Written by David Self Sunday, 01 February :00 - Last Updated Thursday, 29 January :24

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1 Explore the Bible Lesson Preview February 8, 2009 "You Can Feel Safe" Background & Lesson: 2 Thes. 1:1-12 Motivation: In light of the awesome "Day of the Lord" when evil people would be judged and punished (21 judgments- seals, trumpets, bowls), Paul exhorted us to be patient (Rom. 5:3-5), faithful (I Cor. 4:2), and worthy (Eph. 4:1) of our calling. Examination: I. What is Going on? (1-4) A. Greeting (1-2) 1. Author: "Paul" (1) is the author, "Silvanus and Timothy" are simply giving greetings. (I Thes. 1:1, 2 Cor. 1:19; I Pet. 5:12) 2. Date: Probably only a few months after the completion of I Thessalonians; he still seems to be in Corinth where he stayed about 18 months. 3. Theme: Believer's Study Bible, p. 1710: A Comparison of Emphases in 1 and II Thessalonians I Thessalonians 1 / 11

2 II Thessalonians Addresses how the Th Addresse The imminency and im Misunders The saints are comfor The saints Paul is concerned with Paul is co Contains the outstand Contains 2 / 11

3 Believer's Study Bible, p. 1711: "Second Thessalonians was written to assist the Thessalonians in a better understanding of life's experiences. Specific ally, Paul wrote (1) to explain the persecution being experienced by the Thessalonians; (2) to correct a misunderstanding concerning the imminence of the Lord's return; and (3) to encourage the disorderly and the disobedient to learn to live a life of self-control. The immediate cause for this second letter to the Thessalonians was evidently a spurious letter incorrectly attributed to Paul which had caused confusion concerning the order of events upon the return of Christ." In verse two, Paul offers two things he holds in high esteem, "grace" and "pe ace " B. Thanksgiving for Progress and Perseverance (3-4) 1. Faith "your faith grows exceedingly" (3) Paul bragged on their example of faith (I Thes. 1:8). Timothy brought "go od news of your faith " (I Thes. 3:6) and Paul prayed for their continued sanctification (I Thes. 5:23). Imagine Paul's rejoicing at learning of the church's growth in faith! 2. Love "The love of every one of you abounds toward each other" (3) Again, this was a popular theme in Paul's first epistle (1:3, 3:6, 3:12, 4:9-10, 5:8 and 5:13) (Eph. 3:13-19). Just as " giving thanks " was suggested as a mark of spiritual maturity, so love for other Christians is a sign of true salvation (I John 4:20-21). 3 / 11

4 3. Patience "We ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure " (4) The Greek word hupamone implies an active participation with God in transformation rather than a passive acceptance of circumstances. William Barclay comments, "It accepts the blows of life but in accepting them transforms them into stepping stones to new achievement ( The Letters to the Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians, p. 210). The "persecutions and tribulations" aren't named, but we know from history that Macedonia was the victim of a series of civil wars. Paul wrote of the Macedonians in II Corinthians 8:2 " that in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality." c.f. 8:9 (Mark 10:28-30; Rom. 5:3) The "boast" of Paul concerning the Thessalonians was one of contrast; their faith and generosity were at complete odds with their circumstances. Therefore God was obviously at work in a supernatural way. II. What is Going to Happen? (5-10) Believer's Study Bible, p. 1712: "1:5 The kingdom of God is marked by the universal lordship of the Father, who exercises control over all things. His rule will be fully manifested and unopposed when the kingdoms of this world are overcome through His Christ (cf. Mark 1:14, 15; Rev. 19:11-21; 20:4-6)" 4 / 11

5 A. Manifest Evidence (5-6) 1. "The righteous justice of God" (5) "... it is a righteous thing with God to repay..." (6) God can be trusted to set things right. He alone is worthy to "balance the columns." In fact, God claims this as His prerogative " Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord " (Rom. 12:19b) Evil doers will be punished with His infinite justice. We are to be overcomers. (I John 5:4) 2. "That you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer " (5) At no place are we taught in the New Testament that works or circumstance will grant admittance into God's kingdom. Salvation is always presented as a faith-based proposition (Eph. 2:8-9). Paul is sharing here that the " persecutions and tribulations you endure " for His sake are a proof that you have been saved by faith. B. Millennial Experience "... to give you who are troubled rest..." (7-8) B eliever's Study Bible, p. 1711: 1:7, 8 " Rest' may be synonymous with the times of refreshing' prophecy of Acts 3:19. If this is correct, Paul is making reference to the Millennium. The word speaks of a relaxation of strain' once God's purpose has been satisfied in history. 5 / 11

