Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me

 Good morning. Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together to Him (here we are back at the end times); that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a messenger or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. In other words, you won't need anyone to tell you – you will know it yourself for sure. While it could sneak up on you like a thief, it won't happen without your knowing it. Let no one in any way deceive you. Remember that in the gospels Jesus told His disciples that many would come saying they were the Christ; or that He was here or there. What is one of the things that has to happen first? It will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction. That has to occur first. Has the apostasy come? And just in case you were not sure who he was talking about: who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called God or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. So this was not just some ordinary leader. And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he may be revealed. (Paul was saying this two thousand years ago). It's not that everything will be perfect until that time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work (even back then); only he who now restrains will do so until he's taken out of the way. (Vine's Dictionary notes that there is no verb there meaning removal). And then that lawless one will be revealed. We will continue this tomorrow. Father thank You that the reader walks with You daily. He/she is ready for the return of Jesus.