Lawrence DeMetrius

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Letter of Apostle Paul – I Thessalonians
An Intimate Review
Pt 1
By Lawrence DeMetrius

It has always been that one’s decision to wholeheartedly worship Yahweh would affect the nature of their personal relationships. In fact, a test of one’s devotion to THE LORD is their willingness to sever ties with anyone and anything that discourages divine worship. [Mt 5:11-19; 6:24; Mt 10:32-42; 19:29; Lk 14:25-35; Heb 12:1-3; I Jn 2:15-17; II Jn vs 7-11] Per the pure doctrine of Jesus Christ, He alone became the only Door by which mortals must enter back into divine worship. [St Jn 14:6; Heb 7:25] All who are predestined to worship Yahweh will at their appointed time come to HIM through Christ. [Jn 6:37-40, 44, 45, 65; Rm 8:28-30] All people belong to Yahweh and HE does desire to see them all reconciled to HIM through Christ. [Eze 8:23, 32; II Pet 3:9] However, HE knows that not all will choose to be reconciled to HIM and that many resolve in heart the Testimony of Christ to be foolishness. [I Cor 1:18] The Ministry of Divine Iconoclasm can cause great loss of income to those who serve in the kingdom of darkness. This in turn can invoke many forms of persecution for those who effectively administer as it did for Apostle Paul. This was also the case for Christians in Thessalonica, Macedonia and Achaia. [Acts 19:19-41; See Eusebius’s Ecclesiastical History] Although Apostle Paul wrote these letters to Christians at Thessalonica, the admonishment given is applicable to all end-time Christians. The perseverance expressed by the Christians at Thessalonica, Macedonia and Achaia was exemplary for Christians of latter generations. Their experience displayed the quality of faithfulness that moves Yahweh to show HIMSELF STRONG in the behalf of hearts that are perfect toward HIM. [II Chr 16:19] THE LORD knows how much HIS sons can bear and will not permit more upon them than they can overcome. [I Cor 13:10] Their experience in these cities also displays GOD’S ability to deliver from the strong hold of idolatry. In his letters to these Christians, Apostle Paul emphasized that no power is able to keep THE LORD from redeeming the redeemable soul. Following his salutation, Apostle Paul expounds upon the character and spiritual endowments of true Christian teachers. [I Thes 1:1-10a] Christ instructs His disciples to let their insight be known that others may clearly recognize their good works. In so doing, these souls will be inspired to glorify Yahweh from within their own hearts. [Mt 5:14-16]
Therefore, it is imperative for true Christian teachers to protect their light, as it is essential to The Ministry of Divine Iconoclasm. Maintaining good repute has always been expected of THE LORD’S oracles. [Eccl 10:1] Witnesses of Jesus Christ are to proclaim His Gospel with utmost assurance through His strength. Being empowered by the Holy Ghost is mandatory to direct the FAITH of their audience to Yahweh and not man’s wisdom. [Acts 1:8; I Cor 2:4; Rm 1:16, 17; 10:17; I Jn 2:18-27] Many are skilled with eloquent speech but only Yahweh’s oracles are graced to be ENSAMPLES who invoke the miracle of divine iconoclasm. [Isa 50:4; Mt 5:19; II Tim 2:15; 24-26] When THE LORD’S oracles speak, the fortunate soul will FOLLOW them as they follow Christ in the JOY of the Holy Ghost. They will do so even at risk of great AFFLICTION.

*ensample Gk #5179 tupos (too-pos) it is…
• die as struck, stamp, scar, shape, statue or style
• resemblance or a model for imitation and a thing serving as a warning

*follower Gk #3402 mimetes (mim-ay-tace) it is an imitator

*joy Gk #5479 chara (khar-ah) it is cheerfulness and calm delight

*affliction Gk #2347 thlipis (thlip-sis) it is…
• pressure, anguish and burden
• persecution, tribulation and trouble

All the above reflects the character and power of true Christian teachers, as they serve in The Ministry of Divine Iconoclasm. In [I Thes 1:10b] Apostle Paul reminds the Thessalonians Christians that Christ has DELIVERED them from Yahweh’s holy WRATH.

*deliver Gk #4506 rhuomai (hroo-om-ahee) it means to rush and draw for oneself and rescue, which is to free or deliver one from confinement, violence, danger and evil

