Appearance of Yeshua

Introduction

Last time we talked through this topic we read through 2 Thess. 2, and in verse 8 we read the following: 2 Thes. 2:8

2 Thessalonians 2:8 TLV

Then the lawless one will be revealed. The Lord Yeshua will slay him with the breath of His mouth and wipe him out with the appearance of His coming.

That last part of the sentence is worth studying, and we will look at it today.

How Paul uses the word

Sometimes it is good to understand how an author uses a phrase or word in a different context to get an idea of what they might be meaning. In this case, we find that the first time that Paul uses the word “appearance” is in 1 Cor. 15:3-8

1 Corinthians 15:3–8 (TLV) For I also passed on to you first of all what I also received— that Messiah died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Kefa, then to the Twelve. Then He appeared to over five hundred brothers and sisters at one time— most of them are still alive, though some have died. Then He appeared to Jacob, then to all the emissaries, and last of all, as to one untimely born, He also appeared to me.

Paul is obviously referring to Yeshua showing up to a variety of people. I think that we can all understand that when someone, or something, appears, then we can “see” it. Would you all agree?

In the verse we read at the beginning from 2 Thess. we see that the other-messiah (or Antichrist) will be destroyed when Yeshua appears.

Why is this important?

When we look at some of the personal letters of Paul, such as to Timothy and Titus, we find some interesting principles. We read in 1 Tim. 6:11-14

1 Timothy 6:11–14 TLV

But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith! Take hold of the eternal life—you were called to it, and you made the good confession for it in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you before God who gives life to all things and Messiah Yeshua who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah.

Paul is writing to encourage and inspire Timothy to live a life that brings glory to Adonai. But I want to point out something at the end of this passage. How long are we supposed to live a life without spot or wrinkle? Until the appearing of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah. So we are supposed to live a godly life until we see Yeshua again. So are we looking toward a rapture event, or are we looking forward to when Yeshua appears? Or maybe both events occur at the same time.

Letter to Titus

When Paul writes to another of his Talmidim, Titus, we see that he gives him a similar encouragement. We will pick up in Titus 2:11-14

Titus 2:11–14 TLV

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, training us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live in a manner that is self-controlled and righteous and godly in the present age. We wait for the blessed hope and appearance of the glory of our great God and Savior, Messiah Yeshua. He gave Himself for us so that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and so that He might purify for Himself a chosen people, zealous for good deeds.

Just as with Timothy, Titus is encouraged to live a life that is worthy of the Lord Yeshua our Messiah. This includes living with self-control and denying ungodly and worldly desires.

Paul once again points to the focus of our attention on the “appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Messiah Yeshua.” We are to lift up our eyes to the hills just as the Psalmist writes in Ps. 121:1-2

Psalm 121:1–2 TLV

A Song of Ascents. I will lift up my eyes to the mountains— from where does my help come? My help comes from Adonai, Maker of heaven and earth.

Our focus is supposed to be on the return of Yeshua. By extension, what this means is that some believers will see the coming of Yeshua. And until we get to that day or Yeshua’s return, we are called to be “zealous for good deeds” and to live in purity and self-control. We are seeking to bring honour to Him when he returns.

Last Letter of Paul

The last letter that Paul wrote before his death was to Timothy. This letter is an amazing summary of Paul’s life, and was written shortly before he was executed. I would like to focus on several passages in Chapter 4. Let’s read 2 Tim. 4:1-5

2 Timothy 4:1–5 TLV

I solemnly charge you—in the presence of God and Messiah Yeshua, who is about to judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His Kingdom— proclaim the Word! Be ready when it is convenient or inconvenient. Confront, rebuke, encourage—with complete patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not put up with sound instruction, but they will pile up for themselves teachers in keeping with their own desires, to have their ears tickled. And they will turn away from hearing the truth and wander off to myths. You, however, keep a clear mind in all things, withstand hardship, do the work of proclaiming the Good News, and fulfill your service.

Paul had trained Timothy to pastor local congregations, and I take this admonition very seriously. I have been called to “Proclaim the Word,” and I like how this translation points out that we do this, whether it is convenient or not. We are also called to confront, rebuke and encourage others, but this must be done from a heart of complete patience and love. How we share the message of the Good News, is just as important as the fact that we share it. Have I been patient 100% of the time? I am afraid to say that there are a few times where I have become impatient with others. I look on those times with regret, and I seek to restore the relationship with those people as much as it depends on me.

Then Paul points out some characteristics of the last days. These include: 2 Timothy 4:3–4

They will not put up with sound instruction,

They will pile up for themselves teachers in keeping with their own desires,

They will have their ears tickled,

They will turn away from hearing the truth, and

They will wander off to myths.

Now doesn’t that sound like today? People do not seem to be interested in doing the actual work of researching Scripture themselves and so we relegate it to others.

Do we only what to hear the parts of Scripture that we agree with? Or are we willing to have the Ruach HaKodesh convict us?

Isn’t it interesting that when we live in echo chambers, we end up turning away from the truth and then believing any myths that come along?

Finishing the Fight

Now we come to the part of the letter where Paul refers to what he is focusing on. 2 Tim. 4:6-8

2 Timothy 4:6–8 TLV

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. In the future there is reserved for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not to me only, but also to everyone who has longed for His appearing.

Paul recognizes that the end of his life has come, and sets his eyes on his life beyond the grave. He knows that his reward is coming from God and not from men. But he points out an interesting point at the end of this sentence. He says that the reward is coming not only to him, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

We are longing for the appearing of Yeshua (not a secret rapture). We are looking forward, through the persecutions, to a time when Yeshua will make all things right. Paul was very aware that he was not going to be rescued from tribulation, in fact he was experiencing it at that very moment. Instead, Paul was looking toward a hope that is beyond the grave, a hope that is linked to the time that Yeshua appears to the whole world.

I hope, that when I get to the end of my life, I will be able to say the same as Paul, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith!”

Summary

Let us summarize and have another look at the Summary slide and the Timeline.