Preview of 2 Thessalonians

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Walter Stanley
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1 Preview of 2 Thessalonians The apostle Paul apparently wrote 2 Thessalonians shortly after the first epistle. His purpose for writing was twofold. First, he again encouraged the Thessalonian believers to remain faithful in their tribulation. He commended their love, patience, and faith (1:3-4), and he urged them to "stand fast, and hold the traditions" that he had taught them (2:15). He also expressed confidence that they would continue in obedience (3:4). Second, Paul wrote to correct some misunderstandings that had arisen either from a letter falsely attributed to the apostle or from misinterpreting his first epistle (2:2). These misunderstandings related to the doctrine of Christ's return. On the one hand, some of the Thessalonians apparently concluded that they were presently living in the Day of the Lord because of the persecution they were experiencing. On the other hand, others, deciding that the Day of Christ was at hand, neglected earthly duties and became busybodies. Paul declared, however, that an era of apostasy and the revelation of the "man of sin" must precede Christ's coming in judgment. The primary focus of this epistle is on the Day of the Lord. In chapter 1, Paul encouraged the believers to continue patiently and faithfully in light of the future. In the first part of chapter 2, Paul explained the development and ultimate destruction of "the mystery of iniquity." In the rest of the book, Paul exhorted the believers to careful, consistent living. To the disorderly, Paul sternly commanded, "That with quietness they work, and eat their own bread" (3:12). To the others, Paul commanded the exercise of separation (3:6) and discipline (3:14).

2 Lesson 6 7 June, 2015 The Coming of Christ and Patient Endurance Lesson Scope: 2 Thessalonians 1 Unless otherwise noted all references are from 2 Thessalonians 1 Lesson Focus Persecution was as much of an issue to the Thessalonians as it is to many Christians today. The apostle Paul himself had experienced persecution in their city (Acts 17:1-10). The encouragement that Paul later wrote to them has inspired believers during all the centuries since. The example of the Thessalonian Christians themselves has blessed many readers over the years. They demonstrated spiritual growth and prosperity in spite of persecution. They responded to opposition in such a way that their faith grew and their appreciation for each other increased. Although persecution can seem endless, Paul reminded the Thessalonians that their present sufferings were only temporary. When Christ returns, He will take vengeance on the persecutors and glorify the faithful. The unrighteous are at enmity against God. Although the Christian lives among an ungodly society, he maintains a clear focus on the future so that he "may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God." Whereas a generation ago, persecution seemed distant to many of us, new publications and better communication now inform us vividly of the fact of widespread persecution. Locally too, unsettling social developments and legal trends point to the real possibility of our facing increasing persecution. How can we strengthen ourselves for this? In the meantime, how can we strengthen our persecuted brethren? And how can we glorify the Lord in every difficult circumstance? Lesson Aim: To present principles for endurance in the midst of persecution. Theme Verse: 1 Peter 5:10. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

3 Lesson Text Ample Provision 2 Thessalonians 1:1-2 1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Temporal Suffering 2 Thessalonians 1: We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; 4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: 5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: 6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; 7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. Eternal Glory 2 Thessalonians 1: Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: 12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Questions for Study Ample Provision 1. Where is the reader's focus drawn in 1:1-2? Why is this important? 2. How do the words grace and peace comfort us when we must pay a high cost to be faithful disciples of Christ?

4 Temporal Suffering 3. What virtues were developing among the Thessalonians even as they were being persecuted? 4. What is meant by "which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God" (1:5)? 5. What kind of rest did the Thessalonians receive from knowing about the Lord's flaming fire and vengeance? 6. What are you looking forward to when Jesus comes? Use this passage to guide your response. Eternal Glory 7. What time frame is 1:11-12 speaking of? 8. How do you picture the Lord being glorified in us, and we in Him? Analyzing the Passage Note the repetition of the title "Lord Jesus Christ" in 1:1-2, 8, 12. Lord emphasizes His authority; He is our Master. Jesus is His personal name, meaning "Saviour." Christ identifies Him as our Messiah. Whether under persecution or not, we must keep our focus on Him. "The righteous judgment of God" (1:5) is an answer to the fact that the wicked often appear to prosper while the righteous suffer. In the end, God will mete out appropriate rewards and punishments based on His holiness and omniscience. "Counted worthy" (1:5) and "count you worthy" (1:11) is a blessing we receive by God's grace rather than anything we accomplish by personal merit. Everlasting destruction (1:9) accurately describes hell. Those who "know not God" will finally be banished from the presence of the Lord and all the good things that originate with Him. Principles and Applications Ample Provision 1. The persecuted can endure only as they abide in Christ (1:1). Some persecuted Christians have not endured. It is safe to say that their first failure was not in falling from the faith but in failing to abide in Christ. Do we fear persecution, wondering if we would stand faithful under test? If we are abiding in Christ at the present, we can cheerfully leave the question of our future endurance in His hands.

