‘Don’t be alarmed!’ These three words can be so simple but also so hard to pay attention to. When things are unclear or not the way that we would have them to be, it is easy to become panicked and alarmed because we aren’t in control. When it comes to the coming of the Lord, we aren’t in control and we don’t have a minute by minute schedule of what is going to happen exactly. Because of this, it is all too often that Christians around the world try and take control by making things happen to try and trigger the coming of the Lord, or try and predict the date of when he will come because it’s human nature to find comfort and security in knowledge. On the other hand, Paul writes to the church in Thessalonica to find comfort in the fact that Jesus will come again, so don’t panic but stand firm.

He asks them, “not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by teaching allegedly from us.” Is seems that there were people trying to trick the Thessalonians into thinking that Jesus had already come. However, Paul reassures them that this isn’t the case. Before Jesus comes, Paul describes a time when there will be rebellions and the ‘man of lawlessness’ is revealed. The identity of this man isn’t revealed but we are told that he will exult himself completely, he will put himself in place of God, and he will proclaim that he is God. We aren’t told how this will exactly work out but perhaps that isn’t Paul’s point. Paul’s point is to reassure the Thessalonians that there will be testing times ahead and when they come, they aren’t to panic but to trust in the one who is ultimately in control, Jesus. MC

Questions

What can cause you to become unsettled or alarmed? Why shouldn’t we be alarmed when come out with all types of theories about the coming of the Lord? How should we react? What is the ultimate hope that we have when Jesus comes again?

Prayer

Gracious and Loving God, who has promised to return; thank you that your promises are sure and that we can trust in them, knowing that only your word is firm. Help us to not panic about things we don’t or can’t know but to investigate them clearly, and trust in your wisdom above ours. In Jesus' Name, Amen.