American Pastor

The Dead Shall Rise: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18

2 Thessalonians 3:6 "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores Paul's epistles to the Thessalonians in a series titled The Dead Shall Rise. This sermon, the seventeenth and final in the series, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18, closes out the epistle with Paul's final exhortations: "Though the Thessalonians were brethren, Paul and the other apostles with him maintained the spiritual right to command them regarding certain behaviors in the church. Gift ministries, like apostles and prophets, are placed by Christ. Because of this, they have been given divine authority by the Son of God to carry out God’s will when led by the Spirit of God. It is thus both the right and responsibility for true ministries to come in God’s name, hold forth His Word, and reveal His will to man. This is a heavenly charge and should not be taken lightly.
"For true servants, Christ’s will is always superior to their own, and the influence of the Spirit of the Lord is greater than human flesh. Ultimately, God gives no man spiritual authority over another unless he is first willing to subject himself to Christ’s Lordship. This ecclesiastical order encourages unity and harmony in the body of Christ and provides the means for spiritual growth.
"The truth is that no man should think he has met the spiritual criteria of being a servant of Christ until he has labored not only to care for his own needs but also to help others as well. Idleness, though not recognized by many as spiritually harmful, is one of the great dangers to any society. The law of Christ demands not only bearing one’s own burdens but also assisting with the burdens of others. 
"Though men are saved by grace and not by works, this does not imply that they carry no personal responsibility for salvation. Ultimately, God works in the called to do according to His own good pleasure, inspiring them to pursue the narrow gate that leads to salvation.
"To do good should be the Christian’s main purpose in life, a heavenly charge that is abundant in scripture. Yet, when men know to do good, but do it not, then as far as God is concerned, evil has been committed. The absence of doing good therefore, when it is known it should be done, is viewed as nothing less than sin in God’s eyes. 
"Simply put, if a man does not seek to do good, it is impossible for him to walk in any real, true unity and fellowship with the Father or His Son, Jesus Christ.
"Every true Christian knows the inward stabilizing force of the Christ Spirit within, which produces the spiritual fruits of joy and peace. This spiritual peace, which has God as its source, surpasses human understanding. Paul prayed for the Lord Jesus to impart that supernatural encouragement which is His alone.
"True Christianity is a religion of divine favor, spiritual gifts, and heavenly blessings. These realities become available through exposure to and belief in the Son of God. It is He Who reveals the true nature of heaven, and He Who, through the sacrifice of His own life, provides a path for sinners to be accepted by God. 
"Since Christ has brought us to God, then it is only fitting that we should live the remainder of our earthly lives for Him. (2 Cor. 5:15) And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. This has been our heart in writing and publishing The Word of the Lord: An Expositional Study of I&II Thessalonians."
Broadcast live on 11/27/2022
 

