Today was Day 95 of Rightly Dividing the Word of truth…our study / overview of Paul’s epistles to believers in this dispensation of the grace of God. We have reviewed Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, and Ephesians. We began our overview of Philippians, Paul’s letter of joy and rejoicing written to the believers in Philippi (named after King Philip II, Alexander the Great’s father), the city famous for the greatest head to head battle of four Roman armies, fighting for the Roman empire.
Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 B.C. By a group of Roman senators including Brutus and Cassius. In 42 B.C., the legions of Marc Antony, Caesar’s devoted friend, and Octavian, Caesar’s adopted son (who later became Caesar Augustus) faced off with Brutus and Cassius and their legions in two monumental battles. As much as 200,000 Roman soldiers fought on October 3rd, culminating in the suicide of Cassius, and the routing of his legions. Twenty days later, on October 23rd, the two armies of Marc Antony and Octavian faced off against the combined armies under Brutus. It was a close quarters battle of hand-to-hand combat. Brutus was defeated and committed suicide. As a result of this great battle, securing the empire, Octavian, granted Philippi to all retiring Roman soldiers in perpetuity. It was to be a tax free colony. This is the Philippi that Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke went to in Acts 16.
Acts 16:11-12: Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.
The first European converts are found in Philippi – Lydia and the jailor. Salvation in this dispensation of grace is clearly explained in Acts 16:30-31: (The jailor) And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
In the first 11 verses of this letter, Paul outlines how to pray for fellow believers in these verses, as well as giving us one of the great doctrines – the Day of Christ, to ponder and study. There are three great days revealed in the Bible that are yet in our future.
- The Day of Christ, also known as the Rapture of all church age believers. This is the next great event on God’s celestial calendar of events. It ushers in the seven year tribulation period. Paul mentions this mystery at least 18 times in his letters. Romans 13:11-14, 1 Corinthians 1:8, 3:13, 5:5, *15:50-54*, 2 Corinthians 1:14, Philippians 1:6,10, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, 2 Timothy 1:12, 4:1,8, 1 John 2:28, 3:1-3
- The Day of the Lord, also known as the 2nd Advent, the literal, physical return of Messiah King Jesus to establish his everlasting kingdom (Isaiah 9:6-7) beginning with the 1,000 year millennium. He will purge the world of all wickedness, beginning with the battle of Armageddon and ending with the judgment of the nations – Matthew 25:31-46. Every book from Isaiah to Malachi, except Daniel, specifically mentions the Day of the Lord. Malachi 4:1-6, 2 Peter 3:10, Revelation 19:11-16
- The Day of God, that moment in eternity future, after the millennial kingdom is finished, and the Great White Throne Judgment is in progress, or completed, when God destroys this world, and creates new heavens and a new earth, as pure as original creation completely without the curse of sin.
Isaiah 65:17: For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.
Isaiah 66:22: For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain. (The nation of Israel will once again be the head of all the nations in eternity future!)