Good morning -
What if I missed it? Can you imagine having tickets to a very special event and then suddenly becoming alarmed that you were mistaken on the date and the event was already past? But even worse, what if you have missed out on THE event of the ages?
"Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come." (2 Thessalonians 2:1-2)
Understanding what the Bible says about future events can be confusing, but there is little cause for confusion over the return of Jesus. We can be absolutely certain that Jesus is not presently ruling from Jerusalem nor is His earthly kingdom presently established (if we're living in the kingdom now, I'm greatly dissapointed!).
"The Day of the Lord" - the sudden breakthrough of the Lord in which time gives way to eternity - will not occur until after two key events take place:
"Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God." (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)
The return of Jesus will be preceded by a massive falling away from the true faith which will in turn pave the way for the ultimate despot ruler to take his place and declare himself to be God - the ultimate blasphemy. It is vitally important that we understand these key facts and respond intelligently. This knowledge of the future carries important responsibility.
The only safeguard against failling away from the true faith is to be in love with the truth. Those who are caught up in the massive deception at the end of the age are "those who did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved" (2 Thessalonians 2:10). Familiarity with the truth is no substitute for passionate love for the truth.
One of the most effective approaches to the Bible is to be so disciplined as to read a certain portion of it daily and ask these simple questions: (1) What does it say?, and; (2) What does it say to me? When our goal is to do what it says we have moved into the realm of loving the truth.
THE event of the ages is coming but not before events that will challenge us to the very core of our faith. Knowing that storms are approaching necessitates certain preparations. God in His grace has given advance warning so that His people can be adequately prepared and protected.
Anticipating the Great Event while preparing for the preceding storms,
Pastor Steve
What if I missed it? Can you imagine having tickets to a very special event and then suddenly becoming alarmed that you were mistaken on the date and the event was already past? But even worse, what if you have missed out on THE event of the ages?
"Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come." (2 Thessalonians 2:1-2)
Understanding what the Bible says about future events can be confusing, but there is little cause for confusion over the return of Jesus. We can be absolutely certain that Jesus is not presently ruling from Jerusalem nor is His earthly kingdom presently established (if we're living in the kingdom now, I'm greatly dissapointed!).
"The Day of the Lord" - the sudden breakthrough of the Lord in which time gives way to eternity - will not occur until after two key events take place:
"Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God." (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)
The return of Jesus will be preceded by a massive falling away from the true faith which will in turn pave the way for the ultimate despot ruler to take his place and declare himself to be God - the ultimate blasphemy. It is vitally important that we understand these key facts and respond intelligently. This knowledge of the future carries important responsibility.
The only safeguard against failling away from the true faith is to be in love with the truth. Those who are caught up in the massive deception at the end of the age are "those who did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved" (2 Thessalonians 2:10). Familiarity with the truth is no substitute for passionate love for the truth.
One of the most effective approaches to the Bible is to be so disciplined as to read a certain portion of it daily and ask these simple questions: (1) What does it say?, and; (2) What does it say to me? When our goal is to do what it says we have moved into the realm of loving the truth.
THE event of the ages is coming but not before events that will challenge us to the very core of our faith. Knowing that storms are approaching necessitates certain preparations. God in His grace has given advance warning so that His people can be adequately prepared and protected.
Anticipating the Great Event while preparing for the preceding storms,
Pastor Steve
posted by steve @ 9:16 AM
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