Good morning,
First Thessalonians dealt with the Rapture. Second Thessalonians deals with the Second Coming. The Thessalonians received a letter, allegedly from Paul (it was not), claiming that the Day of Christ had begun. Paul writes 2 Thessalonians to correct this error. Chapter 2 deals with what happens before the Day of Christ, what will happen during the Day of Christ, and how we must stand till the Day of Christ.
Today we will look at what how we must stand till the Day of Christ.
How we must Stand till the Day of Christ. (2:13-17)
- We must Stand for our Calling. (2:13-14)
13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- We must Stand for the Truths of the Faith. We are to stand fast in faithfulness and hold to the truthfulness of the Word. (2:15)
15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
- We are to Stand in the Love, Hope, Grace and Comfort of the father and the Son. (2:16-17a)
16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, 17 Comfort your hearts,
- We must Stand in every good Work and Word. (2:17b)
and stablish you in every good word and work.
Paul concludes Chapter 2 by encouraging the Thessalonians to stand. They were to stand for their calling, truths of their faith, love, hope, grace, comfort , the Word, and work. They were in the middle of hostile territory and needed to be grounded in God’s Word.
This is where we find ourselves today. We are warned in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” Ephesians 6:11-13, admonishes us to “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
Let us take Paul’s teaching to the Thessalonians seriously. We are in a battle that we cannot win apart from Jesus Christ fighting the battle.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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