Don't Be Alarmed

Scripture – 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4: 1Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, 2not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. 3Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.

Reflection: It seems pretty clear that people back in the early days of the church expected Christ to return in their lifetime. Here Paul offers advice that still applies today.

We know the return of Christ is still to come. Like our first century brothers and sisters we don’t know when that will happen. At the same time, there will always be people talking about it and speaking as though it will happen very soon.

It may happen soon. It might happen this very day. It might be in a hundred years. Paul’s advice still comes to us “not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy.” His return has not yet happened. His return will happen one day. As I keep my faith and trust in Him, I’m ready whenever it may happen. In the meantime, I will live today. I will be open to His leading today. I will follow Him today.