Standing Firm in Distressing Times

By Peter Thomas (summary only - 4th November 2012)

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12
"Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,  And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.  And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness".

1. Don't be alarmed. It will happen - Jesus will destroy evil - there is No doubt.

2. Don't be deceived. Satan likes us to focus on him. Either too much or not enough. We have to be careful as he is a lion but don't need to give him special place or extra attention or give him glory when things go "wrong". Satan is doomed to destruction. Isaiah 14

3. Don't forget God is in control.
The rulers of this world are not in control but God.

Christian kindness and gentleness is greater than satan's strategies. We need to be approachable and in the world penetrating it - not on top of it or separated. Satan can't reproduce the Christ character.

4. Don't forget who is in control of your life. Jesus must be Lord of my life.