2 Thess 1:5-10. Can You See the Glorious City to Come?

Class Outline:

Tuesday July 25, 2023

 

Theme: Because of the imminent return of the Lord, we live in time with the consistent hope of the city (our home) that is to come. 

 

Why do we strive to live in the manner of holiness - the way of the eternal kingdom of God?

 

The way we are to live (ROM 8:12-13).

Why (ROM 8:14-17).

The reality of the future hope (ROM 8:18-25).

 

ROM 8:12-25

So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh — 13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

 

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility [vanity, emptiness], not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it [Christ rules], in hope 21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. 24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

 

Hope - currently and joyously living in the manner of what the world does not yet see.

 

All believers are burdened with a soul that consistently faces a longing for something to come but in the mean time being content to live in the manner of what we are yet to see. The word for it is hope.

 

HEB 13:14

For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.

 

We live for the city that is to come because of what it is.

 

The old world is motivated by the love of money. Why would God dangle in front of us the same kind of reward?

 

Php 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable [worthy of respect], whatever is right [just], whatever is pure [holy], whatever is lovely [delightful], whatever is of good repute [commendable], if there is any excellence [virtue] and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

 

I’m dwelling (thinking on) the soul of the new world and not the base, drab, unjust, foul, depressing, evil, lustful things of this world. We even relish the times when living in the soul of the new nature is difficult due to persecution and temptation, for those times reveal our deep desire for it.

 

Now, let’s look at the context of For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come (HEB 13:14).

 

HEB 13:1-14

Let love of the brethren continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it. 3 Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body. 4 Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge. 5 Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU," 6 so that we confidently say,

 

"THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID.

WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?"

 

7 Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 9 Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited. 10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate. 13 So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. 14 For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.