*wrath Gk #3709 orge (or-gay) it is…
• desire as reaching forth and excitement of the mind
• violent passion and justifiable abhorrence
• punishment, anger and vengeance
While DELIVERANCE from Yahweh’s WRATH is available to all, it is only valued and received by those who entrust themselves to Yahweh through Jesus Christ. [Mt 11:27-30; Heb 7:25] It is Yahweh’s will for these souls to be DELIVERED and discipled by Christ, so He might honor them before HIM on The Final Day of Judgment. [St Jn 1:11-13; 6:37-40, 44, 45, 65; 10:4, 5, 14, 16, 27-29; I Cor 12:3] The news of Yahweh’s WRATH provides ample opportunity for unrepentant souls to change their mode of living and destiny. It also glorifies Yahweh for the grace HE bestows upon all sinners. DELIVERANCE from Yahweh’s WRATH renders praise to Jesus Christ and edifies every soul given to Him by Yahweh for spiritual perfection, preservation and honor before THE LORD on Judgment Day.
Per [I Thes 4:13] Apostle Paul, in expressing his appreciation for the Christians at Thessalonica, comforts them in a time of great persecution, wherein they were losing many loved ones and assets due to their allegiance to Christ and His doctrine. He did so by admonishing them to remember, that anyone who transitions to immortality in Christ will be resurrected in glory at His Second Advent. Therefore, they are not to be mourned as those who transition to immortality outside of allegiance to Christ. Apostle Paul writes,

But I would not have you IGNORANT, brethren, concerning them which are ASLEEP, that ye SORROW not, even as others which have no HOPE.
[I Thes 4:13]

*ignorant Gk #50 agnoeo (ag-no-eh-o) it means to…
• not know or understand due to lack of information or intelligence
• ignore and not be inclined to know or understand

Apostle Paul taught that FAITH comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of GOD. [Rm 10:9, 10, 14, 15, 17] He also clarified that opportunity to know and understand divine insight is accessible only to those who reverently acknowledge and inquiry of it. [II Tim 2:15, 24-26] The Christians at Thessalonica were among the greatest examples of Yahweh’s ability to DELIVER from the strongest of satanic strong holds. [Lk 4:18, 19; Jn 8:13, 31, 32, 36] The Gospel of Christ so greatly resounded through their born-again spirits that countless souls were inspired to embrace The Christian Faith. Just as they had received the revelation of Christ’s Testimony, Apostle Paul admonished them to embrace the reality of joy they will inherit as did those among them became martyrs for Christ.
He wanted them to understand that those who transition to immortality as Christians are not dead as those who die outside of Christ. Christians who transition to immortality are merely ASLEEP. Every born-again believer has Christ as their HOPE of glory. Resting in this truth helps them to BE NOT SORROWFUL in times of PERSECUTION and LOSS. [Mt 19:29; I Jn 3:1-3] In [I Thes 4:14] Apostle Paul notes that divine FAITH nourishes divine HOPE imparted to them from THE LORD, as they remain devoted to HIM throughout the remainder of their mortal lifetime. Apostle Paul writes,

For if we BELIEVE that Jesus Christ DIED and ROSE AGAIN, even so them also which SLEEP in Jesus Christ will Yahweh bring with Him.
[I Thes 4:14]

*believe Gk #4100 pisteuo (pist-yoo-o) it means to…
• have faith in, upon and with respect to a person or thing
• credit or give credence to
• entrust one’s spiritual well-being to Jesus Christ

*die Gk#599 apothnesko (ap-oth-nace-ko) it means to…
• die off, be slain or be slain with
• lie-a-dying, be dead and death

*rose again Gk #450 anistemi (an-is-tay-mee) it means to stand, lift, rise and raise up again

This divine revelation is paramount in that Lucifer has tricked many into believing that their mortal lifetime is all the time they have to experience. This lie fuels their pursuit of acquiring things they believe will enhance the quality of their mortal life. In fact, it is what induces them into idolatry. Enoch gives a candid account of Yahweh’s hatred of idolatry and HIS WRATH for all who practice it in any form. [Eno 1 Parable 1; Exo 20:3] Born-again believers are admonished to rid themselves of the idolatrous mindset and focus on Yahweh, HIS Word and the durable riches HE has prepared for them in HIS eternal Kingdom. [Mt 6:19-21, 24, 33; 16:24-26; Lk 12:15; I Jn 2:15-17; Pro 8:17-31, 35, 36; Col 3:1, 2] This gives credence to the idea that it is Yahweh WHO through Christ leads, drives and brings HIS chosen ones out of idolatry. [Jn 10:10; I Jn 5:20, 21]

As it relates to those who transition to immortality in Christ Apostle Paul writes,

For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then will they which are alive and remain be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall they ever be with Lord.
[I Thes 4:15-17]

In [I Thes 5:1-4] Apostle Paul reiterates The Second Coming of Christ and how it will usher in The Final Day of Judgment. For those who remain captives of idolatry this Day will come like a thief in the night. Born-again are forewarned that the call of peace in the world of idolaters will denote the nearness of this Day. Apostle Paul writes,

For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
[I Thes 5:3]

