The Golden Ratio Format of the Bible Explained #14: The GR paragraph pattern for 1 Thessalonians (For best understanding, you need to read all of the posts in order.) Recall the Part and Chapter structure of Book 3, Part 2 C Part 2: Beware of false teachers from the devil O Chapter 2.1 (1st Peter): Endure suffering for righteousness’ sake to purify your faith in Christ O Chapter 2.2 (1st Thessalonians): Believers are appointed by God to suffer for righteousness’ sake C Chapter 2.3 (2nd Peter): The Day of Judgment will bring destruction upon false teachers C Chapter 2.4 (2nd Thessalonians): The Day of Christ will bring destruction upon unbelievers U Chapter 2.5 (Jude): Be vigilant to protect yourselves from the doctrines of false teachers Lets look at 1 Thessalonians again, and this time I will finish it: A survey of the letter shows clearly that the majority of the text is focused on Paul talking to the church that he planted in Thessalonica about his relationship with them, and the latter part is quite different than the first part, because it focuses on the Rapture. If you have read all of the previous posts, then you already know what Im talking about. The UCC part of the pattern is closely related as a group (Pauls relationship with the Assembly in Thessalonica, and the OO part of the pattern (the Rapture) is quite different, yet still part of the overall group of 5. Im not going to repeat the same examination of the themes of every paragraph and sub-paragraph as I did in 1 Peter, because I want to move a little faster. It isnt important that you understand everything about the Golden Ratio pattern; you can just enjoy it and know that God put it there as a visible indicator that the Bible is from God, and that we need to take it literally and seriously. But lets look at the overall structure of 1 Thessalonians: phibible.org/Bible_Pages/StandardEnglish/23KBV_Colossians_Jude.html Use this link to view the text of the KBV. You can also use the KJV 2014 with this link: phibible.org/Bible_Pages/KJVEnglish/23KJV_Colossians_Jude.html From 1:1-1:10, we have the introduction section, with 2 paragraphs and 5 sub-paragraphs each. The first paragraph is the initial greeting, and 2nd paragraph sets the stage for the letter with a recollection of Pauls preaching to the Thessalonians and their conversion to Christ, and their subsequent active obedience in being a witness to the people of their city and country. From 1:11-2:12, we have the first paragraph, with 5 subs. Paul here focuses on the behavior of himself and his missionary team among the Thessalonians: But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherishes her children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted to you, not only the Gospel of God, but also our own souls, because you were dear to us. For you remember, brethren, our labor and travail: for laboring night and day, because we would not be burdensome to any of you, we preached the Gospel of God to you. (2:7-9) (Paragraph 2) From 2:13-3:10, Paul shared his concern with the Thessalonian church about their continued obedience to the teachings that he had tried to instill in them the last time he was with them. He was concerned because they were being persecuted for their faith, and he was afraid that they might have turned away from the Lord because of the persecution. So Paul had sent Timothy to them to see if they were still obedient, and now he was very glad of the good report that Timothy had returned to him about them. U: For this reason also we thank God without ceasing: because, when you received the Word of God which you heard of us, you did not receive it as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which also works effectively in you that believe. (2:13) C: For you, brethren, became imitators of the Assemblies of God which in Judea are in Christ Jesus: for you also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews.. (2:14) C: But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence (but not in heart), endeavored the more abundantly to see your face with great desire; therefore we wanted to come to you (even I Paul, once and again); but Satan hindered us. (2:17-18) O: Therefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; and we sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellow-laborer in the Gospel of Christ, to establish you,and to comfort you concerning your faith (3:1-2) O: But now when Timotheus came from you to us, and brought us good news of your faith and selfless love, and that you have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you; therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith: for now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord: (3:6-8) Paragraph 3 (3:11-4:12): Paul urges the Thessalonians church to U: increase and abound in selfless love one toward another, (3:12) C: as you have received of us how you ought to walk and to please God, so you should increase more and more... (4:1) C: For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that you should abstain from fornication... (4:2-3) O: But as touching brotherly love you do not need that I write to you: for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another... (4:9) O: But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; and that you study to be quiet; and to do your own business; and to work with your own hands (as we commanded you), so that you may walk honestly toward them that are outside [the Assembly]; and that you may have lack of nothing. (4:10b-4:12) Paragraph 4 (4:13-18) O: Paul here switches to a new subject, the Rapture, and gives details about the Coming of Christ for his saints. But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them who are asleep, that you sorrow not, even as others who have no hope: for if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also who sleep in Jesus will God bring with him: for this we say to you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the Coming of the Lord shall not