That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.
The word above (Romans 15:32) rendered “refreshed” is the once used Greek word sunanapauomai, from the word sun, meaning “union; with or together;” and anapano, meaning “to repose (literally or figuratively (be exempt), remain), by implication, to refresh.”
As seen in the previous post, the above verse comes as Paul, speaking to those in Rome, is telling of the root that will rise out of Jesse. He speaks of coming to them when he has passed through Spain, bringing fruit from those in Macedonia and Archaia. He says his coming will be in the fullness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ.
These names tell of him speaking to (warning – noutheteo) those to whom strength (Rome) will return when he has drawn out (Spain – spao) the wicked into open sight. He says this produces the fruit, the awakening of those in the houses of dead flesh (Macedonian – makellon), who have been in strife (Archaia – trouble, tribulation).
The title verse speaks of what Paul writes of in 1 Thessalonians 4, of when the sleeping awake and are joined with those who remain alive, into ONE BODY with the LORD. And, what he speaks of in 2 Thessalonians 2, when the wicked, who put themselves in God’s place, are revealed when the LORD comes with the “love of the truth.” It patterns the rest and refreshing Isaiah describes in Isaiah 28, when the LORD is teaching, precept upon precept, line upon line, but those in power, the drunkards of Ephraim, refuse to hear.
1 Thessalonians 4
9 But as touching brotherly love you need not that I write unto you: for you yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
10 And indeed you do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech [parakaleo – “to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)” – into ONE BODY] you, brethren, that you increase more and more;
11 And that you study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
12 That you may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that you may have lack of nothing.
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that you sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with [sun – bring into unity with] him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the LORD, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the LORD shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the LORD himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up [harpazo – pulled from the tribulation fires] together with [sun -unified with] them in the clouds [by His understanding], to meet the LORD in the air [where all is clear]: and so shall we ever be with [sun – unified in ONE BODY with] the LORD.
18 Wherefore comfort [parakaleo – “to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)” – into ONE BODY] one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 5
1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I write unto you.
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the LORD so comes as a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction comes upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness [in ignorance], that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5 You are all the children of light [understanding], and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our LORD Jesus Christ,
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with [sun] him.
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also you do.
12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the LORD, and admonish [noutheteo – warn] you;
13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn [noutheteo] them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
Paul begins 2 Thessalonians 2 speaking of our “gathering together” to the LORD, which is the focus, the object (the “carnal” ministry spoken of in Romans 15:27; which is the redemption of the dead flesh) at His coming, “whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with [sun – cannot be separated from] him.
Romans 8
21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
22 For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now.
23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man sees, why does he yet hope for?
25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
26 Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because he makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifies .
34 Who is he that condemns? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For your sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our LORD.
Isaiah 28
5 In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people,
6 And for a spirit of judgment to him that sits in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.
7 But they [the crown of pride, the drunkard of Ephraim] also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.
8 For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean.
9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine [shmuw’ah – this report]? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts [those who now draw from the Ancient of days].
10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith you may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.
13 But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
14 Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, you scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.
15 Because you have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:
16 Therefore thus saith the LORD God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believes shall not make haste.
17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.
18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then you shall be trodden down by it.
19 From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report [shmuw’ah – this sound doctrine].
2 Timothy 4
1 I charge you therefore before God, and the LORD Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
5 But watch you in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of your ministry.
Paul warns that this day shall not come until after there’s a “falling way,” which is from the Greek word apostasia, meaning “defection from truth (properly, the state) (“apostasy”).” The word literally translates to – stand, from stasis, meaning “standing (properly, the act), i.e. (by analogy) position (existence); by implication, a popular uprising; figuratively, controversy,” and apo, meaning off or away.
His (Paul’s) warning, in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, begins with “Let no man deceive you” which refers to the means and cause of the “falling away” from the ONE BODY. He says, after this comes first, that man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition (apoleia). As we know, these are those who rebel against God (by the working of Satan, in the pattern of his rebellion) and put themselves in the Father’s place (as did the heir, Rueben).
2 Thessalonians 2
1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our LORD Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 That you be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
5 Remember you not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
6 And now you know what withholds [katecho – holds you down] that he might be revealed in his time.
7 For the mystery of iniquity does already work: only he who now lets [katecho – holds God’s people down] will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the LORD shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness [understanding shined on all freely] of his coming [not sitting in God’s seat showing himself as if He is God – rather sitting at the Father’s right hand until these enemies are made his footstool]:
9 Even him [the deceivers sitting in God’s place – in your churches and palaces], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion [as it is this day – the world in mass insanity – acting irrationally], that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth [it’s all a HOAX – known {proven} lies coming for known {proven} liars and deceivers], but had pleasure in unrighteousness [and refuse these warnings].
