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Good one.

Many good points made here, the first being the most important because is is the Gospel of the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: we, the church, have been washed from ALL of our sins by the blood of Jesus and stand righteous before God, not by our own good works or righteousness but by His good work and righteous. Therefore, my righteousness is a gift from God (Romans 5:17). There's nothing more for me to do. I AM FREE! IT IS FINISHED!

Another point made here is also the theme of II Thessalonians: to COMFORT the church - they need not be afraid of the coming Day of Wrath. It's kind of funny to me in a way how some Christians almost seem to want to go through the seven-year Tribulation.

You know, there's two parts to this tribulation period. In Matthew 24, Jesus called the first part "the beginning of sorrows" and the last part "the end...great tribulation." What's funny is some Christians think that they'll be able to get through the first part ("not the great tribulation yet"). According to Revelation 6:8 and 9:15, HALF of the whole world is DEAD by the end of the first 3 1/2 years (the beginning of sorrows). And except for the remnant of Israel hiding in the mountains (probably Petra in Jordan) the rest of the world is dead by the end of the seven years. As the author indicates, this is not redemptive work, this is God's judgment.

The miraculous salvation and protection of (part of) Israel during "Jacob's trouble" is another fascinating theme.

Another point made here is also the theme of II Thessalonians: to COMFORT the church - they need not be afraid of the coming Day of Wrath. It's kind of funny to me in a way how some Christians almost seem to want to go through the seven-year Tribulation.

While through the New Covenant the churches have seen tribulation of various levels, the constituents (regenerated believer-disciples of The Anointed One) of His Body will not see corruption, will be withdrawn when the Holy Ghost, He that restrainedth, is taken out of the way prior to the final tribulation. The mature spiritual man knows this. The ones gaining maturity may not appreciate it fully, but should be instructed in the doctrine from the beginning of their overall life of discipleship. In the doctrine of the last things, this great and awful judgment will not be wreaked by The God on His own spiritual children. Praise God for his benefits! Just agreeing --

Many good points made here, the first being the most important because is is the Gospel of the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: we, the church, have been washed from ALL of our sins by the blood of Jesus and stand righteous before God, not by our own good works or righteousness but by His good work and righteous. Therefore, my righteousness is a gift from God (Romans 5:17). There's nothing more for me to do. I AM FREE! IT IS FINISHED!

And because of this, we can be ASSURED of our salvation. If left up to our own works in any way, we could never have that assurance, because then we wouldn't know how much (works) is enough. It's clearly there in the Bible, God's breathed Word.