2 Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians

Blessed Hope

Coming Again

2 Thessalonians Summary• Work, Wait – Jesus is coming

– Jesus has work for us to do until He comes back to gather the church to Himself.

– We must work – wait, pray – watch, while waiting for Christ to return.

• In the NT, second coming of Christ is mentioned 318 times• Jesus said he was coming again (John 14:3)• 1st Thess was about Christ coming back for His church,

2nd Thess is about Christ coming with His mighty angels.• The Thessalonians are undergoing trials, persecutions.

They are also worried that they missed the coming back and are in the tribulation.

• There were false teachers who were teaching this

2 Thessalonians - Overview• Who – Paul, Timothy, Silus• What – Correct False teachings about the when “Day of the Lord”

would happen, reassure them on how to live and wait.• When – AD 53 or 54, likely within months after 1st Thessalonians.• Where – written from Corinth to the church in Thessalonica.• Why – Encourage the church in Thessalonica to stand firm and help

them reject false teachings about the second coming of Christ.• Key Verse: 2Th 2:3 Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will

not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,

2 Thessalonians Outline Ch 1

• Introduction (2Th_1:1, 2Th_1:2)

• An account of his high esteem for these Thessalonians (2Th_1:3, 2Th_1:4).

• Comforts them under their afflictions and persecutions (2Th_1:5-10) and tells them what his prayers were to God for them (2Th_1:11, 2Th_1:12).

2 Thessalonians Outline Ch 1• Paul encourages, before rebuking

• He gives praise for their growth in faith

• He reminds them that the Lord will right the current wrongs and afflictions when He returns.

• He contrasts the glorious destiny of believers with the eternal punishment of the wicked. (v 7-12)

2 Thessalonians Outline Ch 2• Paul is very careful to hinder the spreading of an error

into which some among them had fallen concerning the coming of Christ, as being very near (2Th_2:1-3).

• Then he proceeds to refute the error he cautioned them against, by telling them of two great events prior to the coming of Christ – – a general apostasy, – and the revelation of antichrist (the man of lawlessness)

• Spoken of in Daniel, Jesus (Matt 24:23-24), and in Rev 13:1-8

– concerning whom Paul tells them many things, about his name, his character, his rise, his fall, his reign, and the sin and ruin of his subjects (2Th_2:4-12). He then comforts them against this apostasy, and exhorts them to steadfastness (2Th_2:13-15). And concludes with a prayer for them (2Th_2:16, 2Th_2:17).

2 Thessalonians Outline Ch 2• Paul explains what must happen before Christ comes

back for Judgement– A great falling away – 2nd Thess 2:3, 2nd Peter 2:1– Man of Lawlessness will not appear until Christ gathers the

church to Himself in the rapture v 4 and 8.– Man of Sin will open a campaign against Christ

• Will rule with power, signs, and lying wonders. A time of strong delusions. (Matt 24:24), v9

• Establish himself in Jerusalem (Matt 24:15)• Make war with the saints (Rev 13:7)• Worshipped as God v 4• Will last 3 ½ years – Rev 13:5-6

• will be cast into the lake of fire by Christ – Rev 19:20

2 Thessalonians Outline Ch 2

• Gospel has not failed• The redemption plan is doing what the

Lord intended, gathering His church to Himself

• The mystery of lawlessness is at work v 7– Jesus said when the Son of Man comes, will

He find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:8

• The darkest clouds precede the coming golden days of the Lord.

2 Thessalonians Outline Ch 3• In the previous chapter, Paul had prayed

earnestly for the Thessalonians, and now he desires their prayers v1, encouraging them to trust in God, He had confidence in their faith.

• He presents another petition for them (2Th_3:1-5).

• He then proceeds to give them commands and directions for correcting some things he was informed were amiss among them (2Th_3:6-15) and

• concludes with benedictions and prayers (2Th_3:16-18).

2 Thessalonians Outline Ch 3• The delay in the Lord’s coming gives

opportunity for service– Don’t be troubled or idle while we wait– Evangelize the world, v1– Live a holy life v6-14

• Do not be lazy– V 10 – if a man will not work, he will not eat.

• Paul closes with a prayer and confirms that he Paul, wrote this letter. V16-18.

Significant Words – Deceive = exapatao

• εξαπαταω

• exapatao

• ex-ap-at-ah'-o

• From G1537 and G538; to seduce wholly: - beguile, deceive.