You’re Invited! – Prophets of Doom

Posted on March 13, 2026 by dkoop

You’re invited to our new message series, Prophets of Doom covering three Minor Prophets.

Description:

Some of the Minor Prophets weren’t exactly known for their cheery messages. These short Old Testament books provide the faithfully delivered call to repentance to Israel and to the nations. Their call to abandon idolatry, embrace God’s heart of mercy, and anticipate God’s coming judgment and kingdom still resonate in our world today. In this three-week series, we’ll examine key teachings about God from three different Minor Prophets that conveys the essence of that prophet’s message.

 Dates             Titles              Book                          Events

Mar. 15 – Doomed by Violence – Nahum                  Spring Break (both locations)

Mar. 22 – Doomed by Disobedience – Zephaniah

Mar. 29 – From Doom to Hope – Micah                   Palm Sunday, Communion

What’s the Message of the Minor Prophets? 

The Minor Prophets, sometimes referred to as “the Book of the Twelve,” make up the final section of the Old Testament. They consist of Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. The “minor” designation pertains solely to their shorter length in comparison to the five “Major Prophets” but doesn’t imply that they have less theological importance. Moreover, to fully understand the Minor Prophets, it’s important to grasp the core message they convey to readers.

While all seventeen prophetic books in the Old Testament share common features, such as writing style, many scholars believe that the Minor Prophets are uniquely united. Evidence for this includes the facts that (1) they are grouped together, despite having various historical contexts, suggesting theological cohesion; (2) they are referred to in non-biblical texts as a single collection, such as Sirach 49:10, which calls them “the Twelve Prophets”; (3) they number twelve, which symbolizes completeness in the Hebrew tradition; and (4) they contain numerous internal connections. For example, the books of Joel and Amos include the phrase the Lord roars from Zion (Joel 3:16; Amos 1:2, ESV).

This unity is further reflected in the core message of the Minor Prophets. Their central point is that Jews and Gentiles alike need to repent of sin and live for God, who is loving and just, so that on the day of the Lord they will receive the blessings that come through His promised Messiah, rather than face His judgment (e.g., Joel 2:28–32; Habakkuk 2:4). The basis of the prophets’ critique is the law that God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai—the Mosaic Covenant identifies sinful and holy behavior (Exodus 19—24). Importantly, according to the law, a person’s behavior reveals the condition of his heart toward God (Leviticus 19:18; Deuteronomy 6:5).

Three themes in the Minor Prophets work together to shape their core message.  Bible scholars disagree on which theme is dominant, yet most recognize that each one is important.

The first theme highlights Israel’s failure to keep the law. It communicates that people need to urgently repent for disobeying God’s commands to avoid His judgment and secure His blessing. Hosea 14:9 is central to this theme: “Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.”

Another theme focuses on the day of the Lord, which ten out of the twelve Minor Prophets mention (e.g., Joel 1:15; 2:11; Amos 5:20). The day of the Lord is a future time when God will decisively intervene in world affairs, judging the unrighteous (e.g., Malachi 4:5) and blessing the righteous (e.g., Obadiah 1:15–18). The New Testament teaches that Pentecost foreshadowed the ultimate fulfillment of the day of the Lord (Acts 2:17–21), which will culminate with the second coming of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 5:5; 1 Thessalonians 5:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:2; 2 Peter 3:10).

The third theme of the Minor Prophets emphasizes the love of God. This is evident in the narrative arc of the Minor Prophets. It begins with a story that illustrates God’s love (Hosea 1—3) and concludes with a declaration of the same theme in Malachi 1:2. That verse reads, “‘I have loved you,’ says the Lord. But you say, ‘How have you loved us? Is not Esau Jacob’s brother?’ declares the Lord. ‘Yet I have loved Jacob.’”

