STAND AND HOLD ON

PROCLAMATION

“So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.  May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”  2 Thessalonians 2:15-16 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Thessalonica.  He began this second chapter of his second letter by discussing the antichrist and reminded them that he had told them about these things when he was with them. (2 Thessalonians 2:1-5)  The coming of the antichrist will be in accordance with how Satan works, using displays of power through signs and wonders to support his lies and deceptions. (2 Thessalonians 2:7-10)  The false prophets were spreading the word that the Day of The Lord had already come, whereas Paul was telling the believers that it had not come yet. (2 Thessalonians 2:2-3)  Then Paul encourages them to stand firm and hold on to the teachings which they had received. (2 Thessalonians 2:15)  He ends by praying that God will encourage and strengthen them. (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)

 

APPLICATION

After the rapture, the day of The Lord will begin.  The Day of The Lord is a technical phrase which refers to the period of time beginning with the Great Tribulation. (Read Matthew 24:3-28)  The antichrist will reveal himself during this period and deceive the people presenting himself as God. (2 Thessalonians 2:4)  He will have power and he will perform signs and wonders to support his deception. (2 Thessalonians 2:8-10)  As bad as things are in the world today, they will get worse because the day of The Lord has not yet come.  When it does come, believers will not be here to see it because it will occur after the rapture.  So, don’t be left behind.  Keep the faith and keep spreading The Word of God by mouth and by actions.  Put on the whole armor of God so that we will be able to stand against the attacks of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11)  Then we can rest assured that we are safely within God’s hands. (John 10:29)

 

PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD SO THAT YOU CAN STAND

Proclamation:

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”  Ephesians 6:11-12 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the Apostle Paul under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Paul begins this final chapter of his letter to the believers in Ephesus by addressing the children.  They are told to obey and honor their parents. (Ephesians 6:1-3)  Then he tells the parents not to provoke their children but to bring them up in the training and instruction of The Lord. (Ephesians 6:4)  After this Paul provides directions to servants and masters, which applies to workers and supervisors. (Ephesians 6:5-9)  Then he encourages the believers to be strong in The Lord and to put on the whole armor of God so that they may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (Ephesians 6:10-17)  He ends this chapter and the letter by encouraging them to pray on all occasions and asking them to pray for him. (Ephesians 6:18-20)

Application:

As believers we need to understand that we are constantly under attack by the forces of evil.  The only way that we can protect ourselves is by putting on the whole armor of God.  That is the only way that we can stand our ground when we are attacked.  We need to make sure that we are completely wrapped up in truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation, and The Word of God.  Additionally, we should always pray about everything. (Ephesians 6:10-18)

STAND STILL AND SEE THE DELIVERANCE OF THE LORD

Proclamation:

"Moses answered the people, 'Do not be afraid.  Stand firm and you will see the deliverance The Lord will bring you today ... The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.'"  Exodus 14:13-14 (NIV)

Explanation:

In this second book of Moses, after he has led the Israelites our of Egypt, they were now trapped with the Red Sea in front of them, the Pharaoh and his army behind them, and mountains on both sides.  They were afraid that they would be killed there, and Moses told them "Do not be afraid.  Stand firm ... The Lord will fight for you ..."  The Lord parted the Red Sea for them and they crossed over on dry land while He kept Pharaoh’s army away from them.  Then He destroyed the army when they pursued them. (Exodus 14:18 -29)

Application:

As believers, we are children of God.  He will protect us, and fight our battles for us.  We have enemies that only He can protect us from. (Ephesians 6:11)  All we have to do is stand on His Word and do as He says.  Our faith may be tested, but He will never leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5)   It does not matter whatever the problem, believers just need to keep the faith and stand on His Word.  As the song says:
"What do you do,
when you've done all that you can,
and it seems like you can't make it through,
you just stand ...
after you've done all that you can,
you just stand."

We Need God's Help To Stand

"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."  Ephesians 6:13 (NIV)

In his letter to the believers in Ephesus, the Apostle Paul told them that after they had done all that they could do, they were to just stand.  He told them that in order for them to stand firm in the faith against the attacks of the devil, they would need to put on the whole armor of God.

The Bible does not tell us to attack the devil or his demons, we are told to resist him, and not to give in to him when we are tempted.  The only way that we can resist the devil is to submit to The Lord God. (James 4:7)  We need His help stand up to the attacks of the devil.  That is why we are told to put on the whole armor of God. (Ephesians 6:10-18)  We are in a battle against a smart, cunning, and powerful enemy.  We need the all powerful God's help. (Matthew 28:18)