Category Archives: second coming

grace, equality, and heaven’s king

Posted on July 10, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

Matthew 19:1-20:16.  In each of the stories Matthew records here, there is someone who considers himself better than someone else.  The lesson is about God’s grace – how it levels the playing field and makes us all equal. The Pharisees … Continue reading →

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the future and heaven’s king

Posted on July 4, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

Matthew 13.  This chapter consists mostly of parables and is directed towards the crowds – not the disciples.  The disciples were privy to insider information that served as a key to interpreting the parables (10-17).  In two passages, Matthew records … Continue reading →

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preparing for heaven’s king

Posted on June 19, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

Matthew 3.  The life of John the Baptist was consumed with one task: preparing Israel for heaven’s king. His call for repentance was directed not toward the pagan masses, but toward a nation whose heart had forgotten that their God … Continue reading →

Posted in commitment, destruction in hell, discernment, ethnic Israel, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, preparation, second coming | Tagged | 2 Comments

the destiny of heaven’s king

Posted on June 18, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

Matthew 2:13-23.  Who you are right now is the result of a thousand decisions – some large and some small – and those decisions shaped your destiny.  The catalysts for those decisions are various.  In Jesus’ early life, his parents … Continue reading →

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mission: continue in what you have learned

Posted on June 4, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

2 Timothy 3:10-4:8.  Paul knew that he was “already being poured out as a drink offering” and it was time for him to depart this life (4:6).  He expected to be raised to life again, and to get his reward … Continue reading →

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mission: pursue godliness, not riches

Posted on May 30, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

1 Timothy 6:3-21.  Paul’s final words to Timothy in this letter identify a false teaching in Ephesus that Timothy must publically reject, because it will do much harm.  It is the teaching that the faith will lead to wealth. Those … Continue reading →

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when Christ comes, our work will be vindicated

Posted on May 24, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

2 Thessalonians 3:6-18.  Some among the Thessalonians had apparently stopped working their “day jobs.”  Either they were convinced that Christ had secretly already come (2:2), or they felt that secular work was beneath them.  That attitude was not part of … Continue reading →

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when Christ comes, the glory will be obtained

Posted on May 23, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5.  Paul had just assured the Thessalonian believers that Christ had not come yet – that there remained a “strong delusion” to come that would produce an apostate church.  He now tells them that they are among the … Continue reading →

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when Christ comes, the delusion will end

Posted on May 22, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12.  Paul warns the Thessalonian believers that they were in danger of being deceived about the second coming of Christ. Someone was teaching that the second coming had already happened.  Paul warned that a strong delusion  was about … Continue reading →

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when Christ comes: judgment, destruction, and glory.

Posted on May 21, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

In his second letter to the Thessalonians, Paul continues to encourage them (and us) with the hope of the second coming of Christ. When Christ comes, he will inflict his judgment upon those who have afflicted the church.  Paul praises … Continue reading →

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