2022_04_22 Insight Post- Emma Keeton

In 2 Thessalonians 2 this week, Paul gives details of what things will be like in the end times. The Thessalonians were concerned that they had missed Jesus returning, so Paul corrects them by sharing scriptural truths. Paul talks about the ‘the man of lawlessness’ who is ‘doomed to destruction’ (vs. 3) that will set ‘himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God’ (vs.4). Verse 8 says that the Lord Jesus will overthrow him with a breath of his mouth and destroy him by the splendor of his coming. The Thessalonians have certainly not missed this event, yet Paul writes to them with encouragement because the time leading up to Jesus’ return is not easy.

When I read chapter 2 of Second Thessalonians, I can feel a little scared of the future and may choose to skip over such passages. But I can take comfort in what is written in chapter 3 verse 3:

‘But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.’

Some translations say that God will establish us and place us on a firm foundation, but each of these descriptions show the personal involvement that God has with us. He knows that we are surrounded by evil, but he will be so faithful to us that he will give us what we need. When we are tempted he will give us a way out; where we are weak he will grow us to be strong.

These words are echoed in John 17:15 by Jesus himself:

‘I pray that you should not take them out of this world, but you should protect them from the evil one.’

We are not of this world, but we are also not expected to go it alone. Jesus knows we are in this world, surrounded by sin and temptation all around us. To withstand this time, he will sanctify us through the work of his Holy Spirit and protect us. Instead of feeling overwhelmed we can believe God’s promises and take him at his word. Even if we are faithless towards him sometimes, he is always faithful to us. We belong to him. We are his.

‘Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.’ Psalm 62:2

Emma Keeton
Prayer Team Lead