Bible Chapter: II Thessalonians 2

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    False teachers.  This has been a problem from the beginning of the church.  The church in Thessalonica was upset because of false teachings about the return of Jesus.  Because there is a strong spiritual battle to destroy eternal souls, false teaching will cause some to walk away from their faith in Jesus.  We are blessed to have the Bible.  We must carefully study it and be deliberate to have teachers who know what it really says.  There will come a time when these false teachers will come under a spirit of lawlessness or rebellion.  This will trap believers who will turn from the truth to apostasy.  This road takes a person to seek pleasure in sin and throw off moral restraint.  This is what we are seeing today in the world and in the church.  It is increasing as we grow closer to the day of the return of the Lord.  People in churches, even church leaders, in the name of Jesus are believing a lie and delighting in wickedness.
    God is calling all believers to stand firm in the faith.  Our salvation comes through the work and provision of God.  When we believe the truth of the Bible we are changed and headed to our eternal home with Jesus.  We also have the encouragement and hope in our hearts that comes from God.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    We live 2,000 years from the life of Jesus on this earth.  The changes happening are now coming at lightening speed.  For the majority of that time life has not changed all that much.  In the last one hundred years or so the changes have exploded on the world.  Now it is impossible for any one person to keep up with all of them.  While there are many encouraging changes in technology, health and convenience in life, there are also countless changes of accepting evil and immorality as normal and productive.  Sin, evil, immorality, etc. are pandemic.  It is very easy to become discouraged in striving to serve Jesus.  But, the Bible says that these things of evil will come and then Jesus will return.  So, what I must do is keep my focus on Jesus and His promises to come and take believers to be with Him.  My hope is in Him.

3.  How can I help someone?
    People need to see the signs of the return of Jesus.  The topic of prophecy has been a popular one.  The signs of the soon coming of Jesus should not cause us to just focus on them and try to figure them all out, but they should challenge us to spread the good news of Jesus.  We must live ready, for there will be no two minute warning of the end of the age.