The Dead Shall Rise: 2 Thessalonians 2:10-3:5

2 Thessalonians 2:10 "And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores Paul's epistles to the Thessalonians in a series titled The Dead Shall Rise. This sermon, the sixteenth in the series, 2 Thessalonians 2:10-3:5, highlights the importance of having a love for the truth: "When men do not love truth and count it as their greatest joy, they place themselves in a position fertile for deception. Ultimately, it is the engrafted Word that saves a man’s soul and the kept Word that keeps him from sinning against God. Both will only be accomplished when men love the truth, without which they can easily be deceived. Hence, at the core of all apostasy is the reality that those who apostatized held no real affection for the truth, which itself reveals no real affection for God and the holiness contained in His divine nature.
"When a deep and affectionate love for truth is absent, all that is left for men to have affection for, is sin. What people love directly affects what they believe. This is why a man’s appetites will eventually determine his destiny. The heart and what it cherishes most, whether God or the world, greatly determines what is believed. So, if sin is embraced and not God, it is impossible to escape deception. Observe as well that love for truth is directly linked to love for God. Therefore, when men cease to love the truth, it sends a very clear message that love for self, sin, and the world is preferred above God.
"In comforting contrast to those who will be damned because of their affection for sin, the apostle now turns to what God has purposed for the Thessalonians, who had exhibited a belief and love for the gospel. Whereas damnation awaits the deceived, salvation and sanctification await those who choose Christ.
"Jesus Christ now possesses a glory, and those who have believed upon Him will share in it. Hence, as dark and dreary as the apostasy and the man of sin’s rise to power will be, equally as brilliant will be the glory of the Son of God and the spiritual glory He will give to those saved by Him.
"Whenever we think of heaven and life beyond this earthly abode, we should think of it as God describes it and not as we might be misled to believe it will be. Thus, it is not simply that a man will enter a land of heavenly bliss, but rather that those called by Christ shall obtain and share in the glory of Jesus Christ. Saints, therefore, shall possess a portion of the Son of God’s celestial glory. This is the true hope of the gospel, and it provides great spiritual encouragement when believed.
"Concerning prayer, there lies a very important truth; it is that whatever a man believes is his greatest strength is what he will lean on when setting about to do a work. Hence, if men believe that it is through their own power and ability that the gospel is advanced and believed in, it is to themselves that they will turn to for strength. A man’s prayer life, therefore, or perhaps a lack of it, reveals the true source of his confidence.
"As much as God is love and light, He is also faithful. This is seen in His faithfulness to uphold His promises, provide forgiveness for sin, and receive those called to heaven through His Son. The Lord is faithful, and this shall be proven when He establishes His saints, and keeps them from evil. How a man views God also directly affects his confidence in Him. Hence, if he does not believe that God is faithful, it will be difficult for him to gain and maintain consistent trust in the Lord. Consequently, at the foundation of any true walk with God, is held a firm belief in God’s faithfulness.
"Love is the divine quality that, when manifested in Christians, reveals their true knowledge of God and the higher spiritual realm. Ultimately, all who are truly born of God through the Spirit will manifest a deep love for not only their Savior but those born of Him. This is something a merely religious man can never possess. Ultimately, divine love is that spiritual fruit that confirms true relationship with God. For those who dwell in love, dwell in God, and He in them. Hence, whenever divine love is present, we can know that that person indeed has fellowship with the Lord Jesus, and the Lord Jesus with him."
Broadcast live on 11/13/2022

The Dead Shall Rise: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-9

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye 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. 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;"
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores Paul's epistles to the Thessalonians in a series titled The Dead Shall Rise. This sermon, the fifteenth in the series, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-9, explains the events that will occur before the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ: "Concerning the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and the churches being gathering together unto Him, we learn a very significant truth—that this event will not occur, that the day of Christ will not come, until there first commences a great falling away from the faith, directly influenced by the revealing of the man of sin, the great instigator in leading the world away from the worship of God to become worshipers of himself.
"When sin reaches its peak, led by the man of sin influencing men to betray God, Jesus Christ will return not only to destroy the son of perdition but also to remove all spiritual rebellion once and for all. Thus, when the man of sin is revealed and sin is embraced as righteousness should be, very soon afterward the Son of God will appear with heaven’s glory to destroy all who have, by freedom of choice, rejected God’s rule over their lives.
"The rebellion orchestrated by the little horn spoken of in Daniel will be a universal condemnation of God’s laws. Led by him, the apostasy that began in Genesis with Adam and Eve departing from God’s Word will be allowed to grow until it has engulfed the entire world. Because a great majority of this world’s inhabitants will freely and willingly join themselves to the man of sin and his rebellion against God, heaven, in the person of Jesus Christ, will intervene one last time to deal with sin.
"The mystery of iniquity is a concealed force that seeks to advance sin and rebellion against God. This power can be observed in government, media, and many other places where men hold an extensive amount of influence in the  world.
"Whatever delusions the Antichrist has tricked the world into believing concerning his authority to rule as God will also be openly exposed as a lie when the Son of man, Jesus Christ, returns to the earth.
"In the end, the Word of God on the lips of the Son of God, accompanied by the brightness of His glory, will consume and destroy the man of sin. Good will overcome evil, and light will be proven to be so much greater than darkness. Christ, therefore, will destroy with the brightness of His coming the one who deceived a great part of this world."
Broadcast live on 10/30/2022

