2 Thessalonians

Growing in Christ

"He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures." (Luke 24:45)

Overview of Old Testament or New Testament

Links to observations drawn from other books of the Bible

Paul shares with a struggling church the hope that is in Jesus Christ.

Practical and Pastoral Observations on 2 Thessalonians (please read each chapter slowly and meditatively before reading observations below):

Introduction: Thessalonians was only the second church established in Europe, probably in the early 50's AD. Immediately following Paul's persecution in Philippi (Acts 16:13-40) Paul's team travelled 160 km to Thessalonica to share Christ, establish and encourage a new group of disciples (Acts 17:13). This letter was written by Paul to address a range of questions and problems which had arisen since then in the community, mostly due to their isolation from other followers of Christ and the difficultly of breaking free from broadly held pagan values in their social networks.

2 Thessalonians 1

Celebrating Spiritual Growth: In 1 Thess 4-5 Paul expressed concern about immaturity and inconsistency in the fruit of the lives of those he had led to Christ. Now Paul rejoices in their enlarged faith and sacrificial love (v.3). In their steadfastness as disciples in spite of persecution and suffering Paul sees evidence of God's favor (v.5), of his reason for pride in them among the young churches (v.4) and of their worthiness of the Kingdom of God and the glory to come.

God sustains His children in hard times and persecution, enabling us not only to trust His justice but to thrive in times of injustice.

Justice and Relief: Rooted in the just character of God is the certainty that God will impose justice to those who continue to persecute those who embrace Christ (v.6) and to bring relief to those now suffering persecution (v.7). Relief will come first - no later than when our bodies die, and thankfully, often sooner - but justice will also come to those who persecute God's people.

The Return of Christ: justice and glory will be applied when Jesus comes from heaven with His mighty angels and flaming fire (v.7). The just penalty of those who reject their Creator and His Messiah (v.8) will be eternal separation from His presence, grace and glory (v.9). This destruction is not annihilation but a ruin beyond words or comprehension as it seems even most or all "common grace" is withdrawn. For Christ's faithful disciples Christ's glory will be seen in two ways: Christ's glory will be marveled at as we behold Him (v.10) and His glory will be seen in those He has sanctified as we believed and followed Him.

Paul's Prayer: is that the Lord Jesus will be glorified in His disciples and we glorified in Him (v.12. Like the prayer of Jesus in John 17). To this end Paul asks God will fulfill our every desire for goodness and to see the work of faith in and through us with power and so to see ongoing evidence that God has counted us worthy of our high and eternal calling in Christ (v.11).

(v.11-12) "To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ."

So much of our daily life and service and struggle and growth will be wonderfully consummated when Jesus comes to judge the living and the death (Apostle's Creed). Therefore our eyes must always be up to heaven and forward to His return.

In summary, why will Jesus return from heaven? To bring justice to unrepentant sinners (v.6), to bring relief to His saints (v.7), to be glorified in His saints (v.10), to be marveled at in the midst of His saints, to glorify His saints in Himself (v.12).

Personal Response: I will pray blessing and benedictions (like those of v.11-12) over our children and grandchildren when we are with them. In anticipation I will gather these scriptures into a common location to aid in making this a regular process of upbuilding faith and vision.

I will persevere in faith despite afflictions (v.4), willing to suffer for the Kingdom. I will trust with hope unwavering for relief from afflictions at the time Jesus is revealed from heaven (v.7).

My Prayer: Father, may our children and grandchildren hear and be encouraged and strive with all their heart, mind and strength for the blessings envisioned in these prayers and benedictions and realize them fully in the day of His return!

Father, strengthen me from heaven, I pray, to be sustained in order to serve and suffer if need be, until the day of Christ's revelation from heaven!

2 Thessalonians 2

Stable in chaotic times: When false messages come from those purporting to be friends (or government, experts or media) the Lord holds us steady while we evaluate and seek the truth (v.2).

The Day of the Lord: is the day of judgement at the return of Christ which heralds the renewal of all things. Paul says, despite reports otherwise, that day has not begun, so do not be disturbed or shaken from your composure (v2). Several events will precede God's final judgement.

Apostasy: there will be an "aggressive and climatic revolt against God" (Ryrie) (v.3). The secular west has been pushing gradually but increasingly against Christ's rule while Marxism has done so more decisively (Marx and Satan), but the rejection is not yet global.

Man of Lawlessness: apostasy will make way for the revealing and acceptance of a man of lawlessness/son of destruction (v.3) who will defiantly place himself in a temple, exhibiting himself as God himself (v.4) until he is cut down by the breath of Christ at His return (v.8).

Some view this temple of God (v.4) as a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem, others as some secular temple to the deification of man or possibly the Vatican. Paul favors the term "man of lawlessness", John the term "anti-Christ" referring to the same person. In each case there are many "men of lawlessness" and "antichrists" in history, followed by one supreme man of lawlessness or anti-Christ defying God even with access to power from Satan producing false signs and wonders (v.9)

The Restrainer: What keeps this evil man from his apocalypse (revealing) to humanity? The restrainer is masculine in v.6 pointing perhaps to government, and neuter in v. 7 pointing more likely to the Spirit of God in the Church, a Church weakened by apostasy or government persecution.

The Deceived: Some will perish in the judgement because they did not love and seek the truth necessary for salvation (v.10), i.e. Christ and, in fact, preferred and took pleasure in wickedness (v.11). The "deluding influence" (v.11) is both "a punishment and moral result of their rejection of the truth" (Ryrie), i.e. Christ.

The Disciples: in this hostile environment, Christ's disciples have been chosen and kept by God for salvation (v.13), saved by the work of the Spirit in regeneration and sanctification and by our human responsibility to add faith, both necessary for salvation whereby we gain the very glory of our Lord Jesus Christ (v.14) and stand firm in Him (v.15).

As we anticipate the renewal of all things, "may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word." (v.16-17)

Personal Response: I will not be shaken from my composure and not deceived by lies and but stand firm in hope. I will, from that strong place in the Lord, comfort and strengthen the disciples with good words and good works.

My Prayer: Father, keep me from being shaken, discouraged or deceived by the works of the enemy, in the world or even infiltrating the Church, but be, in all circumstances, stability, truth and encouragement to the believers with every good work and word.

2 Thessalonians 3

Steadfastness in Opposition: In the context of short and long-term opposition to the Good News and to those who share it, Paul prays that the Gospel would nevertheless spread rapidly and be honored (v.1) and that in the process he would be rescued from violent men (v.2). Regardless, Jesus is faithful from heaven to strengthen against and protect us from the evil one (v.3).

Disciplined Living: The certainty of Christ's return and of the death throes of the evil one through the man of lawlessness should not distract us from our responsibility for orderly living today. This includes working for our livelihood, as Paul modeled (8-9), and doing good to benefit others (v.13).

Reformation and restoration: believers who become excitable due to external circumstances to the degree they cease work should not be extended hospitality by those who do work (v.14). This is not excommunication for sin (v.15) but an expression of disapproval seeking reconsideration by the undisciplined believer.

Peace and steadfastness: the benedictions of Paul guide us to love, steadfastness and peace from the Lord who directs our hearts in every circumstance (v.5,16). Unless physically prevented, even in times of disruption, followers of Christ should continue normal work and responsibilities to sustain themselves and serve the good of others. Personal and communal patterns of discipline help smooth the ebb and flow of instability in our community.

Personal Response: I will evaluate incoming information as it presents itself but stay on task as my default behavior.

My Prayer: Father, please direct my heart into your love and the steadfastness of Christ. Please grant peace in every circumstance, including those I don't yet understand. I trust you and will keep my heart and eye on you.