Beloved, I am glad to share with you today the above theme from 2 Th 2:1 and following. Indeed, a serious question troubled the Thessalonians. Hadn’t the Lord’s day already arrived? Their trials could lead us to believe it and false doctors claimed it. No, replies the apostle. Indeed, this day must be preceded by three events: first our gathering with the Lord; then the apostasy of the false Church and the Jews themselves; and finally, the appearance of the Antichrist, called “the man of sin… the son of perdition, “the iniquitous”. These names emphasize by contrast the characters of the Lord Jesus: justice, salvation, complete obedience to God.
In this terrible period, an energy of error sent as punishment will obscure the minds of men: they have not believed the truth, they will believe in lies. The mystery of iniquity is already operating, the apostle adds (1 John 2:18-19). Only “He who holds back now,” the Holy Spirit, puts up a barrier to the unfolding of evil in the world. When He leaves the earth with the Church, then iniquity will no longer be hindered. But what a contrast between this satanic power and the work of our God and Father. He loved us, chose us for salvation, called to the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s not fail now to give thanks to Him (2 T h1:3-5).
In short, the word of the apostle’s preaching was the word of God, the teaching given by the apostle, either orally or in writing, was the truth, that is, the Word, in opposition to the false teaching of men (1 Cor 2. 13). Let us therefore faithfully retain this truth; it is our safeguard in the midst of growing apostasy; let us not allow ourselves to be deprived of any pieceof it by modernrationalist theology. Let us affirm highly that the inspired Word, regardless of the organ through which God communicates it, and the written Word, regardless of the pen that God uses to communicate it, have the same absolute value, because both are the word of God. The passage we have quoted also contains encouragement. The Thessalonians needed consolation in the midst of the tribulation they were going through. The apostle first shows them that they already possessed from the Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father “eternal consolation.” Their hearts could be consoled by realizing it in advance. Lazarus, in the womb of Abraham (Luke 16:25) was consoled to the state of mind separated from the body, waiting for the resurrection; the Thessalonians who had been withdrawn before the Lord’s coming enjoyed this consolation in the Bosom of the Father; but those who remained could already taste it now as attached to the rest that would be given to them in the Revelation of the Lord.
Along with this eternal consolation, they had received “good hope by grace.” The hope given to us includes three subjects that all relate to the person of Christ: Christ in heaven where he has prepared a place for us (Hb 6:18; Hb 7:19); Christ coming to take His own from Him (1 Thess 1:3); Christ manifested in glory and we with Him (Col 1:5, 27; 2 Thess 1:10). It is this last subject that is mentioned in our epistle, so eternal consolation is linked here to hope.
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and grouped together for your better understanding.
Before the Lord’s Coming:
- Defeat of Satan by Christ
John 12:30-31 Jesus said: It was not because of me that this voice was heard; it’s because of you. 31 Now the judgment of this world takes place; now the prince of this world will be cast out. 2 Thess 2:8 And then the ungodly will appear, which the Lord Jesus will destroy by the breath of his mouth, and which he will annihilate by the brilliance of his coming. Hb 2:14 Thus, since children participate in blood and flesh, he has also participated in it himself, so that, by death, he may anestantize the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil; 1 John 3:8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil sins from the beginning. The Son of God appeared in order to destroy the works of the devil.
- The wicked man’s attitude to the truth
Is 59.4 No one complains justly, no one pleads righteously; They rely on vain things and say falsehoods, They conceive of evil and give birth to crime. Gal 3:1 2 Now, the law does not proceed from faith; but it says: He who puts these things into practice will live by them. 2 Thess 2:10 and with all the seductions of iniquity for those who perish because they have not received the love of the truth to be saved. 1 Tim 6:5 the vain discussions of men who are corrupt of understanding, deprived of the truth, and believing that piety is a source of gain.
- Glory of Christ
-Manifested at His Second Coming Mt 16:27 For the Son of man must come in the glory of his Father, with his angels; and then he will give back to each according to his works.
-Shared by the believers Mt 19:28 Jesus answered them: I tell you in truth, when the Son of man, at the renewal of all things, will be seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me, you will likewise be seated on twelve thrones, and you will judge the twelve tribes of Israel.
Contemplated on the mount Lk 9:32 Peter and his companions were appalled by sleep; but, having kept themselves awake, they saw the glory of Jesus and the two men who were with him.
Revealed in incarnation Jn 1:14 And the word was made flesh, and it dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; and we contemplated his glory, a glory like the glory of the Only Begotten Son from the Father.
Possessed before the foundation of the world Jn 17:5 And now you, Father, glorify me to yourself of the glory I had with you before the world was.
-Attributed by the heavenly army Rev 5:12 They said in a loud voice: The lamb who has been slain is worthy to receive power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and praise.
- Fatherhood of God
Ps 68:6 The father of orphans, the defender of widows, is God in his holy abode. So Mt 6:9 This is how you should pray: Our Father who is in heaven! May your name be sanctified; Rom 8:15 And you have not received a spirit of bondage, to be still in fear; but you have received a Spirit of adoption, by which we cry out: Abba! Father! 1 Pet 1:17 And if you invoke as Father the one who judges according to the work of each one, without acceptance of persons, conduct yourselves with fear during the time of your pilgrimage,
From all of the above, the apostle does not only ask that God console their hearts; he also desires that God strengthen them “in every good work and in every good word,” for this must characterize our walk here on earth. To the enjoyment of heavenly things must be joined the daily practice of the Christian life. The apostle places the work first. Above all, he wants the practical life of God’s children to be characterized by good works. These works are those that are made for Christ. They are counted for nothing by the world, because they are addressed to the One whom the world does not know, to Christ who alone can appreciate their value. But moreover, we cannot, like the world, invent these works or choose them; it is God Himself who prepares them for us and we only have to walk on them (Eph 2:10). The “good words” come next. It is easier to speak than to act, and the flesh cares little about putting its actions in accordance with its words. She likes to talk, often to say good things, even if it means not taking them into account in practice; that is why Christian activity is recommended to us here in the first place. However, it is by no means unimportant that “every good word” in the mouths of those who do good works. These are not speeches, but words by which we bring encouragement, exhortations, consolations to the afflicted; by which we place Christ before the hearts of his beloved, through which we can finally reach souls still far from the Lord and bring them life and salvation. Our prayers support you all in your efforts towards this goal.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite every person who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I admit to having sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as Lord and personal Savior. I recognize that you died on the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me every day to the eternal life that you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and faith, so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus for accepting me into your divine family, so that I may also contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All adoration, power and glory are yours, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to respond to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with you tomorrow “exhortation to prayer; to the rest brothers, pray for us.”
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.