December 8, 2011
Read II Thessalonians 1 – 3
Highlights:
Jesus is coming! Prepare to meet your Creator (II Thess. 1:3-12; Col. 1:13-16). Knowing your Bible is of utmost importance to recognize the difference between false claims and true (II Thess. 2:2-12). Stand firm; our comfort, hope, and strength are in the Lord (2:16-17). Occupy until Jesus comes (Luke 19:13). This means doing our Father's business (2:49; II Thess. 3:6-15).
There is a growing and earnest worldwide expectation by believers of our Lord's soon return. It is indeed Good News — to all who love Him and sorrow over the chaos and suffering of a world that is ruined by sin — that He shall come to be glorified in His saints (II Thess. 1:10).
Many people have their hearts set on worldly activities with little, if any, concern that they are living in rebellion against their Creator. That is why we must share the peace of God, which passeth all understanding (Phil. 4:7).
Just think! Those in Christ will hear Him say: Come . . . inherit the Kingdom prepared for you (Matt. 25:34-40). But all who refuse to follow Christ will hear Him say: Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels (25:41-46). It was Jesus Himself who revealed the final destination of all who refuse to allow Him to rule their lives. Hell is a matter of choice. One chooses in this life to be present with God in heaven or to ignore Christ who died to save them from eternal hell. When Jesus returns, everyone's attention will focus on Him! He will be (1) glorified in His saints and (2) admired (adored) in all them that believe (II Thess. 1:10). What a future for each of us who has chosen to live for Jesus!
The coming judgment seems written so large in human events that no one should mistake or ignore it. Yet, the secular mind is unable to see the invisible hand of the Almighty in the chaos of world affairs. The vast majority of mankind goes blindly onward, unconcerned as to the imminence of judgment. Apart from the Lord Jesus Christ, there can be nothing but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries (Heb. 10:27).
There are two defining events that everyone in the world must face: death, and the coming of Jesus (John 5:22-29; II Cor. 5:10). To you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: (and) Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power; When He shall come to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (II Thess 1:7-10).
Thought for Today:
Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy (Jude 1:24).
Cross References:
For II Thess. 1:8 See Is. 1:28. II Thess. 2:3: See Dan. 7:25. II Thess. 2:4: See Ezek. 28:2.
Word Studies:
1:3 meet = fitting, right; 2:17 stablish = strengthen, make firm; 3:7 disorderly = irresponsibly.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts sponsored by Thursday Morning Prayer • Staff: Mary Kay Wagner • Government Official: Rep. Raul Labrador (ID) • Country: Indonesia (211.8 million) five large and 13,662 lesser islands in Southeast Asia • Major languages: Bahasa Indonesian (modified form of Malay) and English • Growing pressure from Muslim leaders to limit advances of Christianity by not renewing many of the missionaries' permits to stay in the country • 83% Muslim; 9% Protestant; 4% Catholic; 2% Hindu; 1% Buddhist; 1% Other • Prayer Suggestion: Seek the Lord's forgiveness with a repentant heart, knowing that God will graciously receive you (Hos. 14:1-2).
Memory Verse for the Week: I Corinthians 13:1
