At the age of 6 he could divide two eight-digit numbers in his head, and he conversed in Ancient Greek.  For fun at parties, he could memorize the Budapest phone directory and answer questions about the names, numbers, and addresses or just recite whole pages from top to bottom…as an adolescent.  John von Neumann was a child prodigy, and later regarded as the preeminent mathematician of his era with major contributions to physics, economics, and computer science.  We marvel at them, we often wonder, “how could they achieve such levels at such a tender young age?”

In a manner of speaking, the Bible tells us of a body of believers in ancient Macedonia who similarly reached such a high level.

“Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.” (Daniel 12:3)

During his second missionary journey, Paul received the vision of the “Macedonian man” at Troas and was compelled to cross into Europe to share the Gospel.  It would change the course of Western civilization.  The first European convert was a woman named Lydia in Philippi.  Then beaten and jailed there, after their miraculous jailbreak they traveled west along the Via Egnatia road to Thessalonica, all recorded in Acts 16-17.  Paul preached there for only three weeks before the Jews rioted over his teachings and they evaded “off road” to Berea by night before these same Thessalonian Jews learned of his whereabouts and traveled to riot there as well. Silas and Timothy stayed in Berea, but they shipped Paul down the coast to Athens, Luke had earlier remained in Philippi.  While he is in Athens, Paul asks Timothy to go back and check on the young church at Thessalonica. (1^st Thessalonians 3:1-2)

From Athens, Paul travels to Corinth and is where Timothy catches up with them to deliver the report.  It is his report that elicits the warm letter from Paul to this young church, known to us as First Thessalonians.  It is short, only five chapters long, but of all the books of the Bible it is the most focused on the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, mentioned in every chapter.

The vast majority were Greeks (Acts 17:3-4). And the Thessalonian church was only about one year old, Paul had only been there for three weeks!  And yet within these five chapters Paul covers doctrines that he assumes the Thessalonians are “up to speed” including:

• Salvation
• Sanctification
• Assurance
• Trinity
• Nature of Man
• Resurrection
• Day of the Lord

He doesn’t reintroduce these concepts to them, he reminds them of what he had taught them.

Imagine that just one year into your faith someone would ask you to write a brief essay on any of these basic doctrines. And all without the benefit of the New Testament.  They were on the ball!

“Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.  We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers.” (1^st Thessalonians 1:1-2)

First, take note that this letter is written to the “church” and not the “brethren” or “the believers” but the entire church at Thessalonica.  Where is their church?  It is “in the Father” and “in the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Paul, Silas and Timothy are together in Corinth saying collectively “we give thanks…”  Why?  The following verses attest the basis of their praise is 1) their Christian virtues (vs. 3), 2) Divine election (vs. 4-7), and the nature and results of their witness (v.8-10).  The “we” is collective, and not just a polite phrase.  The troika is seen here together as “associates”, and soon not seen together again for they will minister in differing locations.

“Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father.” (verse 3)

Based on Timothy’s report, Paul knows of their fruit, it is clearly and abundantly evident.  This triad is not just concepts or abstracts that we use politely, Paul cites these attributes in terms of what these Thessalonians produced. 

Take note from verse 6 that they are producing a “work of faith” in the face of “affliction” far greater than what we can appreciate today, and it was by God’s grace.  The phrase “labor of love” is used today so glibly but here “labor” is the Greek word “kopos” (Strongs G#2873) which means “to the point of exhaustion, pain or weariness.” In other words, it wasn’t trivial, their labor of love was a heavy lift.  The third attribute is “patience of hope” which depicts an enduring steadfastness of hope.  It was their active constancy in the face of difficulty.

