Now we get to the main reason that Paul is writing. “Don’t
be deceived, folks, you have not been left behind.” That was the message Paul
wanted them to hear. The Rapture had not occurred. For those of us who grasp
the concept of the Rapture, we cannot imagine anyone believing it had happened
without them. Or could we? Several times in my ministry I have had individuals
tell me stories about how they had panicked because they thought they had been
left behind. But the panic was short-lived because they had finally made
contact with someone they knew would “go in the first round” so to speak. But
in our day of instant communication and 24/7 news cycles, anyone familiar with
the concept of the Rapture will know almost instantly that they had missed it.
The airwaves will no doubt be filled with dramatic stories of people
disappearing into thin air. If you have seen any of the movies that focus on
the Rapture, you know how it might be: planes crashing into the ground,
automobiles out of control, etc. And all of this would take place around the
world, so at any moment of any day, the word would spread rapidly that
something unusual had happened.
But not in the first century. No news channels. No telephone
or internet to check to see if the pastor was still around or if maybe someone
in the next town had any news of disappearances. Add to that a smooth-talking,
charismatic false teacher telling you that your whole church had been misled
and that Jesus had already come and gone…. Well, if you had any level of doubt
in your mind, you would be easily convinced. And the result of being convinced
would be depression, defeat, despair, helplessness, hopelessness, etc. Absolute
misery. Look at v. 2 for a minute. Paul describes it as “being shaken in mind”
or troubled. You see, they had the very foundation of their lives washed away
by these false teachings.
No doubt, if this went on for very long, many would simply
drop out of the church and give up on walking the walk. What would be the
point? If Paul had been wrong on all of this, how much of his teachings could
they trust? What a shame! But the good news is that Paul heard what was taking
place and because of his love for the people at Thessalonica, he wrote a letter
that has given us, Christians of the 21st Century, information that
helps us see that the time is near, but it has not come.
Paul says, “Let no one deceive you….” That is good advice,
and over the next several days we are going to examine Paul’s version of “the
signs of the times.” We may throw in a little of Jesus’ teachings from Matthew
with a dose of Daniel and Revelation. Hang with me, and let’s be encouraged
because Jesus is still coming, and I believe it’s soon.
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