Daily Devotionals

The End Week 3: Tuesday

Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us. Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed—the one who brings destruction. 2 Thessalonians 2:2-3

There are so many reasons why studying the Bible is critical for followers of Christ. We study the Bible, first and foremost, to know God. We study His word to know how He calls us to live. We also study God’s word to know what’s true. In fact, Scripture teaches us that leading up to Jesus’ return; there will be all kinds of false prophecies and teachings regarding the timeline of His return. If we are not careful, we can become so concerned or caught up in these prophecies that we forget to focus on the truth we know in Scripture about His return.

It appears that even in the time of the New Testament, there were rumors and false claims of Jesus’ return. In light of this, Paul encouraged readers not to be caught up in people’s predictions about when Jesus is coming. The truth is, no one knows when Jesus will return, so predictions and guesses are just that, predictions and guesses. Focusing on the timeframe of Jesus’ return will often just lead to chaos and stress.

There is a better way than listening to people predicting and guessing when Jesus will return, and that is to simply look to God’s word for truth. We can focus on God’s truth in His word rather than the things of the world. His word is what sets us on a strong foundation. When we are firmly rooted and established in His word, we will remain strong in His truth even when the world around us is crumbling, and false teachings abound. May we always stay confidently rooted in His word.  

Moving toward action

John 17:7 says, “Set them apart in the truth; your word is truth” This was part of a prayer that Jesus prayed for His disciples before He died. God’s word is the truth for us. Memorize this verse. Let it remind you daily to turn to God’s word for truth.

Going Deeper

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 (NLT)

"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. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, 10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, 12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness."