2 Thessalonians

Paul wrote this second letter to the church at Thessalonica only a few months after the first letter. The church continued to suffer persecution from those who despised the Gospel and taught conflicting false messages. The persecution endured by the Thessalonians was so severe, in fact, that they were confused as to whether they were already living in the end times. Paul's letter served to reassure them that they were still waiting for the return of Jesus Christ. There had even been a fake letter circulating that these false teachers claimed to be written by Paul himself, attesting to the fact that the church was living in the End of Days. The following chapters will address this. Note Paul's address at the beginning of his letter (you will see it in the greetings of all his letters) - "Grace and Peace." Grace is God's unmerited favor toward the sinner, and Peace is the result of the favor. This is the summary of the Gospel. Paul affirms that God is the arbiter of justice and vengeance, as well as love and mercy. His prayers in verses 11 & 12 are a model for us to consider in how we would pray for other believers. Remember this - the point of our prayers is not that we get what we ask for - but as Paul says in verse 12, "so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ."

If Satan were at the End of Days, knowing his fate, facing eternal torment before being cast into the Lake of Fire (Rev. 20:10), but could go back through history anywhere he chose to change things, do you think he would take the chance? If Satan knew his fate, would he try to change it? A smart choice would be to turn back to God and repent. Satan does know his fate, and he has had a chance to change. But he chose the opposite because he hates God. Satan, being jealous of God, wanted to steal God's glory by killing His plan for the redemption of the world. Satan knew that plan required Christ's birth and eventual sacrifice, so throughout time, he has sought to prevent Christ from being born rather than face the Son of God in the flesh. He introduced sin to God's creation such that Yahweh destroyed all but Noah and the seven members of his family (Gen.6:9-22). Satan incited Pharaoh to kill all male Hebrew babies, which would have eliminated the line of the Messiah (Ex.1). Satan brought the line of the Messiah down to a single child when he influenced Athaliah to destroy all the royal seed of the house of Judah. But Joash was hidden, and the line secured (2 Chron 21,22). Throughout history, Satan has attempted to destroy the plan for Christ to come. Haman (Est 4), Herod (Matt.2:4-17), and more are evidence of Satan's endless efforts to thwart God's plans. Satan's plans remain in effect today. Paul warns the church at Thessalonica to stand firm against those who would deceive with false teaching (a word or letter as if from us to the effect that the Day of the Lord has come 2 Thes 2:2). The "son of destruction" Paul references in verse 3 is the Antichrist. "Our gathering together to Him" in verse 1 is the rapture. Meditate on these verses from 2 Thessalonians 2, and then ponder this mystery: Hebrews 10:25 (whose authorship is sometimes ascribed to Paul) also references the same Greek phrase used for "gathering together." But we associate that with assembling as a church or groups of believers here on earth now. However, aren't both "gathering together"s Christ's plan for His bride? The next time you go to church, maybe also consider it "Rapture Practice."

It is appropriate to consider the first three verses of this chapter as concluding Paul's prayer from the previous chapter. Beginning in verse four, he completes his instructions regarding those spreading false doctrines about the day of the Lord already having come. Paul has confidence the Thessalonians are now continuing and will respond to his commands from this letter (v.4) because Timothy would have already given these same instructions when he was recently with them. This letter demonstrates Paul's trust in them to become responsible leaders in roles that he has already demonstrated - 1. Not acting without discipline; 2. laboring in a manner so as not to be a hardship to others; 3. not losing heart in doing good; and 4. (discerningly) separate from undisciplined members of the church (lovingly as a brother) admonishing them for their sin, (that by shame, repentance and restoration will follow). Look at this list and consider where you are in your progress toward these roles. How fully can you be trusted to rightly administer 1? 2? 3? or 4?