Tobias’ Quandary

Tobias was in the bedroom getting dressed when the doorbell rang. He finished tucking his shirt in his trousers before he left his bedroom and hurried to see who it was. He sighed when he saw that it was his next door neighbor, Puah.

Puah was a high-school student who lived with her maternal grandmother. Her parents were both dead. Her father died when she was two and her mother four years ago. She didn’t have any siblings. He met her one day when they were riding in the elevator and they made friends. He knew that she liked him but she was too young. And then, there was Yasma.

He opened the door. “Hi, Puah. I was just getting ready to go out.”

She looked him over. “You’re all dressed up so you must be going on a date.”

“Yes. I don’t mean to be rude but why are you here?”

“I have a biblical question.”

“Okay. Come in.”

She went in and he closed the door behind her. He looked and smelled really good. She knew that he had a girlfriend. She had seen him with her a couple of times. She was stunning. Seeing them together always made her insanely jealous. Did he have any idea how she felt about him? Even if he did, it probably wouldn’t make a difference. As far as he was concerned she was just a nice teenage girl whom he befriended.

He led her into the living-room. “What’s your question?” he asked.

“I was reading 1 Thessalonians 3:13 which says that Jesus is coming with all His saints. Aren’t saints believers? Doesn’t this text mean that the righteous dead will return with Jesus at the end of the world?”

“Yes, in the New Testament saints were believers but in the Old Testament the angels were referred to as saints. In Zechariah 14:5, the prophet says that the Lord will come and all His saints with Him. The texts on the Second Coming of Jesus always describe Him as being accompanied by angels rather than human beings. Take Matthew 25:31 for example. In it, Jesus said that when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. He doesn’t say all His saints.”

“Then, why does Paul call the angels saints? Is there a contradiction?”

“No. Angels are called saints in the Bible. Moses called them saints when he said that the Lord The Lord came from Sinai with ten thousands of saints. And in the book of Jude, it says that the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints to execute judgment on all. This corresponds with what Jesus said about the Son of Man who will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. The angels are the ones who will come with Jesus not the believers who died and went to Heaven. And you and I have already talked about where people go when they die.”

“Yes. I remember. They don’t go straight to Heaven or Hell. They are buried and in their graves. Those who are saved will be raised from the dead when Jesus comes and then and those who are lost will remain in their graves until they are raised to face their judgment.”

“Yes. One more thing, angels are called saints because they are holy. And as I mentioned earlier, Jesus called them holy.”

“Thanks for explaining the text to me.”

“You’re welcome. Any time you have questions about the Bible, I’m always here to answer them.”

“I should go now. I don’t want to make you late for your date.”

He accompanied her to the door. “Say hello to your grandmother for me.”

“She has been asking about you and wondering when you will come over for dinner.”

He had been invited for dinner several times. Her grandmother and he hit it off. She reminded him of his own grandmother whom he adored. “Tell her that I would like to take you both out for dinner one Saturday evening.”

Puah’s face brightened. “She would love that.”

“What about you?”

She smiled shyly up at him. “I can’t wait.”

He smiled. “I’ll let you know when. Good night, Puah.”

“Good night, Tobias.” She turned and walked away.

He watched her go before he closed the door. He went into the bedroom and picked up his jacket. After putting it on, he combed his hair, grabbed his wallet and keys and left the apartment. Half-hour later he was sitting across from Yasma in an popular Middle Eastern restaurant. As usual, she looked gorgeous but his mind was elsewhere.

“You seem a bit preoccupied,” she commented after they ordered their drinks and were looking through the menus. “Another hectic day at the office?”

He wasn’t sure if he should share what was really on his mind. How do you tell your girlfriend that you’re attracted to a high-school girl who obviously has a crush on you? “Yes,” he said after a while. “This whole week has been crazy.” That was true. It had been a very hectic week. Thankfully, things were going to ease up next week.

She placed her hand with its bright red manicured nails on his arm. “Well, tonight just relax and enjoy a good meal.”

“And your company.”

She smiled. “Afterwards, we can go back to my place for a nightcap.”

“Sounds good.” He resolved to push all thoughts of Puah from his mind and to enjoy his dinner and Yasma’s company.

Source: Adult Bible Study Guide;