 These attributes should be our attributes today: faith, love and hope.  Some cite these connotations:

• Faith—rests on the past…and looks to a crucified Savior
• Love—works in the present…and looks up to a crowned Savior
• Hope—looks to the future…and looks on to a coming Savior

“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.  But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.” (James 2:17-18)

Now consider the next verse:

“Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.” (verse 4)

How can Paul make this statement??  Do you understand he is speaking of the ENTIRE church???  How do I know of your election, or how would you know of mine?  It is a difficult question.  But individually, you can know of your election personally based on the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

So, how does Paul know?  Because of their works and the lives they live!  That Paul, literally a Pharisee among Pharisees, would now welcome so affectionately the once despised Gentiles is such a huge statement.  For he is now the “Apostle to the Gentiles.”

The question becomes, would he be able to say that about us?  About your church? 

Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?  Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Therefore by their fruits you will know them.” (Matthew 7:16-20)

So, what is the basis of Paul’s assessment?

“For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.” (verse 5)

Paul not only witnessed their response to the Gospel but now hears of their great testimony through Timothy.

“And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.  For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place.” (verses 6-8a)

The word for “examples/ensamples” is “tupos” (Strongs G#5179) and it means “to leave a mark by being struck.”  Just…..think on that for a moment.

Macedonia and Achaia were two different regional divisions within present day Greece, divided by the Romans at that time.  “In every place” their faith was on full display.  Not only were the Thessalonians an example to unbelievers, but they were examples of a group to other Christians.  In other words, every church looked to the Thessalonian church as the example.

In fact, it was said of them, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.” (Acts 17:6b)

WOW!   WHAT A SCORECARD!

The question becomes, how do we compare today?  In our personal faith walk?  Our churches?

In praise, Paul concludes simply, “Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.” (verse 8b)

It is very interesting that the Thessalonian church compares or relates favorably to the church at Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13).  In that regard, one cannot help but be reminded that the 7 parables found in Matthew 13 represent conditions of the Church Age and which remarkably and perfectly correlate to the 7 Letters to the Seven Churches in Revelation 2-3.  Without going further, there is an enormous and incredible heptadic structure (relating to seven or sevenfold) that is found in Scripture.

Continuing, when you consider that Paul wrote 13 letters, we know that three were dual (Corinthians, Thessalonians, Timothy), so a total written to 10 groups.  And three of those were to pastors (Timothy, Titus, Philemon)….leaving as a result 7 letters to 7 different churches.  Coincidence? Or Divine structure?

Consider the themes of Paul’s epistles related to Jesus’ Letters to Seven Churches:

Epistle	Attributes	Revelation Letter
Ephesians	Doctrinal purity; but led to losing “their first love.”	Ephesians
Philippians	Joy through suffering, both great examples	Smyrna
Corinthians	Spiritual compromise, married to the world	Pergamos
Galatians	Avoidance of paganism, rituals, religious externalism	Thyatira
Romans	Definitive orthodoxy, The Reformation	Sardis
Thessalonians	Missionary church, raptured, saved from tribulation	Philadelphia
Colossians	False teaching, apostasy. They exchanged letters.	Laodicea

As we look back on the year 2020 one cannot help but note the “great shaking” that has occurred throughout the world.  For those who study their Bibles, it has been a year of great prophetic development on multiple fronts unlike any year except 1948 or 1967, both which centered on Israel. Some would suggest a “great shaking” is taking place within churches also, as if Jesus is sifting the Church with clear separation appearing between those with Philadelphian and Laodicean traits.

Being led by the Holy Spirit, if there were two churches that we might desire to emulate their attributes, no doubt, it would be the Thessalonian and Philadelphia churches.  Let them be your examples.

“Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.” (Revelation 3:10-11)

A hallmark of American radio broadcasting for more than 50 years was the firm staccato voice of newsman and commentator Paul Harvey.  His voice was most recognizable and his signature line was “stand by…..for the rest of the story.”  It seems today we often quickly skim over Bible stories in our reading without really knowing “the rest of the story.”  More often, the details behind the story lend greater meaning and understanding of our Lord.

One such story is the account of Jesus healing two demon-possessed men in the Gadarenes on the east side of the Galilee.  It is found in Matthew 8:28-34 and corroborated in Mark 5:1-20 and Luke 8:26-29.  In Matthew’s account it is early in Jesus’ ministry just after the Sermon on the Mount.  Interestingly, it occurs right after His healing of a servant of a Roman centurion who demonstrates great faith (verses 5-13) and is the first recorded healing involving a Gentile.  Why is that interesting?

