1 st and 2 nd Thessalonians

Transcription

1 1 st and 2 nd Thessalonians Lesson 10 2 Thes. 2:1-12 Review - Themes Some major themes of the letters Their faith appreciation and concern The Day of the Lord Sanctification exhortations unto holiness Further guidance for a young church 1

2 Review Some Lessons So Far Paul begins both letters boosting their spirits and instilling confidence. Do we do this with one another? Paul was a model of boldness. Are we bold in our approach with the gospel today? Let us be constant in prayer and thanksgiving to God. We should be excelling (abounding) in our walk with God. Don t be satisfied with where you are. Grow! Strive to do more to please God. The question we need to be most concerned about is not when shall the Lord return, but are we ready for the Lord s return? 2

3 Key Lessons The Lord has not already returned. Do not let anyone trouble you with such teaching. The day when we will be gathered together to Him is yet to occur. Be on guard against the possibility of apostasy. It can be a very gradual thing and we can get caught up in it if we are not vigilant. Do not be afraid to expose error and call it what it is. Speak out against it and warn your brethren. Discussion: 2:1-3 What has apparently troubled them? That the day of Christ had already come and they were unaware of it. Or, that the day of Christ was present or near Bible scholars divided on which is correct had come or is at hand - enistemi (en-is'-taymee ) - to place on hand, impend, be instant, present Hinges around verb tense. Gaebelein, Lenski, Vine, and Hendriksen viewed it to be the former meaning. Robertson and Lightfoot the latter. 3

4 Discussion: 2:1-3 Troubled Let s just assume that the fear was that the day of Christ had already come. The source of this erroneous notion is unclear False prophecy ( spirit ), false teaching ( word ), or deceitful writing ( letter ) Imagine how they must have felt (1 Cor. 15:13-19) Paul addresses it - starts with reassuring words brethren relationship with each other and with God gathering together to Him confidence one day will all be with the Lord Then, he asks them to not be soon shaken in mind Discussion: 2:3-5 Two things must first occur The falling away will come first And the man of sin will be revealed Paul reminds them he told them Gentle chiding Also learn they probably had more information about all this than we have revealed to us in this letter 4

5 Discussion: 2:3 Greek word for falling away? apostasia - defection from truth, apostasy, falling away, forsake Other passages Acts 20:28-30 Men from among the eldership in Ephesus Will speak perverse things literally, distorted truth Will draw away disciples after them 1 Tim. 4:1-5 Some will depart from the faith; will give heed to deceivers Will be hypocritical and speak lies; conscience will be hardened Will forbid to marry; command to abstain from certain foods Discussion: 2:3 Other passages 2 Tim. 3:1-8 in the last days lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, 2 Tim. 4:1-5 Will not keep to sound doctrine Will seek teachers who say what they want to hear Will turn to fables and away from truth 1 Jn. 2:18-19 even now many antichrists have come Jude Mockers Walk according to their own lusts Likely not all these are referring to the same apostasy 5

6 Discussion: 2:3-10 Describe the man of sin Sins and leads others to sin Son of perdition (destruction) will cause himself and others to be destroyed He leads the fall or apostasy Opposes God and exalts himself Sits in the temple of God and sets himself forth as God Is lawless Has power, signs and lying wonders Discussion: 2:7-8 When would this apostasy begin and end? Beginnings already at work at that time Would continue until the Lord s return This apostasy: Had its beginnings in the first century Continues to this day Will continue until the Day of Judgment Would be a gradual thing - already at work Apostasy is often like that very gradual Let us be on guard against it even today 6

7 Discussion: 2:6-8 What or who was restraining it? he who was restraining would do so until he was taken out of the way Most likely the Roman rule; would eventually be taken out of the way The he in this case - Roman emperors. Whatever it was, it was obviously known them After the restraining power would be removed, this apostasy would then be unrestrained And, the lawless one would be revealed Discussion: 2:9-12 Who is really behind this apostasy? Satan Those who would be deceived Those who perish Did not receive the love of truth Believed strong delusion; believed lies of apostasy Will be condemned Did not believe the truth Had pleasure in unrighteousness 7

8 Discussion: 2:1-12 Who was/is the man of sin? Satan An infidel Jew or the Jewish state A Roman emperor or the empire The Roman Catholic papacy 20 th century political leaders such as: Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini, a yet-future world monarch The Masonic Lodge The apostate liberal church The ecumenical movement All heretical movements Evil or ungodliness in general Discussion: 2:1-12 Language does not demand that it be a single individual Just as this is the case in other examples: 1 Pet. 2:17 Fear God. Honor the king. Mat. 5:25 Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. The man of sin could be any who fit that description not just one individual 8

9 Discussion: 2:1-12 My opinion: man of sin the succession of Roman popes The apostasy Catholicism The key points: A general apostasy Apostasy that would produce the man of sin was already developing A restraining power and/or person was holding back the apostasy Thessalonians knew the restrainer The man of sin would be revealed when the restrainer was removed The man of sin would sit in the temple of God He would oppose God, exalt himself, and claim Divine privileges He would utilize false miracles Would deceive those who love not the Truth; cause them to be lost He will continue until the second coming of Christ Summary What does Paul accomplish? Clears up misunderstanding about return of the Lord. Had not already occurred and was not imminent Certain things must first occur Describes in sufficient detail the apostasy and the man of sin that must first come Such apostasy would then continue up until the return of the Lord, the Day of Judgment, when this man of sin will be consumed and destroyed 9

10 Key Lessons The Lord has not already returned. Do not let anyone trouble you with such teaching. The day when we will be gathered together to Him is yet to occur. Be on guard against the possibility of apostasy. It can be a very gradual thing and we can get caught up in it if we are not vigilant. Do not be afraid to expose error and call it what it is. Speak out against it and warn your brethren. 10