Setting Expectations

What to expect when you’re expecting

One of the books that we found particularly helpful as we prepared for the birth of our kids - especially Zack, was the book What to expect when you’re expecting. As new parents, we found that this book was filled with excellent information about the development of the child in Danielle’s womb. This book provided...

knowledge regarding each trimester -

the size of the baby,

what’s normal,

what’s abnormal,

what to eat or do,

when to call the doctor

In many ways the book provided insight into what Danielle could only feel and helped us to respond to changes. We learned about when we should be alarmed and when we should stay the course. The book also helped us to grow in our anticipation of the days that Zack, Mel and Zoe would be born.

As we continue looking at 2 Thessalonians this week, we come to a passage where Paul seems to help the Thessalonians and us set expectations regarding the return of Jesus and our being “gathered” to him. We could call this passage, what to expect when you’re expecting Jesus to return.

Open your Bibles to chapter 2, the passage that Linda read a few minutes ago.

As we consider this chapter, we’ll see two big expectations that Paul seems to set.

Expectations for the future

Expectations of us in the present.

The context for this chapter, seems to be information or rather misinformation that the Thessalonians had received. Paul writes...

2 Thessalonians 2:1–2 ESV

Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.

For many Christians, this event, often called the second coming of Jesus or the parousia in Greek, is a day of great anticipation. It’s a day to which we are looking forward. This is a day that Jesus promised before he was crucified...

John 14:3 ESV

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

And yet, as we briefly considered in our study through 1 Thessalonians, we see that this day is also a day of great mystery. There are some things we know and some that we don’t. So, Paul, here seeks to correct some misunderstandings in order to help the Thessalonians and us know...

What to expect in the future

It seems that someone had sent a letter to them communicating that Jesus had already returned. It seemed that they had written a letter that appeared to come from Paul - which may be why Paul began the habit of signing the conclusion of his letters personally, even if he had a scribe for the other portions.

So, in order to dispel some of the myths around the return of Jesus, Paul uses the first 12 verses of chapter 2 to set expectations clearly.

John Stott summarizes this process stating...

“Now is the time of restraint, in which the secret power of lawlessness is being held in check. Next will come the time of rebellion, in which the control of law will be removed and the lawless one will be revealed. Finally will come the time of retribution, in which the Lord Christ will defeat and destroy the Antichrist, and those who have believed the Antichrist-lie will be condemned.”

Rather than following the exact order of the text, we’ll follow the timeline. Let’s begin with the time in which we live now. A time of...

Restraint(5-8)

2 Thessalonians 2:5–8 ESV

Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.

It appears that the doctrine of the 2nd coming was a topic of discussion when Paul was with the Thessalonians. He begins by reminding them of what he already told them. Unfortunately, he doesn’t fully reiterate that here, so as readers who are coming behind, we get to trust that what is revealed is what we need to know.

For example, Paul writes that they “know what is restraining” the man of lawlessness. This phrase has puzzled many commentators. Who is this restrainer?

One commentator suggested it could be any of about 7 different options (NIVAC). Another commentator narrowed it down to three possibilities:

The Holy Spirit

Paul and the preaching of the gospel

The power of the state - or law and order

(Stott).

Since God in his sovereign wisdom did not provide that direct revelation to us regarding this restraining power - we get to take all of this with a sense of humility. In reflecting on his, even Augustine remarked: “I frankly confess I do not know what he means.”

What we do know is that for now, there is a restraining power at work in the world that is keeping the lawless one at bay. However, once the restrainer is removed, then Paul says that we will see a time of rebellion and a revelation of the lawless one.

Rebellion and Revelation (3-4, 9-10)

2 Thessalonians 2:3–4 ESV

Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.

So, preceding the return of Jesus, there will be a big rebellion and revelation of this “man of lawlessness.” Throughout the centuries, there have been many seasons of extreme rebellion led by lawless leaders. From the Roman leaders like

Nero - who burned Christians

Domitian - who commanded that he be worshiped as a deity

Religious/Political leaders who used military might to force conversions

Authoritarians like Stalin, Hitler, Mao

There have been seasons where devastation was imposed at such a grand scale that we could assume this was the time of which Paul was speaking.

For example, imagine being in Europe or especially Germany in the 1930s. The rise of Hitler, the nationalism of bigoted religious views which eventually lead to the death of millions of Jews and the conquer of much of Europe. And yet something still restrained Hitler. Yes, he brought lawlessness or really his own kind of authoritarianism, but this coming rebellion will be much worse.

