AM October 2 Thessalonians 2

October 6^th D. Practicalities Stand firm together

13: But we are bound to give thanks alway 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: 14: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15: Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. 16: Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, 17: Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

Paul continues with his thoughts regarding the Day of the Lord and the antichrist and he says we are bound to give thanks to God for you – loved of the Lord, because he chose you to be delivered from these dreadful things that are coming, He will deliver you by the work of holiness by the Spirit of God and by faith in Christ. (He describes the work of God in their lives in reverse order. The deliverance is the taking up of the church to glory, and then we have the sanctification of the Holy Spirit and then faith in Christ.) This gospel says Paul was with the ultimate purpose of delivering you from the time of wrath and bringing you into glory, (this takes place at the rapture). And so, says Paul, stand secure and hold on to the doctrine which we taught in person or wrote in letters - which we received from the Lord. And Paul closes with a prayer, May the Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father who loved us and who has given us a wonderful eternal assurance and a good hope of deliverance through grace, comfort our hearts and establish you in every sort of good works.

• Can we be sure that the Church – the body of Christ will not go through the tribulation?
• In what way will the Church be delivered?
• How should we be living in the light of the coming of Christ?