Do Not Be Deceived

Today’s Epistle reading is from Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians.  Paul writes: 

As to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we beg you, brothers and sisters, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as though from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord is already here. Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one destined for destruction. He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, declaring himself to be God. Do you not remember that I told you these things when I was still with you? And you know what is now restraining him, so that he may be revealed when his time comes. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but only until the one who now restrains it is removed. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will destroy with the breath of his mouth, annihilating him by the manifestation of his coming. The coming of the lawless one is apparent in the working of Satan, who uses all power, signs, lying wonders, and every kind of wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion, leading them to believe what is false, so that all who have not believed the truth but took pleasure in unrighteousness will be condemned.

But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth. For this purpose he called you through our proclamation of the good news, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by our letter. 

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word. (2 Thes. 2: 1-17).

The Thessalonians have been shaken by a message purporting to come from Paul himself that the day of the Lord is already present. He warns against this deception by citing a scenario of events that must first occur before the end will come. The overall point Paul makes is the need to reject such lies as Satan sends; he also reaffirms the Thessalonians in their calling. They are to uphold what Paul himself has taught.

An oracular utterance, supposedly coming from a prophetic spirit, has so disrupted the community’s thinking that its effects may be compared to those of the mania connected with the worship of the Greek god Dionysus. Paul alludes to a pseudocharismatic force or spirit that has suddenly taken hold of the Thessalonian community. The Thesssalonians know this force or spirit because of the problem it is causing. This pseudocharismatic force or spirit is a kind of anticipation and advance proof of the ultimate, climactic figure (the lawless one or the rebel, 2 Thes 2:3), of which the community has been warned. It is, however, only the beginning of the end that the latter’s manifestation entails; the end is not yet. For in the course of the mystery of lawlessness, false prophetism, after it ceases in the Thessalonian community, will be manifested in the world at large, where it will also be eliminated in turn by the Lord Jesus.

We like the Thessaloians must keep watch that we are not taken over by deceptive forces that are at work.  Put your trust in Chirst!

Let us pray: Gracious Father, your Son Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.  Send your Holy Spirit to be with your Church so that we may discern your will and that we may grow in wisdom and grace.  Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

ART CLASS WITH LEE RUNION: Friday, 11 May and Saturday, 12 May—Stepping Stones. There is a $10 charge for supplies. Please call Lee at 409-539-4632 so that he can make sure that there will be enough supplies. We need about 10 more stones to finish the garden walk way.

MOTHER’S DAY, 13 MAY 2011-Please join in celebrating our Mothers. We will also bless the newly planted trees after the 9:00 a.m. Eucharist.

PLEASE REMEMEBR EVERYONE ONOURPRAYER LIST, including Sharon Yesland, Betty Heberling, Lee’s mother, Melva’s sister, Rosella Watson (who died last week) and her family, Robert, and all of those who have no one to pray for them.

Your servant in Christ,

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550