But let’s think briefly about this lawless one. John Stott notes four names that describe this person.

Antinomian or man of lawlessness - he is able to lead things in such a way that the rule of law is destroyed. Stott writes...“The rebellion will take place, according the Paul, publically and visibly on the stage of history. It will be seen in a world-wide breakdown of the rule of law, of the administration of justice and of he practice of true religion.” (Stott, 171)

Son of Destruction - in other words - this one is doomed to destruction - sure, he causes a lot of it, but will be doomed by it as well.

“The Enemy” - this man of lawlessness - the Antichrist - he will oppose everything that is called God. Finally, Stott calls him...

“The Climber” - not only does he oppose God and God’s ways, but sets himself up in position of authority as a sort of deity.

The prophet Daniel wrote about this person...

See Daniel 11:36-37

Daniel 11:36–37 ESV

“And the king shall do as he wills. He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods. He shall prosper till the indignation is accomplished; for what is decreed shall be done. He shall pay no attention to the gods of his fathers, or to the one beloved by women. He shall not pay attention to any other god, for he shall magnify himself above all.

We can see some of what this person will do and the rebellion that he will usher in. It will be massive and global. It’s possible that this person is on the earth now. It’s also possible that he won’t be born for another thousand years or more. As Christians, we can be on the lookout for someone who takes on these qualities on a massive scale.

In all of this, Paul provides a sober reminder - it will get worse before it gets better. It will get worse before Jesus returns. When Jesus comes, he will usher a sure judgment and retribution for this man of lawlessness, this instrument of Satan.

Retribution (8)

2 Thessalonians 2:8 ESV

And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.

The havoc that the lawless one wreaks may be a while in coming, but ultimately Jesus will destroy him. There will be justice. There will be divine retribution for the lawlessness and the chaos that this rebel will bring in the world.

As we considered last week, as believers, we don’t need to be people of vengeance or retribution. We don’t need people who take matters into our own hands. Jesus will do that.

Which brings us to the practical aspect of all of this, that is...

What is expected of us now

We can speculate and postulate about who this person is and what he will do. We can try, needlessly as many have done, to predict the exact date of Jesus’ return, but I think those would be foolish endeavors.

I think we can glean three expectations of us in this passage. The first expectation is...

Stability (2)

Some of the Thessalonians had become unstable because of these false reports. But Paul urged them to not be shaken by them.

2 Thessalonians 2:2 ESV

not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.

That phrase “shaken in mind” is also translated “unsettled” in some versions. It can be easy to be unsettled by speculation surrounding events and various people interpreting those events.

In the 1800s, one Pastor predicted that Jesus would return in a certain year. When that didn’t happen, he said that Jesus would return in 1914. When that date passed, his successor said that Jesus had come - only secretly. There is an entire sect established around the belief that Jesus. (Stott)

Paul’s encouragement to us is that we not be shaken by that. Fast talkers and convincing speculators have a way of leading us toward certain conclusions. And yet, as we’ve seen throughout history, they have been wrong.

While it can be a bit frustrating to think that God hasn’t given us very much information - we can trust that what he has given us is sufficient for what we need to live faithful lives. We should find stability in that!

There will be people who will continue to speculate about this rebellion and the man of lawlessness. I think that the lawless nature of the rebellion, the global impact of the lawless one, and the general universal acceptance of this person’s authority will be unmistakeable.

No matter who rises and falls in power, we get to demonstrate stability in what we we have been taught.

Secondly, I think we can glean from this passage that we should...

Stand firm (5-6,15)

in what we know

Paul writes…2 Thes. 2:5-6

2 Thessalonians 2:5–6 ESV

Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time.

2 Thessalonians 2:15 ESV

So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

The Thessalonians had the privilege of some private conversations with Paul. Oh to be able to have recordings of that. But we can remain confident in what we have been taught. We can remain connected to the teachings of God’s word.

Psalm 1:1–3 ESV

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

May we fruitful and firm as we remain steadfast in the knowledge of God’s Word.

In addition to demonstrating stability and standing firm, a third expectation that we can glean is that we should...

Stay connected (15)

In verse 15, Paul writes that we should hold fast to traditions. Those traditions are passed down through the Word and through each other. It’s not that the traditions are dogma, but the traditions help us remain stable in unstable times.

