WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22
2 Thessalonians 2:1-12
1 John 2:18-19

"… if they had been of us,
they would no doubt
have continued with us…"

THE CERTAINTY OF THE GREAT APOSTASY

Paul instructed the Thessalonians about the end times when he was with them (2 Thess 2:5). He wrote about this subject in his first letter to them (1 Thess 4:13-5:11). Yet, they were still confused and fearful that they might have missed the Rapture and were already in the Great Tribulation. The severity of the persecution they were undergoing contributed to that mistaken belief. They thought they were already left behind and began to lose hope. However, the main reason for their confusion came from some false teachers who taught that Christ had already come.

Paul entreated the Christians in Thessalonica to correct their views about the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was specifically pleading to the believers for a correction of their wrong understanding. Paul’s specific pastoral burden was to correct the false view among the Thessalonian Christians that the day of the Lord had already begun (2 Thess 2:2). Paul made a strong plea regarding this subject. He did not want the church to become unsettled or alarmed by rumours in forged letters which they might have heard about the Lord’s return.

In effect, Paul also taught that apostasy in the church had begun, and indeed is ongoing, but will increase more in scope during the church age and will climax at the time immediately before the Lord’s return. Today, the apostasy is snowballing in major denominations of Christendom. Many have turned aside from the fundamental doctrines of the Bible. They are no more believers of the God of the Bible but deceivers of God’s people. It is so obvious and so alarming. Surely, the coming of our Lord is imminent. Be ye ready!

THOUGHT: Am I looking forward to Christ’s imminent return?
PRAYER: "With whom my hand shall be established: mine arm also shall strengthen him. The enemy shall not exact upon him; nor the son of wickedness afflict him. And I will beat down his foes before his face, and plague them that hate him" (Ps 89:21-23).