6 The Lord will be revealed as the Great Judge, surrounded by angels, sending fire from heaven to culminate in the judgments of the Tribulation period as He comes to rule all nations (Ps. 2:8; Rev. 19:11-20:6). These verses should not be confused with the earlier event of the rapture, which features no overt acts of punishment of the world and is described in 1 Thes. 4: The word translated revealed' is actually a noun, and it means an unveiling,' a disclosure.' Of the 22 uses of this word in the Greek New Testament, 13 are in Paul's epistles. The vengeance described here is not vindictive but is the proper administration of justice (see Matt. 28:18; John 5:22) toward those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ' (v. 8). Here obey' serves as a synonym for saving faith." (Ps. 90:4; 2 Pet. 3:8) C. Multiplied Equity "These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power & quot; (9) J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Gospel, vol. 5, p. 410: "Scripture not only says very little about heaven, it says less about the condition of the lost. It is so awful that the Holy Spirit has drawn a veil over it. There is nothing given to satisfy the morbid curiosity or the lust for revenge. When God judges, He does not do it in a vindictive manner. He does it in order to vindicate His righteousness and His holiness. There is nothing in the Scriptures to satisfy our curiosity about hell, but there is enough said to give us a warning. It does not mean that it is less real because so little is said. Actually, Christ Himself said more about hell than did anyone else. Hell is an awful reality." 6 / 11

7 D. Magnified Expression "When He comes in that Day..." (10) Believer's Study Bible, p. 1712: " 1:10 That Day' is a reference to the Day of the Lord, the time of God's demonstration of His glory over all opposition (cf. 1 Thes. 5:1, 2). It begins with the opening of the Tribulation (Rev. 4-19) and comes to a close with the establishment of the new heavens and the new earth (see Rev. 21; 22). It will be a time of retribution, redemption, and restoration as God makes all things right." III. Prayer for Jesus to be Glorified in Believers (11-12) A. Intercede "Therefore we also pray always for you..." (11a) Paul instructed the Thessalonians in his first epistle to " pray without ceasing " (5:17). Having clearly presented the awesome finish to this age as well as the horrible end of those without Christ, Paul is compelled to lift up the Believers in prayer. B. Inspire "that our God would count you worthy of this calling..." (11) Ex plore the Bible Commentary (Winter, 2001), p. 108: "God's calling' as Paul typically used the term, referred to the decisive moment of conversion when a repenting and trusting sinner moved out of darkness into light. His calling' would refer to God's effectual call that embraces both the invitation to Christ and the positive response to the invitation. Calling' includes both God's offer of the gospel and our obedience to it. For Paul, the called' are not simply the invited' but are the ones invited who respond positively. 7 / 11

8 Count you worthy' envisions the goal that Christians walk in a manner worthy of God's call into His kingdom and unto His glory (1 Thes. 2:12). (John 17:5, 22-24; Eph. 4:1) C. Invest "and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power " (11) 1. Great purpose: The New English Bible translates "and mightily bring to fulfillment every good purpose." Christians are people with a mission. Jesus called us to " life... abundantly " (John 10:10a); Paul instructed the Philippians " for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose." (2:13 NIV). Christians are not left on earth for our purposes but for His. (Eph. 1:3-14; 2 Cor. 9:8) 2. Great Projects "the work of faith" Having a great purpose quite naturally results in having a great job to do. Jesus outlined the work in His Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20). He said, " My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work " (John 4:34). Paul referred to the " work of the gospel " (Phil. 2:22) and the " work of Christ " (Phil. 2:30). Paul's prayer for the Colossians was that they would be " fruitful in every good work " (1:10). 8 / 11

9 He urged them " Whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord..." (Col. 3:23). In his first letter to the Thessalonians he mentioned their " work of faith, labor of love " (1:3) Christians are truly saved to serve. (Luke 19:10, 13) 3. Great Power "with power" Clearly our purpose and projects will be to little effect without His power. Jesus said "without Me you can do nothing " (John 15:5, c.f. Mark 10:27) In Luke 4:14 Our faith is to rest not on men's wisdom but on God's power (I Cor. 2:5). Our weapons of spiritual warfare have Divine power (2 Cor. 10:4). To the Ephesians, Paul prayed that they would know God's power (Eph. 1:19), appropriate His power (3:20), and be strengthened by His power (6:10). God will not ask out of us what He does not place in us. What He calls us to do, He will empower us to do it! (Phil 3:10) D. Instill "that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ &qu ot; (12) Christ is in us and we are 9 / 11

10 in Christ in order to glorify His name. Jesus prayed for God to glorify him (John 17:5); He also said that Peter would glorify God by his death (John 21:19). We may not bring glory to Jesus' name by being rich or famous; however, we can accomplish our purpose by being obedient and faithful. Application: 1. Endure hardship with patience. 2. Expect Christ's return. 3. Experience God's power. Leader Pack - Item 16: Poster: Unit 3 Outline; Item 17: Handout: "What Does God Want of Me?" Biblical Illustrator: p. 72 "To Be A Saint" Notes: **You may access David's Lesson Preview in MP3 format at: y.org/ ; Dates: 1 1/13-3/31 - LivingProof with Beth Moore; 1/14-5/13 - Midlink; 1/24 - Share Your Faith Workshop; 1/ Song of Solomon Conference; 10 / 11

11 2/1 - Tim McKenzie all three services; 2/6 - First Things First; 2/8 - FBA Day in Worship Services; 2/27 - Summit Winter Retreat; 3/5-6 - FBA Spring Musical; 3/6 - First Things First; 3/8 - Time Change Sunday; 3/22 - Guest Speaker - Curt Jones all three services; 3/29 - Spring Loaded. 11 / 11