There were letters circulating among the church in Thessalonica supposedly from Paul. They were used to convince the church there they were in the middle of great tribulation and the church thought they had missed the coming of the Lord. Paul verifies this letter is from him by personally writing the salutation (3:17) and the letters circulating were not.
He confirms from his earlier teachings there will be clear signals prior to the coming of the Lord (v1-4). Paul writes of those who willingly do not receive God’s love and guidance (v7-12). And he encourages the church of the Lord’s continued work of sanctification in their lives (v13-14).
We read, “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17). He also writes, “Therefore brethren, stand fast…”
We need to remember what comes in the future shouldn’t scare us as believers but ENCOURAGE US! We may not exactly know what tomorrow holds but we know who holds tomorrow. May we be comforted and strengthened for every good work. May we stand fast in the hope we’ve been taught by the Holy Spirit and His Word!
- To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.