Paul reasons with the Thessalonians that Jesus' second coming will not occur in the immediate future because there must first come a mass apostasy. "Let no one seduce you, no matter how...The mass apostasy has not yet occurred" (2 Thes 2:3). Jesus Himself said: "Many will falter then, betraying and hating one another. False prophets will rise in great numbers to mislead many. Because of the increase of evil, the love of most will grow cold" (Mt 24:10-12). "Indeed, had the Lord not shortened the period, not a person would be saved" (Mk 13:20).
The anti-Christ will orchestrate this mass apostasy: "This lawless one will appear as part of the workings of Satan, accompanied by all the power and signs and wonders at the disposal of falsehood – by every seduction the wicked can devise" (2 Thes 2:9-10). The Lord reveals this to us not to discourage us but to warn us. "Unless your faith is firm you shall not be firm!" (Is 7:9) "They have been written as a warning to us, upon whom the end of the ages has come. For all these reasons, let anyone who thinks he is standing upright watch out least he fall!" (1 Cor 10:11-12)
Make your relationship with Jesus your top priority. Lavishly spend time with Him. Know His word. Lead others to Him. Repent, pray, intercede. Ask for the Holy Spirit in full power. Jesus has saved us and will save us from the mass apostasy.
| PRAYER: | Lord, I want to be ready. |
| PROMISE: | "The Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as one man speaks to another." –Ex 33:11 |
| PRAISE: | St. Ignatius founded the Society of Jesus, which in his own lifetime spread the good news of Jesus Christ from Brazil to India. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College