Chapter 1
1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the congregation of Thessalonians who are one with God the Father and the Lord Jesus the Anointed One: May you have [God’s] care and peace.
2 We always thank God when we mention you all in our
prayers, 3 because we never forget your faithful work, loving labors, and
endurance that comes from hope in our Lord Jesus the Anointed One, [who stands]
in front of our God and Father. 4 For we know that He chose you, our
brothers who are loved by God, 5 because the good news that we are preaching
didn’t become just words to you, but power, Holy Breath,
and a strong conviction, since you recognized what sort of men we became to you
for your sakes. 6 Then you started acting like us and the Lord, because you
accepted the word (despite many difficulties) with the joy of [God’s] Holy
Breath, 7 and became examples to all the believers in
8 Why, you’ve preached the word of the Lord not only
Chapter 2
1 Brothers, you know that our visit to you hasn’t been
without results. 2 For, although we had just suffered and been mistreated in
5 So, as God is my witness (and as you well know), we didn’t come with flattering words or pretending to be in need of anything, 6 nor have we looked for glory from men… no, not from you or from anyone else… and as Apostles of the Anointed One, we could be quite a burden. 7 However, we came to you gently, as a mother who feeds and cares for her children. 8 And because we care for you so much, we were not only happy to share the good news of God with you, but also our lives, because you’ve become so dear to us.
9 Brothers, surely you remember how we worked hard and labored. Why, we worked night and day so we wouldn’t put an expensive burden on any of you as we preached to you about the good news of God. 10 Both you and God are our witnesses as to how loyal, righteous, and free from blame we became to you believers. 11 In the same way, you each know how we kept on encouraging you, consoling you, and witnessing to you as a father does his children. 12 [We did this] so that you would keep on walking in a way that’s worthy of the God who’s calling you to His Kingdom and glory.
13 So, that’s why we keep on thanking God; because when you accepted the word of God that you heard from us, you didn’t accept it as the word of men, but just as it truthfully is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
14 You became our imitators and brothers… like the
congregations of God (in the Anointed One) in
17 As for us, brothers, we’re forced to be orphans to you for a short time (in body, but not in our hearts), and we anxiously desire to see your faces. 18 That’s why we wanted to come to you – yes, I Paul – on two different occasions. However, the Opposer kept cutting us off. 19 For, when he arrives and we’re standing before our Lord Jesus, why would we have hope, or joy, or the crown of pride, if not over you? 20 You… yes you, are our glory and joy.
Chapter 3
1 So, when we couldn’t bear it any longer, we arranged to
be sent to
4 Why, when we were there with you, we warned you that we were about to suffer persecution (as you well know is now happening). 5 And it’s because I just couldn’t stand [not knowing], that I sent [Timothy] to find out how your faithfulness [is holding up], so that the Tempter doesn’t tempt you and bring all our hard work [in your behalf] to nothing.
6 However, Timothy has just now returned from you and he gave us the good news about your faithfulness and love, and [he told us] how you keep us in your fond memories and always long to see us, just as we [long to see] you. 7 That’s why, brothers, despite all our own needs and difficulties, we find comfort in you and in the faithfulness that you show. 8 Because, if you’re standing firm in the Lord, we are alive. 9 So, what kind of thanks can we give to God for you in return for all the joy that we now have because of you, before our God, 10 as we keep on begging night and day to see your faces and to correct anything that may be lacking in your faith.
11 Now, may our God and Father Himself and our Lord Jesus straighten our road to you. 12 May the Lord cause you to grow and to have more than enough love for each other and for all, as we have for you. 13 And may he make your hearts firm in holiness, without any blame before our God and Father, when our Lord Jesus and all his Holy Ones arrive.
