2 Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians 1 - Comfort

Paul’s wrote the Thessalonians a second letter.  They had misunderstood Paul’s first letter or were influenced by false prophecy and thought for sure Jesus was coming soon.  Some had stopped working and were just waiting.  Paul described the second coming and reminded them to keep working until He comes and not be idle.  They were confused and life was very hard.  We lose sight of God and His plan for us when we’re confused.   Being in submission to Christ helps you not to live deceived and fearful.  When in hard times and you decide that God is not there and doesn’t care, you have vulnerability. 

Paul, Silas and Timothy thanked God for the faith of the Thessalonians that was growing more and more.  Paul also thanked God for the increasing love they had for each other.  He boasted about the Thessalonians’ perseverance and faith they had even while being persecuted. (2 Thess. 1:3-4).

Their suffering was evidence that God’s judgment is proper and right.  It shows them worthy of the kingdom of God.  God is just and will pay back those who persecute Christians.  This will happen when Jesus returns.  Then He will give rest to the suffering.  A day of rest is promised for every believer and they will live in the kingdom of God.  This promise is not only for the Thessalonians, but for Paul, Silas and Timothy because they too had suffered.

What afflictions have you suffered?  Maybe you don’t think you have, but evil forces are working against you and your commitment to Christ impacts others.  You will be judged by others by your faith and life principles.

Jesus is now in heaven where we can’t see Him, but when He returns all people will see Him.  He will come in the clouds with His army of angels.  People will wonder and be afraid as He appears.  He will condemn and punish those who don’t know Him.  They will never have another chance to turn to God and there will be no hope for them.  They won’t share the joy of the kingdom of God.  Jesus will receive honor and praise from all those who believe.  He has saved believers and will call them to meet Him in the air.  They will spend eternity in heaven with Him.

Jesus will be revealed from heaven in blazing fire with His powerful angels.  He will punish those who don’t know God and don’t obey the gospel – (2 Thess. 1:7-8).

The saints (believers) will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God – (2 Thess. 1:5).  He will give relief to those who are troubled – (2 Thess. 1:7).

He will be glorified in His holy people and be marveled at among all those who have believed – (2 Thess. 1:10).

Jesus will punish those who don’t know God and don’t obey the gospel.  They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from His glory – (2 Thess. 1:8-9).

Principle:  Christ’s return means comfort for believers and judgment for unbelievers.

                      

Paul and his companions prayed constantly for the Thessalonians that God may make them worthy of His calling and that by His power He may fulfill every good purpose of theirs and every act prompted by their faith.  He prayed that the name of the Lord Jesus be glorified in them – (2 Thess. 1:11-12).

Is your faith growing stronger?

Is there opposition to your faith?  If not, examine your life.

How is God’s character being revealed to you?

How are others seeing you live out your faith?

The Day of the Lord is in the future and Paul wanted them to know that.  They thought they missed the rapture.  We need to know what the Bible says so we are not deceived.

2 Thessalonians 2 - Confusion

Some thought that Jesus had already returned and were unsettled and alarmed.  Paul told them not to let anyone deceive them and that the Day of the Lord will not come until certain things happen.  Paul told them 3 things must happen before Christ’s return –

(1) the rebellion occurs - a "falling away" or "a departure from faith".

(2) the revealing of the man of lawlessness -  the Anti-Christ will come to power.

(3) the restraint of lawlessness is removed - refers to governmental authority.

There will be a rebellion and the revealing of the man of lawlessness.  (2 Thess. 2:3).  In Matthew 24 Jesus warns us that many false teachers and false prophets would come claiming to be the Messiah.  He said you will hear of wars and rumors of wars.  Nations will rise against nations.  There will be famines and earthquakes.  All of these are beginning of birth pains.  Christians will be persecuted and hated because of their belief in Jesus.  The abomination that causes desolation would be revealed – (Matthew 24 and Revelation 13:3-6).

It may be very easy to be deceived with signs and miracles performed by false messiahs and false prophets if you don’t have a good biblical foundation.  So stay in God’s Word and know what it says.  There is only one truth and one true Messiah, that’s Jesus. 

The man of lawlessness will be revealed and doomed to destruction.  He will exalt himself over everything and will set himself up in the temple as God.  The man of lawlessness will be overthrown by Jesus with His breath and be destroyed by the splendor of His coming.  The man of lawlessness will work in accordance with Satan displaying all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders.  – (2 Thess. 2:1-12).  Who is this man of lawlessness?  He is the Anti-Christ, the beast coming out of the sea – (Revelation 13:1-8).

God will send a powerful delusion to cause unbelievers to believe the lie of the man of lawlessness, because they have not believed the truth and have delighted in wickedness – (2 Thess. 2:11-12).  People today refuse to open their eyes and accept God’s truth.  They don’t think knowing God is worthwhile.  They are full of pride, envy, murder, strife, all kinds of wickedness, faithless, ruthless and the list in Romans 1 goes on.  If you refuse to listen to the truth, you will be deceived by Satan and won’t even know that you are deceived. 

How can you avoid being deluded?  You can prevent believing the lies of Satan, if you will just know the truth.  Study the scriptures and know for yourself what it says.  Don’t take the opinions of others.  Stay in His Word and stay close to God.  By knowing the truth we get to know God more and we’re equipped to discern good from evil.  We should stand firm and hold to the teaching of Jesus and remember that God loves us and is always there to give us eternal encouragement, hope, and strength – (2 Thess. 2:15-17). 

Paul told them that God chose them through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit and through belief in the truth.  He called them to this through the gospel that they might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Our responsibility is to believe the truth, stand firm and hold on to the teachings of Jesus – (2 Thessalonians 2:13-15).  Jesus has already done all the work.  All we have to do is believe what He says.  “Share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” in verse 14 means believers will be raised to eternal life with Him and share His inheritance in heaven and we will see God.  We are secure in Him because He chose us from the beginning to be saved.  Believers are exempt from the Anti-Christ. 

 

Principle:  Christ’s return will be the end to all evil.

What gives you comfort and security? 

Have you been taught something that makes you afraid?  If so, examine that against scripture for truth.  Deception manifests fear.  Pray that you be responsible with the truth that God gives you.

2 Thessalonians 3 - Correction

Paul asks the Thessalonians to pray for him and his companions that the message may spread rapidly and be honored and that they may be delivered from wicked and evil men.  Paul is confident that God will do what He says.  Are you?

Who will you pray for? 

Who will you ask to pray for you?

Paul warns them against idleness and that idleness make them busybodies.  When he said they should not associate with people who do not live according to the teachings they have received, he is saying don’t engage in their wrong doings.  They should work for a living or not eat.  They probably thought Jesus was coming very soon so they chose not to work, which is a matter of willingness not ability.  We should admonish our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ when needed, but remember everyone should be treated with love and respect.  Be firm, but loving.  If your heart is not in the right place, it could be damning. 

Is your heart right to admonish someone else? 

Are you open to being admonished?

Principle:  Knowing that Christ will return helps believers not grow weary.

Do you gossip?

Are you living as a busybody?

How are you spending your time?

How are you living with urgency, commitment and with confidence?

Join me here next week as we go back to Acts 18.  --  I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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