First, it was remarkable that the centurion found Jesus in Capernaum and it is recorded He “marveled” at the faith of this Gentile (verse 10).  In contrast He said, “…“Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!”

It is also notable because shortly after beginning in verse 23 Jesus and the disciples enter a boat departing Capernaum for the region of the Gadarenes (or Gergesenes) on the east side of the Sea of Galilee.  That is interesting because unlike the Jewish-settled west side, the east side of the Galilee was Gentile and Jesus never had a dedicated ministry directed specifically to the Gentiles.

Jesus literally took the disciples on a mission. “On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him.  And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”  And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!” (Mark 4:35-41)

Third, the disciples were all fishermen accustomed to storms and they were sailing on the Sea of Galilee, considered to be their daily home “turf.” Why did they express such alarm? Was this a greater storm than they routinely encountered?  Or was there something different about the storm?  Fourth, notice that Jesus “rebuked” this storm.  It begs the question, was this storm formed against Him by a malevolent intelligence?

And finally, we see that the disciples early on are overwhelmed in this moment and trying to understand who this man Jesus was.  And they lived with Him!  “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” They are about to receive a quick education on the other shore.

But first, what is a dolmen?  They are megalithic tombs made primarily from slabs of basalt and limestone that can vary greatly in size and weight.  Dolmens are found all over the world, but there are more of these tombs in Jordan (20,000) and the Golan Heights (5,000) than anywhere else. Many are dated to 3000-2000 BC and some older. Generally simple structures, mostly in a trilithon formation-two standing stones and a capstone, like a “table” across the top, with no cement holding the slabs together.

Their primary function was for the burial of the dead, they were generally positioned north to south, and it was the sight of a monthly practice of making an offering to the dead that dates back to ancient Sumer and later practiced by the Amorites and Moabites.  Each family would bring a food offering on the night of the new moon when it was believed the veil was thinnest between the natural and the supernatural world not only to appease their dead ancestors with food but to summon their spirits for blessings and protection. Dolmens were frequently found in gardens. The offering was always conducted by the oldest son, called the “pourer of the cup.”

The offering was typically bread, water, honey, and a meat offering.  The meat mostly used was a pig because it was the least expensive to raise.  Thus, these regions around Israel traditionally raised swine herds to provide a monthly meat offering to their dead ancestors and from which they would partake themselves.

The act of necromancy, speaking to the dead, was a common practice of pagans during the Old and New Testament eras.  The word is based on the Greek nekromanteía, a compound of nekros (“corpse”) and manteía (“divination”).  In essence, it describes an attempt to speak to the dead and receive messages in return.

The practice of necromancy is most detestable and abhorrent to God.

“Then they yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor, and ate sacrifices offered to the dead; they provoked the Lord to anger with their deeds, and a plague broke out among them.” (Psalm 106:28-29)

It is known as the veneration of the dead and the Israelites, during their time in Moab, adopted these practices from the Amorite/Rephaim culture.

“While Israel lived in Shittim, the people began to whore with the daughters of Moab.  These invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods.  So Israel yoked himself to Baal of Peor.  And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel.”(Numbers 25:1-3)

Who was Baal of Peor?  Remember, baal in Hebrew means “lord.”  So the Lord of Peor was a deity linked to that area.  Peor is related to the Hebrew root p’r, which means “cleft” or “gap” or “opening” and in this context is consistent with Isaiah’s description of the entrance to the netherworld of the dead.