13 But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the LORD, because God has from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of [separation from lies and liars, by] the Spirit and belief of the truth:
14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our LORD Jesus Christ.
15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which you have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
16 Now our LORD Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which has loved us, and has given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
17 Comfort your hearts, and establish you in every good word and work.
2 Thessalonians 3
1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the LORD may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you [received as the word of God, as it is]:
2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable [men who can’t be reasoned with] and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
3 But the LORD is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil.
4 And we have confidence in the LORD touching you, that you both do and will do the things which we command you.
5 And the LORD direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our LORD Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
7 For yourselves know how you ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
8 Neither did we eat any man’s bread for naught; but wrought with labor and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:
9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an example unto you to follow us.
10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our LORD Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
13 But you, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish [noutheteo – warn] him as a brother.
16 Now the LORD of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The LORD be with you all.
17 The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.
18 The grace of our LORD Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Romans 15
1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
2 Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification [to educate].
3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached you fell on me.
4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
6 That you may with one mind and one mouth glorify God [ONE BODY in agreement with Him], even the Father of our LORD Jesus Christ.
7 Wherefore receive you one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to you among the Gentiles, and sing unto your name.
10 And again he saith, Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.
11 And again, Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles; and laud him, all you people.
12 And again, Isaiah saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.
13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish [noutheteo – warn] one another.
15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,
16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
17 I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.
18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,
19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation:
21 But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.
22 For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.
23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;
24 Whensoever I take my journey into Spain [when I have finished drawing out the wicked into the open], I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.
25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.
26 For it has pleased them of Macedonia [the houses of dead flesh] and Achaia [strife] to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.
27 It has pleased them truly; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.
28 When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain [when I have finished drawing out the wicked into open sight].
29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
30 Now I beseech [parakaleo – “to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)” – into ONE BODY] you, brethren, for the LORD Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;
31 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;
32 That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed [sunanapauomai].
33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
The word “gathering,” in 2 Thessalonians 2:1 above, is the twice-used Greek word episunagoge, said to mean “a complete collection; especially a Christian meeting (for worship).” The word epi means a superimposition, here speaking of our (the church’s) leaving apostasy and returning to the LORD in His ONE BODY (complete collection). The word sunagoge is from the words sun (union; with or together), and agoge, meaning to lead (ago) and bring up, as in the manner of (way into) life.
The word in the same verse rendered “beseech” is the Greek word erotao, meaning to ask. The “coming,” by which he asks, is the word parousia, meaning “a being near, i.e. advent (often, return; specially, of Christ to punish Jerusalem, or finally the wicked); (by implication) physically, aspect:–coming, presence.”
These words tell of the LORD’s presence unknown, after (because of) falling away from Him, leading us back to Himself, by way of the “love of the truth.”
Friends, you who have been with me from the beginning, this is advent, the LORD’s presence manifest for this purpose: to gather (episunagoge) His people into ONE BODY. Do you understand the magnitude of this moment? We have a charge to keep. We need to tell the world, “this is the rest and the refreshing.”
The one other time episunagoge appears is in Hebrews 10:25, there rendered “assembling of ourselves together.” It there says some have forsaken this “manner” to life, and we (who have the love of the truth) with good works “exhorting” (parakaleo – “to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)” – into ONE BODY) them back into this way. Calling them back to this way is our charge from the Father.
Hebrews 10
5 Wherefore when he comes into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering you wouldest not, but a body have you prepared me:
6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin you have had no pleasure.
7 Then said I, “Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do your will, O God.”
8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin you would not, neither had pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;
9 Then said he, “Lo, I come to do your will, O God.” He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 And every priest stands daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God;
13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
14 For by one offering he has perfected forever them that are sanctified.
15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the LORD, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20 By a new and living way, which he has consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
21 And having a high priest over the house of God;
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together [episunagoge], as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching.
26 For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose you, shall he be thought worthy, who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and has done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know him that has said, Vengeance belongs unto me, I will recompense, saith the LORD. And again, The LORD shall judge his people.
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great fight of afflictions;
33 Partly, whilst you were made a gazing-stock [lifted up for public ridicule and demonization] both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst you became companions of them that were so used.
34 For you had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that you have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which has great recompence of reward.
