"Let no man deceive you." What deception was operating? The deception that the coming (parousia ) of the Lord would take place at any moment. Perhaps the any-moment deception actually dates from the first century. It is a very destructive heresy because the believers cease preparing themselves for the tribulations of life. Also it may have had an adverse affect on missionary activity. Why take life seriously if one is going to disappear at any moment?

The following passages may indicate that the erroneous concept of the any-moment coming of the Lord had caused the believers in Thessalonica to cease working and to go from house to house, talking about how soon the Lord would come.

And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; (I Thessalonians 4:11)

For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. (II Thessalonians 3:10-12)

Periodically a Christian author writes a book in which he predicts that the "rapture" will take place in the near future. Such books sell very well and no doubt bring considerable money to the author. In one recent episode, people were getting rid of their pets so the animals would be taken care of after the owners left in the "rapture."

Of course, no rapture takes place. However, this does not stop the foolish believers from buying the next book on the market that predicts the date of the "rapture." Nor does it hinder the bookstore owners from profiteering on the gullibility of the believers.

Christian bookstore owners should never offer a book stating the date of the coming of the Lord unless they provide a guarantee that if the event does not take place the cost will be returned to the buyer. Christian bookstore owners should be held accountable for what they sell! No doubt the Lord holds them accountable!

According to the Apostle Paul, two events must occur before "that day," the day of the Lord, takes place:

The worldwide rebellion against authority.

The revelation of the man of sin, the Antichrist.

It has been two thousand years since Paul wrote to the Thessalonians. Hopefully the believers did not dress in white and stand on the roofs of their houses, for the day of Christ has not come to the present hour.

It indeed is doubtful that the Apostle Paul spoke to the churches concerning an any-moment "rapture." If he did, he has been discredited as an apostle of the Lord. We now are two thousand years from the writings of the epistles to the Thessalonians. No "rapture" has taken place. However the events of which the Lord spoke in Matthew, Chapter 24 have continued to take place, and will continue to take place until every one of them has occurred—including the great tribulation. Only then will the trumpet of God sound.

To be continued.