5 2. God provides the resources needed for victory (1:2). The words "grace unto you" do not in themselves confer grace on us, but they remind us that grace is available, usually in greater measure than we have been estimating. Once we appropriate the grace, victory follows. Once victory comes, peace comes. Once peace comes, we can conserve our strength to win more victories. Temporal Suffering 3. Responding rightly to suffering strengthens one's relationships with God and the brethren (1:3). Again, we have a choice. If we do not respond rightly to suffering, the potential value of it is lost. But when we do respond well, we are likely to reap far beyond our expectations. Our faith in God will grow exceedingly, and our love toward each other will abound. Suffering will have gone to seed! 4. Patient endurance sets an example that inspires others (1:4). The stories of patient endurance recorded through the centuries still profoundly affect our thinking and give us a heritage we treasure. The stories of Christians in various parts of the world today who suffer patiently and trustingly remind us that God's grace is current, alive, and readily available to us for whatever suffering we may experience for His Name. 5. The persecuted find rest in the prospect of God's righteous judgment (1:5-7). Although we find no gratification in the thought that the wicked will finally suffer God's vengeance, we do find rest in the thought that God will finally bring about the "restitution of all things" (Acts 3:21). Everything will be fair in the end. No evil that men commit will be too horrific to meet God's just retribution. 6. Christ will return to punish the wicked and reward the saints (1: 710). The sudden desolation that sinners have frequently experienced down through history, including today, reminds us that a final destruction for the wicked is still coming. By the same token, the large and small satisfactions the Lord has faithfully given His saints foreshadow an overwhelming reward in the future. Note in 1:10 that the glory will not be ours alone but His. Eternal Glory 7. Continual prayer is essential for enduring to the end (1:11). Here Paul did not exhort the Thessalonians to pray; surely he knew they were already praying. He assured them he was praying too. This was far from a glib "You're in our prayers," but rather a desire that "God would count

6 you worthy," would do His "good pleasure" in their lives, and would reward their "work of faith with power." We also can invest in the lives of the persecuted by (at least) praying for them. At last we will reap the satisfaction of seeing them endure to the end when we finally meet them in glory. 8. Those who endure to the end will be glorified with Christ (1:12). Exactly what will constitute that glory we do not know, although the Bible gives some hints. "So shall we ever be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:17) must be the greatest glory of all. Important Teachings 1. The persecuted can endure only as they abide in Christ (1:1). 2. God provides the resources needed for victory (1:2). 3. Responding rightly to suffering strengthens one's relationships with God and the brethren (1:3). 4. Patient endurance sets an example that inspires others (1:4). 5. The persecuted find rest in the prospect of God's righteous judgment (1:5-7). 6. Christ will return to punish the wicked and reward the saints (1:7-10). 7. Continual prayer is essential for enduring to the end (1:11). 8. Those who endure to the end will be glorified with Christ (1:12). Answers to Questions 1. Where is the reader's focus drawn in 1:1-2? Why is this important? The focus is drawn to our Lord Jesus Christ, who is mentioned twice here and also in 1:8, 12. Keeping our focus on the Lord will strengthen us like nothing else. We can look to the example of Paul, who survived by keeping his focus on the Lord. 2. How do the words grace and peace comfort us when we must pay a high cost to be faithful disciples of Christ? It comforts us to know that God's grace is available and more than enough to supply us with courage and steadfastness as long as we need it. It comforts us to know that as we find victory, peace is sure to come. 3. What virtues were developing among the Thessalonians even as they were being persecuted? Their faith in God was growing, and their love toward each other was abounding. (One might ask why Paul chose to mention these two par-

7 ticular virtues. Perhaps it is because persecution tests our faith in God and our willingness to support each other as a brotherhood.) 4. What is meant by "which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God" (1:5)? The patience and faith of the Thessalonians showed those around them that they believed God would finally make everything right. 5. What kind of rest did the Thessalonians receive from knowing about the Lord's flaming fire and vengeance? They rested in the thought that God's justice is easily equal to any crime that man could invent. 6. What are you looking forward to when Jesus comes? Use this passage to guide your response. Possible answers: The satisfaction of knowing that Someone has arrived who can set everything right (compare Isaiah 25:9). The knowledge that our personal struggle against sin was well worthwhile. The pleasure of seeing people we have encouraged in their Christian lives now finding places in God's eternal kingdom. 7. What time frame is 1:11, 12 speaking or It may refer to the future, but sharing glory with Christ in the future will happen only if we are glorifying Him in the present. 8. How do you picture the Lord being glorified in us, and we in Him? Possible answers: The Lord is presently glorified in us, and we in Him, when people see that His presence in our lives gives us victory over sin and a hope for the future. The Lord will be glorified in us, and we in Him, when He finally takes us home to be with Him. Summarizing the Lesson As a rule, it is not work that wears us out, but stress. The hard work of praying, testifying, and even enduring persecution is not likely to wear out God's people. We do not need to face debilitating stress for the Lord has provided that in the long run, a saint has nothing to worry about. For every earthly loss he incurs for the Lord's sake, he will receive not only its compensation but also its great reward. Research Guide Read Acts 17:1-14 to get a background of the suffering that the Thessalonian church faced.

The second epistle of Paul the Apostle to the. 2 Thessalonians. church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

The second epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians Chapter 1 1:1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 1:2 Grace