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帖撒罗尼迦后书[第2章]
Book of 2 Thessalonians 2

【主再来前要站立得稳】

主讲:陈惠菁传道+陈炎明牧师

16/02/2023

引言:海妖三姐妹

一、 不被迷惑有分辨力(V1-12)

帖后第2章是整本书最重要的一章。因为这章讲到的是我们如何在主再来之前,在敌基督显现的时刻,要儆醒分辨,不被欺骗和诱惑。

1.分辨假教师的迷惑(V1-2)
假教师起来透过属天的启示、口头上的教导、冒保罗名写的信,来迷惑信徒,说主再来的日子已经到了。有些信徒觉得反正世界要末日了,就什么都不做。有些却惊慌。因此,保罗劝他们不要轻易动心,也不要惊慌。如果我们在圣经真理上根基牢固,就不会被骗或动心惊慌。

2.分辨主来前的光景(V3-12)
保罗继续提醒信徒,虽然主再来的日子不可预知,但那日子来以前,会有离道反教之事和大罪人、沉沦之子会出现用各样的异能、神迹,和一切虚假的奇事。要怎样才能分辨得出,哪些神迹异能是来自神还是撒旦?来自沉沦之子的异能,会使人离弃神而归向他。若有人只吸引人归向自己,他的工作就不可能是源于神的。

保罗提到离道反教和敌基督,并不是要我们感到惧怕或者设法去认出谁是敌基督。而是要我们警醒,与主建立真关系,以致我们有分辨能力而不被迷惑。并且神掌管一切,已战胜敌基督(V8)。

二、坚守主道站立得稳(V13-17)

1.因信真道、被召得荣(V13-14)
神拣选呼召我们,不要单因灵的得救,免下地狱就满足。圣灵是住在我们里面,时刻赐我们力量,更新、转化我们成为圣洁的那一位神。我们要继续追求魂、体的得救。常来到主的荣光里,被主来光照。并且儆醒顺着圣灵而行,成为圣洁,能承载和彰显神儿子荣耀的器皿。

2.坚守主道、站立得稳(V15-17)
站立得稳原文是现在时式,表示持续不停的状态。保罗提醒帖撒罗尼迦信徒,他们虽然已经在信仰上站立得不错,但仍须继续保持站立得稳的状况,直到主再来。并且要坚守神的话和靠神在一切善行善言上得以坚固。

上星期的周报,牧者之声里牧师就分享到,信徒在奔跑马拉松长跑的天路里,不在乎谁冲得最快;而是谁能够坚持不懈的跑到终点。因此我们虽然得了神国的应许,但我们依然要持续坚守主道、站立得稳,直到见主面。因此,除了要不断追求真理,见证福音,我们的信心要站立得住,爱主的心就要保持火热,事奉主不要后退。让我们在教会彼此鼓励扶持,一同学习成长,经历突破和提升。我们会发现到,当我们越是积极委身,越是能保守自己的心,免受仇敌的诱惑而跌倒。

总结:Maranatha

我们都是被拣选,得着荣耀盼望的人。在等候主再来的同时,只要我们准备好自己,敬虔度日、积极跟随主、以火热的心来爱主、为有需要的人起来事奉、传福音、活出生命的见证,不管主什么时候来,末后主再来前有多大的苦难和诱惑摆在面前,我们都能站立得稳,随时预备好对主说:Maranatha!主我愿祢来!

2 Thessalonians 2: Stand firm before the Lord’s return
GK611 Morning Devotion
16/02/2023
Speaker: Ps Deborah+ Rev David Tan

Introduction: The Three Siren Sisters

I. Don’t be confused and have discernment (V1-12)

2 Thessalonians 2 is the most important chapter of the whole book. Because this chapter talks about how we must be vigilant and discerning, not to be deceived and tempted, before the Lord returns and when the Antichrist appears.

1. Discern the deceptions of false teachers (V1-2)
False teachers rise to deceive believers through divine revelations, verbal teachings, and letters written in Paul's name, saying that the day of the Lord's return has arrived. Some believers feel that the world is going to end anyway, so they do nothing. Some panicked. Therefore, Paul advised them not to be easily moved, nor to panic. If we are firmly grounded in biblical truth, we will not be deceived or tempted to panic.

2. Discerning the situation before the Lord’s return (V3-12)
Paul continued to remind believers that although the day of the Lord’s return is unpredictable, before that day, there will be apostasy, a big sinner, and the son of perdition. There will be powers and signs and all false wonders. How can we tell which miracles are from God or from Satan? The miracles from the sons of perdition will turn people from God to him. If a man only draws men to himself, his work cannot be of divine origin. When Paul mentions apostasy and the Antichrist, he doesn't mean that we should be afraid or try to identify who the Antichrist is. Instead, we need to be vigilant and establish a true relationship with the Lord, so that we have the ability to discern and not be deceived. Moreover, God is in control and has defeated Antichrist (V8).

II. Persevere with the Lord and stand firm (V13-17)

1. Believe in truth, called to glory (V13-14)
God has chosen and called us, and we should not be content with being saved from hell just because of our spiritual salvation. The Holy Spirit is the God who lives in us, empowers us all the time, and renews and transforms us into holiness. We must continue to pursue the salvation of the soul and body. Always come to the glory of the Lord and be enlightened by the Lord. Be watchful and walk by the Holy Spirit and become a holy vessel that can bear and manifest the glory of the Son of God.

2. Keep the Lord's principles and stand firm (V15-17)
The original text of standing firm is in the present continuous tense, expressing the state of continuous non-stop.

Paul reminded the Thessalonian believers that although they had stood well in their faith, they still had to continue to stand firm until the Lord returned. And hold fast to the word of God and be strengthened by God in every good deed and word.

In last week’s bulletin, the pastor shared in the voice of the pastor that when believers run in a marathon, it doesn’t matter who runs the fastest but rather who can persevere to the finish line. Therefore, although we have received the promise of the kingdom of God, we still need to continue to hold on to the Lord's principles and stand firm until we meet the Lord. Therefore, in addition to constantly pursuing the truth and witnessing the gospel, our faith must stand firm, our love for the Lord must remain fervent, and our service to the Lord must not back down. Let us encourage and support each other in the church, learn and grow together, and experience breakthroughs and improvements. We will find that the more we commit ourselves actively, the more we can guard our hearts against the temptation of the enemy and not stumble.

Conclusion: Maranatha

We are all chosen people, to have the hope of glory. While waiting for the return of the Lord, as long as we prepare ourselves, live a godly life, actively follow the Lord, love the Lord with a fervent heart, rise up to serve those in need, spread the gospel, and live out the testimony of life, no matter when the Lord will return, how much suffering and temptation will be before the Lord returns, we can all stand firm and be ready to say to the Lord at any time: Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus!