Grow in faith and point others to God.

And another thing!

I usually avoid talking about the end times, because I know that there is much more mystery than certainty. But I love the easy guide to “the lawless one” that 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5 points out. The lawless one “opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god…so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, declaring himself to be God.”

Here is a handy guide. If someone claims to be God and they are not, in fact, God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, do not follow them. Do not worship them. Do not take a seat near them in the house of worship that they have stolen from the true God.

How will you know, you may ask? After all, Jesus claimed to be God and is, in fact, God. How do we know that he was the real deal and others are not? The key is this: Jesus also exalts God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. Jesus is obedient, even to the point of death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2). Jesus points people to the Father. If we have seen him, we have seen the Father (John 14). And Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to be our Advocate after he ascends back to heaven (John 14).

There you have it. If someone points you to God, they are worth listening to. If they point you only to themselves, they are probably not worth your time.

Go forth and follow Jesus, friends. Grow in faith and point others to God while you’re at it.