For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

Introduction

• Isn't this theme in most of the NT books? Yes; it occurs in the majority of them.
• 7 consecutive chapters on return of Christ.
• Issues surrounding the 2 Thessalonian letters are closely related. And seem to be the most urgent issues in each, and certainly in the 2nd letter.
• Thessalonica
  • Acts 17. But reading this background doesn't add so much to our understanding of the doctrinal concerns of 1-2 Thessalonians.
  • Situation of 1-2 Thess. Paul had preached that Messiah had to suffer and rise (vv.2-3), and that loyalty to him was above that owed to Caesar (v.7).
  • Paul's first three letters: Gal (48), 1 Thess (50), 2 Thess (50/51). And 2 Thess 3:17 suggests possible previous letters.
• Theme
  • What we learn is not only that he's coming back. That we already know. There's more. (Although still I admit that you can find my topic in several NT books.)
  • In 1 Thessalonians, Paul instructs the Thessalonians about the return of Christ, countering the notion that only those still alive at the end of the world will be saved.
  • In 2 Thessalonians, apparently some have misunderstood Paul to have been urging them to quit their jobs (see 2 Thess 3) and loiter around until the Lord returned. He tells these people, "Get back to work!"

Thessalonian Texts

• 1 Thess 1:9-10 -- Christ's ("second") coming from heaven. (The first coming is the incarnation.)
• 1 Thess 2:19-20 -- When the Lord returns, believers will be together.
• 1 Thess 3:11-13 -- We are to live blameless and holy lives.
• 1 Thess 4:13-18
  • Some grieving in misunderstanding.
  • No "hope" => resurrection
  • Dead in Christ will rise. Not lost to God.
  • We will join them. Not lost to God or to us!
  • Rapture? Escorting Lord to earth or is this a flight from the earth, by the traditional understanding of John 14?
• 2 Thess 1:6-10
  • Vindication of saints
  • Punishment of enemies
• 2 Thess 2:1-10
  • A false apostolic letter or report has been circulating.
  • He has not come back yet! Nor should we evade the responsibilities of life in order to wait for his imminent return (see 3:6-15).
  • Certain events must take place first. This passage is (I admit) difficult to interpret.
  • Don't be impressed by interpretations, or even miracles, that contradict this teaching.
  • Many Bible readers in our generation have been misled, too; they are focusing on signs and wonders and the end of the world, but have failed to be truly prepared in holiness.
• 1 Thess 5:1-11
  • Another misunderstanding: the business of predicting. This is fruitless!
  • Be ready, be alert (awake).
  • God's plan is that those who sleep (the dead) together with those who are awake (living) may enjoy fellowship with him.
  • The Day of the Lord will be terrible if we aren't striving to live holy lives. See Amos 5:18ff.

Summary

• He's coming back, and we'd better be ready!
• We are to be vigilant: not by analyzing current events, tracking global weather, or scrutinizing the prophecies, but by living alert Christian lives.
• He expects holiness. (See also 2 Peter 3.)
• He will bring final redemption, and justice. We must offer to Him a vigilant holiness. Which is why he looks for alert, not sleepy, followers.
• For more on the afterlife and the end times, listen to the lessons in the Last Things series at this website.

Next: The Pastoral Epistles: Christ Our Gracious Guide