2 Thessalonians 2: The Man of Lawlessness

The Man of Lawlessness

While it is very tempting to use some of these verses to apply to some people who currently walk the earth and may be horrible representations of their country or of people, this section (verses 1-12) applies to the revealing of the antichrist. That is not a title to just throw around to people because you don't like what they stand for. It is deeper than that. You would need to read through Revelations to understand the coming if the antichrist and the destruction that will follow. One may say, "why does the antichrist have to come?" Well in verses 11-12 we read "Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness." In other words, God allows for this to happen to really show the difference between believers in the almighty God and the faith of others that they have in false teachers and false prophets. Either get right....or get left.

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Wednesday Wake Up #33

No God or Know God

As I was reading through 2 Thessalonians the other night I came across a verse that was not your feel good fluffy and pretty scripture, but one that nails down what happens to those that do not know God and those who believe in no God. The verse was 2 Thessalonians 1:8 and in regard to Jesus and his angels coming back to earth it says "in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus." Not so pretty is it? 

Why do we want to know God? Well, first we can know of something or someone. For instance I know of Michael Jordan, but do not know him personally (see where I am going). I can know that someone exists or intimately get to know someone on a deeper level, like a close friend or relative. We are to do the latter when it comes to God. We don't just know of him and kinda read and study. We need to stay focused on what He wants from us in all circumstances. Staying in 2 Thessalonians, in Chapter 3 verse 16 we see that God is referred to as the "Lord of Peace" and His peace can be with you all day when He is with you. You don't get that kind of peace by just kind of knowing someone.

In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus tells those who are weary and burdened to come to him. That is key when Jesus says "come to" him. He does not say stay there and I will find you. If you want to be comforted, seek Jesus. Isn't a moniker of Jesus "the Prince of Peace"? That is so. Jesus's load is peaceful. He will not make you busy. People pleasing and living according to the world's standards will stress you the heck out. Jesus's yoke is light. Seek his peace.

 

There are a bunch of verses and retellings in scripture about knowing God. We can either pretend like God doesn't exist or we can seek His presence and read and know Him. Get into a deeper relationship with Him.

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2 Thessalonians 1: For Those That Don't Know God

For Those That Don't Know God

In this 2nd letter from Paul to the Thessalonians we get a screen shot of what hell is like. I know many people when they read the Bible, tend to overlook the parts about hell and what happens to those who do not know God. Now, "know" can be in the general sense as in knowing of something. Or it can be in the sense that you seek to understand and you love and honor and respect God. There is difference in the usage of the word "know." In verses 7-9, Paul tells the church (who has been persecuted) that those persecutors will have to answer to Jesus and his angels. There will be "flaming fire" and vengeance will be inflicted for those who do not "know" God and do not obey Jesus. We can scour through scripture and remember the things that make us feel good (feel good gospel) but do not forget to read the truth and the whole truth so help you God for the sake of your soul.

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1 Thessalonians 5: Rejoice, Pray, Give Thanks

Rejoice, Pray, Give Thanks

We need reminders sometimes to do things that seem so simple when read, but hard to remember when tested. As Paul closes out the first letter to the Thessalonian church, he gives the charge in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 to "REJOICE always, PRAY without ceasing, GIVE THANKS in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." We need to remember that when things get tough it is not doing us any good to wallow in our pity. It is one thing to grieve and deal with pain and loss, but there is a point when you need to not look at the circumstance anymore. Dave Guzik writes "The Christian can rejoice always because their joy isn't based in circumstances, but in God. Circumstances change, but God doesn't." Praying without ceasing connects us to the Holy Spirit and puts the focus on our faith in God. Giving thanks in all (not some, most or many) circumstances shows us that while things are not where and how we want them, we still love the good that God has done. Trust me, I know it is tough, but we need to remember to keep God at the center of our lives.

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1 Thessalonians 4: Encouragement of One Another

Encouragement of One Another

Paul spends the portion of this letter reminding or informing the church of how they should be living their lives according to the Holy Spirit. If it is fleeing from sexual immorality  and knowing how to control one's body as in verses 3-8. Or it could be the informing of the coming of the Lord (second coming perhaps) as well as our ascension into Heaven (even those who have "fallen asleep" in the faith) in verses 13-17. Overall, Paul wanted people to be informed and also encouraged which is why in verse 18 he says "Therefore encourage one another with these words." If we are not encouraging one another with the truth from scripture then what are we doing with it?

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1 Thessalonians 3: As We Do for You

As We Do for You

"As we do for you" are words that Paul wrote to the church in conjunction with Timothy's report about the church. Timothy was mentored by Paul and Timothy had good things to say after visiting the church of Thessalonia. Paul makes several references to being connected to the church spiritually. In verse 6 he says that Timothy reports that they remember kindly Paul and the others he is with and that they long to see Paul and the others as he longs to see them. There is a connection there. In verse 7 Paul says that he and the others are comforted about the church because of the faith of the church. Paul didn't have to be concerned with them because they kept the faith according to Timothy's report. And in verses 11-12, Paul shows us once again the connection he has to the church (which to me is very encouraging). He sought for the church to get their proper direction led by God and Jesus. He also wanted them to "abound in love for one another and for all" as Paul and the others did for them. It was bigger than just leading a church and helping build it but as he said before like a nurturing mother or an encouraging father. Paul cared about what he was doing and why.

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Friday Focus #32

A Miracle for the Empty (Inspired by Kerry Shook)

There are relationships out there (my favorite topic) that are suffering. They are hurting. They are empty. They need healing and hope. There has been damage done and the damage needs to be repaired. How does that repair get started? Focus on being loving like Jesus. This is not conditional love that says I will love you if you will love me. It is not "I will be loving only if you reciprocate." This is the same love Christ has for us as he died for our sins. It was not I will die for you if you all follow me. It is "I am dying for you to be reunited with God."
 

In Luke 5:1-11 we have Jesus calling (claiming) his first disciples. He sits in Simon's boat and teaches the word of God to people and then tells Simon to cast his nets into the deep. Simon says that they had worked all night and were tired from catching nothing but he listened to Jesus anyway. That sounds like those times in relationships where you have been doing your part and are exhausted and have been getting ready to "hang it up." You have stopped being loving, caring and nurturing. But Jesus says "give it another shot." When Simon gave it another shot he caught so many fish he needed help bringing them all in. This sounds like when the lull in the relationship is over and you and/or your friend, spouse, significant other both are seeking to be loving again despite being exhausted.

This is what our Christian walk is. It is still seeking to honor God and loving people selflessly even when we are not "feeling up to it." When we still do what God wants from us He will bless us. It may not come as immediately as in this retelling of Jesus and the disciples. But the interesting thing is there is no timetable in the story as to how long it took Simon Peter to catch all of those fish. It could have been 5 seconds or 5 hours. Will you endure and be patient awaiting the blessing while still doing what honors God? Or will you do what you want to get the results you wants faster? It's all up to you. But if you want stronger relationships, follow God's will. 

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