UMSL XA End Times

2 Thessalanonians 1 (World English Bible)
Greeting
1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 
You guys are awesome!
3 We are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers,[a] even as it is appropriate, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of each and every one of you towards one another abounds; 4 so that we ourselves boast about you in the assemblies of God [churches] for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions which you endure. 
People will get punished for persecuting you when Jesus comes again
5 This is an obvious sign of the righteous judgment of God, to the end that you may be counted worthy of God’s Kingdom, for which you also suffer.  6 Since it is a righteous thing [just] with God to repay affliction to those who afflict you, 7 and to give relief to you who are afflicted with us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, 8 giving vengeance to those who don’t know God, and to those who don’t obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus, 9 who will pay the penalty: eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10 when he comes to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired among all those who have believed (because our testimony to you was believed) in that day. 
Praying you'll be ready when Jesus comes
11 To this end we also pray always for you, that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire of goodness and work of faith, with power; 12 that the name of our Lord Jesus[b] may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
footnote
5 NLT And God will use this persecution to show his justice and to make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering

 

2 Thessalonians 2
World English Bible (WEB) 
Don't pay attention to people that lie about Jesus' coming
 2 Now, brothers, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together to him, we ask you 2 not to be quickly shaken in your mind, nor yet be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by letter as from us, saying that the day of Christ had come. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way. 
The anti-christ will come first
For it will not be, unless the departure comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 he who opposes and exalts himself against all that is called God or that is worshiped; so that he sits as God in the temple of God, setting himself up as God.

I told you before that antichrist will come in his time
 5 Don’t you remember that, when I was still with you, I told you these things? 6 Now you know what is restraining him, to the end that he may be revealed in his own season. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness already works. Only there is one who restrains now, until he is taken out of the way. 

When the anti-christ is revealed, the lost will follow
8 Then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will kill with the breath of his mouth, and destroy by the manifestation of his coming; 9 even he whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 and with all deception of wickedness for those who are being lost, because they didn’t receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
 
Because of their disobedience, God allows them to be deceived.
11 Because of this, God sends them a working of error, that they should believe a lie; 12 that they all might be judged who didn’t believe the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 

But not you guys, you're awesome because of God
13 But we are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth; 14 to which he called you through our Good News, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Hold to traditions and a prayer for the Thessalonians.
15 So then, brothers, stand firm, and hold the traditions which you were taught by us, whether by word, or by letter. 16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish you in every good work and word. 

World English Bible (WEB) by Public Domain. The name "World English Bible" is trademarked.

 

NASB 11 To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Some Prophecies about Jesus that show the Bible is inspired.

No human being could make such accurate predictions about the coming birth of Christ hundreds of years before His actual birth. The birth of Jesus was foretold by the prophet Micah approximately seven hundred years before the event (Micah 5:2, 4-5). The triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem was foretold by Zechariah five hundred years before Christ was born (Zechariah 9:9). The betrayal of Jesus was foretold about the same time (Zechariah 11:12-13). Zechariah also foretold of the death of Jesus (12:10). The passion of Christ at His crucifixion was foretold 1,000 years earlier in the Psalms (22:14-18). Finally, Christ’s suffering and ministry were foretold by Isaiah approximately seven hundred years before the earthly life of Christ (Isaiah 53:4-7, 9, 11-12).

The Bible is divinely inspired of God and is “the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct” (Fundamental Truth Number 1 of the Assemblies of God Statement of Fundamental Truths). 

Living in a state of expectant preparedness

Historians attempt to find meaning in the rise and fall of past civilizations, kingdoms, and even more contemporary governments. They seek to explain why one king went to war against another kingdom. Secular philosophers will always engage in debate about such matters. But the Bible demonstrates that history is actually an unfolding of God’s plan for the human race, with the ultimate purpose of revealing himself to every person. We see God’s love, mercy, and holiness in His dealings with humankind throughout history. Bible prophecy is a guide to understanding the full meaning of history.

A student of Scripture becomes aware of the many statements of Bible prophecy that still relate to the future. One also becomes aware of Jesus’ teaching concerning the imminence of His return. The imminence of His return means that it could occur at any time --- and Jesus warns us to be ready (Luke 12:35–40; Mark 13:33–37). This means that rather than trying to look at each major world event as a possible piece of the puzzle that must be put in place before Jesus can be allowed to return, we must lift our eyes above these events and see that Christ’s return for the church is possible at any time. Speaking of this, Jesus said, “Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come” (Mark 13:33).

Rather than being alarmed or dismayed about current or future events, we need to keep our primary focus upon the majesty and greatness of Christ’s return, which could happen at any time. The return of Jesus is truly awe inspiring. It is something we should wait and long for (2 Timothy 4:8). It is our Blessed Hope (Titus 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:15–17).

The Impact of One Faithful Witness 

Jesus said, "You are to go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere."1

Many will have read about "layman Edward Kimball who gathered the nerve to witness and win the soul of a young shoe salesman named D.L. Moody to Christ. D.L. Moody went on to become one of the greatest evangelists in his day. But, do you know the rest of the story? D.L. Moody went to England and worked a profound change in the ministry of F.B. Meyer. F.B. Meyer, with his new evangelistic fervor, influenced J. Wilbur Chapman. Chapman helped in the ministry of converted baseball player Billy Sunday, who had a profound impact upon Mordacai Ham. And Mordacai Ham, holding a revival in North Carolina, led Billy Graham to Christ. And the man who started it all was a layman, Edward Kimball, who took seriously Christ's commission to be a witness in his world."2

And we all know the incredible way God has used Billy Graham to reach millions of people worldwide with the gospel.

You and I are not too likely to ever become a Billy Sunday or a Billy Graham, but every single one of us can be an "Edward Kimball" witness for Christ.

As the hymn writer so eloquently said, "When we all get to heaven what a day of rejoicing that will be, when we all see Jesus we'll sing and shout the victory." And how wonderful it will also be to meet the ones who are in heaven because of your and my witness for Jesus. Only heaven will reveal who these ones are.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, I'm available for you to use; please use me today and every day to be an effective witness for you, and to be 'as Jesus' in some way to every life I touch. And grant that they, seeing Jesus in me, will want you for themselves. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Mark 16:15 (TLB)(NLT).
2. Submitted by Deward Hurst. Cited on the Sermon Fodder list. To subscribe please send an e-mail to Sermon_Fodder-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. 

P.S. I happened to graduate from Moody Bible Institute, the school that D.L. Moody founded. Furthermore, several of the folk in Australia who have been involved in the ACTS ministry in Australia came to Christ during the Billy Graham Crusades in Australia. Furthermore, I am now doing the website for Dr. Jerry Beavan who was the architect of the Billy Graham international crusades. I first heard Dr. Beavan speak in Australia in 1958. His website is American News Commentary at: www.evangelical-viewpoint.com/. It is absolutely amazing what God can and will do through any one of us when we make ourselves available for him to use for his glory. And believe me I came from a very dysfunctional family background and never cease to thank and praise God for his saving, and using me.