The Dead Shall Rise: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

2 Thessalonians 1:1 "Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores Paul's epistles to the Thessalonians in a series titled The Dead Shall Rise. This sermon, the fourteenth in the series, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12, highlights the introduction to the second epistle written to the Thessalonians: 
"Paul’s second epistle to the Thessalonians begins, much like the first one, by reminding these early believers of the grace and peace sent to them by God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. It is God’s purpose in calling sinners to Himself through the redemptive work of Christ, that both His grace and peace might be given to men where previously they deserved only wrath and judgment.
Grace is that kind disposition of God that desires good for the sinner and not evil. It is the Greek word #5485, charis. Strong’s Concordance defines it as “grace, kindness.” HELPS Word-studies states, “5485 (xáris) is preeminently used of the Lord’s favor – freely extended to give Himself away to people (because He is ‘always leaning toward them’).” It is because of God’s grace, His kind disposition towards man, that when men sin against Him, if they sincerely repent for their sins, they can be forgiven. Informing us that it is God’s will that no man die for the sin nature he was born in. That God is both willing and able to forgive the penitent is seen in His sending His Son to die for sin. It is also solely through the Lord’s grace that any are saved, or can be. For if there was not grace, there could be no true salvation.
It is faith and love sprouting in people’s lives, that proves true spiritual growth and genuine godly advancement. By possessing faith and love, this proves that men are walking in God’s will in their lives. There is also no such thing as true spiritual development, which has not the increase of these two fruits of the Spirit. Hence, where knowledge, even if it is biblical, is not an accurate measure of either God’s salvation or spiritual growth, manifesting the fruits of the Holy Spirit given by Christ to the saved, surely is.
Ultimately, at the base of any true walk with God, is a sincere and honest trust in God. Hence, if a man does not trust the Lord when in trial, then we know, that very little true faith in God exists. Understandably, faith can do so much more for the human heart, than a room full of biblical knowledge ever could. Since it is not knowledge that allows men to endure both religious persecution and worldly trial, but rather only a genuine and sincere trust in God’s ability to deliver them.
All fathers maintain a right to defend their own, and our heavenly Father is no different. It is thus right in heaven’s eye to recompense tribulation to those who persecute God’s saints. What men sow they shall also reap; therefore, those who trouble and bring consternation upon the beloved, will have trouble and tribulations, recompensed to them.
The object of Christ’s vengeance will be those who have rejected His rule. It is not a small thing to set at naught the good news brought by the Son of God, purposed to save the sinner. Not a small transgression to choose disobedience toHe, whom God has purposed should rule the world. Undoubtedly, most do not consider it a great offense to reject the gospel. Nor do the spiritually blind consider it as worthy of judgment, if they do not obey Christ’s words. Yet, the scripture is clear, what the results shall be for any who have counted the blood of the covenant, and new testament of Christ, an unholy and unattractive thing.
Paul’s prayer is that such faith that had begun in the Thessalonians when they believed the gospel, would continue to grow in order that, first they might be found worthy of their heavenly calling, and secondly that this advancement of faith and obedience to God’s Word, might allow them to receive all the good that God had purposed for their lives. In short, Paul prayed that what God had begun by exercising His power to produce faith in the Thessalonians, might be finished, resulting in all God’s good pleasure purposed for them, being able to be fulfilled."
Broadcast live on 10/16/2022
 

The Dead Shall Rise: 1 Thessalonians 5:20-28

1 Thessalonians 5:20 "Despise not prophesyings."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores Paul's epistles to the Thessalonians in a series titled The Dead Shall Rise. This sermon, the thirteenth and final in the series, 1 Thessalonians 5:20-28 concludes Paul's epistle to the Thessalonians with his final exhortations and blessings: "
"It is critical in the church that all things should be proven and examined to see if they pass the test for truly being of God, and inspired by the Holy Spirit. This will include not only using spiritual discernment to perceive true Christians over those who only profess Christ, but also all doctrines, that are said to come in God’s name. Discerning of spirits is essential, in order that nothing is allowed into Christ’s church, without having its source in God.
"Once a nation or generation forsakes God, through choosing sin, then it will simultaneously try and change the definition of what God considers divinely good. It is not enough for evil men to depart from the light, without them also attempting to pervert what true light really is. Sinners thus, when apostatizing from divine rule, will assert that sin is righteousness, and righteousness is sin. Not content with merely breaking God’s commandments, those who practice sin, and have chosen to live lives through being governed by it, will attempt to deceive others as to what truth really is.
"Jesus saves the whole man, his whole being, and men should not think that just because the Spirit returns to God at death, that the entire man will not be fully restored at Christ’s second coming. Understanding that God saves the entire Christian, then it is reasonable that all that the Christian both is and has, should be used in service to the Lord. Because the entire man will be saved at Christ’s second coming, the entire man should be yielded to God, for God’s service, in preparation of that day.
"Hope in Christ’s return also is a mark of a true Christians, since none will both expectantly and longingly wish for Christ’s second appearance, who are not Sons of God themselves. The hope of Christ’s return changed the Thessalonian church and those converted to Christ through it, even as, if we believe the same message, it will transform our lives as well.
"There is hardly anything more that will purify the Christian’s faith and manner of life more, than belief in the Son of God’s return. When a man’s eyes are set on the second appearance of Christ, neither worldly affection nor carnal lust has the power to draw him away from God’s call for his life. It is those who cannot see Christ afar off, and set their hearts on such insignificant things such as worldly fame, temporal abundance and/or pleasure, and human approval. What a man navigates by forms his character, and this is why when men set their eyes on holy things, then they shall themselves, like Moses, be transformed in the process.
"Very appropriately the apostle closes his epistle to the Thessalonians, in like manner that he began it— reminding all the holy brethren of Thessalonica that it was by the grace of God that they were saved, and nothing of themselves which could accomplish this glorious work performed upon them. Leaving us with the simple truth that all Christianity is, at its core, a religion of grace, the only form of religion also that sinners like ourselves could remain faithful to. Thankfully, this grace, comes to us as a gift from God, which gift we must also possess if we are to be received and have our bodies changed by the Lord Jesus at His glorious return. Amen."
Broadcast live on 08/28/2022
 

