“Sound theology has a way of doing that!”
It sure does, Linus. Sound theology takes a load off of the brethren’s mind. Such was Paul’s point to the Corinthians:
1 Corinthians 14:1-5
“Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.”
Paul taught the Corinthians how to take a load off of the brethren’s minds by encouraging the teaching of sound theology or “prophesying”; as to speak “edification and exhortation and comfort to men.” We must remember that prophesy, at the time of Paul’s letter, was equal to scripture now, because the New Testament was not yet complete. In other words, prophesying then, is synonymous to teaching sound theology now; and when we are teaching sound theology now, we are actually prophesying as they did then; and when we are prophesying now, we are edifying, exhorting, and comforting men as they did then.
In the Book of Revelation, John does the same for the brethren as Paul did when he wrote to the Corinthians. John expresses that the prophesy he gives in Revelation blesses the receiver, in light of the time being near, or in light of what is a load on their minds:
Revelation 1:3
“Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.”
And what is near which puts a load on the minds of the reader and hearer? Persecution, tribulation, and martyrdom. Yet, despite this reality, the reader and hearer of this prophesy will be blessed because they will be edified, exhorted, and comforted due to the sound theology John is about to give them.
Sound theology is imperative for the church to read and hear in order to persevere in the last days. It is the means by which God carries the brethren through trial. It is the means through which the brethren persevere.
I’ll leave you with Paul’s reminder to the Thessalonians as to where to lay their cares at such times:
2 Thessalonians 2:15-17
“Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.”
Godspeed, to the brethren!
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