2 Thessalonians 2:3
KJV: Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.
NCV: Do not let anyone fool you in any way. That day of the Lord will not come until the turning away from God happens and the Man of Evil, who is on his way to hell, appears.
In Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, he gave assurance to all true believers that they would be caught up to meet the Lord in the air and would forever be with the Lord (1Thes.4:13-18). This event would deliver them from the coming wrath of God that was to fall upon the earth (1Thes.1:10; 5:9-10). However, the false teachers were teaching that the day of the Lord had already begun and that God’s final wrath was being poured out upon the earth. The Thessalonians’ Christians were ‘troubled and shaken’ (upset) because of what the false teachers were saying about the day of the Lord. Paul tells them not to be alarmed, for the day of God’s wrath has not yet arrived. Two things will signal its arrival: 1) There must be a specific “falling away,” and 2) the “man of sin” will be revealed.
Reading: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 NCV
Brothers and Sisters, we have something to say about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and the time when we will meet together with him. v2. Do not become easily upset in your thinking or afraid if you hear that the day of the Lord has already come. Someone may say this in prophecy or in a message or in a letter as if it came from us. v3. Do not let anyone fool you in any way. That day of the Lord will not come until the turning away from God happens and the Man of Evil, who is on his way to hell, appears.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to stay true to Your teachings of the Word of God. Help us to remember what Paul was telling us about Your coming again. We realize Paul’s warning about being upset with false teachings that Christ has already came when it isn’t true. It reminds me of what someone quoted, “The New Age” and even share with others. It seems to cause confusion. Lord, I pray that the Holy Spirit helps us to study Your Word and stay true to Your teachings. I rejoice to hear Your Word of Wisdom and be strong in the Lord. Thank You and I bless You in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen!
Song collection:
Keep me true, Lord Jesus, keep me true;
Keep me true, Lord Jesus, keep me true.
There’s a race that I must run,
There are victories to be won,
Give me power, every hour, to be true.
