That you may have Certainty in these Uncertain Times
In our introduction to this post-resurrection day series, I suggested that we live in uncertain time. I also inquired into the nature of the news we digest. And I might ask you today if this week’s news brings any more certainty?
Our series will examine the continuity of Christianity as followers of The Way became known as Christians in the first century A.D. While primarily exploring the recorded history by the Gospel writer, Luke; we will also examine other transitional times for God’s faithful.
Allow me to point out to new readers that the purpose of talkofJesus.com is to spread the gospel. I insert links to my own scriptural and historical research in order that you may examine the truth of Christ Jesus.
These uncertain times will remain and in these last days the faithful cry out to the Lord for certainty.
Certainty Defined
We began our series with an excerpt from Dr. Luke’s traditional Greek prologue stating his purpose:
to write an orderly account for you,
.. that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. – Excerpt Luke 1:1-4
Let’s dive into Luke’s meaning. In fact, Luke does not use the word ‘certainty,’ but a Greek word: ἀσφάλεια [asphaleia]. Translators of the English Standard and other versions take it directly from the Greek definition. Other translations refer to this certainty as ‘the exact truth.’
1:4 ἵνα ἐπιγνῷς περὶ ὧν κατηχήθης λόγων τὴν ἀσφάλειαν
- a. firmness, stability: ἐν πάσῃ ἀσφάλεια most securely, Acts 5:23. tropically, certainty, undoubted truth: λόγων (see λόγος, I. 7), Luke 1:4 (τοῦ λόγου, the certainty of a proof, Xenophon, mem. 4, 6, 15).
- b. security from enemies and dangers, safety: 1 Thessalonians 5:3 (opposed to κίνδυνος, Xenophon, mem. 3, 12, 7).
Interestingly enough, Luke uses the same word in describing the certainty of the security of a prison in Acts 5:23
“We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside.”
Secure certainty we would like to have in the Truth. Christ assures us that He IS “the way, the truth and the life.”
The appropriateness of examining the truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ seems pressing in uncertain times like these. Yet so that you may know the other use of this Greek root used by Luke let’s examine another witness of this truth by Paul.
The Day of the Lord will come suddenly and the uncertainty of these last days will be replaced by certainty of the judgment. The resurrection of Christ Jesus is our certainty of eternal life.
The church endured suffering at the hands of those rejecting the truth of the Gospel. Rome was world power of the day. Christian witness in the mid first century AD takes place just a generation after Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. Witnesses still lived and preached the Good News of Christ as they had personally encountered the risen Lord.
Paul’s assurance to the church at Thessaloniki answered their doubts and guided their way.
14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
These first century Christians lived in expectation that Christ could return at any time.
‘We.. will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air…’
An astounding statement!
Of course, the Lord did not return… yet. These first century Christians all died.. some as martyrs. They are those who have fallen asleep who will come with the Lord.
And if these times of Rome’s fall was not the end, how much nearer to the omega of these last days must we be? How much more expectant we should be.
Here the Spirit speaks to the church though the Apostle Paul:
2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
There it is, certainty given falsely by this world and its leaders. They say, “There is peace and security…” Of course, though they cannot hide all of their violence and evil, there is no peace. We certainly have no security in their uncertain actions.
Christ Jesus IS the root of our certainty.
Trace back to the root of the root word of certainty and you will find Christ here:
He IS the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.
In the third installment of our look at certainty we will examine the Hebrew root word and uncertain times after the death of Moses.
To be continued…
God willing and if the Lord does not return first
Interestingly enough, Luke uses the same word in describing the certainty of the security of a prison in Acts 5:23
The church endured suffering at the hands of those rejecting the truth of the Gospel. Rome was world power of the day. Christian witness in the mid first century AD takes place just a generation after Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. Witnesses still lived and preached the Good News of Christ as they had personally encountered the risen Lord.