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Antichrist (ἀντίχριστος)

The Apostle John writes of the antichrist (ἀντίχριστος) in his first and second letters to the Church. Antichrist is a word created by combining a preposition (ἀντί) expressing opposition and Christ (Χριστός); therefore, it defines one who is against Christ.

We are first introduced to the concept of the antichrist in 1 John 2:18, where John writes about how we know it is the last hour. My little children, it is the last hour, and just as you heard that an antichrist is coming, now also many antichrists have come, by which we experientially know it is the last hour. The antichrist is the liar who denies that Jesus is the Messiah, 1 John 2:22. Who is the liar, except the one denying that Jesus is the Messiah? This one is the antichrist, the one denying the Father and the Son. Although these antichrists may claim to be from the Father, the ones that oppose Christ also reject the Father, 1 John 2:23. Everyone who denies the Son does not have the Father, the one verbally agreeing, has the Son and the Father. Every spirit that does not verbally agree that Jesus has come in the flesh is the antichrist, 1 John 4:3. and every spirit which does not confess (verbally agree) the Jesus is not out from God, and this is the [spirit] of the antichrist, which you have heard that is coming and now already is in the world. They are the deceivers who have gone out into the world, some even out from the assemblies, from the beginning of the Church, denying that Jesus has come in the flesh, 2 John 7. The antichrist is one who causes others to wander away […]

Antichrist (ἀντίχριστος)2024-03-21T06:24:51-07:00

Energize (ἐνέργεια)

Energize (ἐνέργεια) expresses the state or quality of being active.

When Paul communicated to God on behalf of the saints, he often expressed a desire for them to be given a spirit of wisdom and revelation in full experiential knowledge of Christ so that the eyes of their hearts are opened to the hope of His calling. With the heart open to see, we are able to discern the inherent ability of God that was working in the resurrection of Christ through the energizing of the might of His strength, Ephesians 1:19-20.

In the mystery of the Christ, which in past ages was not revealed but has now been declared by the Spirit and His holy apostles and prophets, we learn that the Gentiles are able to become fellow heirs, for God has made it possible for them to partake of the same body and, therefore, His promise in Christ. Paul was appointed the steward of this dispensation by the grace given to him according to the energizing of God’s inherent ability to bring the good news among the Gentiles of the unsearchable riches of the Christ, Ephesians 3:7-8.

God gave us apostles, evangelists, and pastors even teachers to bring us to a oneness of the faith so that we are no longer tossed around like inarticulate babblers. Instead, while speaking the truth in love, we can grow up in all things unto Christ, who is the head. For the whole body, being knit together, supplies each joint’s need according to the working of each part to edify itself, Ephesians 4:16.

Through the working of His inherent ability by which He can subdue all things, our bodies will be outwardly transformed to express a proper opinion […]

Energize (ἐνέργεια)2024-03-07T04:52:31-08:00

Persuade (πείθω)

Persuading (πείθω) involves convincing someone to follow a particular viewpoint or course of action.

The High Priests and elders of Israel persuaded the people to request a murderer be set free while condemning a righteous man, Matthew 27:20. After they had Him crucified by the hand of Pilate, standing at the cross, they mocked Christ, saying, “He was persuaded on the basis of God. Now, let Him deliver Him if He desires, for He said that I am the Son of God.” Knowing that Jesus was the Messiah and that He stated if they destroyed His body, He would raise it in three days, the High Priests and elders persuaded Pilate to seal the tomb and put a guard at it so no one could steal the body. However, three days later, some of the guards assigned to the tomb came into the city and told the High Priest of the angel and the tomb opening, for the One they had condemned to death and mocked God answered and raised Him out from the dead. Concerned over this news, the High Priest and elders offer the guards a large sum of money to say the disciples overtook them while they slept. And if the governor hears of this, they will persuade him and make them secure, Matthew 28:14. The absurdity of such a statement is shocking, for if they were caught sleeping, they would be killed, and if they failed in their duties, they would face execution. During Christ’s earthly ministry, while addressing the Pharisees, who were fond of money, He speaks of a rich man and Lazarus. This is not a parable but a historical record of two men: one who trusted in his […]

Persuade (πείθω)2024-03-03T20:59:14-08:00

Different (διάφορος)

Different (διάφορος) focus on the distinctiveness and, therefore, can express something outstanding or excellent in comparison.

Paul uses “difference” to describe the distinctions between Spiritual gifts in Romans 12:6 according to the grace given to us, and therefore, we are to use the gift we received to its fullest while not seeking to do more than what God has laid out for us. Although there are diversities (διαίρεσις), the sign gifts, revelatory gifts, and edifying gifts all have their purpose, for we are part of one body. God has set each member within the body according to His desire, 1 Corinthians 12:18. This is especially important to understand concerning the use of Spiritual gifts today, for the sign and revelatory gifts have ceased due to fulfilling their purpose. Therefore, let us focus on the edification of the assembly, not an individual, 1 Corinthians 14:4.

Christ is different than the angels, for He is the Son of God, the exact image of God the Father, and has therefore obtained a different name than they, Hebrews 1:2. At no time did God say to an angle, “You are My Son, Today I have begotten you.” Rather, the angels are to worship Christ, showing that He truly is God in the flesh, Hebrews 1:6. To the Son, He said, “Your throne, O God, is into the ages of the ages.”

The Tent that Moses was instructed to build was to be precisely completed in the manner in which He was shown, for it is a shadow of the heavenly things, Hebrews 8:3. Through the Holy Spirit, Hebrews 9:12, Christ entered the Holy of Holies in the heavens and through His blood obtained a more excellent (different) ministry in […]

Different (διάφορος)2024-02-01T05:29:20-08:00

A Gathered of People (δημος)

Demos (δημος) means a gathered people. It is distinct in use from a crowd (ὄχλος) or an assembly (ἐκκλησία). Demos is organized, where a crowd is chaotic.

When the Jews learned of Paul’s success in preaching the Gospel of the risen Christ, they sought out malignantly evil men to cause an uproar in the city. When they came to where they assumed Paul was residing, after not finding him, they grabbed the owner of the house and brought him out to the gathered people, Acts 17:5. Demos (δημος) is not the same concept as an assembly (ἐκκλησία), which describes a group of people brought together for a common reason, such as with the Ephesians gathering because Demetrius and his fellow tradesmen stirred up the city against Paul and the saints in Ephesus because faith in Christ was threatening their profits from selling idols, Acts 19:39.

Peter uses a form of “demos (δημος)”, which means to be a pilgrim – alongside the gathered people. 1 Peter is written to the elect pilgrims of the dispersion of Pontius, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 1 Peter 1:1. Through his letter, Peter encourages us to abstain from fleshly lusts that war against the soul while we are out among the Gentiles, for we are sojourners and pilgrims in the world, 1 Peter 2:11.

Using the concept of a gathered people, Paul describes what happens to Christians when they pass away before the Lord returns.

Indeed, we are confident and well pleased rather to be absent (out from the gathered people) out from the body and at home (in the gathered people) facing the Lord, 2 Corinthians 5:8.

Although not all saints of the Church will face death, for when Christ returns, those who are […]

A Gathered of People (δημος)2024-01-17T06:10:34-08:00
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