The Life & Teaching of Paul

1 Thessalonians (Part 4)

Paul’s Eschatology: The Great Tribulation

1 Thessalonians 5 & 2 Thessalonians 1

Christopher W. Martin © 2019

I. Review of Pauline Prophecy & Eschatology

 Regarding our death and afterlife (v. 4:13-15)

 Regarding the Rapture (4: 16-18)

1. The Return (of Christ) (v. 16)

2. The Resurrection (of the bodies of deceased Believers) (v.16b)

3. The Rapture (of living Believers) (v.17a)

4. The Reunion (v.17b)

II. Regarding the “Day of the Lord” (5:1-11)

A. Background:

 In Contrast to the “Day of Christ.” (i.e. the Rapture)

1 Corinthians 1:8; 2 Corinthians 1:14; Philippians 1:6 & 10

 The Rapture brings an end to the Age of _________.

 The Rapture: The Church has not __________ ____.

 Old Testament Prophecy: “The Day of the Lord”

 The Tribulation: The Church does not have to _________ ___.

 New Testament Prophecy

o The Believer’s Big Question:

o The Bema Seat Judgement (1 Corinthians 3: 12-15; 2 Corinthians 5:12)

 The Believer’s Judgment: The Church will ________ ___.

B. Secrecy (of the Time) (v. 1-2a)

 “times and seasons”

 “Day of the Lord”

 “like a thief in the night.”

C. Suddenness (of His Return) (v. 2b-3)

1. False Security

2. Fear of Destruction

3. Final Judgment

D. Safety (for the Believer) (v. 4-7)

E. Seriousness (for All) (v. 7-11)

III. The Tribulation of God – part two (2 Thessalonians 1)

A. The Church Could Endure the “Tribulation of Man.” (v. 1:1-5)

B. The Church Would Escape the “Tribulation of God.” (v. 1:6-12)

1. The Reason for the Tribulation (v.6)

2. The Time of the Tribulation (v.7)

3. The Recipients of the Tribulation (v.8)

4. The Nature of the Tribulation (v. 9)

5. The Results of the Tribulation (v. 9)

IV. Application