Cross and Cutlass

This is me when I first see Jesus after the Rapture! I love the look on the woman's face. That's exactly how I will feel! Finally home! Finally safe in my loving Savior's arms.

It's been a busy week for me, so when I prayed about what to write today, the Lord directed me to my recent Bible readings.  I always underline things that stand out to me, but none of the verses formed a cohesive message, so instead, I felt led to just list them below with a bit of commentary.  I'm not a pastor or preacher, nor have I been to seminary. I'm just a woman who loves God, who loves His Word, and who is filled with His Spirit. I hope these verses bless you as much as they did me!

And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven, Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment. 1 Thess 1:10

Once again the thing that stuck out to me about this verse is that Jesus is coming from heaven to  rescue us from the coming judgment...i.e... the Tribulation.  How people can still believe we are going to be here for the Tribulation is beyond me. 

 We pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy. For he called you to share in his Kingdom and glory. 1 Thess 2:12

If we want to share in God's Kingdom and Glory, we must live our lives a certain way. We can't just do whatever we please.   

And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows  1 Thess 3:12

Love is the most important thing we can do for God. We should have so much love for others that it is continually growing and overflowing. I know I fall short in this area. 

We urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you.... Therefore, anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.  1 Thess 4: 1, 8. 

Once again, this verse flies in the face of OSAS (Once saved always saved)  The verses in between these 2 verses discuss sexual sins and passions...check them out for yourself.  If you blatantly keep sinning, you are rejecting God. Not a good prospect.

For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us.  1 Thess 5:9

Once again, we see here that God's plan is to rescue us before His anger is poured out. In context, the chapter is about the rapture.   

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thess 5:17-18

Great advice!!  This was part of Paul's final greeting to the Thessalonians in his first letter. I'm going to try and do this every day! 

So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. 2 Thess 1:11

There is a kind of life that is "worthy" of God's call. And in order to achieve it, we must lean on God.. for the faith and the power!  It amazes me that He does everything for us... we have only to submit and follow.  

And you know what is holding him back, for he can be revealed only when his time comes. ⁷ For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one who is holding it back steps out of the way 2 Thess 2: 6-7

This is an entire sermon in itself. The thing that struck me was that the "lawlessness" or the antichrist beast empire is already at work in secret.  It reminded me of all the Satanic secret societies, the Global elite, who are the real ones pulling the strings behind the scene. In other words, the antichrist system is already here!  It's just hiding for now, in secret.   

Pray, too, that we will be rescued from wicked and evil people, for not everyone is a believer. 2 Thess 3:2

What stood out to me here is that Paul isn't talking about people outside the church. He's talking about people inside the church.  Same deal today  

As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good. 2 Thess 3:13

What a fitting verse to end this on.  This is particularly important for the evil world we live in today.  Don't grow tired of doing God's will. 

I guess there is a cohesive message in these verses, after all. 

• Jesus IS coming to snatch us out of this evil world before the Tribulation
• The Antichrist system is already here and hidden and will be revealed when the church is taken out
• Don't trust everyone who says they are a Christian 
• In the meantime, always be joyful  pray always, be thankful for everything, do good works, lean on the Lord for faith and power to do what He calls you to do, and never get tired of doing good!   
• Love everyone and keep growing in your love