True & Beautiful Things About the Bible--New Testamentনমুনা

2 Thessalonians: Is the End Near?

The Thessalonians were scared and confused, and believed a lie.

Someone had told them, or perhaps they listened to the equivalent of social media, that the end of the world had come and God had failed to rescue them. The apostle Paul wrote them this second letter to get them refocused on what was true.

Yes, there will be a day when this current season on eternity’s calendar will end. And yes, we’re told that what’s next on the schedule is epic and apocalyptic.

But it won’t happen without warning. The pieces that feel like a puzzle today will fall into place, and we’ll see the picture as we’ve always wanted to, but never quite completely understood.

Great people from every generation have seen it from different perspectives, for different reasons. But on that day, no one will be confused. Everyone will know who is in control. The timing, the players, the rewards and consequences, the fulfillment of promises and prophecies will make sense.

There will be a day, as Philippians 2 promises, that every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord of all, to the glory of God the Father.

On that day, every thread of history will reach its ultimate conclusion. Every prophecy since the first in the Garden of Eden will be fulfilled in full color. Every promise God has made to His people in every generation will be kept in a way so beautiful that it will defy our words to describe how the whole plan fits together.

But when will this happen? If you think you need to know, then join the others, both faithful and fraudulent, from every generation who claim dates or some new “revelation” to reveal God’s timeline for the future.

But God isn’t saying when. He loves it when we trust Him. Sure, He gives us hints about the future, but for two purposes:

1. To warn those in rebellion against God to turn around.

2. To encourage the faithful to stand firm on this sure and certain hope we have in Jesus.

God’s plan for the future is so awesome that it will take everyone’s breath away—for some, in judgment, and others, in wonder.

Today, He asks us to be discerning about what we believe. Be wise and remember what He’s asked us to do: watch, wait in faith, and follow Him.

Someday, every knee will bow to Jesus. Set your watch; it’s just a matter of time.

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