Whoa! This chapter starts out with some heavy stuff! (I know..."heavy" is such a 60's retro word :) )
It seems that someone had told the Thessalonians that Jesus had already returned and making them afraid that they had missed it and that they weren't in fact in the Kingdom of Heaven. Paul refutes that lie and gives some interesting details for us as we watch for the end times. Paul says that the rebellion and the man of lawlessness (called the Antichrist in 1 Jn 2:18 and others) must be revealed first. Here are ways that Paul says we will recognize this Antichrist:
1) He will oppose and exalt himself above all gods or objects of worship
2) He will take his seat in the temple of God and call himself God (note that there needs to be a temple for this)
3) There will be many false signs and wonders
4) People will be deluded to believe in this antichrist
I personally find end-times details to be quite exciting and interesting. At some later time we can go into more details but here are some important notes regarding these things:
1) As I had noted above, the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem will be a critical piece to be in place. Watch for those persons who are instrumental in the rebuilding process with great wariness.
2) There will be false signs and wonders that come from Satan. Many Christians falsely assume that miracles only come from God, especially when done in a church service. The testimony of Scripture is that Satan can perform signs and wonders, so we should not just run after any miracles, but always test them to see if they are from God. Are they pointing to/giving glory to God only? Are they promoting holiness, bringing to repentance? If so, Praise the Lord!! If not, stay away!
3) God is going to be putting a strong delusion on people who refuse to love the truth so that they will be deceived by the Antichrist. Already we see the god of this age blinding the minds of unbelievers (2 Cor 4:4) and we see those who trust in themselves and not God becoming foolish as their understanding is darkened (Rom 1:21), but this is a whole new level. It certainly urges me on to make sure that I am choosing to love the truth. Jesus is the truth and truth comes from God. We must make sure that we submit ourselves, our understanding and our beliefs to the Scripture, especially when they disagree. A common area of disagreement is that of what is righteous vs. unrighteous especially regarding pleasure, as Paul says "they did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness." We must seek to know God and follow him completely so we can be saved and changed.
Lord Jesus, please save me and change me. Let me see this world as you see it, let me know righteousness as you define it and let me love the truth, because you are the truth.
Paul finishes by encouraging the Thessalonians again since they were fearing that they had missed God. But Paul confidently declares that they were chosen by God, so they need to stand firm in the teaching/traditions that Paul had taught them in person and in these letters.
As Paul prays, so I pray: May God comfort you hearts and establish your hearts in every good work and word!!
It seems that someone had told the Thessalonians that Jesus had already returned and making them afraid that they had missed it and that they weren't in fact in the Kingdom of Heaven. Paul refutes that lie and gives some interesting details for us as we watch for the end times. Paul says that the rebellion and the man of lawlessness (called the Antichrist in 1 Jn 2:18 and others) must be revealed first. Here are ways that Paul says we will recognize this Antichrist:
1) He will oppose and exalt himself above all gods or objects of worship
2) He will take his seat in the temple of God and call himself God (note that there needs to be a temple for this)
3) There will be many false signs and wonders
4) People will be deluded to believe in this antichrist
I personally find end-times details to be quite exciting and interesting. At some later time we can go into more details but here are some important notes regarding these things:
1) As I had noted above, the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem will be a critical piece to be in place. Watch for those persons who are instrumental in the rebuilding process with great wariness.
2) There will be false signs and wonders that come from Satan. Many Christians falsely assume that miracles only come from God, especially when done in a church service. The testimony of Scripture is that Satan can perform signs and wonders, so we should not just run after any miracles, but always test them to see if they are from God. Are they pointing to/giving glory to God only? Are they promoting holiness, bringing to repentance? If so, Praise the Lord!! If not, stay away!
3) God is going to be putting a strong delusion on people who refuse to love the truth so that they will be deceived by the Antichrist. Already we see the god of this age blinding the minds of unbelievers (2 Cor 4:4) and we see those who trust in themselves and not God becoming foolish as their understanding is darkened (Rom 1:21), but this is a whole new level. It certainly urges me on to make sure that I am choosing to love the truth. Jesus is the truth and truth comes from God. We must make sure that we submit ourselves, our understanding and our beliefs to the Scripture, especially when they disagree. A common area of disagreement is that of what is righteous vs. unrighteous especially regarding pleasure, as Paul says "they did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness." We must seek to know God and follow him completely so we can be saved and changed.
Lord Jesus, please save me and change me. Let me see this world as you see it, let me know righteousness as you define it and let me love the truth, because you are the truth.
Paul finishes by encouraging the Thessalonians again since they were fearing that they had missed God. But Paul confidently declares that they were chosen by God, so they need to stand firm in the teaching/traditions that Paul had taught them in person and in these letters.
As Paul prays, so I pray: May God comfort you hearts and establish your hearts in every good work and word!!
