2 Thessalonians 2: 1-5, 13-17
Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying the day of the Lord has already come. 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.
Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things?
But we ought to always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
A Thought
How easy it is for each of us to get distracted and forget the main thing! Paul is writing this message of encouragement to the converts of Thessalonia and it’s still true for Christians today. Do not be deceived or alarmed. The time has not been revealed exactly when Christ will return to gather his own. The important thing is to be saved through belief, faith in God and for us to yield to the work of the Holy Spirit, to stand firm in the gospel and to grow to become more like Christ in word and deed.
Our Prayer
Father thank you that you have your perfect time and plan for our lives. Help us to study your word so we will not be deceived. Thank you for our eternal hope and encouragement in your word through Jesus Christ. Amen.
