Today's Bible Translation

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Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 1-3 NIRV

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Thoughts

Don't Jump the Gun

In this book, Paul was telling the church at Thessalonica that they shouldn’t panic when people appear, saying that Jesus had already returned. Yes, Jesus is coming back, to be sure. And it will be a very good thing when He does, but there are some things that must happen before that takes place.

And then Paul tells them a few things to look for. We’ll look at them again, but it’s important to know that these are not the only things that must happen before the Lord returns. 

Don't Take Your Eye Off the Ball

Some people have made a career trying to decipher all of the prophecies given in the Bible about what are often called the “end times”, and while it is interesting to study this subject, it’s more important to live our lives in such a way that we fulfill our part of the Great Commission, the last thing Jesus said before he was taken up to Heaven. In Matthew 28:19-20 He said:

“…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”Matthew 28:19-20

That command, beloved, is for each of us. It is not intended only for pastors and preachers. We are to share the gospel with the people in our lives. 

Some have gotten off the track. They’ve forgotten about those parting instructions of Jesus and focused on watching for His return, and in the process have gotten so out of whack that they have ruined their own and others’ lives. Don’t do that. Look for the signs, but stay busy doing the business that He told us to do.

And with that, let’s look at the signs Paul pointed out here in 2 Thessalonians.

Some Signs

Don't let anyone trick you in any way. That day will not come until people rise up against God. It will not come until the man of sin appears. He is a marked man. He is sentenced to be destroyed. He will oppose everything that is called God. He will oppose everything that is worshiped. He will give himself power over everything. He will set himself up in God's temple. He will announce that he himself is God.2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 NIRV

I have to tell you that when I read that, it sounds like it could happen any day. People all around the world have turned from God. You don’t have to look very far to find evidence of that fact, do you?

Yes, it’s a world-wide phenomenon. Much of Europe has turned its back on God. The same is true of Asia. Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world right now. And make no mistake, the god of Islam is not the God of the Bible. I could spend hours comparing and contrasting Allah with the true and loving and holy God of the Bible. 

A few months before 9/11 happened, I was teaching an adult Sunday School class on cults, and I mentioned what a threat Islam was. Most people in the class thought I was exaggerating. But we found out, didn’t we?