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. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 KJV
The Thessalonians had received word that the Rapture of the Church, our gathering unto the Lord, had already occurred and that they had missed it and had entered into the time of judgment known as the Tribulation Period or the Day of Christ. Understandably, they were greatly troubled. The Apostle Paul sought to reassure them, teaching them that the news they received was false. Before the Tribulation Period begins three things must occur: (1) The Rapture of the Church, all believers will be removed (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18); (2) the falling away, or the great Apostasy, without believers the church on earth will depart from the truth; and (3) the man of sin, the Antichrist will be revealed.
Lord, how grateful I am for Your promise that as a believer I am not appointed to wrath but to salvation (1 Thessalonians 5:9). Enable me to use this encouragement in my conversation with others that they too may escape Your wrath to come by faith in Christ.
