Was I Wrong?

Hey, I've been doing a lot of pondering lately, just wondering if I've got everything straight or right about what I believe.

Admittedly there's been a lot of theology and Bible teachings on my mind the last few months, as you may have noticed if you've been keeping up with the blog. Yet, I'm wondering how much of it I'm actually right about. You know?

Now, I know the Bible itself is true, but our interpretations of it can be false. For example, I've heard some people say 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 is often mistranslated in our Bibles depending on which original text you look at, and it can change the entire meaning or interpretation of the text. In the ESV, it says that the day of the Lord "will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed", which I interpreted as the antichrist (man of lawlessness) will be revealed before the rapture and Christ's return. But some say that the original text means the rebellion comes, we're brought up with Christ, and then the man of lawlessness is revealed, and use later verses in the chapter to support this. Verse7 talks about the one who restrains the antichrist, which many interpret as the Holy Spirit. This restrainer must be removed from the world for the antichrist to truly be revealed, so many believe the church will be raptured, the Holy Spirit will be removed from the world, and then the antichrist will reign.

I've had a hard time wrapping my head around this because I believed Christ's return for the bride was the first resurrection, and there's only 2 resurrections according to Revelation 20. Therefore, I couldn't believe anyone would come to Jesus after the rapture, because then their names would not be found in the book of life if they weren't part of the first resurrection for Jesus's 1000 year reign. But, some say the rapture and the first resurrection are two separate events. If that's so, the first resurrection wouldn't take place until after the rapture and the antichrist's reign. Maybe that's correct? After all, there will be believers who don't take the mark of the beast (Revelation 13), which I interpreted as the rapture wouldn't happen until after the antichrist is revealed and the mark of the beast is implemented, but the rapture will come before judgment on the wicked of mankind. Maybe that's right? I don't know for certain.

All I'm sure of is that Jesus is coming again, and I think soon. We need to be ready. We need to be diligent in the work of the Lord and patiently await His return. Because whether He comes sooner or later, He is coming, and He will protect His bride (the church) from the eternal fires of hell by saving them through His blood, which He shed on the cross for our evils and wickedness (our sins) that deserve death. After all, "the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23), so let us not live in sin any longer, but accept God's free gift of forgiveness and eternal life in Jesus!

I'm still struggling with that today. I'm not perfect; I know that. I still sin and fall short every single day, but I know God still loves me, Jesus still died for me, and as long as I continue to work on becoming more like Jesus, I'm on the right track. I may not understand His plans in full, especially based on the confusing different interpretations about when Christ will return (which is not for us to know anyway), but I know He cares for me, and that's enough. 

I hope you can take some comfort from this, and find for yourself what you believe. It's an interesting, messy process, trying to figure it all out, but maybe that's because we weren't meant to have all the answers. Regardless, God loves us, and as long as we believe in Him (which includes living out that belief by living like and obeying Him as much as possible), then that's enough. 

Note: admittedly, this blog is called Simply Pondering for a reason. I'm not claiming to have all the answers or anything. I don't even think this should be considered teaching(s). I'm just a girl trying to figure out life and sharing some thoughts along the way. I hope you're enjoying my ponderings, and finding some truths through your own ponderings as well.