Scripture:
2 Thessalonians 2:1-12
Fri, 29 July 2022

Standing Firm: Deception and Falsehood

Observation:

What significant observations can you make about deception and falsehood?

Deeper Reflection
1 AND 2 THESSALONIANS ARE HIGHLY ESCHATOLOGICAL. Paul writes specifically on eschatology at two points in 1 Thessalonians (4:13-18; 5:1-11), aside from every chapter of the letter ending with an eschatological note (1 Thess 1:10; 2:19-20; 3:13; 4:17; 5:23), and at two points in 2 Thessalonians (1:5-10; 2:1-12). Biblical eschatology is not primarily about “fulfilment of end-time prophecies”, which tends to be a common misunderstanding among Christians. There is much theology in the New Testament letters, but their theology is “always ‘task theology’, theology being written and brought to bear on the task at hand”61. In 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Paul applies eschatology to pastoral work in particular discipleship situations. We can call it disciplemaking with eschatology. Christian fake news was going around that “the day of the Lord has come” (v.2). And the Thessalonians were “quickly shaken in mind” and “alarmed” (v.2), because they were not “caught up…in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air” as they were taught (1 Thess 4:17). Paul addresses this issue by pointing to them two major tell-tale signs before Christ’s return (v.3): “the apostasy” and the appearance of “the man of lawlessness” – “the antichrist” (1 Jn 2:18). And Paul recalls briefly what he had taught the Thessalonians about this final enemy of God, behind whom is “the activity of Satan” (vv.4-12).Paul’s focus here is deception (vv.3, 10) and falsehood (vv.9, 11). And thus, his exhortation: “Let no one in any way deceive you” (v.3) and “stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught” – “the truth” (vv.10, 12, 13, 15).
61 Gordon D. Fee & Douglas Stuart, How to Read the Bible for Its Worth, Second Edition (Zondervan, 1981, 1993), 48
Application:

How can I keep myself from falling into deception and falsehood?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for SGI leaders: To be kept from falling into deception and falsehood
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 10: 4-19
Sat, 30 September 2023

Strengthened by the Divine Touch

Observation:

What is the significance of the repetition of the terms “strength” and
“strengthen” in Daniel’s encounter with God (vv.8, 16, 17, 18, 19)?

Deeper Reflection
When God sent His Word to Daniel in a vision, it was he “alone saw” the “great vision” (vv.7-8). It was a special privilege of divine sovereign grace. The vision was also a vision of God’s holiness and glory manifested in the awesome appearance of a heavenly being (vv.5-6). Daniel was so utterly overwhelmed by the divine vision, that “no strength was left in me” (v.8). The description, “no strength”, is emphatically repeated four times in Daniel’s encounter with God (vv.8, 16, 17). We may not experience such an utterly overwhelming encounter with God like Daniel’s, but we do experience “no strength was left in me” in utterly overwhelming adversities like being “afflicted in every way” (2 Cor 1:8; 4:8-9).When we have “no strength”, we need the divine touch. God responded to Daniel’s fourfold “no strength” with a threefold divine touch (vv.10, 16, 18): He “touched me again and strengthened me”. When we are so greatly afflicted, that we feel no strength is left in us, and yet we persevere in faithfulness, it is because we are being “strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of great endurance and patience” (Col 1:11). Note the intensity and immensity of this divine power at work in us! This is the divine touch of “the surpassing greatness of power” from God (2 Cor 4:7-9). But we feel the physical and emotional pains more than the Spiritual power. The greater is our suffering, the greater will be the strength from God in us, and the greater will be our steadfastness in God.
Application:

What is my experience of the Word of God and spiritual warfare like in my
discipleship journey?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for Church Board: To know God’s power that is perfected in weaknesses
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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