2 Thessalonians 2 1-5, 13-17.v 15 “With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teachings we passed on to you both in person and by letter.”
This passage starts off with teaching about the second coming. “Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun.” For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God. Paul reminds the Thessalonians that ‘I told you about all this when I was with you.” And then jumping a few verses we read how thankful it is to have someone build a congregation. To share the Good News and the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. With all these things in mind, dear brothers, and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teachings we passed on to you both in person and by letter.”
As a teenager I remember going to London on a school trip and seeing around speakers corner an old man with a placard “The end of the world is coming” This picture was taken in 2017
So although there are always people predicting the end is coming, and we all know that our time on earth has an expiry date we need to stand firm. There are definite signs that the traditional churches are declining fast, made worse by the pandemic, but what have we learnt about this trend. There were warnings before the pandemic that traditional churches would be closing at an ever-increasing rate. However, we need to continue to pass on teachings by different modes, letter or in person, virtual by zoom or YouTube, to stand firmly by. To create a family, of brothers and sisters in Christ, that’s a close family. Who are joined by the grace of Christ not our own doing, and gives us eternal comfort, hope and strength in every good thing that we do and say.
Prayer: Father God keep us together as brothers and sisters, Help us to stand firm in our faith and as we go out into the community. In Jesus name. Amen.
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