In his first epistle to the Thessalonians... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

Brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to him, we ask you not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, as though the day of Christ had come.
2 Thessalonians 2:1.2

In his first epistle to the Thessalonians Paul had instructed them concerning the coming of the Lord Jesus for the rapture of believers. In the second epistle he designates this event as "our gathering together to him". The expectation of the Lord should encourage us all.

After the rapture of believers the "day of Christ" would come about with divine judgment. In the mean time the Thessalonians had to endure suffering and persecution, while still awaiting the Lord's coming. Had they misunderstood the apostle's teaching? Were their problems part of the judgments already announced?

The Thessalonians were not to waver because of their tribulation. The day of the Lord would be preceded by declension and the appearance of the antichrist. So long as the Holy Spirit still dwells and is active in the church of God on earth, He restrains evil (cf. vv. 3-7). Finally the Lord Jesus will Himself appear. This will have two aspects: the judgment of the antichrist and his followers and the revelation of the glory of the Lord Himself when He appears with His saints and is admired by them.

When the day of Christ actually takes place, we shall already be with Him. The sufferings that we endure in the present age for His sake have nothing to do with the judgments of the end time, but are those experienced by all believers over the course of centuries of the Lord's rejection. For such ­troubles He grants us strength and perseverance while we await His coming.

Today's reading: Joshua 6:15-27 · 1 Corinthians 4:11-21