The Dead Shall Rise: 1 Thessalonians 5:6-19

1 Thessalonians 5:6 "Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores Paul's epistles to the Thessalonians in a series titled The Dead Shall Rise. This sermon, the twelfth in the series, 1 Thessalonians 5:6-19 teaches of those who "sleep in the night" and are completely unaware of Christ's second coming: "When men are asleep to the spiritual realm, they cannot perceive, and are not aware of either the opportunity for salvation, or future judgment for sin. The opposite of sleep is when a man is alert and watching to both hear God’s voice and avoid the danger of not obeying divine commandments. A watchful man, biblically speaking, is one who is looking to fully do God’s will in his life, while also preparing for God’s Son’s return to the earth.
"In seeking to destroy men’s lives, the devil does all he can to intoxicate the unsuspecting through leading them towards sin, which will produce spiritual slumber in any who engage in it. Sin therefore will, if lived in and maintained, completely separate a man from any true awareness of God and God’s judgment for sin.
"Man, in his fallen state, is at war with the Lord, and the Lord with him. Thus, it is only when faith in God is desired and held, that men prove themselves as willing to come under God’s government. For no man will seek to believe, if he has not first determined within himself, that he will yield to the One he is seeking to believe in.
"There is no greater evidence of purity of religion, than when divine love is manifested in Christians. It is this that proves their relationship with God as sincere, and their affection for Him as genuine.
"True ministers are spiritual gifts provided to the church by Christ. Because Christ has given these spiritual ministries to the church, it is a great affront to His own spiritual authority if their divine positions are not properly respected. To be under Christ’s rule requires that men freely become subject to not only Jesus’ words and His Spirit, but also, as evidenced here, to those ministers whom He has placed in the church for the church’s growth and spiritual development. Without also these gift ministries being placed by the Son over His people, believers would be tossed to and fro, and carried about with every false and misleading doctrine meant to deceive the elect.
"When children are young, they are most vulnerable to deception. This is especially so concerning those who, though born of God, remain young because of spiritual immaturity. And like a toddler that will place virtually anything in his mouth, even if it is dangerous to him, so can new believers, because of their lack of spiritual perception, be easily deceived to receive false doctrines purposed to do them spiritual harm. Consider as well that, just as there are true ministers in Christ’s church, so also are there an equal amount, if not more, men sent by Satan to deceive the elect. Their devilish aim is to not only bring disgrace to the gospel, but also by teaching falsities, to lead people away from true religion, and a proper understanding of the Son of God."
"All recompense for sin must be left to the Lord Who alone has sufficient wisdom to justly exercise it. Ultimately, it is God, Who will manifest Himself as His people’s avenger, and not they who should take this responsibility upon themselves. There is but One power and authority in the world, and no man has the right to believe himself equipped to do what is solely the right of God.
"The Lord is good beyond all measure, and none know this more than those whom He has saved and made His own. The reason also that Christian are instructed to rejoice evermore, is because there is no time in the future that there will be any just causes not to rejoice. We have been given life eternal, and because of this, we will have even more reason in the ages to come, to rejoice evermore.
"Prayer is that quality which reveals dependence upon God, and thankfulness to Him. If a man has a genuine relationship with the Lord, this will manifest itself in prayer without ceasing. Ultimately, prayer is the means, whether it is rendered for thanks, for seeking direction, or for asking for forgiveness, that believers reveal their great affection and dependence upon their Savior. He, who prays knows he needs the Lord, and cannot do anything successfully without Him. 
"It is common that men wish to think of God as they desire Him to be, and not as He really is. Thus, if a man does not wish to believe in certain qualities of the Lord, like the reality that God is as a consuming fire, then he will throw out clear revelation concerning the true nature of God, and believe of the Lord only what he chooses. It was in a burning bush that God first revealed Himself to Moses. Mount Sinai it is said was both wrapped and covered with smoke, when the Lord descended upon it, in the form of fire, when also the whole mountain trembled violently. God also led Israel, through His presence being manifested in a pillar of cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night. When David received his vision of the ancient of days, the Lord sat upon a throne ablaze with flames, and its wheels were a burning fire. When also the Lord spoke to Israel on Mt. Sinai, He spoke from the midst of a fire. Psalms speaks of the Lord as having fire devouring all before Him, with also a stormy tempestuous around Him. In the New Testament, it was revealed that the Messiah would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire. On the day of Pentecost, when the disciples were in the temple at Jerusalem, obeying Christ’s command to wait for the promise of the Father that the scriptures state that the Holy Spirit descended upon them in the form of cloven tongues as of fire. Christ has also said that He will try every man’s work with fire, to examine it, to determine if it will pass His test for holiness and sincerity. Fire is thus often used to denote the presence of the Lord, and if necessary, both His anger and judgment for sin. Lastly, Jesus Christ, your Savior and mine, in the vision John received from Him is said to have eyes as a flame of fire. Revealing the spiritual power that lies within Him, that all men should wisely fear and reverence."
Broadcast live on 08/14/2022
 

