1 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. 5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:1-7
Paul talks about a departing from the Truth when he plainly says that the Day of the LORD cannot come unless the rebellion occurs first. That word rebellion is the Greek word apostasia, which signifies a state of apostasy.
The word apostasy means:
An abandoning of what one has believed in, as a faith, cause, or principles.
Webster’s New World Dictionary
Many are departing from the truth and turning to the teachings of demons, to lies, and to the occult. That is why the Church of Laodicea has grown lukewarm. We’ve flung down our weapons. We’ve exited the battlefield. We’ve abandoned the ramparts. We’ve deserted the parapets. We’ve fallen asleep during our watch upon the walls. And We’ve walked away from the cause. We’ve become like mute dogs who do not bark. We would rather offend our God than offend man. What a lukewarm Church we’ve become.
No wonder God has removed His protection by spewing us out of His mouth, as He states in Revelation 3:15-16.
And because We’ve become so lukewarm, God is not willing to hold back the Tribulation any longer. But because of His great love and great mercy, He will cut those days short. It’s because of us that our God is willing to cut those days short. It is because of the great love Jesus has for His Bride, the Church. Our God is a loving and compassionate God.
Dear LORD, thank You for Your mercy and love and compassion upon us, even when it’s our own fault that we are going through trials and tribulations. Please strengthen my mind, body, and soul so that I might stand firmly when Tribulation begins on this earth. Please fill me with Your Word and Your Holy Spirit so that I might grow in You. Teach me to overcome the world. Teach me to stay strong in You regardless of what happens around me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.
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