Jonathan Haidt is a Jewish background author (though he is quite agnostic personally) and social psychologist who has done a lot of research and writing on mental health, religion and politics. As a college professor, he noticed drastic changes in his students in 2012 - noting increased anxiety, an inability to converse over contrary issues, and changes in self esteem. He worked with some others on a study that was released in 2019. In this study, they found that social media was playing a huge impact in the lives of our young people. One of the biggest conclusions was kids needed to be able to put down the phones and just play. Promoting safety above all was not producing the independence and self confidence that kids and young adults truly need. Unfortunately, this study was released right before the COVID pandemic. So, right at the time when the studies said we needed to be together, we needed each other, the governing officials said that we needed to stay apart.

One of the things I found very interesting in the interview I listened to is that while he doesn’t agree personally with some of the doctrines of Jewish or Christian faith, he certainly sees a marked difference in the communal nature of faith communities. Our time together, our permission to speak into each others lives, the corrective words we express when someone gets off track all help us to maintain stability in an unstable world. We need to stay connected to each other and to the word.

I certainly don’t want to make this all about social media or even general media, but when we allow our identities to be shaped by social media’s ever-changing values, we lose the stability of identities rooted in biblical truth.

When we allow our view of future events, or eschatology, to be overly influenced by people who stand to gain from click-bait and take the Word of God out of context, we lose the connectedness we need with each other and the Word of God.

I know I’m preaching to the choir, but keep coming - keep joining in corporate worship together. Stay connected with your community groups. If the group you’re in doesn’t fit in your schedule or you’re not in a group yet, let me know and we can look at other options.

One of the values of those smaller group times together is that we have the opportunity to not only read and discuss the Word together, but we have the joy of learning from people who have lived through ever-changing trends and have remained faithful.

We will be better for it. Our society will be better for it.

President Roosevelt once said:

On October 1917, in the Ladies Home Journal, Theodore Roosevelt stated:

In this actual world, a churchless community, a community where men have abandoned and scoffed at, or ignored their religious needs, is a community on the rapid down-grade.3035

Theodore Roosevelt

Now, I don’t know that he was a paragon of biblical living, but if he could observe the value of biblical community, of church-community for a society, maybe we who are a part of that community should do all that we can to strengthen and promote, to stay connected to it.

Closing thoughts

I realize that today we have really only scratched the surface of what we can consider in this passage.

Whether you’re a follower of Christ or not, you need to know that things will get worse before they get better.

Believers, let God handle the retribution, the vengeance, the judgement. We get to remain stable in our knowledge of future events, firm in our convictions, and connected to each other and to His Word. Don’t be swayed by the instability of our society’s ever-changing values. I would even suggest that we focus more on being the people that Christ has called us to be and fulfilling the mission that he called us to accomplish than speculating about what part of the end times we are in. Jesus will come back, at just the right time.

If you’re not yet a follower of Christ, let me encourage you to consider a couple of things.

eternal perspective to your life - Dietrich Bonhoeffer has said that this life is the prelude for eternal life in the kingdom. Jesus has made redemption available to you you - will you receive his free gift

In our worl there is a lot of instability. In the body of Christ you have a group of people who can provide stability in an unstable world - in the body of Christ, you have a community that can help, come alongside, counsel, care, etc.

For those who are tempted to come to spiritual conclusions based on news or social media - in the least, stay connected to the Word, to the Lord, to his church - consider turning off those influences - or in the least, check out contrary opinions. We don’t necessarily need to stick our heads in the sand, but we need to keep a biblical perspective.

Teens and young adults - stay connected to the Lord through His Word and His Church. You are more than what society says you are.

Let’s pray.

Benediction

2 Thessalonians 2:16–17 ESV

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

Discussion Questions:

Read: 2 Thessalonians 2

As you think back to things that you have learned about end times events, what have you grown up with or learned in the past? How does this passage inform what you know about end times activities?

What is the sequence of events that Paul lays out leading up to the return of Jesus?

What are some qualities or activities that the man of lawlessness will do?

How should Christians act in light of the future events? (stability, stand firm, stay connecter - were the points in the sermon)

In verses 11-12, Paul writes that God sends a delusion. What do these verses mean? What are the implications of these verses?

Review Paul’s benediction/prayer in verses 16-17. What are the implications for Christians around this prayer?

Sources:

Constable, Thomas L. “1 Thessalonians.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, edited by J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.

Green, Gene L. The Letters to the Thessalonians. The Pillar New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans Pub.; Apollos, 2002.

Holmes, Michael. 1 and 2 Thessalonians. The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1998.

Stott, John R.W. The Message of 1 & 2 Thessalonians. The Bible Speaks Today. Downers Grove, IL; Intervarsity Press, 1991.