“Therefore, Sheol has enlarged its appetite and opened (pa’ar) its mouth beyond measure. (Isaiah 5:14)

“I spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, following their own devices; a people who provoke me to my face continually, sacrificing in gardens and making offerings on bricks; who sit in tombs, and spend the night in secret places; who eat pig’s flesh, and broth of tainted meat is in their vessels; who say, “Keep to yourself, do not come near me, for I am too holy for you.” (Isaiah 65:2-5)

Thus, this serves a background to a key component of our Matthew 8 account in terms of the practices of the day.  For these pagan practices of venerating the dead even made its way into both the Roman and Greek cultures well into the 300s A.D.  The Gergesene region was in the center of the ancient Amorite culture.

“And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.” (Matthew 8:28)

Remarkably, both the Luke and Mark accounts record that one man was demon-possessed whereas Matthew clearly states there were two.  Most theologians believe it is because the Luke and Mark accounts extend the story to include the one man requesting to board the boat with Jesus at the end but He told him to go back and testify to his healing and so their accounts center on the one.

(“exceedingly fierce” is underlined because it is the Greek word chalepos used to describe the actions of men possessed by demons.  This word is only used one other time in the New Testament in 2^nd Timothy 2:24-3:9 describing the last days as “perilous” as in, out of their minds, uncontrollable and violent.  Certainly, we are seeing that today and is referenced in a prior article dated 6/2/20)

“And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?” (verse 29)

And the disciples heard this.  Today we have the benefit of the entire New Testament, but until this point Jesus had not yet declared who He was.  Moreover, even the demons seemed to be taken aback with the appearance of Christ, yet they immediately knew who He was and recognized His authority. (Reference: James 2:19)  To further validate their surprise the demons asked if Jesus had come to torment them “before the time” or the time of their judgment. They know their time is limited.

In the Mark account Jesus calls out the unclean spirit and asks its name for which he replies, “My name is Legion: for we are many.” (Mark 5:9)  Note that a Roman legion could vary in size between 4,000-6,000.  In verse 10, the demon pleads with Jesus not to cast them out of the area or region.  It is here that the demons see a herd of swine in the distance.

“Now a good way off from them there was a herd of many swine feeding.  So the demons begged Him, saying, “If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine.”

And He said to them, “Go.” So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine. And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished in the water.” (Matthew 8:30-32)

The question becomes, why did the demons ask to be cast out of the two possessed men and into a swine herd?  Most deliverance ministers and many theologians acknowledge that demons are territorial spirits in nature.  The Bible tells us that angels can take the form of a man (Hebrews 13:2) but demons require embodiment in an animal or human to manifest themselves.  A very real possibility is that the demons requested to be cast into the swine herd simply to extend their territorial presence there.  Really interesting: Mark 5:13 tells us the swine herd numbered 2,000! It is also uncanny that the demons were cast into a swine herd that most likely as a primary purpose was raised for use as a monthly offering to dead spirits.  The next obvious question is, why did Jesus agree to their request? 

Jesus said, “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order.  Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there.” (Matthew 12:43-45a)

That the swine herd ran violently down into the waters and perished cost the demons the embodiment necessary to stay in that area.  Today, most Christians are not familiar with the non-canonical books of the Apocrypha, they are referenced in the Bible but the authors of both the Old and New Testaments knew them well.  Both books of Enoch and Jasher state that demons are the disembodied spirits of the Nephilim of Genesis 6 that perished in the Flood.  The ancient writers stated that demons were fearful of water as it reminded them of their bodily death.  This would seemingly be supported by Jesus’ teaching that “when an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry (arid) places, seeking rest…” 

The demons did not know their fate, but Jesus did??  We simply don’t have all the answers.

Questions to be answered when we are with our Lord Jesus Christ in heaven and when we learn….”the rest of the story.”

Sources: Dr. Ken Johnson, Sharon & Derek Gilbert, Dr. Thomas Horn, Dr. Chuck Missler, Dr. Michael Heiser

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I am grateful for your emails and inquiries over my three months absence from the blog.  My wife and I have recently sold our home of 26 years and have relocated to a temporary residence waiting for God’s direction.  Shortly thereafter I succumbed to a two-month illness and was unable to write or teach.  Having now recovered, we would appreciate your prayerful support.