BE NOT SOON SHAKEN IN MIND

2 Thess 2:1-2 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

It is evident from the content of both letters to the church of Christ at Thessalonica, that there was much consternation - much deep concern about Judgment Day, and the second coming of Jesus Christ. Such dismay was primarily brought about by their lack of understanding. They were concerned about the spiritual reception and treatment of faithful followers of Christ that were already dead. Paul answered, by assuring them in his first epistle that the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord (1 Thess. 4:16-17). However,they were troubled about when this Day of Judgment would come. Paul addressed this concern by telling them the time and season for this event is unknown to mankind, and that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night (See 1 Thess. 5:1-2).

In spite of the teaching in his first epistle, it was evident that there was a need for additional inspired teaching of God's will. Whether they had access to Jesus' teaching on this subject, as found in Matthew 24:30-31, and Mark 13:26-27, is not known. No doubt this would have helped them to understand the subject much better, had it been available to them, and had they been able to comprehend its meaning. It is also highly possible that false prophets were teaching error about this matter. Regardless of the reason, and in order to correct any misunderstandings, Paul, beginning with the lesson text, addresses the matter and consequences of Judgment Day, and the second coming of the Savior, Jesus Christ, in this second epistle.

He beseeches them, as fellow Christians - he earnestly and sincerely pleads with them, as his brethren, to hear and believe his Holy Spirit-inspired teaching by (or concerning) the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by (or concerning) our gathering together unto Him. The word "by" in this passage is somewhat misleading, in that one may think that the Lord's coming, and the gathering of His people together, was the cause of their misunderstanding of this event. Not so. "In regard to," or "concerning," are much better translations. They merely lacked sufficient knowledge to understand what was to take place on that wondrous day.

Along with Silas and Timothy, Paul said that we beseech you, brethren not to be soon shaken in mind, or be troubled regarding the coming of the Savior, and the gathering together of His faithful followers. A mind that is shaken,is one that is filled with turmoil, much like a tempest at sea; it is a mind that is filled with indecision, and doubt. Paul told them that they should not be upset, troubled, or distressed about the Day of Judgment. And, by inference, neither should any Christian of any age be soon shaken in mind about Judgment Day. Instead of being distressed and troubled, Peter says that we are to rejoice ... that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy (1 Pet. 4:13). It is well known that, as the day of some dreadful and unfortunate event approaches, one's mind becomes troubled and filled with fear and apprehensive terror. Only those that refuse to accept and obey the will of God have reason to fear physically departing earth in death, or the eternal death promised on the Day of Judgment. Although each day we live, we are one day closer to death or Judgment Day, faithful Christians are not to be soon shaken in mind, or be troubled in anticipation of either event - whichever may first occur.

Just as Paul had told the Christians of Thessalonica in his first letter, so Peter also wrote that the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night (2 Pet. 3:10). This being the truth from God's word, no earthly being has been, or will ever be, able to predict when Judgment Day will take place. If someone says that they have had a revelation from the "spirit" of God; if someone professes that his teaching is the "word" of God; if someone claims to have a "letter" written by Paul or any other apostle that predicts the Day of Judgment, believe them not. We are assured that those that do so (and there will be many), are false prophets and deceivers of mankind sent by the devil, himself, to lure the world into disbelief in the word of God. Be prepared; we know not when Judgment Day will come. Be not soon shaken in mind!