Chapter 4
1 Finally brothers, we ask and urge you by the Lord Jesus, to follow the path of the things you learned from us and to keep pleasing God. Although you’re already doing this, you must do it even more so. 2 You know the orders that we gave you through the Lord Jesus, 3 and what God wants is [for you] to be made holy and to stay free from sexual immorality. 4 Each of you should learn how to take control of himself in holiness and honor, 5 not in passionate desires like those nations who don’t know God.
6 Nobody should overstep the bounds or take advantage of his brother in this matter. The Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we warned you before and explained completely. 7 For God didn’t call us to uncleanness, but to holiness. 8 So, you who [choose to] disregard this [warning] aren’t disregarding a man, but the God who put His Holy Breath in you.
9 When it comes to the matter of brotherly love; there isn’t any need for us to write you, because God taught you to love each other… 10 and you’re doing this to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. However, we urge you brothers to become better at it. 11 Also, pledge yourselves to living quietly, minding your own business, and working for a living (as we’ve instructed you to do), 12 so that you’re acting in an appropriate way toward those who are on the outside, and so that you don’t need anything.
13 Brothers, we want you to understand the situation of those who are sleeping [in death], so you aren’t saddened (as are those who have no hope). 14 If we believe that Jesus died and was resurrected, then God (through Jesus) will gather all those who have fallen asleep [in death] to Him.
15 This is what we are telling you, which is the word of the Lord: We the living who have remained until the Lord is near, definitely won’t go ahead of those who are asleep [in death]. 16 Because, the Lord himself will come down from heaven and give the command in the voice of the highest messenger [of God] and with God’s trumpet. Then those who are dead in union with the Anointed One will stand up first. 17 And we the living who remain will be snatched away with them at the same time in clouds, for an assembly with the Lord in the air, so we will always be with the Lord.
18 Keep comforting each other with these words.
Chapter 5
1 Now, when it comes to the times and the seasons, brothers, nothing needs to be written to you. 2 Because, you know very well that the Lord’s Day is coming as a thief in the night. 3 And whenever they’re saying ‘Peace and security,’ then destruction will come on them instantly like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they won’t escape. 4 However, brothers, you aren’t in the dark. So that Day shouldn’t sneak up on you like thieves, 5 because you’re all sons of light and sons of the day and we don’t belong to night or to darkness.
6 Really then, let’s not fall asleep like all the rest. Let’s stay awake and keep sober, 7 for those who are sleeping sleep at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. 8 But may we who belong to the day stay sober, wearing the breastplate of faith and love, and our hope of being saved as though it were a helmet. 9 Because, God didn’t assign us to His wrath, but to being saved through our Lord Jesus the Anointed One. 10 [Jesus] died for us so that whether we stay awake or we’re asleep, we should live together with him. 11 Comfort each other with this [thought] and keep building each other up, just as you’re already doing.
12 Now brothers, we’re asking you to give [special] recognition to those who are working hard among you, presiding over you in the Lord, and counseling you. 13 Give them extraordinary loving consideration because of what they’re doing, and be peaceable with each other. 14 We also urge you brothers to reprimand the disorderly, comfort the depressed, support the weak, and to be patient with everyone. 15 Also, see to it that no one is trying to get even with anyone else over bad things. Always search for what’s best for each other and for everyone else.
16 Always be rejoicing, 17 praying constantly, 18 and giving thanks for everything, because this is God’s will for you, in the Anointed One Jesus. 19 Don’t put out the fire of [God’s] Breath 20 or take prophesies lightly, 21 but prove everything, then hang onto whatever is good… 22 and stay away from everything that appears to be wicked.
23 May the very God of peace make you completely holy and sound in every way – in breath, life, and body – and find you blameless when our Lord Jesus the Anointed One arrives, 24 for the One who is calling you is faithful, and He will make it happen.
25 Brothers; keep praying for us, 26 and greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. 27 I’m putting you under oath in the Lord to read this letter to all the brothers.
