" In the Last Days . . . "

2nd.Thessalonians 2:1-10  " 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 opposes and exalts himself above all that is called GOD, or that is worshiped; so that he as god sits in the temple of GOD, showing 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 withholds that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity does 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 receive not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. "

     The WORD of GOD prophetically states, " This know also, that in the last day perilous times shall come " (2nd.Timothy 3:1a). " Perilous times, " fierce days, will prevail before our LORD's return. Do biblical texts depicting the " last days " for the church age speak of a great revival ? Will the strategies of the " church growth " experts establish the LORD's kingdom in the earth ? Will the charismatic dreamers and " power evangelism " deceivers bring about the Salvation of multitudes by supposed " signs and wonders " ? Will ecumenical evangelism, in which consensus on the very Gospel itself does not even exist, bring to pass a revival ? Not according to this text !

     The " day of CHRIST " (v.2) refers to the period of time when the wrath of GOD will be poured out upon an unbelieving world during the seven-year tribulation period following the rapture of the church. The persecuted, suffering Thessalonian believers thought they had possibly missed the rapture and were in the midst of the prophesied tribulation. But this was not so ! Paul assured them that " that day " was yet future, for before the LAMB of GOD's wrath would be fully manifested, the Antichrist and great apostasy would come on the world scene. The " spirit of Antichrist " is at work even now (1st.John 4:3), and a departure from the one, true faith is increasing. This apostasy and wicked spirit of rebellion will reach a crescendo after the church is caught up (raptured) to be with CHRIST, but the LORD wants us to know that such are building in ferocity and scope right now. In observing the sad state of Christendom, we can see that these are truly the " last days " of the church age - and " perilous days " they certainly are ? DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

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