronger to battle the next issue that comes us, we learn to build on our faith. We may not like them but Paul teaches us that trials help us to mature and grow. If all things were easy would we count on God or on ourselves for the solution?

This may sound  a bit strange but troubles actually indicate we are faithfully living the life He has ordained for us. As we face trials we can face them with knowledge based on scripture that His Word is holds true.

If you are going through a tough time know God is there to help you through it – do not go it alone.

God Bless.