READ: 2
Thessalonians 2
In
this chapter Paul deals with the false teaching the Thessalonians have received
about the end times. Perhaps someone had sent a letter forging Paul’s name or
style so they would believe it was him and obey it, or even a message sent by
someone saying “Paul said…” No matter how the teaching came to them, they had
accepted it. It appears the believers thought they were living in the last
days. It is possible the persecution felt so severe it only made sense that
Jesus would come back quickly and save them. However, Paul reminds them that he
had previously taught them about the signs. He tells them again what to look
for and points out these things hadn’t happened yet. Not only had they not
happened yet the world stage had not even been set to make them possible!
Paul
gives them a long list of signs to look for. He also reminds them they have
nothing to fear. Verse 6 says, “And you know what is restraining him [the man
of lawlessness]…” This, of course, is God who is restraining him. Paul is
reminding them that God is still in control, He still has all the power, and
will continue to have the power. Even on the day the man of lawlessness is
revealed it will be because of God’s power and permission. How wonderful to
know that the God who loves us so dearly that He paid His life for us, and then
promised us the hope of eternity, is the One in control of every event leading
up to and including the hard times to come at the end. This is quite an
encouragement and fear-buster.
As
the chapter wraps up Paul tells them to make sure they only receive the
teaching he gives them either in person, by verbal message, or in writing. At
first glance we might think this is self-honoring and boastful of Paul.
However, it’s not. The first century church didn’t have the New Testament like
we have it today. They couldn’t go back and check what a certain verse or
chapter said to make sure it lined up with the character and purposes of God
like we can. Paul had been made an apostle. He had been given divine truth and
was careful to teach everything he had been taught by the Lord. It is this
calling and this appointment that gave Paul’s words credibility, not his own
opinion but God’s direction. This is why he warns them against other teachers
who have not seen the Lord or been
appointed by Him. Paul knew if they kept their traditions the same, and
listened to qualified teaching they would do well and be able to endure until
the end.
JOURNALING
AND PRAYER
1. Do you worry
and fear about the last days? Ask the Lord to speak to your heart concerning
the fact that He is in control of everything that will happen. Ask Him to give
you words, thoughts, pictures or verses you can hold onto whenever the fear
begins to rise in you to remind you that the God of LOVE is in control, even of
the things that will happen in the last days.
2. Ask God to
speak to you about any false teachers in your life. (It could be preachers,
teachers, authors, even friends and family members who believe differently than
you do.) Ask Him to point out the truth you need to get back on the path of
solid teaching. Ask God if there is anything you have stopped doing (or
started) because of false teaching. If there is, confess it and accept His
loving forgiveness.
3. Spend time
thanking the Lord for the freedom we have to own and read both the Old and New
Testaments. Thank Him for speaking to us through the words of Scripture. Ask
Him to speak to you about what you can do this week to make more time to spend
in His Word.
