2nd.Thessalonians 2:1-13 "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 worshiped; so he as GOD sitteth 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 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. But we are bound to give thanks always to GOD for you, brethren beloved of the LORD, because GOD hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the SPIRIT and belief of the truth:"
Johnstown Flood of 1889
The Johnstown Flood (1889) was one of the most tragic events in American history, causing 2,209 deaths (almost 700 more than died on the Titanic). The South Fork Dam was the product of poor engineering; it restrained 3.8 billion gallons of water primarily so that rich people could enjoy fishing and boating on Lake Conemaugh. Then it happened. Days of heavy rain caused the dam to fail. The restraint was removed, and the entire lake emptied into a mountain ravine with a force that was able to carry trees and railroad cars. The wall of water was 35 feet high traveling at 40 miles per hour heading for Johnstown about 14 miles away. The people had little warning and little time to evacuate, and, thus, they perished.
Today the forces of evil are being restrained by GOD HIMSELF WHO dwells in HIS church. Evil is rampant in our day, but not as bad as it could be and not as terrible as it will be. GOD tells us that the Day is coming when the RESTRAINER will be removed and the dam will break: "And now ye know what withholdeth (what restrains or holds back) that he (the man of sin) might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity (lawlessness) doth already work: only HE (the HOLY SPIRIT) WHO now letteth (restrains) will let (restrain), until HE be taken out of the way" (vv.6-7 pictured at the top of the post). Believers are the salt of the earth. We do not eliminate societal corruption, but we hinder it, and slow it down. When the HOLY SPIRIT - indwelt church is removed by the rapture (the catching away), the forces of lawlessness will be unleashed. Antichrist will be revealed, and woe to the Earth dwellers ! May we be salt in the midst of corruption and light amid great darkness (Matthew 5:13-16 pictured above). GWZ
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.featoday.org
No comments:
Post a Comment