Good morning! Last Friday we began reading 2 Thessalonians chapter two where Apostle Paul began to share with the Thessalonian believers some of the things that will occur before the Lord’s return – “that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed—the one who brings destruction.“

Apostle Paul reiterated what he once told them because there were false teachers trying to confuse the Thessalonian believers about the Lord’s return. Join me as we continue our reading in second Thessalonians.

Bible verse – 2 Thessalonians 2:6-12 NLT

“⁵ Don’t you remember that I told you about all this when I was with you? ⁶ And you know what is holding him back, for he can be revealed only when his time comes. ⁷ For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one who is holding it back steps out of the way. ⁸ Then the man of lawlessness will be revealed, but the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him by the splendor of his coming.

⁹ This man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles. ¹⁰ He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them. ¹¹ So God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies. ¹² Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth.”

Relection

Apostle Paul did not sugar coat the fact that evil exists in this world or how people will be deceived and believe the lies of Satan. He reminded the believers that there will be a time when this will all come to pass, but it wasn’t at that moment or year when he wrote the letter. He further noted people will be falsely led and would refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them.

Sisters and brothers, even today we know people refuse to love and accept that Christ Jesus came to save us, but we can still share the Good News about Jesus Christ.

The greatest verse in today’s reading is “but the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him by the splendor of his coming.“ Therefore, sisters and brothers we already know who wins. We know that when it is all said and done – we who believe in the truth and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior will be saved. Let us not be distracted by the man of lawlessness and Satan’s tactics to kill and destroy – lets keep our eyes focused on the author and finisher/perfector of our faith Jesus – do not grow weary or lose heart.

Romans 8:35-39 brings me peace every time:

³⁵ Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? ³⁶ (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”^[a]) ³⁷ No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

³⁸ And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[b] neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. ³⁹ No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Sisters and brothers, don’t be paralyzed by the things that are going on in this world. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. Keep making a difference, continue to love others and allow the Lord to use you every day.

Keep walking in faith.

Keep your eyes focused on Christ.

Prayer

Father God, thank you for another glorious day. Thank you for the reminder that there is evil in the world but you a greater than any evil that exist or is to come. Lord, thank you for your son Jesus Christ who made a way for us to be reconciled back to you. Thank you for the reminders of Your faithfulness so that when we read about evil or hear about it on television that we do not become paralyzed by it – but that we are activated into prayer and action – continued kingdom work to heal and help others. Lord, we know there is work to do while we are here on earth. Lord, give us discernment to help those in need, to encourage those who are hurting and struggling, to stand against injustice, to provide refuge for the loss or without, to combat human trafficking, to protect children and care for the widows. Lord, we need you. Help us to end hate against others and bring healing around the world. In Jesus name, amen.

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