Read 2 Thessalonians 1 – 3
Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 KJV
The Thessalonians had received word the Rapture of the Church, our gathering unto the Lord, had occurred, that they missed it, and had entered into the time of judgment known as the Tribulation or Day of Christ. Understandably, they were troubled. The Apostle Paul sought to reassure them, teaching that the news they received was false. Before this time of Tribulation begins there are three events which must occur. (1) First, the Rapture of the Church must occur, all believers will be caught up for they have not been appointed to wrath (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 5:9). It is the presence of the Holy Spirit in the Church which delays the next two events from happening. (2) Next, the falling away or the Great Apostasy will occur, emptied of believers the church on earth will depart from the truth far more than it already has. (3) Third, the man of sin, the Antichrist, will be revealed.
Lord, how grateful I am for your promise I am not appointed to wrath but to salvation as a believer (1 Thessalonians 5:9). Enable me to use this encouragement in my conversation with others that they too may escape your wrath to come by faith in your work.
A question to ponder: What is a believer’s incentive for righteous living even though they are not appointed to wrath and will not go through the Tribulation?
