2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
The term “Trinity” is never used in the Bible. This is often a challenge to our faith from unbelievers or even those claiming to be believers. That statement is true that the word is never used, but we see the concept of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit throughout Scripture which makes the statement false. Paul is closing out this chapter with yet another challenge for thanksgiving, exhortation and prayer. This is a common theme with Paul. We see in these verses the concept of the Trinity. Paul actually names each part of the Trinity in these verses specifically: God, Spirit, Lord Jesus Christ.
God from the beginning chose us. This is an awesome topic of discussion. In one aspect, it is indescribably awesome. How and why would the Maker and Creator of all things choose me? Who am I as wretched as I have been, am and will be that He would choose Me? It is difficult to understand. But, it is the basis of salvation as it is not about me nor what I have done or will do, it has everything to do with Him that He sent His Son to die on the cross, defeat death by raising from the dead, and has bestowed His Spirit upon me. AWESOME! We also have the Trinity concept in that statement as well.
The Spirit has sanctified us. This simply means we are set apart. We are different and should be different as we have “belief in the truth.” We are in this world but not of this world. These are definitely challenging to us. We have been chosen and set apart from this world as we know and believe in the ultimate truth which only God provides. At the end of the ages, God will actively separate the sheep from the goats. Those of us who believe in the truth will be set apart or separated to be in eternal communion with Him. The Holy Spirit was poured out upon Believers at Pentecost, 50 days from when Jesus rose from the dead which was the Feast of Firstfruits. The Jewish Feasts and Festivals that God declared for His people as recorded in the Old Testament were a prophecy of what would be fulfilled. It points us to Jesus!
Jesus’ glory. We, as believers, get to experience this glory as a child of God. The church is described as the Bride of Christ. We will be full heirs to experience this glory. How awesome Heaven will be! We talk some about this in our house about whether our dog will go to Heaven or we will get to see each other in Heaven in case someone dies before we are raptured. My response is always “maybe” as I don’t believe who we see matters even though our desire is for all to be there as the glory of the Lord will be so overwhelming, the feeling of perfection so intense, the relief of no temptation so freeing that our only desire will be to worship the Lamb that was slain for our purchase.
I heard it said once that prayer is in fact a reflection of the Trinity. We pray to God the Father through the power of the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus! Unfortunately, it is lost to me who I heard that from, but I found it profound.
Therefore! What is the therefore there for? This is always the connection between two parts in the Bible. The Trinity was just laid out for us in what They do for us. Now, we have what we are to do with it: stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught. We are speaking of the Gospel here. In literal sense, we are being told to not abandon (stand fast) and to hand down the belief (tradition) of the Gospel. What God has done for us is a call to action. Verses 2 Tim 2:16-17 is yet another rendering of what has been done for us which calls us to both pass along the Gospel (witness to others) and comfort each other in it.
MARANATHA!