Draw Near – 365 Guides to Greater Intimacy with GodSample

HARD TIMES Times were hard in Thessalonica. Famine was raging in the Roman Empire driving up prices to six times their norm. The entire city suffered during those trying days. It was at this time that Paul and his companions started the Thessalonian church, but they were driven from the city a few weeks later. Paul had already written to them--his First Epistle. Now he finds he must write again. Purporting to be from Paul, a forged letter had come to the church telling them the day of the Lord was at hand. Many quit their jobs to await Christ's appearing. Idleness always breeds discontent, and soon many in the church became busybodies, disrupting the assembly. They sponged off the legitimate workers and justified their action by saying that Paul had advised it. The apostle wrote 2 Thessalonians to correct the problems. In it, he denied sending such a letter and insisted: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat (3:10). He then informed them that the second coming will be preceded by a great falling away. Apparently, the admonition was effective, and the problems of the Thessalonian church abated. In our day, we have seen situations similar to that in Thessalonica. In the excitement of salvation and looking for Christ's second coming, some have sold everything they own, given up their jobs, and gathered together to await Christ's return. Twisting the doctrine of the second coming is so evil because people who are misled are always hurt. Paul says we must occupy until Christ returns for His own. And, in the stress of our age where we, too, fight inflation and despair, Paul's words are most fitting: Now may our Lord Jesus Christ...comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work (2 Thessalonians 2:17).