S) "1 Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, 2 that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come."
2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 (NASB)
O) In the verses that follow this, Paul does go into some esoteric descriptions of warnings, about times to come. There are somewhat famous descriptions given, and they have a role in forming eschatology. However, we cannot overlook how he opens the chapter. He stresses that they cannot be distracted by what people are saying, about Jesus coming or having already come. Whether or not there is some great tribulation coming, and regardless of when exactly there is a rapture, Paul is reminding them not to be shaken, not to be nervous, not to be distracted into taking their eyes off of Jesus Himself.
A) End times prophecies are difficult to parse out. However, passages like this one are firm reminders for me to not be bothered by not having exact answers. In fact, I don't even think I have to have firm opinions about a lot of what could be coming. I know for sure Jesus will return. I know for sure that when my own judgment day comes, whether that is tonight, or in ten years, or on the Final Judgment Day, I must be found in Christ. I know that if I am found in Christ when I am judged, then His righteousness will be granted to me as my own, and I will forever be glorified with Christ, in God. My composure about these things, I cannot be shaken. I will not be disturbed by books about blood moons, or calculations from the date Israel became a nation again in the U.N. The day of the Lord may come tomorrow, or beyond my time on earth. Either way, I am resolved to be in Him, both now and forever.
P) Father, You are such a great comfort! Thank You for the peace You give, in the face of so much other uncertainty. I am amazed, even still, at how Your simple truths can overcome countless unknown details (I mean unknown to me, of course You know all things). Thank You for that peace, God. Let that very same peace be a great point of reference, for sharing the gospel with others. Be glorified in my life, in my peace. May I always be found in Christ, both now and forevermore. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment