“And now, brothers and sisters, let us tell you about the coming again of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered together to meet him. Please don’t be so easily shaken and troubled by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Even if they claim to have a vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us, don’t believe them. Don’t be fooled by what they say. For the day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed – the one who brings destruction. He will exalt himself and defy every god there is and tear down every object of adoration and worship. He will position himself in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God. Don’t you remember that I told you this when I was with you? And you know what is holding him back, for he can be revealed only when his time comes. For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one who is holding it back steps out of the way.” 2. Thessalonians 2:1-7 NLT
The one who is holding back this lawless person, the antichrist, is us, the believers who are filled with the Holy Spirit, in love with Jesus Christ, His Bride, His Church for whom He is coming back. Yes, we are His Bride who did not receive the spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind, which is self-discipline. (2. Timothy 1:7 NLT)
Or, as Jesus said to the Philadelphia Church: “You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me. Look! I will force those who belong to Satan – those liars who say they are Jews (also referring to Christians) but are not – to come and bow down at your feet. They will acknowledge that you are the ones I love.” Revelation 3:8-9 NLT.
Jesus is implying here, that we cannot do anything in our own little strength but that He is the one, as we trust Him, who will guide us and use us in this dark world for others to see that He is our Lover, Protector, and Provider.
In this dark world, Jesus as the true Savior is being more and more excluded and rejected by the society, to the point that the Bible says the following for those who are standing firm in Him: “You will be handed over to the courts and beaten in the synagogues. You will be accused before governors and kings of being My followers. This will be your opportunity to tell them about Me. And the good news must first be preached to every nation. But when you are arrested and stand trial, don’t worry about what to say in your defense. Just say what God tells you to. Then it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit.” Mark 13:9-11 NLT.
In the midst of our trials of being persecuted by this world because of the Gospel, God uses our testimony to reach out with the Good News to the lost.
That is why it is so important in this time of the fear propaganda that is circulating among believers, wanting us to run for cover and hide, that we know what the Word says so we can be relaxed and not panic when we hear of all sorts of catastrophes to come.
This is an important warning and encouragement: “Watch out, so that you do not loose the price for which we have been working so hard. Be diligent so that you will receive your full reward. For if you wander beyond the teachings of Christ, you will not have fellowship with God. But if you continue in the teaching of Christ, you will have fellowship with both the Father and the Son. If someone comes to your meeting and does not teach the truth about Christ, don’t invite him into your house or encourage him in any way. Anyone who encourages him becomes a partner in his evil work.” 2. John 8-10 NLT.
“With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on everything we taught you both in person and by letter. May our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father, who loved us and in His special favor gave us everlasting comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and give you strength in every good thing you do and say.” 2. Thessalonians 2:15-17 NLT.
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