28 May the care of our Lord Jesus the Anointed One be with you.
Notes
Highest Messenger
The Greek word that is translated ‘highest messenger [of
God]’ at 1 Thessalonians
Who was this ‘highest messenger of God?’ The text at Jude 9 gives his name as ‘Michael.’ However, many Bible scholars think that this is the name of Jesus prior to coming to the earth. The reasoning behind this is that Jesus is truly God’s highest messenger, so Jesus and Michael are thought of as one in the same.
This idea is reinforced by Paul’s words as found at 1 Thessalonians 4:16, where we read, ‘Because the Lord himself will come down from heaven and give the command in the voice of the highest messenger (gr. archaggelou) [of God] with God’s trumpet.’
So, in this case, ‘the Lord’ must refer to Jesus, and he is described having the voice of God’s ‘highest messenger’ or ‘archangel.’
Breath
The Greek word pneuma (as in pneumonia, a breathing disease) means breath or wind – the movement of air. In other Bible translations, this word is often translated as spirit or ghost – as in Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost. However, spirit is just a shortened form of the Latin word spiritu, which just means breath in Latin. And ghost conveys another meaning altogether.
The most common use of the word pneuma in the Bible is to imply an unseen force (such as breath or wind). And the problem with translating it as spirit or ghost is that many people have started believing that the unseen force that is called [God’s] Holy Breath herein, is another God-like person and part of a Divine ‘Trinity.’ This can’t be true, because the only scripture that can be used to support this theory (that is, where the Father, the Son, and the Holy Breath are supposed to be ‘one’) is found at Matthew 28:19, which simply says that baptism should be done ‘in the name of’ (or, in recognition of) these three. All other scriptures that are used to prove the Trinity theory fail to mention the Holy Breath as part of that group. And the King James wording of 1 John 5:7 (which was used for years to attempt to prove the Trinity) is spurious (something that was added to the Bible).
So to prevent confusion, the Greek word pneuma is usually translated as breath here. The only exceptions would be in instances where the Bible refers to demons as ‘spirits.’ Translating pneuma as breath in these cases, although correct, might just be confusing. There are also places where we have left pneuma translated as spirit, where the word implies a person's tendency (or spirit).
Another important use of the word pneuma is in the phrase, ‘Breath of Life.’ This phrase means more than just breathing, it refers to the entire mechanics of life itself. It’s the unseen force of life for all creatures. It’s what makes each cell alive. However, nowhere does the Bible describe the ‘pneuma’ as immortal, nor is it the same as the soul (a breathing thing), so it can (figuratively) ‘return to God’ at death,’ because all hope of future life depends on God and His promise of a resurrection.
Note in particular how the term Breath is used at Job 27:3, where Job spoke of God’s Breath or Spirit. For there he asked, ‘Does the Breath of the Divine One remain in my nose?’ As you can see from his application of this word, pneuma obviously referred to God’s Breath in this case, not to a person or to an unseen force. He was talking about that which comes from God and caused him to breathe… the Breath of Life
For more information, see the attached link ‘The Powers of God’s Holy Spirit.’
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Making a Living from Religion
At 2 Corinthians 2:17, Paul wrote, ‘We aren’t like others who are peddlers of the word of God. Rather, we speak sincerely through the Anointed One.’
Obviously, Paul is making the assertion here that he didn’t believe in making a comfortable living by preaching God’s Word. In fact, Paul bragged of his working as a tentmaker so he could provide God’s Word without cost to the congregations. And as he says here, he often did without, simply because he refused to ask for help.
However, it must be admitted that Paul, on other occasions, spoke of his ‘authority’ to be supported by others in his preaching. So, that isn’t necessarily wrong. But, let’s examine why Paul chose not to depend on others to support him in his service to God. Notice his reasoning above, ‘Rather, we speak sincerely through the Anointed One.’
The problem with trying to teach those who are paying you to do so is this matter of sincerity. If your livelihood depends on their goodwill, will you truly tell them what needs to be said? The answer is obvious.