The Dead Shall Rise: 1 Thessalonians 4:17-5:5

1 Thessalonians 4:17 "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores Paul's epistles to the Thessalonians in a series titled The Dead Shall Rise. This sermon, the eleventh in the series, 1 Thessalonians 4:17-5:5 highlights what the believer's end is  when Christ returns: "Those who have believed upon Christ, will at Christ’s return, be raised to meet Christ. The reward of their faith, then will be, sight of their Savior. The manner in which saints will be caught up to meet Christ in the air is first seen in Enoch, whom the scriptures state, walked with God before God took him.
"Ultimately, the unity that was established on earth between Christ and His people will reach its purposed end, when both the living and the dead, are eternally joined to the Savior. Some have speculated that one of the reasons that the saved will join Christ in the air, is that the earth could not contain such a great number of redeemed saints  for such occasions as the church’s final salvation, and the judgment of God.
"Man, as we know him today in his fallen state, has lost the right to rule or be given stewardship over anything; therefore a new race of men, created in the image and likeness of the Son of God will replace him. This people, because of having new hearts created in them by God, shall forever remain loyal to God, faithfully keeping God’s laws and commandments. Having already then been given new hearts, Christ shall complete His people’s salvation by providing for them new spiritual bodies.
"When then men do not respect or have a high regard for that which is holy, they prove themselves ripe for judgment. The two greatest sins in man, absent blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, are unbelief and ungodliness. These sins are committed directly against a holy God and as such are worthy of divine judgment. The Day of the Lord will demonstrate and prove how distasteful the Lord finds the pride and the insolence of man to be.
"Once raptured by the Son of God, the saved shall never again be separate from Him. It is common today in those who possess the Spirit, that any separation from the God, no matter how brief, causes pain to the soul. Whether it is because of personal sin, or simply the trials of life, there is nothing that disturbs and causes inner consternation more than when spiritual fellowship with our heavenly Father and Savior is damaged. This is why once the believer is joined to the Lord Jesus, all such fear will be eternally removed. Our spiritual hearts will be at peace, simply because of our close proximity to the Lord of peace. In God’s presence is fullness of joy, and this joy will be exceedingly felt in the saved, once they join their Savior in heaven.
"The day of the Lord is that day when Jesus Christ will be openly manifested to the world. It is stated that Jesus’ return and appearance to the world will cause many to wail. This wailing is directly related to those who have rejected God’s sovereignty, and have become aware that divine judgment is ready to be revealed upon them. All the previous rejoicing of sinners will cease, once then they realize that God’s authority has returned to rule the world. What a contrast this is, to when Jesus was crucified, and His followers mourned and wept for His absence. The complete opposite scene is described here, for now it is sinners who cry because righteousness has come. 
"Sinners have foolishly surmised that they could reject living under divine rule, as well as evade any future judgment for doing so. This human reasoning will be proven demonstrably wrong. It is a predominant characteristic of the ungodly, that they wrongly estimate the danger of sin, as well as God’s final judgment for it."
 
