Stand Firm

II Thess. 2:13-15a

But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this He called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then stand firm...

 

Apparently the Thessalonian believers were confused in mind and alarmed about the coming of Jesus. Perhaps they wanted it quickly, and because of their urgency they wanted to be sure that they hadn't missed it. So Paul eased their minds and hearts by telling them what must precede His coming. First a rebellion will come followed by the revealing of the man of lawlessness and destruction. He opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship even to the extent that he seats himself in the temple of God proclaiming himself to be God!

 

Even though the mystery of lawlessness was already at work, the Spirit of God was and is still restraining it. But after he is revealed, Jesus will kill him with the breath of His mouth and bring to nothing his appearance and coming. He is a doomed leader! His end has already been decided and determined. How powerful are the words of Jesus!

 

His coming will be through the power of Satan and will be recognized by signs, wonders, power, and wicked deception. Even though there is no truth to anything that he does, people still believe him because God has sent them a strong delusion to enable them to believe a lie in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. Not only is the man of Lawlessness and all he does predetermined, but also the lives of those who will believe his lies.  He and his followers will be in a drama that's final outcome is judgment and destruction. How hopeless!

 

But in light of all this, Paul praises God with thanksgiving for the Thessalonian believers because they have been chosen as firstfruits to saved and sanctified. They have been chosen to believe the Truth (not the lie)and have been called through the gospel so that they can one day possess the glory of God. What a future compared to the lawless one and his followers! So then, Paul charges them with fervency and with his love and support, to stand firm and hold to the traditions that they had been taught by their spoken word or a letter. He charges them to avoid lies and deception, not to allow false teaching to upset their spiritual equilibrium. They are to remember and cherish what they know to be true about God and His plan for their lives. Paul concludes this reminder and charge with a declaration of his prayer support. He asks the Father to comfort their hearts and establish them in good work and in the word.

 

Father,

Keep Your words ever in my mind so that I can spot a lie. Help me stand firm as I wait for Your return. Continue preparing me for that eternal weight of glory.

In Jesus name,

Amen