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2nd Thessalonians 2:1-12, Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you”–this is the LORD’s declaration–“plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Vs. 1 What is written here concerns That day, the last Day, Judgment Day, which is the 2nd coming of Christ. It is on That Day, that we God’s Church, the Israel of God, True believers will be gathered to Him. It is only those who have stayed the Course who have remained steadfast, and overcome the World that are the bride of Christ: His Church.
In John 15 Jesus said that apart from Him you/we can do nothing, but if we remain in Him and are obedient to His Word, staying the Course, then we will produce much fruit. If we are not producing fruit, not abiding in Him, not staying the course then we will be cut off and thrown into the fire. As we found out last week it is only those who have believed or are believing that will be glorified at the coming of our Lord.
Vs. 2 It is apparent that they have been receiving false information about the Lords return having already taken place.
Vs. 3-4 but they are not to be deceived. For that day will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he sits in God’s temple, proclaiming that he himself is God. I want to come back to this but 1st lets look at what else is said.
Vs. 5-7 We don’t know what was taught about the man of lawlessness by Paul…, we know nothing for certain about what or who the one who restrains him is. And while this seems to point to an individual, there is no certainty even about that. There is much conjecture, and many different takes on who the man of lawlessness is, and we could look into all of them and still know nothing more of the lawless one than we do now.
Vs. 8-10 Here is what we do know; when he is revealed it will be followed by his destruction. God has this, it is written. He will be destroyed by the breath of His mouth and will bring him to nothing when He returns.
Let’s back up to verses 3-4 The great Apostasy, the rebellion, the falling away that is being spoken of here involves more than the church; this includes the moral and even political rebellion against God.
The World, those outside the Church will take no notice. They have chosen to turn away from God and His Church, they think that the message of the Cross is foolishness, (see 1 Cor 1:18) they don’t know or desire to know or Hear the Truth, they believe the lie and God has turned them over to their sin. In Rom 1:24, 26, 28 God delivered them over CSB, God gave them over NIV, Abadoned them NLT Gave them up ESV and the Contemp. English Version translates it as “God let these people go their own way”.
People are leaving the church; every week 100 to 200 congregations cease to exist. Some people leave the faith all together, offended, hurt, or drawn away by things of the world. Now the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will depart from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, through the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared. (1Tim 4:1-2)
Look around you, open your eyes, That Day is coming, the opposition to God is plain to see, we live in an immoral sociality, people are lovers of self, proud, ungrateful, and irreconcilable they are scoffing and following their own desires, drug use, pornography, and prostitution, are happening all around us. Wickedness has greatly increased to the point where we lock our doors and ask members of the Church to come armed.
In these last days what we never thought we would see and hear on TV is common place and taught in our schools as normal, Homosexuality, transgenderism, and fornication. Foul language is used and accepted just about everywhere and even by those who claim to follow Christ. And one of the worst things are society accepts that points to that day is the sacrificing of our children to the god of convenience so that we can have more money, more time, more for me…
These are all signs of the 2nd coming. And if we choose to Heed God’s word That Day will not surprise us. We will be ready! Those of the True Church have been warned and taught of the signs of the 2nd coming. You know discipled… It is the True Church that is going to be gathered to Him. Those that know Him and are know by Him, those who believe and ore obedient to the Truth. It is those who are perishing who will be caught unawares it is the unbelievers who will be surprised when That Day arrives. But Christ followers, Believers will be ready. That Day is coming, are you ready?
Further Reading: Romans 1:18-32, 1st Corinthians 3:16-17, 1st John 2:18-29, John 15:1-17, Ephesians 5:6, Revelation 13:18. That Day: Hebrews 1:1-2, Matthew 12:36, 24:36, Hebrews 9:27, Romans 2:16, 14:10, John 12:48, 2nd Peter 3:1–13, 2nd Timothy 3:1-5, Jude 1:5-7
Questions: Who sits enthroned in your life; God, or self? Is your focus on Jesus and His gospel or on people? If it is on people (The World) can you stay the course?
Dayton First Church of God 