precede them who are asleep: for the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ shall rise first... (4:13-16) Paragraph 5: (5:1-5:11) O: Paul gives the other side of the Rapture, that is to say, what we should be doing while waiting for that Day to come: But of the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I write to you: for yourselves know perfectly that the Day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night: for when they shall say, “Peace and safety”, then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that that Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all the children of Light, and the children of the day. We are not of the night, nor of darkness; therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober: for they that sleep, sleep in the night; and they that are drunk are drunk in the night. (5:1-7) The pattern of UCCOO in the paragraph structure should be clear to you by now. Finally, in the Conclusion, which has two Complementary paragraphs with 5 subs each: P1: Paul gives final practical exhortations to the church O: And we urge you, brethren, to know them who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. O: And be at peace among yourselves. C Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are rebellious, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, and be patient toward all men. C See that no one renders evil for evil to any man; but always follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. U Rejoice evermore; pray without ceasing. in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit; despise not prophesying. Test all things: hold fast that which is good; abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and may your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calls you, who also will do it. P2: Paul gives final remarks O Brethren, pray for us. O Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. C I charge you by the Lord, that this letter be read to all the holy brethren. C The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. U Amen. In conclusion, 1 Thessalonians is a very practical letter and personal to the Apostle Paul. He shares his heart with the church he planted and his concern about their spiritual well-being in the face of terrible persecution; and then rejoices that he now knows of their continued obedience and testimony for Christ. Then, he teaches them about the Rapture of all Believers when Christ returns, and exhorts them to live godly and love one another while they are awaiting that day to come. 1 Thessalonians is hard to read, so I understand if some of you may be struggling. It took me many years of reading it over and over again to figure out what was going on. But I think if you study the text in the KJV 2014 or the KBV, with these thoughts in mind, you will be able to understand it better. I hope that this study was a blessing to you, as it was to me in preparing it. I will continue with 2 Peter in the next post. ------------------------------------------------------- The Bible is the very Word of the one Living and True God. Believe in the Jesus Christ of the Bible as your Savior, so that you might come to know the One True God; Believe every word in the Bible, obey it, follow it to the best of your ability, and God will bless you in return. (2 Chronicles 20:20) “And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, O Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: believe in Jehovah your God, so shall you be established! Believe his prophets, so shall you prosper!” The Word of the Living God is not eclectic or haphazard. Like any well-constructed sermon, speech or term paper, it has themes, structure, and order. If you have a degree from Bible College already, you will be able to absorb this information readily, or should be able to. These concepts are profound and require meditation and much Bible reading to fully understand. View the photos at the bottom of this post for details or visit the reading page of my site to see the entire text of the Kingdom Bible or the KJV 2014; or if you can read Spanish, the Spanish KBV. Are you saved? Do you know the Jesus Christ of the Bible as your Personal Lord and Savior? Have you been Born Again (John 3:3-5)? If you are not sure, please visit this page on my site to learn more about how to be saved and know the one true God of the Bible as your Lord and Savior: phibible.org/info/salvation.html Read the full text of the English KBV in your browser phibible.org/Bible_Pages/ReadTheKingdomBibleOnline.html Download free PDF samples of selected Books from any of 3 different Bible versions: The English KBV, the Spanish KBV, or the KJV 2014 phibible.org/info/Downloads.html Learn more about how the Golden Ratio pattern of UCCOO is manifested in both nature and the Bible phibible.org/info/GoldenRatioInNature.html Additional Information about JHS Publishing Ministries phibible.org/info/additional_resources.html Download a free PDF that provides all of the information in these posts and more (it is being updated with the material in these posts as they are written) phibible.org/Downloads/KJV2014_Appendix.pdf English KBV Blue Cover amazon/Kingdom-Bible-Version-Blue-Cover/dp/1500663867/ref=sr_1_1 Black Cover amazon/Kingdom-Bible-Version-Exclusive-Golden/dp/1500386782/ref=sr_1_2 Burgundy Cover amazon/Kingdom-Bible-Version-Burgundy-Cover/dp/1500664073/ref=sr_1_4 KJV 2014 Black Cover amazon/King-James-Version-2014-Exclusive/dp/1500386618/ref=sr_1_9 Burgundy Cover amazon/James-Bible-Version-Burgundy-Cover/dp/1500664219/ref=sr_1_7 Blue Cover amazon/King-James-Bible-Version-Cover/dp/1500664383/ref=sr_1_8 Spanish KBV Burgundy Cover amazon/Spanish-Kingdom-Bible-Version-Burgundy/dp/1500662828/ref=sr_1_6 Blue Cover amazon/Spanish-Kingdom-Bible-Version-Cover/dp/150066314X/ref=sr_1_5 Black Cover amazon/The-Spanish-Kingdom-Bible-Version/dp/1500612774/ref=sr_1_3
Posted on: Wed, 05 Nov 2014 13:18:54 +0000
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