"Standing Firm in Hope"

This weeks lesson for Sunday, April 28th, 2013 i s....

"Standing Firm in Hope"
Scripture Reference (II Thessalonians 2:1-3, 9-17)
Read (II Thessalonians 2:1-17)

Standing Firm means to remain solid under criticism or attack; hold one's ground; refuse to back down.
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This was Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians, Paul seems to be very concerned about the believers misunderstanding of the Lord's return. He starts out telling them not to be worried, uneasy, or jump to conclusions about Christ's return, and not to be fooled by any false prophets (Matt 24:31), believe not every spirit (I John 4:1), or every letter that's sent to them supposedly from him for the Lord has not yet returned (Matt 24:36).

It is very important for the Thessalonians (and us) not to be deceived by any one! Apparently the Thessalonians believed that Christ was already here, Paul states that the day of Christ return will not happen until first "the falling away" (the rebellion against Christ, those who have turned away called the "Apostasy"), and second "the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition" (some say both are the "Antichrist"). This man will come under the power of Satan using every kind of evil act to deceive those that are already on their way to destruction and the ones that worship Satan as their God (read Exo 20:3). Those that are deceived by this will perish because they refused to accept the truth and be saved. For this God sends them more powerful delusions that will cause the deception to go on and they will continue to believe the lies. Those who are deceived will be condemned for believing a lie over the truth (read John 14:6; 17:17).

Paul wants to make sure that the Thessalonians are not ignorant to anything, because he knows what the outcome will be. After everything has been explained Paul tells the Thessalonians that they (Timothy, and Silas) will always give thanks to God for them for they are loved by God, and that "God hath already from the beginning chosen them to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:" just like He has already chosen us from the beginning. God used Paul to proclaim the gospel in hopes that the Thessalonians will gain the Glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, they also prayed that the Thessalonians would "Stand Firm, hold their ground, and refuse to back down" on what they have been taught whether by word, or by letter. Paul then prayed that God would comfort and establish them in every good work and word.

Even though Paul is writing to the Thessalonians we as believers should also apply these things to our lives. To some this may seem like a harsh act from God, or you may not understand upon Jesus return why He would allow them to be deceived. We are all giving the choice of free will if you chose to turn away from God and believe and worship the things of Satan, let's not forget you were once a believer, that means you allowed yourself to be deceived knowing that the consequences would not be nice and you lacked in your knowledge of God's Word. The bible says that you will be condemned. Salvation is only for those who believe. So why would God not allow you to be deceived if that's what you chose to believe in. Satan is playing for keeps. We as Christians should Stand Firm in our beliefs, being wise not to let our guard down, and feeding our spiritual man on a daily basis with the word of God, to prevent being deceived by the enemy. STAND FIRM!!!