Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule: Exodus 23-24: 2 Thess. 2
Devotional Thought:
For everything that God does that is authentic, the Devil tries to provide a counterfeit. Here in 2 Thessalonians 2 God exposes the facts about the counterfeit Christ or sometimes known as the antichrist. He will be revealed as “that man of sin…who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped…” The antichrist will come on the scene as a man of peace and will do and say anything to create an atmosphere of peace. However, his true desire is to put himself in a position of power and control. At the 3½ year mark of the 7 year tribulation, the antichrist will reveal himself for who he really is. He will desecrate the temple by sacrificing a pig on the altar, and erecting an image of himself that he forces the whole world to bow down and worship. We call this time “the abomination of desolation.” Those who receive the mark, in order to buy and sell food, will seal there eternity. They will follow this antichrist straight into the torments of hell forever and ever. Though I believe many will be saved during the tribulation, those who receive this mark will never be saved. Also, without the present day work of the Holy Spirit, it will be much harder for anyone to be saved. There is a false security created by some who say, I will live anyway I want and when the rapture happens, I will know what happened and I will just get saved during the tribulation. Two major problems with that thinking: (1) No one knows if they are going to live through the day. For those who die without Christ in this life, will seal their eternity without Christ in hell. (2) The deceit, delusions, and distractions will be so powerful during the tribulation people will follow the antichrist just for survival. That is why Christ calls us to accept Christ today. He cries to a lost world, “Behold now is the accepted time!” He closes with an admonition to this church, but it is very applicable to us. “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.”
Personal Requests:
• Lord, please give me a greater burden for the lost. Help me to be a faithful witness.
• Lord, please give me discernment. The Devil is such a good liar and I desire to live in truth and present truth. Please expose the daily lies of the Devil and of my flesh so that I live in truth.
• Lord, thank you for saving me from the torments of hell and sparing me from the tragedy of the tribulation. Help me to be used by you to help spare someone from that today.