Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
From: The Life Application Study Bible
1 “And now, brothers and sisters, let us tell you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered together to meet Him. 2 Please do not be so easily shaken and troubled by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Even if they claim to have had a vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us, do not believe them.” ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2
Paul describes the end of the world and Christ’s second coming. He says that great suffering and trouble lie ahead, but evil will not prevail, because Christ will return to judge all people. Although Paul presents a few signs of the end times, the emphasis, like Jesus, is the need for each person to prepare for Christ’s return by living right day by day. – 32 “However, no one knows the day or the hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son of Man Himself. Only the Father knows. 33 And since you do not know when they will happen, stay alert and keep watch.” – Mark 13:32-33 – When Jesus said that even He did not know the time of the end, He was affirming His humanity. Of course, GOD the Father knows the time, and Jesus and the Father are one. But, when Jesus became a man, He voluntarily gave up the unlimited use of His divine attributes. Now, the emphasis here is not on Jesus’ lack of knowledge, but rather on the fact that no one knows. It is GOD the Father’s secret to be revealed – when HE wills. No one can predict by Scripture nor by science, the exact day of Jesus’ return – anyone who wants to waste his or her time can try – but they will not be successful. Jesus is teaching that preparation, not calculation, is needed. What we need to focus on is how to live while we wait for Christ’s return. Mark says we do this by: 1) not being misled by confusing claims or speculative interpretations of what will happen; 2) not being afraid to tell people about Christ, despite what they may say or do to us; 3) standing firm by faith and not be surprised by persecution; 4) being morally alert and obedient to the commands for living found in GOD’s Word. If we are ready, we will not have to be concerned about the preceding events or the timing of Christ’s return. GOD controls all events.
In the Bible, “the day of the Lord” is used in two ways: It can mean the end of times – beginning with the birth of Christ and continuing until today. It can also mean the final judgment day – in the future. Because some false teachers were saying that judgment day had come, many believers were waiting expectantly for their vindication and for relief from suffering. But – judgment day had not yet come – other events would have to happen first.
Months of planning go into a wedding, the birth of a baby, a career change, a speaking engagement, the purchase of a home. Do we place the same importance on preparing for Christ’s return, the most important event of our lives? Its results will last for eternity. We dare not postpone our preparations because we do not know when His return will occur. The way we prepare is to study GOD’s Word and live by HIS instructions each day. Only then will we be ready.
“What I say to you I say to everyone: Watch for HIS return!” – Mark 13:37
Father, we do not know the day or the hour of Christ’s return – only YOU know. And since we do not know, help us to stay alert and be watchful. Help us to not be misled by confusing claims or speculative interpretations of events that will happen or when they will happen. Help us to not be afraid to tell people about Christ, despite what they may say or do to us. And we ask YOU, LORD to help us to stand firm in our faith and not be surprised by persecution, but be morally alert and obedient to YOUR commands of living found in YOUR Word, Father GOD. If we are ready, we will not have to be concerned about the preceding events or the timing of Christ’s return. Because YOU, Father GOD control all events.