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Satan, Devil, Lucifer, Beelzebub
It is appropriate that the heavenly name of the great Opposer and Slanderer of God is never given in the Bible. However, several terms (and one mistakenly) have been used to describe him. Here is a list of those descriptions:
- Satan: This is a Hebrew word meaning, opposer, resistor, a smart person who does things to serve his own interests, and/or a person who can’t be fooled. It was applied to the Evil One because of his opposition to God. To prevent people from thinking of it as a name, it is translated as ‘the Opposer’ herein.
- Devil: This is the only Greek word (Diabolos) used in the Bible to describe the evil one. The first part of the word, dia, means through. Bolos means throw (it’s where we get the English words ball and bowl). So, Devil means one who throws through, which implied Slanderer in Greek, so that’s the way it’s translated herein.
- Lucifer:
The name Lucifer is commonly tied to the Biblical Opposer, however the
name doesn’t appear in most versions of the Bible. It does appear once in
the King James version in Isaiah 14:12, in which the King of Babylon is
referenced as Lucifer, Son of the Morning, which is translated from
the Hebrew words Helel ben Shahar – Day Star, Son of the
Dawn. This term was used there, because Lucifer is the Latin term for
the planet Venus, which is also known as the morning star.
So, there is no direct link in the Bible between the entity known in Hebrew as Satan and the person who was referred to as Lucifer. This was a myth that was created by Augustine after translating the text in Isaiah from the original Hebrew into Latin. - Beelzebub: There are eight references in the Bible to this Hebrew word, and it does refer to the Slanderer. However, once again, this is not a proper name. It appears to be a title. Beel (like Baal) means Lord. Zebub appears to refer to flies (the insects). So, Beelzebub likely means Lord of Flies.
Is the Opposer (Slanderer or Beelzebub) a real person? All one has to do is look at the titles he was given above to realize that he is. To deny his existence negates the rest of the Bible. For example, when dealing with Adam’s sin, why did God adhere so closely to a law when other options were available to Him? Why didn’t he just destroy rebellious Adam and create another man?
The fact is, He created men and His messengers with the ability to choose whether to serve Him or not, so none are automatons. And as a man failed in the Paradise of Pleasure, we can assume (and the Scriptures support) that there were failures (and rebels) in the heavens also. This is the reason why it became necessary to have a law that clearly outlined what rebellion against God constituted, and what the consequences of violating that law would be. It was obviously for the sake of the millions of millions of heavenly spirit (breath) creatures that the issue of rebellion here on the earth had to be resolved by legal means, and in a way that demonstrated the love and loyalty of God’s first-born son, which resulted in the painful need for a ‘ransom’ (Jesus’ death).
And other questions are raised. For example, while Jesus was being tempted in the desert, was he simply struggling with the bad inside himself rather than against a real, evil personality? If so, we would have to conclude that there was bad in Jesus.
Also, was the battle in heaven, as spoken of at Revelation the Twelfth Chapter, just figurative and not a real war against the Opposer and his messengers? If so, then ‘evil thoughts’ were rampant in heaven prior to that battle. And, in what sense would ‘the Opposer’ and his ‘messengers’ have lost the battle and have been confined to the earth? Also, why would internal evil be ‘angry’ in knowing that he just has ‘a short period of time left?’
And lastly, when the Opposer entered God’s presence and spoke to Him (Job the First Chapter), can we assume that this inherent evil was found in God? That isn’t likely.
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Fornication or Sexual Immorality?
The Greek word porneia means much more than copulation between individuals who aren’t married to each other. The term literally means that which is sold (by prostitutes). So, it includes all the types of services that might be sold by a prostitute, not just copulation.
It also just refers to acts between unmarried persons (which is what happens in prostitution). This includes such actions between unmarried ‘consenting adults,’ although there may be no exchange of money, because, where porneia is found in the Greek Septuagint, the Hebrew Law shows that it involves intimate relations between unmarried persons.
