Re: Christ's Return and Gospel Sharing

“...when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10 when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.”

‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭1:7-10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Well Church:

Another Monday. Another poem. Another day Jesus could come back. Another subject I truly wrestle with myself...in my own family.

….

Re: Christ Return and Gospel Sharing

We don’t warn, or caution

throw ourselves in front of bullet

Protest or plea

Find sign to persuade

We Give head nods

Instead of heads up

We hold light in our own lampstands

Water in our own cistern

Conceal our armor and artillery

Tuck riches under mattress

Bawl fist 

instead of open hands

Convinced he’ll come with glitter

That he’ll hand out sunshine

Fragrant Rosebuds

Lips dripped with honey 

Vanilla Incense and praise

Instead of what Thessalonians says

Truth held close like cheat code

Waiting for an opportune time

As if fire isn’t upon us

We conceal extinguishers 

Convinced we’ll have more tomorrows

Instead of speaking freedom today

Main Point of the verse:

Paul asserts to the Thessalonian people that Jesus is coming back. He is advising them that when he comes back it will be for, “vengeance” against a people group that has chose to deny him. This is a very different picture than the Jesus of the Gospels. The Jesus we see washing the feet of his disciples, humbling himself with the Samarian woman at the well, beaten on the cross, or the loving teacher that called the little children to his side. As Christians, we know He will return; and we know He is coming to consecrate us, his church.

But what about everyone else? What about our coworkers, family members, best friends, and acquaintances? An undertone of this passage is that our time to share the gospel of Jesus with people will eventually come to an end. When Jesus comes back this next time it will be for judgment (as spoken of in Thess 2). 

Church, let us first implore ourselves to believe in the inevitable return of Jesus and use that glorious truth to catapult us to SHARE the universal offer of salvation, that has changed our lives.

Pray:

Pray the Holy Spirit will remind you and encourage you of Christ’s return. Pray God will give you desire, perseverance and a sense of urgency with sharing the gospel. 

- Antonio Cortez Appling