How We Know It Hasn't Happened

Introduction:

Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians provides a unique perspective.

Most other passages on “The End Times” explain the condition of the world or of Jerusalem before Jesus’ return.

Paul’s own teaching: 1 Thess. 4:13-5:11.

Jesus’ teaching: Mt. 24:29ff.

The Thessalonians, however, have someone telling them that the Day of the Lord “has happened” (see 2 Thess. 2:2).

The question that emerges from their situation is this: how do we know the Day of the Lord hasn’t already happened?

This will lead to Paul reminding the Thessalonians of teaching he had previously given them.

His teaching includes things that MUST happen before the Day of the Lord.

The New Testament is clear that the time of the end will be marked by a time of a genuine alternative to Jesus being offered to the world.

It will not be old fashioned polytheism and idol worship. It will include something new.

Paul’s Exhortation to the Thessalonians.

The Apostle, according to 2 Thess. 2:1-2, is unsure about the origins of the unsettling teaching the Thessalonians have heard.

He is, however, sure of his own teaching of them.

1 Thess. 4:13-5:11.

According to 2 Thess. 2:5, Paul expects them to remember what he taught while he was among them.

When he spent time in Thessalonica, he must have worked to eat and taught the Thessalonians on more than just Christology.

Because of the depth of his teaching, Paul...

Part 2:

Introduction:

Paul has written to the Thessalonians of things they know.

We cannot dismiss the limitations this places on our knowledge.

We can refine our understanding of “The Day of the Lord,” but Paul writes in the moment expecting to trigger the memories of the Thessalonians.

He does give them an order, but it is “bare bones.”

His purpose is to reassure them about the present, to help them make sense of their own times by refining or refreshing their memories about prior instruction.

We should take note from 2 Thess 2:4 of:

“The Temple of the God” would indicate a specific temple.

Roman emperors received cult worship, but alongside existing deities not in place of them.

The language of “appointment” to a position. The individual will do signs, wonders, and miracles (see 2 Thess 2:9), but he will be a self-appointed God.

The Suppressor: Understanding the Present

Paul brings them back to: “and now you all know.”

He refers to something that acts as a “suppressor” of the revelation of this individual.

What this is, Paul is not required to expand upon because “you all know now.”

We might could infer a divine order to the events, but that does not seem to be Paul’s main point.

What the Thessalonians have experienced, thus far, is restrained compared to what will be eventually unleashed.

Paul refers to lawlessness as a “mystery” already operative (note Eph. 3).

An alternative power and message is at work in the world.

It is only a small taste, however, because of the work of “the suppressor.”

“Only until the one now suppressing might be removed.”

His point is that the Thessalonians know their current circumstances indicate the Day of the Lord has not come.

The Lawless One: Unrestrained Rebellion

Paul adds a marker of time, “then,” after his statement about the removal of the restrainer.

He also adds a statement of clarification.

Paul describes “ὁ ἄνομος” as:

“whom the Lord will kill/destroy with the spirit of his mouth.

See Rev. 19:11-21.

“whom he will “render idle - neutralize” at the appearance of his coming.

This last statement most likely is about Jesus only.

It could be understood, especially in light of 2 Thess. 2:9, to refer to “the appearance of “The Rebel’s” coming.”

One act of vengeance that God will carry out upon those who reject the gospel is to let them believe “The Lie.”