Because the English word fornication carries the nuance of just copulation between unmarried persons, we have used the broader term sexual immorality here to indicate the full range of the term.
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What does In Mean?
The Greek word en simply means in. However, it is translated as in, one, in union with, and as other words, depending on the context. Especially in the book of John do we find the question raised; Was Jesus really the same person as the God? This question is raised because the text at John 10:38 literally says, ‘… in order that you should know and you may be knowing that in (en) me the Father and I in (en) the Father.’
The text above is often translated as, ‘I and my father are one.’ Is this the true sense of what John wrote? Is Jesus ‘in’ or ‘one with’ (the same as) the Father? That could be a correct translation, but not in the context of the way the book of John was written. For example, notice how John 14:20 reads literally, ‘In that the day you will know that I in (en) the Father of me, and you in (en) me, and I in (en) you.’
So, if John 10:38 means that Jesus is the same person as his Father, then John 14:20 means that all of Jesus’ followers are the same person and that they are also the same persons as Jesus and his Father. Is this a logical conclusion? No, because it doesn’t harmonize with numerous other scriptures that show his followers to be individuals, but at one with (or in unity with) Jesus and God.
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Undeserved Kindness or Caring?
The Greek word caris is where we derive the English word care or caring. However, the Greek word carries a slightly different meaning. Old English Bible translations have rendered caris as grace. However, the nuance that grace implies (smooth and flowing) totally distorts the meaning of this term in contemporary American English.
Most Bible dictionaries prefer to see caris translated as undeserved kindness. However, this phrase, which may or may not make some minor technical difference in the meaning, adds wordiness, which distracts from the ease of reading. So, you will find it translated as care, caring, or kindness herein, depending on the setting.
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The Anointed
Notice that in this Bible translation, 2 Corinthians 1:21, 22 (for example) says, ‘The One who guarantees that we all belong to the Anointed One, and He who anointed us, is God.’
So, why didn’t these translators just go ahead and render the word (Anointed) as Christ – as countless other translators have done? For two reasons:
-
Because Christ has almost totally lost its meaning to most Bible readers today, and most have come to believe that ‘Christ’ was part of Jesus’ name. It wasn’t.
-
Because Christ is word that was made up by early Bible translators and is only used in that form when they think that the Bible was speaking of Jesus. In other places it is correctly translated as anointed.
If you look at the above verse in Greek, you’ll see that it reads, ‘Ho de bebaion hemas syn hymin eis Christon kai chrisas hemas Theos,’ or, ‘The of stabilizing us with you into Anointed and anointing us God.’
You will notice here that Christon
(Christ or Anointed) and chrisas (anointed) are both derived from the
same root word, which by the way, is Greek for olive oil. Why olive oil? Because, that
substance was traditionally poured over the heads of those who God chose to be
kings over
Such a physical anointing with oil appeared to picture receiving God’s Holy Breath, which happened to Jesus at his baptism, to 120 of Jesus’ disciples at Pentecost of 33-C.E., and to other First-century Christians. So, Jesus didn’t really become the Christon (Christ, Anointed, or Chosen One) until he was anointed with Holy Breath at his baptism (when the ‘dove’ came down on him).
If you understand this nuance, you get the true meaning of
the word Christ (Anointed) as it applies to Jesus; it means that he was the one
who God chose to be king over His people. Also, Paul was telling the Christians
in
Also, notice what can be learned from a proper understanding of the Greek words by looking at Matthew 24:24. For what he actually said was, ‘Because false Anointed ones and false prophets (gr. pseudo christon kai pseudo prophetai) will arise and they will perform great signs and omens to mislead (if possible) even the elected.’
So, Jesus wasn't necessarily saying that people would come claiming to be him, but people would come falsely claiming to be the anointed and prophets.
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The Day of the Lord
Throughout the Bible, we find references to ‘the Day of Jehovah,’ and ‘the Day of the Lord.’ Are both of these references to the same time, and if so, how do we know?
