Today's Bible Reading: 2 Thessalonians - Enduring Faith, Prophecy of the Lord's Return, and Standing Firm Against Deception

Can you imagine holding steadfast in your beliefs amid relentless persecution? Join us in this compelling episode of "What Do I Know?" as we journey through the profound letters of Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy to the church of Thessalonica. You'll gain insights into how early Christians were encouraged to maintain their faith and love, with the assurance of God's righteous judgment and ultimate justice. We discuss the comforting promise of grace that sustains believers even in the face of trials and tribulations, offering eternal hope and strength.

Uncover the intriguing prophecies about the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and the man of lawlessness. We delve deep into the role of Satan, deceptive wonders, and the vital importance of clinging to apostolic teachings and traditions. This episode is more than a mere reading—it's an invitation to reflect on Paul's message and its modern-day relevance. We also offer prayers for guidance and unwavering faith, encouraging listeners to stand firm against falsehoods and evil. Tune in for a transformative discussion that resonates with the timeless call for steadfastness and truth.

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

Welcome to the podcast. I'm Isaac Carroll, and this is what Do I Know? Alright, in today's Bible reading we're going to be reading the book of 2 Thessalonians. If you're ready, let us begin.

Speaker 1: 0:10

Paul, sivanius and Timothy To the church of Thessalonians and God, our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to you and peace from God, our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore, we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness in faith in all your persecutions and afflictions that you are enduring. This is the evidence of the righteous judgment of God that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also are suffering, since, indeed, god considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you and to grant relief to you who are afflicted, as well as to us. When the Lord Jesus revealed from heaven, with the mighty angels in flaming fire inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus, they will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. To this end, we always pray for you that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith.

Speaker 1: 1:37

By 2 Thessalonians 2, the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our being gathered together to him. We ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed either by a spirit or a spoken word or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has already come. Let no one deceive you in any way, for that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction who opposes and exhausts himself against every so-called God or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you, I told you about these things, and you know what is restraining him now, so that he may be revealed in his time, for the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way, and then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.

Speaker 1: 2:40

The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan and with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deceptions for those who are perishing because they refuse to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore, god sends them a strong delusion so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold on to the tradition that you were taught by us, either by a spoken word or by a letter. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace. Comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work. And word 2 Thessalonians 3. Finally, brothers, pray for us that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not all have faith, but the Lord is faithful and he will establish you and guard you against evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord, about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command, confidence in the Lord about you that you are doing and will do the things that we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and the steadfastness of Christ.

Speaker 1: 4:11

Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the traditions that you receive from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it. But with toil and labor we worked night and day. That we might not be a burden to any of you, it was not because we did not have the right, but to give you and ourselves an example to imitate, for even when we were with you, we would give you this command If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat, for we hear that some among you walk in idleness not busy at work, but busy bodies.

Speaker 1: 4:55

Now. Such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ, to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person and have nothing to do with him. That he may be ashamed, and do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. Now that the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all. I, paul, write this greetings with my own hand. This is a sign of genuineness in every letter of mine. It is the way I write the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you. All right. That ends 2 Thessalonians, and tomorrow we'll be in Colossians. Until then, have a great day and goodbye.