Note: We have now covered all of 1 Thessalonians except for 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11 which will be covered in next Sunday’s sermon, A Powerful Return. In order to cover all the material for that sermon the corresponding daily readings will begin today.
Read Genesis 1:1-2. Revelation 20:1-3
It’s fascinating that Christians are, and have been for some time, debating the meaning and interpretation of the start and the end of the Bible. These two topics have caused innumerable arguments and unprecedented heartache for many. The modern day catch cry has become ‘It doesn’t matter what you believe in these regions’. Unfortunately I’ve heard many different excuses to justify this stance.
At face value this catchcry may sound convincing and obviously self justifying but is it really as sound as its tenants make out? As we think about the end of the Bible, it’s generally true that all sides of the debate refer to the Bible and use the Bible as their ultimate authority. Most authors and scholars have read the Bible and interpreted passages in line with their particular school of theology. Very few scholars import worldly thinking or worldly facts into their analysis when studying the end of the Bible.
But when we come to the beginning of the Bible, we simply cannot state these truths. Without being derogatory or negative, it is generally true that those who do not agree with a literal interpretation of the start of the Bible are not reading out of the Bible but are rather reading into the Bible. Something or someone other than God’s Word has become their ultimate authority. Even the great atheists of the world, for example, have stated categorically that you cannot read Genesis and come to the conclusion that the world was created over millions of years. It is simply not there in the text of the Bible. Even the age old argument that the word ‘day’ doesn’t always mean 24 hours cannot be misconstrued or twisted to mean millions of years in Genesis 1. To come to that understanding requires reading an external source into the Scriptures.
As we come to study the end times, or ‘eschatology’ as it’s sometimes called, we need to agree to use the Bible as our sole source of authority and we need to let the Bible speak for itself. We need to read out the truths out of Scripture rather than reading in our own thoughts, ideas and wishes into the Scriptures. As we discuss the various opinions and interpretations let us never malign or put down the character or veracity of other believers. Let us never insult or criticise other believers. As brothers and sisters in the Lord let us have frank, even spirited, conversation with the freedom to defend our views, share our concerns and ask questions or raise issues with the other views. But as we do, let us stand arm in arm worshipping the Lord together.
Prayer:
Use the space provided to add your own prayer points.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that Christians would have an honest openness and willingness to humbly submit to Scripture as they interpret and discuss the various Bible passages that are not agreed upon. Pray for a spirit of listening and understanding to come upon those in the midst of the discussions.
¥ Pray that your own congregation would see great unity as we focus on various passages that are difficult and often interpreted differently. Pray that individuals and groups would not be offended or put off but rather willing to engage in loving discussion.
Discussion Questions For Families and Groups
1. How can we determine which bits of the Bible to believe and which bits not to believe?
2. How do we respond to a believer that picks and chooses the bits of the Bible to believe?
3. How do you deal with Bible passages that are hard to believe?
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