Israel in Bible Prophecy, the Great Apostasy, and Charitable Bribery
Dear Phil,
Are there any prophecies concerning Israel that have not yet been fulfilled?
Micah
Are there any prophecies concerning Israel that have not yet been fulfilled?
Micah
Dear Micah,
Yes, quite a few. For example:
And that’s not all! But hopefully that gives you a sense that there’s still a good bit of prophesy to be fulfilled for Israel.
Blessings,
Phil
Yes, quite a few. For example:
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And that’s not all! But hopefully that gives you a sense that there’s still a good bit of prophesy to be fulfilled for Israel.
Blessings,
Phil
Dear Phil,
What is the falling away or apostasy of 2 Thessalonians 2:3?
Doug
What is the falling away or apostasy of 2 Thessalonians 2:3?
Doug
Dear Doug,
Here’s what I think we can know for sure about this passage. First, although the KJV translates it “a falling away,” the Greek text reads “the apostasia.” The presence of the definite article most likely suggests that Paul has in mind a definite event, probably one he had already told the Thessalonians about (2 Thess 2:5). Second, the word translated “falling away” by the KJV (apostasia) normally refers to a rebellion or an uprising against authority, whether political (1 Esdras 2:21; Josephus, Life 1.43) or spiritual (Joshua 22:22; Jer 2:19; 2 Chr 29:19). In the OT it always referred to spiritual rebellion and a turning away from God (cf. Ahaz in 2 Chr 29:19). In the only other NT text where this words occurs (Acts 21:21), Paul was accused of teaching Jews to “revolt against or abandon” the law of Moses. This understanding of apostasia suggests more than a lukewarm spirituality or a drifting into spiritual coldness. Rather, it points toward active rejection and rebellion against God. There is coming a time that will be “the rebellion” in which men turn against God.
These two pieces of information set 2 Thessalonians 2:3 apart from other NT texts that predict times of falling away from the faith (Matt 24:10–12; 1 Tim 4:1; 2 Tim 3:1–9). Throughout history, the number of the faithful has waxed, generally during periods of persecution, and waned, generally during periods of relative prosperity. Just a few decades after the Laodicean church had been founded, it was foundering with lukewarmness. Such “falling away” is a perennial problem. But 2 Thessalonians 2:3 addresses a specific period just preceding or concurrent with the revelation of the man of sin who will set himself up as God in a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem.
Blessings,
Phil
Here’s what I think we can know for sure about this passage. First, although the KJV translates it “a falling away,” the Greek text reads “the apostasia.” The presence of the definite article most likely suggests that Paul has in mind a definite event, probably one he had already told the Thessalonians about (2 Thess 2:5). Second, the word translated “falling away” by the KJV (apostasia) normally refers to a rebellion or an uprising against authority, whether political (1 Esdras 2:21; Josephus, Life 1.43) or spiritual (Joshua 22:22; Jer 2:19; 2 Chr 29:19). In the OT it always referred to spiritual rebellion and a turning away from God (cf. Ahaz in 2 Chr 29:19). In the only other NT text where this words occurs (Acts 21:21), Paul was accused of teaching Jews to “revolt against or abandon” the law of Moses. This understanding of apostasia suggests more than a lukewarm spirituality or a drifting into spiritual coldness. Rather, it points toward active rejection and rebellion against God. There is coming a time that will be “the rebellion” in which men turn against God.
These two pieces of information set 2 Thessalonians 2:3 apart from other NT texts that predict times of falling away from the faith (Matt 24:10–12; 1 Tim 4:1; 2 Tim 3:1–9). Throughout history, the number of the faithful has waxed, generally during periods of persecution, and waned, generally during periods of relative prosperity. Just a few decades after the Laodicean church had been founded, it was foundering with lukewarmness. Such “falling away” is a perennial problem. But 2 Thessalonians 2:3 addresses a specific period just preceding or concurrent with the revelation of the man of sin who will set himself up as God in a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem.
Blessings,
Phil
Dear Phil,
Do you think it is a form of bribery for a charitable organization to offer special resources to people who donate larger sums of money?
Joan
Do you think it is a form of bribery for a charitable organization to offer special resources to people who donate larger sums of money?
Joan
Dear Joan,
No, I don’t think so. God rewards both sacrifice (Matt 5:12) and performance (Luke 19:13–26). If incentivizing sacrifice is bribery, God is guilty. On the other hand, God measures our giving by the percentage we keep (Luke 21:3). Heaven’s reward for some small gifts will exceed that of some large gifts.
Blessings,
Phil
No, I don’t think so. God rewards both sacrifice (Matt 5:12) and performance (Luke 19:13–26). If incentivizing sacrifice is bribery, God is guilty. On the other hand, God measures our giving by the percentage we keep (Luke 21:3). Heaven’s reward for some small gifts will exceed that of some large gifts.
Blessings,
Phil