Apostle Paul’s statement is relevant as there is no peace or safety for those who have not submitted themselves to Yahweh through Christ. Divine rest is only extended to those who worship THE LORD through Jesus Christ. [Heb 4:9; Isa 26:3, 4; Mt 11:27-30; Jn 14:27] In [I Thes 5:4] Apostle Paul notes that The Final Day of Judgement will not come upon Yahweh worshipers as it will unrepentant sinners. This is so because HE imparts unto them divine insight, empowers them to remain aware of the nearness of this day and how to stay ready for it. [See Personal Journal Notes July 2, 2017 Ancient Egyptian Gods] Apostle Paul writes,

But ye, brethren, are not in DARKNESS, that the day should overtake you as a thief.
[I Thes 5:4]





*darkness Gk #4655 skotos (skot-os) it is shadiness and obscurity, which is…
• the condition of being unknown and uncertainty
• an unknown and unimportant thing
• doubtfulness and uncertainty of meaning or intention
• unclear or indefinite word, expression or meaning
• state or quality of being obscure, which is…
o vague, not clear or plain
o uncertain, hard to perceive or understand
o indistinct to the sight or any sense
o faint and not readily seen or heard
o inconspicuous or unnoticeable
o lacking in light and illumination
o dark, dim and murky
o frequenting, concealed and enveloped in darkness

Apostle Paul writes,

Ye are all the CHILDREN of LIGHT, and the CHILDREN of the DAY: we are not of the night, nor of DARKNESS.
[I Thes 5:5]

*children Gk #5207 huios (hwee-os) it is a son, child or foal of an animal

*light Gk #5457 phos (foce) it is luminousness and being luminous which is…
• shining, radiating and reflecting light
• bright, lighted up and illuminated
• well-lighted, intellectually brilliant and enlightened
• enlightening, clear and readily intelligible

*day Gk #2250 hemera (hay-mer-ah) it means tame and gentle, the whole 24-hour space between dawn and dark and a specific period of time

Born-again believers are INTELLECTUALLY BRILLIANT because Yahweh imparts divine LIGHT or INSIGHT unto them through Christ and the Holy Ghost. [Mt 11:28-30; St Jn 4:23, 24; 8:12; 14:26; 16:13] There is nothing OBSCURE about the insight imparted unto from THE LORD. [Isa 50:4; Mt 5:14-16, 19]
In [I Thes 5:6] Apostle Paul notes that CHILDREN OF LIGHT and DAY are not to SLEEP as do others but WATCH and BE SOBER.

*sleep Gk #2518 katheudo (kath-yoo-do) it means to lie down to rest or fall asleep literally and figuratively

*watch Gk #1127 greggoreuo (gray-gor-yoo-o) it means to keep awake and keenly watch to detect danger

*sober Gk #3525 nepho (nay-fo) it means to abstain from wine and be discreet, which is to be judicious, prudent and circumspect of their conduct, speech and practical affairs

• judicious is…
o using or showing judgment as to action or practical expediency
o having, exercising or being characterized by keen judgment
o being sensible and well-advised
• prudent is being wise and careful in providing for the future
• circumspect is being cautious and well-considered

In [I Thes 5:8-10] Apostle Paul notes that Yahweh has appointed the CHILDREN OF LIGHT and DAY to obtain salvation through Christ. Because of this sacrifice, Yahweh no longer remembers their sins as long as they remain covered by the Blood of Christ. As brethren of Jesus Christ, born-again believers are to remain SOBER, keep on the BREASTPLATE of FAITH and LOVE and wear HOPE as a HELMET of SALVATION.

*breastplate Gk #2382 thorax (tho-rax) it is a corselet or breastplate, which is a piece of armor purposed to protect the front of one’s torso

The CHEST area houses the HEART, which is figurative of one’s soul and seat of sentiment. The HEART is where mortals embrace what they truly value, be it good or evil. [Mt 6:21] The BREASTPLATE of divine FAITH and LOVE keeps the CHILDREN OF LIGHT and DAY from being SEDUCED back into former idolatries.



*helmet Gk #4030 perikephalaia (per-ee-kef-al-ah-yah) it is any form of protective head covering and an encirclement of the head, which is considered the center of intellect, thought, memory, understanding, emotional control, mind and brain

The HEAD houses the intellectual faculties that control what influences one’s HEART. This is why one’s MIND must be renewed daily with divine insight. In fact, this is the only way one can worship Yahweh. [St Jn 4:23, 24; Mt 6:11; 11:27-30; 6:37-40, 44, 45, 65; 8:12, 24, 31, 32, 36-47; 10:14-18, 25-30] The CHILDREN OF LIGHT and DAY are given a spiritual HELMET to protect their MINDS from the influence of lying persuasions. [Jn 10:10; Heb 12:1-3; II Jn vs 7-11; Jude vs 3] Because of this, Apostle Paul deems it the HELMET OF THE HOPE OF SALVATION. [Eph 6:17a]

*hope Gk #1680 elpis (el-pece) it is expectation and confidence

*salvation Gk #4991 soteria (so-tay-ree-ah) it is physical and moral rescue and safety

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