GOD REVEALED – A New Testament Journey (PART 6)Sample

2 Thessalonians – Confident Hope

What are the signs of end times? What events will take place? While the wicked seem to be choking all the goodness in the world, what is really happening in the background? The majestic coming of Christ and victory over the most powerful evil forces is described in this letter.

Signs of End Times - Antichrist

Throughout the centuries, there have been many forces against Christ, many prototypes of the Antichrist, including Nimrod, Antiochus, Nero, and Hitler to name a few. Their power, though immense, is always short lived.

While the evil behind that power is at work today, the final most powerful one of all, the Antichrist, will (2:3-10):

- Exalt himself over and oppose everything called God or worshiped
- Set himself up in God’s temple
- Proclaim to be God
- Function in the same way Satan works
- Use signs and wonders that serve the lie
- Use all deceptive ways of wickedness

In the midst of the bloodbath, Christ will come in the clouds and gather His people.
He will, in a brilliant flash, overthrow and destroy the Antichrist with His mere breath (2:8).

The Wicked are Tricked

Satan deceives – that’s no news. The worst delusion is that which comes from God. If people refuse to embrace the truth, it hits them – the fatal blow (2:10-11):

- Satanic worship outside the church or enemies within the church demonstrate:
- Self-exaltation
- Diversion
- Meaningless trivia
- Deception
- Wickedness

More Grace, More Glory

On the flip side, the result of following God’s truth by faith is being chosen, empowered to be productive, and given grace to glorify Christ (ch 1:11-12).

Our glorification is only “according to His grace” (ch 2:12). This means different people get different levels of grace.

How can we get more grace to attain more glory (ch 3:13)?

- Stand firm
- Hold fast to the teachings
- Never tire of doing good

Busy Buddy or Busybody

Busybodies (3:11) may crowd us out. Our calling is to continue to reach out as God’s ambassadors.

Paul expresses confident hope in their:
- Eternal future (ch 2)
- Current and continued obedience (ch 3:4)

Are we discerning enough to distinguish Satan’s agents from God’s agents within the church?
Do we forge ahead in the midst of deep discouragement knowing we are on the winning side? How can we leverage more of God’s grace?