Finally, to fully comprehend the core message of the Minor Prophets, it’s important to understand that the New Testament identifies Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah. While the minor prophets looked forward with anticipation to the Messiah’s arrival, Christians look back on it. As the New Testament affirms, the minor prophets testify to Jesus’ birth (e.g., Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1), public ministry (e.g., Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:5), death (e.g., Zechariah 12:10; John 19:34–27), and resurrection (e.g., Jonah 2:10; Matthew 12:39–41). Jesus also taught that the Old Testament prophets testified about Him (Luke 18:31; 24:44–47).

The minor prophets lived under the Mosaic Covenant, which Jesus fulfilled (Matthew 5:17). In contrast, Christians today live under the New Covenant, a unilateral agreement that Jesus established by His death and resurrection (Jeremiah 31:31–40; Luke 22:20). Yet the books of the Minor Prophets remind Christians about the importance of Holy Spirit-empowered obedience. This obedience is no longer directed toward the law in its details but to its essence through loving God and others (Matthew 22:37–40) and to the mission of preaching the gospel and making disciples of every tribe, language, people, and nation (Matthew 28:18–20; Revelation 5:9).

In the next posts, we will introduce each of the books we will cover (Nahum, Zephaniah and Micah) and then dig into them some more.

I hope that you can join us for this series, “Prophets of Doom,”

Darrell

www.Upwards.Church

Message Audio/Video and Outline: https://upwards.church/leander-campus/watch-now-message-videos

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Additional Sources:  https://www.gotquestions.org/minor-prophets.html

 

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The Rise of the Anti-Christ – 2 Thessalonians 2: 3-12

Posted on March 11, 2026 by dkoop

Some of the Thessalonian believers seemed to have accepted some wrong teaching regarding Christ’s Second Coming (2:2–3) and what would happen in the world before he returned. Paul had already taught them much when he was with them and had explained more in his first letter (1 Thessalonians 4–5). This passage explains that before Christ is revealed in glory, first there will be a time of great rebellion against God led by a man of lawlessness (the Antichrist). During this time God will remove all restraints on evil, and then he will execute his final judgment.

 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of [b]sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits [c]as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4

The meaning of the term antichrist is simply “against Christ.” As the apostle John records in First and Second John, an antichrist denies the Father and the Son (1 John 2:22), does not acknowledge Jesus (1 John 4:3), and denies that Jesus came in the flesh (2 John 1:7). There have been many “antichrists,” as 1 John 2:18 states. But there is also coming the Antichrist.

Most Bible prophecy/eschatology experts believe the Antichrist will be the ultimate embodiment of what it means to be against Christ. In the end times/last hour, a man will arise to oppose Christ and His followers more than anyone else in history. Likely claiming to be the true Messiah, the Antichrist will seek world domination and will attempt to destroy all followers of Jesus Christ and the nation of Israel.

Other biblical references to the Antichrist include the following:

The imposing, boastful king of Daniel 7 who oppresses the Jews and tries to “change the set times and the laws” (verse 25).

The leader who establishes a 7-year covenant with Israel and then breaks it in Daniel 9.

The king who sets up the abomination of desolation in Mark 13:14 (cf. Daniel 9:27).

The man of lawlessness in 2 Thessalonians 2:1–12.

The rider on a white horse (representing his claim to be a man of peace) in Revelation 6:2.

The first beast—the one from the sea—in Revelation 13. This beast receives power from the dragon (Satan) and speaks “proud words and blasphemies” (verse 5) and wages war against the saints (verse 7).

Thankfully, the Antichrist/beast, along with his false prophet, will be thrown into the lake of fire, where they will spend all eternity in torment (Revelation 19:20; 20:10).

What is the Antichrist? In summary, the Antichrist is the end-times false messiah who seeks, and likely achieves, world domination so that he can destroy Israel and all followers of Jesus Christ.

“Who is the antichrist?”

We don’t know specifically and shouldn’t name names.  There is much speculation about the identity of the Antichrist.  The Bible really does not say anything specific about where the Antichrist will come from. Many Bible scholars speculate that he will come from a confederacy of ten nations and/or a reborn Roman empire (Daniel 7:24-25; Revelation 17:7). Others see him as having to be a Jew in order to claim to be the Messiah. It is all just speculation since the Bible does not specifically say where the Antichrist will come from or what ethnicity he will be. One day, the Antichrist will be revealed. Second Thessalonians 2:3-4 tells us how we will recognize the Antichrist: “don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.”