36 For you have need of patience, that, after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise.
37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition [apoleia]; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
The LORD says, in Hebrews 10:19 thru 22 above, after telling of His writing His word into our minds (as He has) and remembering our sins no more, we should have “boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he has consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having a high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”
He is telling of the one he’s raised up in the order of Melchisedec (I Am), the head of His ONE BODY, to lead His people into life everlasting. Therefore, it’s time for the mortal to put on immortality, now when death is swallowed up in victory.
The words “enter into,” above in Hebrews 10:19, are from the five times used word eisodus, meaning an entrance, from eis, into, and odos (hodos) way, thereby literally meaning into the way (manner of life, “By a new and living way [hodos].” This is again speaking of our redemption in the flesh, not having to die to come into the LORD’s presence. The word (eisodos) is a contrast against the old way, the three times used word exodos (Exodus), meaning “an exit, i.e. (figuratively) death:–decease, departing.”
You must read these words as they are, the words of God enlightening you into His kingdom and eternal life. Friends, we are those who’ve reached the promised end, in resurrection in the KNOWN presence of the LORD with us and in us.
Hebrews 9
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment [resurrection into the new and living way]:
28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin [after the Father has written His word into our minds, and remembers our sin no more] unto salvation.
2 Peter 1
1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ:
2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our LORD,
3 According as his divine power has given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that has called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that you shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our LORD Jesus Christ.
9 But he that lacks these things is blind, and cannot see afar off [as Peter here sees, knowing he is writing the LORD’s words to us, as he is moved by LORD in Him unknown: “the Holy Ghost”], and has forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if you do these things, you shall never fall:
11 For so an entrance [eisodos] shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ.
12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though you know them, and be established in the present truth.
13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our LORD Jesus Christ has shown me.
15 Moreover I will endeavor that you may be able after my decease [exodos – once to die] to have these things always in remembrance.
16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming [parousia – the presence] of our LORD Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
17 For he received from God the Father honor [time – Tim] and glory [doxa], when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory [doxa], “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased [hear you Him].”
18 And this voice which came from heaven [from the place of full understanding] we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto you do well that you take heed, as unto a light [understanding] that shineth in a dark [an ignorant] place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts [when the understanding of this new heaven and earth brings life to your mind]:
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
2 Peter 2
1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily [from their own imaginations] shall bring in damnable [apoleia] heresies, even denying the LORD that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction [apoleia].
2 And many shall follow their pernicious [apoleia] ways; by reason of whom the WAY OF TRUTH shall be evil spoken of.
3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingers not, and their damnation [apoleia] slumbers not.
4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness [ignorance], to be reserved unto judgment;
5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, [and through his preaching the word of God] bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;
6 And turning the cities [of flaming ruin] of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them [as God calls us to condemn this evil generation] with an overthrow, making them an example unto those that after should live ungodly;
7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)
9 The LORD knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise [God’s] government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities [doxa – the “glory” of God manifested in His chosen king, the son in who He is well pleased].
2 Peter 3
1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
2 That you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the LORD and Savior:
3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming [parousia – presence]? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God [His presence manifested] the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water [this word], perished:
7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire [the fire mentioned in verse 12 below – in the old heaven, the old corrupt understanding] against the day of judgment and perdition [apoleia] of ungodly men [who corrupted it and brought darkness upon the world].
8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the LORD as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The LORD is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
10 But the day of the LORD will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens [the old corrupt understanding] shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements [stoicheion – the rudiments of the world, the corrupt ideas of this evil generation] shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in all holy conversation and godliness [preaching the ways, manner, of life],
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements [stoicheion – the corrupt ideas] shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness [the way of truth and justice].
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that you look for such things, be diligent that you may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
15 And account that the longsuffering of our LORD is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him has written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrestle, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction [apoleia – perdition].
17 You therefore, beloved, seeing you know these things before, beware lest you also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.
Psalms 2
1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
4 He that sits in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision.
5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
7 I will declare the decree: the LORD has said unto me, You are my Son; this day have I begotten you.
8 Ask of me, and I shall give you the heathen for your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.
9 You shall break them with a rod of iron; you shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.
10 Be wise now therefore, O you kings: be instructed, you judges of the earth.
11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
Psalms 110
1 The LORD said unto my LORD, Sit you at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.
2 The LORD shall send the rod of your strength out of Zion: rule you in the midst of your enemies.
3 Your people shall be willing in the day of your power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: you have the dew of your youth.
4 The LORD has sworn, and will not repent, You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
5 The LORD at your right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.
6 He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.
7 He shall drink of the brook [the word of God] in the WAY: therefore shall he lift up the head [of His son and king, the head of His ONE BODY].