There is no conflict between the two Days; in fact, they appear to be the same. Notice what we are told in the Revelation, when it is speaking of the beginning of that Day (at Revelation 12:10), ‘This is the moment when the salvation, the power, the Kingdom of our God, and the authorization of his Anointed One began.’
As you can see, the purposes of that Day are tied together. For, the establishment of God’s Kingdom (with the battle in heaven and the ouster of the Opposer and his messengers) and the authorization for Jesus (the Lord) to rule, appear to begin at the same time.
So, does the Lord’s Day begin when the Opposer and his messengers are thrown out of heaven? It appears to be so, because the Revelation (which covers these events) starts out with John’s words (Revelation 1:10), ‘Through the Breath [of God] I found myself in the Lord’s Day.’
What are some of the features of that Day? Well, apparently, almost all the things that were prophesied to happen in Revelation are included in that Day. They start with the ouster of the Opposer and his messengers from heaven (See Revelation 12), which is followed by the destruction of ‘Babylon the Great’ (See Revelation 17, 18). Then in rapid succession there comes the ‘marriage of the Lamb’ (acceptance of the rest of the Anointed ones to heaven?), the Battle of Armageddon, the abyssing of the Opposer and his messengers, and the resurrection (see Revelation 19, 20). And finally, the Opposer is released for a short time, which precipitates the battle against Gog of Magog, and which is thereafter followed by the descent of ‘New Jerusalem’ to the earth, and the making of the ‘new earth and sky’ (see Revelation 21).
Peter wrote in length about this period, and at 2 Peter 3:7 he wrote, ‘It was also promised that; what’s [now] in store for the earth and sky is fire, which [will come] during the Judgment Day, when godless men will be destroyed.’ And although many misinterpret these words as describing just the destruction of the wicked at Armageddon, the context shows that he was looking at a much longer period of time, the total ‘Lord’s Day’ or ‘Judgment Day’ – the ‘thousand-year’ period spoken of at Revelation Chapter Twenty. For what he said about the burning of the earth and sky and of the ‘new earth and sky’ corresponds exactly with the end of the thousand years and the promises found at Revelation 21:1.
So, from the periods described in the Revelation, near the end of Jesus’ thousand-year reign there will be a judgment of the wicked (those who join with Gog of Magog) and they will be destroyed. Then there will be a ‘new earth and sky.’ What does that really mean? Perhaps we’ll all have to live to see it to be sure.
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The Day and Hour
Many people have said that it is futile to try to determine when ‘the great time if difficulty’ will start, because of Jesus’ words that are found at Matthew 24:36, which say, ‘Nobody knows the day and hour – no, not the messengers of heaven or the Son, but only the Father.’
However, notice what Paul wrote at 1 Thessalonians 5:3, 4, ‘Whenever they are saying ‘Peace and security,’ then destruction will come on them instantly as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they won’t escape. However, brothers, you aren’t in the dark. So, that day shouldn’t sneak up on you like thieves.’
From Paul’s words, we can conclude that, although the ‘day and hour’ wasn’t known when Jesus was on the earth, world conditions (and specifically a world-wide cry of ‘peace and security’) would give clear indications of an impending end to this old worldly age, so that true Christians who are awake won’t be surprised at its coming.
Soul
The Greek word psyche (as in psychology) has been translated many ways, including soul, life, etc. However, psyche actually means something that breathes. It is used in the Bible to describe both breathing animals and breathing humans. So, by definition, a soul cannot leave the body, because a soul is what the living body (whether human or animal) is (see Genesis 2:7).
In ancient
However, such Greek philosophical thought never influenced Jesus and his Apostles. So, they consistently used psyche to indicate a living person or animal. The teaching that the soul is immortal stands in direct conflict with Jesus’ promise of a resurrection, because, if a person is immortal (can never die) he/she can never be resurrected (brought back to life).
