Reading: II Thessalonians 1 - 3
My Verse: "So then, brethren, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions and instructions which you were taught by us, whether by our word of mouth or by letter" (2:15).
Here it is again the -"stand firm and hold fast" exhortation. Paul implores us to not allow ourselves to be easily swayed by wrong teaching. "Not to allow your minds to be quickly unsettled or disturbed or kept excited or alarmed, whether it be by some [pretended] revelation of [the] Spirit or by word or letter [alleged to be] from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has [already] arrived and is here" (2:2).
He goes on to say, "Let no one deceive or beguile you in any way . . ." (2:3)
It is so important that we hold to Your word - it alone is truth. There are no "new" revelations. This is it and we can depend on that. You have even warned about adding or taking away from this Your word. "If anyone shall add anything to them, God will add and lay upon him the plagues that are recorded and described in this book. And if anyone cancels or takes away from the statements of the book of this prophecy, God will cancel and take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the city of holiness, which are described and promised in this book" (Revelation 22:18,19).
So, yes, we can "hold fast to the traditions and instructions" as Paul implores us to for these traditions and instructions are the very essence of life.
The Thessalonians were worried they may have missed Your return. This concern goes on today. We are constantly hearing someone say the end of the world is on such or such a day. Paul shows very clearly here what must happen before You return.
First, "for that day will not come except the apostasy comes first." The apostasy being a great falling away or full out rebellion against You Lord. Second, Paul says that "the man of lawlessness is revealed, who is the son of doom." Oh what dreadfulness that will be. And before these things must occur Paul points out several things that must precede even these two. Verse 4 of Chapter 2 says "the man of lawlessness" will set himself up "taking his seat in the temple of God." Right now there is no temple - so that needs to be rebuilt. The other thing Paul mentions is that before the "man of lawlessness" can be revealed "he who restrains is taken out of the way." It is not clear exactly who "he" is here but many believe that this is the Holy Spirit indwelling the believers. And once You take us home to be with You, then we are out of here as will be the Holy Spirit!
This is amazing stuff indeed. But I needn't worry overmuch about all that. I need only pay attention to You, to what You are teaching me daily in Your word so that I will not be easily deceived or beguiled. I must "stand firm and hold fast" to Your Word!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: "So then, brethren, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions and instructions which you were taught by us, whether by our word of mouth or by letter" (2:15).
Here it is again the -"stand firm and hold fast" exhortation. Paul implores us to not allow ourselves to be easily swayed by wrong teaching. "Not to allow your minds to be quickly unsettled or disturbed or kept excited or alarmed, whether it be by some [pretended] revelation of [the] Spirit or by word or letter [alleged to be] from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has [already] arrived and is here" (2:2).
He goes on to say, "Let no one deceive or beguile you in any way . . ." (2:3)
It is so important that we hold to Your word - it alone is truth. There are no "new" revelations. This is it and we can depend on that. You have even warned about adding or taking away from this Your word. "If anyone shall add anything to them, God will add and lay upon him the plagues that are recorded and described in this book. And if anyone cancels or takes away from the statements of the book of this prophecy, God will cancel and take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the city of holiness, which are described and promised in this book" (Revelation 22:18,19).
So, yes, we can "hold fast to the traditions and instructions" as Paul implores us to for these traditions and instructions are the very essence of life.
The Thessalonians were worried they may have missed Your return. This concern goes on today. We are constantly hearing someone say the end of the world is on such or such a day. Paul shows very clearly here what must happen before You return.
First, "for that day will not come except the apostasy comes first." The apostasy being a great falling away or full out rebellion against You Lord. Second, Paul says that "the man of lawlessness is revealed, who is the son of doom." Oh what dreadfulness that will be. And before these things must occur Paul points out several things that must precede even these two. Verse 4 of Chapter 2 says "the man of lawlessness" will set himself up "taking his seat in the temple of God." Right now there is no temple - so that needs to be rebuilt. The other thing Paul mentions is that before the "man of lawlessness" can be revealed "he who restrains is taken out of the way." It is not clear exactly who "he" is here but many believe that this is the Holy Spirit indwelling the believers. And once You take us home to be with You, then we are out of here as will be the Holy Spirit!
This is amazing stuff indeed. But I needn't worry overmuch about all that. I need only pay attention to You, to what You are teaching me daily in Your word so that I will not be easily deceived or beguiled. I must "stand firm and hold fast" to Your Word!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
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