It is likely that most people who are alive when the Antichrist is revealed will be very surprised at his identity. The Antichrist may or may not be alive today. Martin Luther was convinced that the pope in his time was the Antichrist. During the 1940s, many believed Adolph Hitler was the Antichrist. Others who have lived in the past few hundred years have been equally sure as to the identity of the Antichrist. So far, they have all been incorrect. We should put the speculations behind us and focus on what the Bible actually says about the Antichrist. Revelation 13:5-8 declares, “The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months. He opened his mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.”

And more importantly, how easily Christ defeats him with just a breath of His mouth.

8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.  2 Thessalonians 2:8

www.Upwards.Church

Message Audio/Video and Outline: https://upwards.church/leander-campus/watch-now-message-videos

Watch Messages: YouTube-Upwards Church

Facebook: Upwards Church

Read Along Daily Bible Reading: You Version

Sources:

Bruce Barton et al., Life Application New Testament Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 2001), 918.

https://www.gotquestions.org/what-is-the-antichrist.html

https://www.gotquestions.org/antichrist.html

 

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What is the Great Tribulation? 2 Thessalonians 2:1 -2

Posted on March 8, 2026 by dkoop

The believers at Thessalonica thought the day of the Lord had begun—that great and terrible day when God’s judgment is to fall upon the earth, called the Great Tribulation.

What is the Great Tribulation?

The Tribulation is a future time period when the Lord will accomplish at least two aspects of His plan: 1) He will complete His discipline of the nation Israel (Daniel 9:24), and 2) He will judge the unbelieving, godless inhabitants of the earth (Revelation 6 – 18). The length of the Tribulation is seven years. This is determined by an understanding of the seventy weeks of Daniel (Daniel 9:24-27.

The church, made up of all who have trusted in the person and work of the Lord Jesus to save them from being punished for sin, will not be present during the tribulation. The church will be removed from the earth in an event known as the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-53). The church is saved from the wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 5:9). Throughout Scripture, the tribulation is referred to by other names such as the Day of the Lord (Isaiah 2:12; 13:6-9; Joel 1:15; 2:1-31; 3:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:2); trouble or tribulation (Deuteronomy 4:30; Zephaniah 1:1); the great tribulation, which refers to the more intense second half of the seven-year period (Matthew 24:21); time or day of trouble (Daniel 12:1; Zephaniah 1:15); time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7).

The Great Tribulation is the last half of the Tribulation period, three and one-half years in length. It is distinguished from the Tribulation period because the Beast, or Antichrist, will be revealed, and the wrath of God will greatly intensify during this time. Thus, it is important at this point to emphasize that the Tribulation and the Great Tribulation are not synonymous terms. Within eschatology (the study of future things), the Tribulation refers to the full seven-year period while the “Great Tribulation” refers to the second half of the Tribulation.

It is Christ Himself who used the phrase “Great Tribulation” with reference to the last half of the Tribulation. In Matthew 24:21, Jesus says, “For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever shall.” In this verse Jesus is referring to the event of Matthew 24:15, which describes the revealing of the abomination of desolation, the man also known as the Antichrist. Also, Jesus in Matthew 24:29-30 states, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days . . . the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory.” In this passage, Jesus defines the Great Tribulation (v.21) as beginning with the revealing of the abomination of desolation (v.15) and ending with Christ’s second coming (v.30).

Other passages that refer to the Great Tribulation are Daniel 12:1b, which says, “And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time.” It seems that Jesus was quoting this verse when He spoke the words recorded in Matthew 24:21. Also referring to the Great Tribulation is Jeremiah 30:7, “Alas! for that day is great, There is none like it; And it is the time of Jacob’s distress, But he will be saved from it.” The phrase “Jacob’s distress” refers to the nation of Israel, which will experience persecution and natural disasters such as have never before been seen.

