DEVOTION – DAY 556

2 Thessalonians 2:1b-4 “Jesus’ Second Coming”

2 Thessalonians 2:1b-4 “We ask you, brothers and sisters, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us – whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter – asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshipped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.”

In every season, people have been speculating and reading into current world events and think that Jesus Christ’ return is imminent. That was the situation that Paul wanted to warn the church in Thessalonica at that time. There was false teaching that Jesus’ return was imminent. Paul explained that before the “day of the Lord” meaning, before Jesus Christ’ return, there will be a time of rebellion. Rebellion here refers to an outright rejection of Biblical values. Then, Paul prophesied that the “man of lawlessness” or the Anti-Christ will arise proclaiming himself to be God and demanding that people worship him. He will set himself up in God’s temple in v4. All these events will precede the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Today, many people believe we are in the end times and that the Lord Jesus will return soon. This is because lawlessness has reached unprecedented levels. Homosexuality had been tolerated for centuries but today, it is openly flaunted as a preferred alternative lifestyle choice and people are not ashamed of it at all. Similarly, the legalization of same sex marriages is gaining acceptance by more and more countries. This goes against God’s plan for marriage between a man and a woman. More and more people are turning to money, power, position, status and material wealth as their main goals in life rather than seek a relationship with God. Lawlessness is on the rise. However, the Anti-Christ, the “man of lawlessness” has yet to be identified. In the past, people thought Hitler was the Anti-Christ. People also thought Saddam Hussein was the Anti-Christ. Still others are speculating that the current Israel – Iran conflict will result in a military crisis that will usher in the end times. What is important is not whether we can predict the second coming of Christ. It is more important that Christians are actively fulfilling God’s purposes for them whilst they await Jesus Christ’ return. 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we pray that we will be faithful in all that you have prepared for us to do whilst we await the return of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Please help us to be purposeful and watchful and diligent with the time you have given us. We humbly pray in the precious name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions

1. What are some things that you should be doing whilst you await the return of the Lord Jesus? Share.
2. Why is it more important to be fruitful serving the Lord rather than waste time speculating about His second coming? Discuss.
3. Do you think you are living in the end times? If so, why do you think so? Share and Discuss.
4. Why is it fruitless to try to speculate about the second coming of the Lord Jesus? Discuss.