Athey Creek | Audio Podcast

A Bible teaching titled “Through the Bible | 2 Thessalonians 2-3” from 2 Thessalonians 2-3 by Brett Meador.

As we wrap up our series on “The End,” we come to the climax and the entire point of everything we’ve studied: Jesus is coming back. In 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10, we see what will happen when He returns, and as we consider what it means to be ready for this, we learn what we should be busy doing and why it is essential to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

Paul has some very important matters to address in his second letter to the church at Thessalonica, but he begins by offering them solid encouragement in several areas. As we look at the praise he gives them, the promises he reminds them of, and the prayer he offers on their behalf in 2 Thessalonians 1, we learn how to endure trials patiently, are reminded of God’s plan for humanity, and see why we should strive to be worthy of our calling.

Much like today, there was a lot of false information about the Antichrist being spread to the church at Thessalonica, and Paul writes to set them straight in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12. As we break down Paul’s description of the Antichrist, we learn who this person is, how his impending coming is already affecting the world, and what will happen once he is no longer held back and arrives on the world stage.

In 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul speaks of a future time known as the Day of the Lord, which begins with the Rapture of the Church and continues through the events of the End Times. As Paul gives us a glimpse of what is to come, we learn why we should be alert and walking in the light as we wait for it. We then wrap up the chapter by looking at the 22 commandments Paul gives to the church on how we are to treat others and conduct ourselves.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:1–6, Paul reminds us that we should understand the times and not be caught off guard as the Day of the Lord approaches. But how will we know when it is near? As we dig into what Jesus Himself, Paul, and others teach throughout the Bible, we discover the signs that point to the End, see how they are playing out in the world today, and learn how we should live as they unfold.

Because Paul’s time with the Thessalonians was cut short by opposition and persecution, he uses his letter to share what he was unable to tell them in person, including how to handle their own appointments with trouble. In 1 Thessalonians 3-4, Paul demonstrates what it means to walk faithfully in a sinful world, encouraging us to bless others and to live in a way that sets a godly example for those around us.

Paul gives us some marching orders in 1 Thessalonians 5:6 on what we are to be about as we await the end, and it turns out that Scripture is full of similar charges. As we search both the Old and New Testaments, we learn to watch for the signs of the times and why it’s so important that we do as things unfold before our eyes.

The Apostle Paul knew what it was like to be accused, misunderstood, and criticized, and in 1 Thessalonians 2, he shows us how to respond. As we examine the characteristics of his ministry and his conduct toward the believers in Thessalonica, we find a model rooted in boldness, integrity, love, and faithfulness.

In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Paul speaks about the coming time when Christians will be caught up, commonly known as the Rapture of the Church, describing it as a key event in the End Times. As we seek to follow Paul’s charge not to be ignorant about the Rapture, we define the terminology, map out the timeline, and conclude by examining how the Bible points to a pre-tribulation Rapture.