These first few verses deal specifically with Jesus' returning to the earth and also the oppressor of the saints. The writer is telling the Thessalonians not to be shook thinking that the day of Christ is at hand or that the rapture or Jesus' return is going to happen right then.

 1Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,

 2That 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.

 V 3 shows some very interesting facts about what needs to happen BEFORE Jesus returns. When Jesus returns it will be for one thing, to collect the dead in Christ and rapture (have caught up unto him into the clouds) the saints who are alive and remain. But the man of sin must be on the scene first and there must be a falling away first before Jesus returns.

3Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

V 4 show what the man of sin will be doing. This man of sin has another name in Revelation. Do you know what that name is?

 4Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

Read all about these details and others in The Rapture Confidential. Find a study partner and together see what God is trying to show us in his word related to the events surrounding the rapture and the tribulation.

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