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Dear Heavenly Father, Praise Paul said the day is coming when the Lord Jesus will be “revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God” (2 Thess 1:7–8). I praise you today as the God who brings righteous judgment on all who do not obey the gospel of Jesus Christ. I look forward to seeing the glory of his might and marveling at him as he is glorified in his saints! Today in Your Word Today you shared with me Paul’s second letter to the church in Thessalonica. When Timothy returned to Corinth after delivering the first letter, he brought back more questions from the church, prompting Paul to write a second letter. The persecution in the city had intensified over the intervening months, and some in the church were claiming the Day of the Lord had already come. This meant they had either missed the rapture (leading them to doubt their salvation), or that Paul was wrong in saying they would be delivered from the wrath of the Tribulation (leading them to doubt Paul’s authority and integrity). Furthermore, this false teaching was likely behind the disorderly conduct of those who had stopped working and become busybodies. After all, why work when God is about to destroy the world? Paul dealt with these issues by first addressing the timing of the Day of the Lord (the seven-year Tribulation period). He told them that Day must be preceded by a final apostasy and the coming of the “man of lawlessness” (2 Thess 2:3). This statement is consistent with Daniel’s prophecy of “the prince” who will come and make a covenant with the Jews for seven years (cf. Dan 9:26–27). This prince is none other than the Antichrist, the man of lawlessness, who will be revealed at the beginning of the Tribulation, the last of the seventy weeks (Dan 9:24). The Thessalonians had no cause to doubt Paul’s original teaching for the great apostasy had not yet come and the Antichrist was still being restrained. If this were not so, they would certainly be aware of such momentous events! Paul next addressed the spiritual condition of the Thessalonian believers. He assured them that they were “brothers beloved by the Lord,” chosen as “the firstfruits to be saved,” and he encouraged them to “stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us” (2 Thess 2:13–15). This meant they should admonish those who had become idle and imitate Paul’s example of hard work. Those who did not obey should not be fed by the others; instead, they should be avoided (2 Thess 3:6–10). This teaches me two lessons: (1) I need to carefully examine any claim concerning the timing of the Tribulation and make sure it’s in harmony with Scripture, and (2) I need to be focused on working hard and providing for my family, not on doomsday scenarios and fears about the end of the world. Reflection When the believers in Ephesus were saved, they confessed their wicked practices and destroyed all the valuable books which had been a part of their old life (Acts 19:19). Do I have anything left from my former life which should be destroyed? Is there anything I’ve held on to that should go up in flames? Request Father, I ask that you would give me peace at all times in every way (2 Thess 3:16). Comfort my heart and establish me in every good work and word. Help me not to grow weary in doing good! Thanksgiving Thank you for the grace and peace I have through my Lord Jesus Christ! All praise to your sanctifying Spirit who has graciously given me your Word of truth! In Jesus’ name, Amen. Suggested Hymn: “The King Shall Come” – John Brownlie. Meditation Verse: 2 Thessalonians 1:11. |