Psalm 23:5

Title:  A table

We may venture to conclude that the table the Shepherd arrays here for the sheep who listen to his voice is not an ordinary one, but an opulent feast fit for a king and afforded with all the bounty and righteousness that would satisfy body and soul to the point of overflowing, in an atmosphere of tranquility and security in the midst of their enemies, and in fellowship with the Lord throughout the years.

Note:

For a picture of a king’s table, we may refer to (1 Kings 4:22,23), listing the daily provisions of Solomon:

185 bushels of fine flour

375 bushels of meal

10 heads of stall-fed cattle

20 heads of pasture-fed cattle

100 sheep and goats

as well as deer, gazelles, roebucks, and choice fowl

2 Thessalonians 2:3

Title:  Until the apostasy occurs

The Nelson Illustrated Dictionary of the Bible defines “apostasy” as:  the determined, willful rejection of Jesus and His teachings by a Christian believer; a falling away from the faith.”

While one school of thought reads this verse as Christians leaving established congregations because of unbelief, it is more likely describing the condition of the church near the End of the Age, where it will have an outward semblance to Christianity, however rejecting the Bible as authoritative, as the ONLY framework and guide in Christian living, social life, and government.

Take into consideration the silence of many pulpits against the sins of sodomy, same-sex union/abomination, and abortion, to mention a few of the moral subjects intriguing societies and governments today.  Before the onslaught of the promotion of abomination in all sectors of humanity, the church seeks to be politically correct and inoffensive in its message, teaching philosophies of men rather than heralding “thus says the Lord.”

To this effect, we must remember that the Word of God will always be a stumbling block to those who are perishing.  To cater to the determination of this evil generation that speaking against sodomy, same-sex union/abomination, abortion, and a host of other sins against the Holy God of the Bible is “hate speech,” is synonymous to apostasy, a rejection of Jesus and His teachings.

We are there now.