Broadcast live on 07/31/2022
 
 

The Dead Shall Rise: 1 Thessalonians 4:14-16

1 Thessalonians 4:14 "For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores Paul's epistles to the Thessalonians in a series titled The Dead Shall Rise. This sermon, the tenth in the series, 1 Thessalonians 4:14-16 teaches Christianity's criteria for salvation, belief that God raised Jesus from the dead: "Christianity has a criteria for salvation that no other religion does, it is for a man to be saved by God, then he must believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. As Romans reveals, salvation requires two essential elements: 1. A confession of Christ’s lordship. 2. Belief, that God raised Jesus from the dead. On these two great spiritual truths, salvation rests, without which no man can be saved. Understanding this, for God’s salvation to be given, it is essential that there is in the penitent, a solid and sure belief, that God raised Jesus from the dead.
"Simply put, if a man did not believe in Christ’s power to deliver him, then Christ could not. The record of Jesus healing the two blind men in Matthew’s gospel shows us that to be delivered by the Son of God, men need to believe in His ability to deliver them.
"Ultimately, the two men had exhibited the necessary faith to be delivered by the Lord. 1. They had believed Him to be the Messiah. 2. They had the faith to follow and pursue Him where He went. 3. They held sufficient faith that Jesus could do the impossible, and heal them of their blindness. Thus, it was their total and complete faith in the Son of God, that yielded to them a miracle from God.
"Practically speaking, every man possesses all those elements—body, soul, and spirit—which comprises his being. He has a body of the earth, he has a soul like the beasts of the field, and he has a spirit. What is unique though in a Christian, someone who has believed upon the Son of God, is that they are given a Holy Spirit, a divine Spirit directly related to and connected with Christ’s own resurrected nature. This nature is both holy and everlasting. Possessing this Holy Spirit is necessary for entrance into heaven.
"The gist of the revelation is this, that there is no real advantage to be alive at Christ’s second coming, simply because the dead will be changed before the living. Thus, before the living are given new bodies by the Lord Jesus, the dead shall have already received them. In simple terms, the bodily transformation of the dead, shall be prior to those living at Christ’s return, given their new bodies. Thus, at this time, this glorious time when Jesus returns to the earth, to rightfully claim what God has given Him, it shall be more advantageous for the bodies of those who have fallen asleep in Christ, than even those saints still alive at His return.
"He shall come in the Father’s glory, and the heavenly sounds introducing Him, foretell of His glory. Practically speaking, Christ’s entrance will startle all the inhabitants of the earth. He shall interrupt all the noises of human activity and communication. Never before has the earth, the entire earth heard the trump of God, which also caused the Israelites to shrink in fear at Mt. Sinai, and summoned them to hear God’s voice. Never before has this voice of the archangel, been so loud and dramatic, that not even one will not recognize it as coming from God. So great also will be this shout that accompanies Jesus’ return, that it shall awaken and call from the grave, the bodies of those, who in death, maintained faith in the Son of God.
"If one should ask why such a public, and universal display of Christ’s glory, then it should be considered that Christ was first humiliated publicly; He was mocked and put to shame for all men to see by the Romans, the Jews, and the devil. Thus, as open and public as men sin in this world, and did sin against the Son of God, so shall Christ’s victory over hell and death be a grand and visual event in view of the world. Not only though will Christ’s glory, be made visible and open, but so also shall His people be glorified, who their entire life have been mocked by the entire world, and persecuted because of their loyalty to God. All faith therefore both of the Son of God, and those who have believed in Him, shall be proven true, and worthy to be openly glorified.
"There is no day that a true believer in the Son of God looks forward to more than this one, when their faith in God and His Son, is both justified and vindicated. So that when all they have suffered for, believing on the Son of God will redound to being glorified with Him. And though this glory is yet future, still it is certain. We know this because all that Paul has revealed, and will reveal, he assures us came from the Lord Jesus Himself. Jesus will therefore descend from heaven in like manner that He ascended up into heaven, and His return shall consummate and put an end to this present age. For at Christ’s return it is not simply that saints will be raised, but the whole world shall be changed. All that once was will then pass, and all that God has purposed to come, will enter. At this time also, at Christ’s return, God’s kingdom will come. Whereby through the Son of God, God will rule all men. And this will be unmistakably proven by when through the power given to Jesus by God, Jesus will raise the dead bodies of the saints. This shall be a glorious day, and one which every true son of God should expectantly wait for."
Broadcast live on 07/17/2022