When Paul is writing about the end of the age and the coming of the Lawless One (whom we call Antichrist), he states  that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition. He then goes on to explain further –

“The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” – 2 Thes. 2:9-12

Now, I know there is great contention among many preachers and teachers about the coming of the Lord, whether it will be pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation, or post-tribulation – each having their favorite verses to prove their hypotheses. And, I want to inject my 2⊄ to this discussion as well. While I have definite views on the subject, I submit that this is not the important issue of this argument.

Scriptures are clear as crystal, the Lord will not come until the Father decides, so it is futile for us to argue about it. What is important is WHO WILL BE READY WHEN HE DOES COME!

Paul makes it clear – those who will be ready are those love the truth and continue living as Jesus told us to live.

“Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.” – 2 Thes. 2:15-17

The traditions he is talking about are truths delivered us in Scripture,  both Old and New Testaments. Truths like Jesus taught –

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” – Luke 12:34-40

The important thing is not when the Master comes but, being ready whenever He comes! Don’t let your heart be so taken up with this world that you forget your primary purpose – to be watching and ready for His coming. Those who failed in Paul’s writing were putting things of this world before their love of the truth (and Jesus is the Truth) and they all were condemned because they did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

When Daniel writes about the coming Antichrist’s warfare against the saints, he writes –

“He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute (lit. wear out) the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time.” – Dan. 7:25

The constant attack of words, images, and satanic world views of the media, public education, and government against Christian principles can literally wear down the saints until they pull back and go into hiding. This is all the attack plan of the spirit of Antichrist. Paul gives us the way to defeat it – stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught. Jesus also revealed to the Apostle John how the saints can overcome and defeat this attack plan –

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” – Rev. 12:11

The world has no answers to the mysteries of life, it cannot fully satisfy, it has no victory and can only produce slavery but, through the blood of Jesus’ sacrifice for us, we can have full redemption and victory over every enemy – even death. When we apply this truth with faith and boldly give testimony to it without fear – WE WIN!

So, my friends the Day of the Lord’s Coming will come. And while we may have signs to warn us of its soon coming, no one knows for sure when it will come. The wise person will endeavor to be ready whenever it comes!

My prayer is that both you and I will be wise.