Considering the information Christ gave us in Matthew 24:15-30, it is easy to conclude that the beginning of the Great Tribulation has much to do with the abomination of desolation, an action of the Antichrist. In Daniel 9:26-27, we find that this man will make a “covenant” (a peace pact) with the world for seven years (one “week”; again, see the article on the Tribulation). Halfway through the seven-year period—”in the middle of the week”—we are told this man will break the covenant he made, stopping sacrifice and grain offering, which specifically refers to his actions in the rebuilt temple of the future. Revelation 13:1-10 gives even more detail concerning the Beast’s actions, and just as important, it also verifies the length of time he will be in power. Revelation 13:5 says he will be in power for 42 months, which is three and one-half years, the length of the Great Tribulation.

Revelation offers us the most information about the Great Tribulation. From Revelation 13 when the Beast is revealed until Christ returns in Revelation 19, we are given a picture of God’s wrath on the earth because of unbelief and rebellion (Revelation 16-18). It is also a picture of how God disciplines and at the same time protects His people Israel (Revelation 14:1-5) until He keeps His promise to Israel by establishing an earthly kingdom (Revelation 20:4-6).

 

www.Upwards.Church

Message Audio/Video and Outline: https://upwards.church/leander-campus/watch-now-message-videos

Watch Messages: YouTube-Upwards Church

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Read Along Daily Bible Reading: You Version

Sources: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, The Teacher’s Outline & Study Bible (Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 1995), 134.
https://www.gotquestions.org/tribulation.html
https://www.gotquestions.org/Great-Tribulation.html
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Christ Revealed to Bring Justice – 2 Thessalonians 1: 6-10

Posted on March 3, 2026 by dkoop

Have you ever had to stand before a judge? Hopefully not. But if you did, you found yourself at the mercy of the sentencing judge. If you were found guilty of breaking the law, the judge had the right to place the full weight of the law upon you. The possibility of this happening is a detriment to many people, and it prevents them from pursuing a life of crime. They do not want to face a judge’s wrath, so they choose to live on the right side of the law. A healthy fear of judgment keeps them straight.
This begins the important discussion of the end time, of the end of the world

6 God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you 7 and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.  2 Thessalonians 1: 6-7

When Paul referred to the Second Coming in relation to believers, he favored the word parousia (“presence”; “coming”) as it was an encouragement and hopeful.   For believers, Christ’s return is the presence of One they know and have an eternal relationship with.

But in verse 7 when Paul wrote the Lord Jesus will be revealed, he used a different word, apokalupsis (“revelation”; “unveiling”; “uncovering”). That word, which has the idea of manifesting what was previously hidden or secret (cf. Rom. 2:5; 16:25; 1 Cor. 14:6; 2 Cor. 12:1, 7; Gal. 1:12; Eph. 3:3), views the return of Christ in relation to unbelievers. The One who has been hidden will be revealed in all His sovereign glory to a world that does not know or worship Him. He will be unveiled as Judge (v. 8)

This Revelation or Second Coming of Jesus is different than the Rapture.

Remember this is two Events

  • They are not described the same.
  • They do not happen the same way.
  • They do not have the same purpose.

THE RAPTURE — A PROMISE OF COMFORT

“Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air… Therefore comfort one another with these words.”— 1 Thessalonians 4:17–18 (NKJV)

What do we see?

  • Believers caught up
  • Meeting Christ in the air
  • No judgment described
  • No wrath mentioned
  • Ends with comfort

This event is:

  • Sudden (“in a moment” — 1 Cor 15:52)
  • Sign-less (“you know not when” — 1 Thessalonians 5:1–2)
  • Directed to the Church

THE SECOND COMING or REVELATION OF CHRIST — A DAY OF JUDGMENT

“Immediately AFTER the tribulation… they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” — Matthew 24:29–30 (NKJV)

“Look, He is coming with clouds; and every eye shall see him… and all people of the earth shall mourn because of Him.” — Revelation 1:7 (KJV)

What do we see?

  • Clear timing: after the tribulation
  • Christ returns to the earth
  • Global visibility
  • Mourning, fear, judgment
  • Nations involved

“And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives…”— Zechariah 14:4 (NKJV)

If the Rapture happens after the Great Tribulation:

  • It is no longer imminent
  • Watching becomes calculation
  • Comfort becomes fear
  • Believers are promised wrath they were told they would escape
  • The Church must wait for Antichrist instead of Christ

“For God has NOT appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:9 (NKJV)

For unbelievers, the Second Coming or Revelation of Jesus will bring bitter retribution; for believers, sweet relief.

THE EXECUTOR OF JUDGMENT: JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF (vv.7–8)

Note that Jesus Christ is coming to give rest to the believer as well as to judge the world. The believer will be free from the injustices, sufferings, and death of this world.

“There remains therefore a rest to the people of God” (He. 4:9).

Note that the Person who will execute judgment is Jesus Christ Himself. He is personally going to return to earth to judge the world.

1. His return in judgment will be a spectacular appearance from heaven. As mentioned above, the word revealed means to be unveiled and uncovered. The day is coming when Jesus Christ shall rend or split the heavens and return to earth in judgment. He will be revealed as the Supreme Majesty and Judge of the world.

“For the Father judges no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son” (Jn. 5:22).

2. His return in judgment will be with the angels of His power. The angels will return with Him for several purposes:

⇒ to add to the majestic glory and triumph of His person and presence.

“For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels…” (Mt. 16:27).

⇒ to carry out His orders and to execute His justice and mercy.

“The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels” (Mt. 13:39).

3. His return in judgment will be in flaming fire. This is a reference to the brilliance and glory and holiness of His appearance, to the fact that He is coming in judgment. His return in judgment will be in all the majesty and glory of God Himself—so brilliant that it will be as the flaming fire of God’s pure holiness.

“And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” (Mt. 24:30).

 THE PEOPLE TO BE JUDGED (v.8)

The people to be judged are separated into two classes.

1. All who do not know God, the only living and true God, shall be judged. Who are these persons? They are those who sin against natural revelation, who look at creation and fail to see God or to live by the laws that are clearly seen in nature and creation.

a. Men can know God within themselves: in their own thoughts, reasonings, and consciences.

“Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them” (Ro. 1:19).

b. Men can know God outside of themselves: in creation and nature, the earth and outer space. (See Ro. 1:19; 1:20; 1:21; 2:11–15.)

“Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness” (Ac. 14:17).

The point is this: people can know that God gives them life, that He cares and provides for them, that He runs everything in an orderly and lawful way, giving purpose and meaning to life. They can look at nature and see that God is great and good; therefore, God deserves to be glorified and given thanks. But instead of seeing God and coming to know God, they have rejected Him. Instead of worshipping God …

• some worship the creation, that is, science and man—a humanistic worship
• some worship the god of their imagination, a thought or image of what God is (a god that allows them to live as they desire)

They are the persons who are to be judged. They are the persons who do not know the living and true God, not personally—not in a personal day-to-day relationship.

2. All who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ shall be judged. Who are these persons?

⇒ Every person who has ever heard the gospel of Jesus Christ and rejected it.
⇒ Every person who has knowledge the gospel of Jesus Christ, but did nothing with it and does not have a personal relationship or knowledge of Jesus.

Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ Matthew 7:23

Each of us professing Christians needs to take certain steps to make sure that we know Christ personally, not just about Him.  Ask Him in your life, live for Him, and look forward to his return.

www.Upwards.Church

Message Audio/Video and Outline: https://upwards.church/leander-campus/watch-now-message-videos

Watch Messages: YouTube-Upwards Church

Facebook: Upwards Church

Read Along Daily Bible Reading: You Version

Sources: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, The Teacher’s Outline & Study Bible (Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 1995), 124.
John F. MacArthur Jr., 1 & 2 Thessalonians, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 2002), 233.
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