In addition, the teaching of the immortality of the human soul is totally without support from the Bible. The word immortal(ity) (Gr: athanasia or undying) is only mentioned in the Bible in two places, and it isn’t used with or applied to the word soul in either case. Both of these scriptures show that immortality is only given by God as a reward for righteousness. And as Ezekiel 18:4 says, ‘The person (gr. psyche or ‘soul’) that is sinning will die (gr. apothaneitai).’
Of course, there are places in the Bible where the word soul means more than just a living, fleshly body. For example, God is recorded to have spoken of ‘My Soul’ in several places. Obviously, God is much more than just a ‘soul’ as most people think of that term, and He surely wasn’t talking about His having a human body. So, we must conclude that what He was referring to is His life.
Then there are Jesus’ words found at Matthew 10:28, which read, ‘Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body but can’t kill the person (psyche). Rather, be afraid of him who can destroy both the person and the body in the garbage dump.’ Here, Jesus is using the word psyche (soul) to refer to the value of life that remains with God until the resurrection. And he obviously isn’t referring the soul as immortal here, because he says God will destroy (gr. apolesai) the [unrighteous] soul or person.
Unfortunately, no single word can be used to translate psyche in every possible Bible application, so various terms are used herein, depending on the circumstances, but always in an attempt to harmonize with the meaning.
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Kingdom
The word Kingdom is translated from the Greek word basileia, which refers to the realm of a king (basil).
A common misconception about this Kingdom is the idea that
it isn’t real – that it’s just a state of mind. This conclusion is based on
Jesus’ words found at Luke
So, what did Jesus mean? He was likely saying that he (the king
of that Kingdom) was there in their midst, and that the hope of becoming kings
in that Kingdom was being offered to them. And while it’s true that real Christians
ever since that time have in fact been members of that Kingdom in their
hearts, the word Kingdom (an area of rule) implies that there will be an
actual time of rule and a realm for Jesus and his ‘chosen ones.’ And, because
these kings will apparently rule from heaven, the place they will likely rule from is called
‘the
However,
That such faithful individuals as Abraham weren’t really in heaven at the time Jesus spoke these words (but they were alive in God’s memory), is confirmed by what Jesus said at John 3:13, ‘Nobody has gone to heaven other than he who came from heaven, the Son of Man.’
So, Matthew 8:10-12 must be referring to Abraham and his descendants living under the rule of a heavenly Kingdom government. These faithful ones don’t appear to qualify to be rulers in heaven themselves, because they weren’t ‘born again’ to receive the value of a spiritual life, nor were they part of the ‘Sacred Agreement for a Kingdom’ (Luke 22:29) that Jesus made with his Apostles just prior to his arrest and execution.
Notice how Jesus showed that the Kingdom of God hadn’t already arrived at the time he was speaking, for we are told at Luke 19:11, ‘While they were listening to these things, he told them another illustration, because he was getting close to Jerusalem, and they all thought that the Kingdom of God was about to happen instantly.’ Then Jesus told about a man who made a long trip to a distant land to receive kingship. So, a long period of time was obviously involved between when Jesus would leave on his journey (to receive kingship in heaven), and the time when he would return to reward his faithful slaves.
There is a definite time for this Kingdom to start its rule, which is made clear by the words of Revelation 12:10. For there we read, ‘Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say, This is the moment when the salvation, the power, the Kingdom of our God, and the authorization of His Anointed began. Because the one who has been accusing our brothers has been thrown down… the one who has been complaining about them day and night in front of our God!’
So, when the Opposer and his messengers are/were expelled from heaven, God’s Kingdom begins there. However, the arrival of that Kingdom must apparently await the end of the ‘short period of time’ before God’s opposers are destroyed at ‘Armageddon’ for any of its effects to be seen on earth. For more information, see the linked document, The ‘Seed’ – God’s Kingdom.
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