NOV 28

2 Thessalonians 2:1-2
Memorise Matthew 24:42
“…the day of Christ is at hand.”

The past few days’ readings have been dealing with the things of the last days. Indeed, Christ is truly coming again soon. We see so many signs around us that point towards the imminence of Christ’s return. Do you truly believe, though, that Christ may really return sometime in your lifetime? Or do you simply shrug it off, thinking that “Nah, it can’t be that soon…”?

2 Thessalonians was written by the Apostle Paul somewhat as a followup to the previous epistle, I Thessalonians. While the latter dealt with the doctrine of the 2nd coming of Christ, the former relates more to the practical aspects. In light of all the knowledge that the Thessalonian Christians had gained concerning this event, Paul wanted to further instruct them as to the right attitude and perspective to have. As we read in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2, we see that the faith of some of them had been shaken as a result of false teachers that had sown the seed of doubt in their minds regarding Christ’s return. Probably there were some false teachers who made a mockery of Paul’s teaching, and told them that the Lord had already come, and that they had missed the rapture! As a result, rather than serving as a comfort to them, they had become troubled and confused by the teachings regarding the 2nd coming. They were not using this knowledge that they had obtained to the glory of God.

For us today, likewise we have received much teaching on the 2nd coming of Christ. In fact, with the complete Bible in our hands, all the more we should be knowledgeable regarding the things of the last days. Many false teachers have also arisen in recent years, claiming to predict the exact date of Christ’s return, or teaching some elaborate comspiracy theories about it, which we know are all not true. But for us, knowing that the Lord’s return is sure and soon, are we living for God each day? Do we take heed to the warnings of Scripture? Or do we choose rather to be so caught up with studies and fun and other temporal things?

Dear teen, God has graciously given abundant instruction in His Word about Jesus’ 2nd coming because it is of utmost importance that we prepare for it. We can be sure that our faithful God will certainly fulfill what He has said will take place. Let us not be faithless or doubting, but let us instead have full conviction in His Word, and to show from our lives what we are doing to prepare for His Son’s soon-coming return.

Thought: Will Jesus find me watching?
Prayer: Lord, grant me an unwavering faith and confidence in Your Word.