Well, it did not take long for someone to ask for more details about the can of worms we opened up last week, regarding antichrist! First, let me get one piece of literary etiquette out of the way, by noting that, The Rest of the Story is a registered trademark of Paulynne, Inc. I always loved listening to Paul Harvey tell the story behind the story, usually about some well-known person in history. I listened from my early childhood in the 60’s all the way until the program ended in 2009, shortly after Mr. Harvey’s passing.
There is nearly always more to any story and there is a lot more to the story involving the concept of antichrist. I doubt we could completely cover it all in a book, little lone in a few articles, but we will do our best anyway.

Forgive me for not jumping right into the story, but I feel it is necessary to review, then expound a few things about interpreting the Bible. After all our main theme for all these articles is “Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth.”

1) So, the Number One thing we should do when interpreting scripture is to look for Jesus in the text.
a) When we find how a scripture leads us to Christ, then we have probably found the answer.
b) Keep in mind there is usually a story behind the story, so look for it.
c) If there is a story behind the story, look at how both stories complement each other.

2) Additionally, it is important to remember that context is extremely important for rightly dividing the word of truth.

Let's take a few more moments to examine the importance of context to understand not only the Bible, but any type of literature or conversation. We will begin by defining context:
con·text
[ kon-tekst]
NOUN
1.
the parts of a written or spoken statement that precede or follow a specific word or passage, usually influencing its meaning or effect: You have misinterpreted my remark because you took it out of context.
2.
the set of circumstances or facts that surround a particular event, situation, etc.

Now bear with me as we begin to expound and apply the guidelines we have detailed.

FAKE NEWS!

Most false doctrines begin by focusing on a single verse without understanding the events leading up to that verse and what is to follow. Which by the way is the definition of context.

Sometimes, it is not enough to just read a few sentences before or after a Bible verse, in order to understand the point. This is particularly true when reading the Pauline Epistles (Letters). The Apostle Paul was a very long-winded preacher. Remember in Acts 20, Paul is the guy who preaches all night. As Luke relays the events in Acts 20, Paul begins preaching at the evening meal and at around midnight a young man named Eutychus has fallen into a deep sleep. Eutychus then fell three stories out a window and is perceived to be dead. Paul restores the young man’s strength/life, eats a midnight snack with him and continues preaching until the break of day.

I seriously doubt that a long-winded preacher such as the Apostle Paul would even be considered as pastor in American churches today! (I threw that in for free, LOL!)

Now I would beg that none of you fall out a window as we continue on, but certain things cannot be communicated in a few words. Especially the wisdom of God hidden in a mystery. (See 1 Corinthians 2:7)

Just as Paul could be long winded in his preaching, he was equally long writing in his letters. If you analyze the Apostle Paul’s Epistles, you will find that Paul typically does five things, in slightly varied orders:

a) He gives an introductory greeting, including his credentials, while acknowledging his recipients.
b) Next Paul pronounces a blessing of God’s Grace on his beneficiaries.
c) After which He will propose and lay out his ONE subject for the remainder of the letter.
d) Then Paul expounds every detail and the Old Testament Scriptural basis for that ONE subject.
e) Finally, he briefly restates or summarizes his main points about that ONE subject within a closing statement or argument, if you will.

In essence, Paul is like a lawyer pleading God’s cause, step by step. Isaiah 28:10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept: line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

For instance, The Epistle to the Romans while 16 Chapters long is entirely about Salvation. In it Paul examines every aspect of God’s Plan of Salvation in Jesus Christ. You can find a detailed Study Guide of Romans at: http://fccltn.org/board.php?page=romans

Often in order to understand the context of a New Testament Epistle, it is necessary to get to know the people the letter was written to. Some might ask how can we get know people who lived nearly 2000 years ago. Actually, with regards to the New Testament Apostolic Letters it is quite easy, because one of the 4-Gospel writers also wrote a neat little book entitled “The Acts of the Apostles.”

A very neat thing about the book, which we simply refer to as ACTS, is that you can use it as a guide for all the Apostolic Epistles, which follow it. Together we are going to do exactly that as we explore both of Paul’s Epistles to the Thessalonians and what that has to do with Antichrist.

OOPS! Once again, I have already exceeded my self-imposed word limit per article. Next week ANTICHRIST – The Rest of the Rest of the Story.