|
Chapter 1
This is another letter from Paul, Silas and Timothy to the Christian
community in Tessatown. We’re writing on behalf of The Loving God and the
Leader, Jesus, God’s Chosen. We want to share with you the good things we’ve
had from them.
We can’t help being thankful to God for friends like you. Your trust is
coming on from strength to strength, and so is the love you show to one
another. That’s why we use you as an example to other Christian communities
of what it means to stand firm and keep trusting, in spite of opposition and
unpleasantness. You’ve survived it all! Because God is standing by you, you
know you’re on the right side. You’re being prepared to be citizens of God’s
New World. Your suffering is part of the training. Those who cause
suffering, bring suffering on themselves. That’s part of God’s way of
ordering the universe. God also gives relief to those who are suffering, and
that includes you and us. We’ll see the pattern clearly when we see Jesus
face to face. God’s special agents will deal severely with those who don’t
respect God, and who won’t listen to the good news of Jesus, the Leader.
Their moment of humiliation will be an eternity for them, and they’ll miss
the thrill and enjoyment of the occasion when Jesus receives the love and
admiration of his people. You’ll be there, because you believed what we told
you.
So every time we talk with God, we mention your names. We ask God to make
you splendid examples of what it means to be a Christian. “See that they
stick to their good resolutions, God!” We’re sure you’ll give Jesus a good
name, and get a good name too. God and Jesus will be there to help you.
Chapter 2
I want to say something about the time we’re looking forward to, when we’ll
all be together in the presence of Jesus, our Leader. Don’t be thrown by
reports that the promised day has come. You’re mistaken if you think we said
anything of the kind. Don’t let anyone make fools of you. Certain things
have to happen before the time is ripe. There will be great political
changes, and evil people will come to power, though they’ll be overthrown in
the end. Atheism will be state policy, and the one in charge will have
complete power over everybody, just like God. All faiths will be outlawed.
Don’t you remember? I told you all this when I was with you! It may seem to
you like a delay, but time is needed for events to unravel. It’s already
possible to detect the forces of chaos at work, but for the time being we
have a stable government holding them in check. When the restraints of law
and order break down, then chaos will reign. Only the words of Jesus will be
able to put things right. The presence of Jesus with us will overcome the
most extreme form of wickedness. This wickedness will combine the cruel use
of force with cunning propaganda. People will be open to deception and
abuse, because they’ve shut their eyes to the truth that brings life and
health. God has control even over the use of mass hypnosis and hysteria. The
peddlers of lies, and those who’ve fallen for them, will all be exposed, in
God’s good time.
(13) Friends, we thank God for you, over and over again. The Leader loves
you because you were first in line for the new life. You staked your future
on the truth, and the Spirit made you up to the mark. It was she who brought
you on board, through the good news we spoke to you, and she will make sure
you become beautiful people, like Jesus himself. So, friends, be true to the
ideals we passed on, either in what we said, or what we wrote to you.
I’m asking our Leader, Jesus the Chosen, and the God who has shown a
parent’s love by giving us so much to help us, and so much to hope for, to
give you encouragement and strength, to do and say the right things at all
times.
Chapter 3
Last of all, friends, when you talk with God, ask for special help to be
given us, so that what the Leader says will spread quickly, and be
appreciated everywhere, just as it is by you. And ask for us to be rescued
from those with bad intentions. Not everyone trusts us. The Leader can be
relied on. He will give you strength, and protect you from evil forces. We
trust you because our Leader is your Leader. We’re sure you’re carrying out
our wishes, and will continue to do so. May Jesus give you the staying power
he himself showed, and inspire you with love for God,
Some Christians have downed tools. Friends, don’t let them influence you! We
never told anybody to stop working! Remember that we weren’t idle for a
moment when we were with you. We had money to pay for our board, because we
worked around the clock. We were determined not to put any financial strain
on you. We had every right to ask you to keep us. By not asking, we were
setting you an example. The principle we gave you when we were with you was,
“No work: No food.” Remember? We’ve heard that some of you have got
bone-idle, and spend your time getting in other people’s way. We know we
have the support of the Leader in saying, “Back to work, and stop being a
nuisance!” I say to all of you, brothers and sisters, there should be no
getting bored doing what’s right!
It’s possible some won’t listen to what we’re saying in this letter. Sort
them out; show your disapproval; make them ashamed of themselves. There’s no
need to treat them like enemies, but, as Christian friends, let them know
the danger they’re in.
Our Leader stands for peace. May he give you peace in every situation, and
at every moment of the day. He will be with you.
I’M TAKING OVER FROM MY SECRETARY TO WRITE THIS FINAL GREETING IN MY OWN
HANDWRITING. I FINISH EVERY LETTER THIS WAY. THE GOODNESS THAT COMES FROM
JESUS, OUR LEADER, GOD’S CHOSEN, BE YOURS.
|