Examination Day

2 Thess. 2:2 For that day will not come unless the falling away comes first

There are Geeks, there are geniuses and there are weirdos; but most of us normal people are a little bit afraid of examination days. Some persons worry, some panic, some even get sick and all breathe a sigh of relief when it is over. Recently, we were reminded that Jesus is coming soon. Signs of the end are being fulfilled all around us. But in today’s text Paul prophesies that before the end there will be a final test and many will fail. Many people who claim to believe the truth about God will backslide and give up the faith (fall away). When you read the passage before and after the text you will see that this will happen because of deception and intimidation.

Howcome? The Bible predicts that a powerful religious movement will come up and that it will pretend to genuinely love God, but it will be against God’s truth. It will deceive many people because the teachings will sound so good. Those persons who claim to love Christ but who have not spent time to know His teachings and understand the scriptures will be deceived and will backslide. Others will know the truth, but because they are afraid of physical harm or of losing their comfort, their relationships, or their possessions, they will fall away too. The Bible did not say it might happen, but that it will.

Are you ready for that great test? Are you so grounded in your love for the Lord and the knowledge of His word that you will be able to stand and not fall away? Determination alone will not be enough. The way to pass that test is to not wait until that time arrives but to prepare now. We should study God’s word carefully and hide it in our hearts. If we know the truth we won’t be deceived by a lie. All God’s people should take time out to read and study the Bible every day. This is not the time to miss Sabbath School and Bible Class. Prepare now!

And here is some good news. God has promised that if we prepare, when the test comes we will not have to worry about what to say or how to respond because the Holy Spirit will tell us how to respond. Let’s get to know God so well now that we will be able to recognize the voice of the Spirit when He speaks and we will successfully pass the final test.

Lord, we are sometimes we are frightened by the end time prophecies about the tests to come. Help us as we try to prepare and help us always remember that you will take us through, in Jesus’ name, amen.