The Bible Series 2 Thessalonians
Notes
Transcript
Our own struggles and persecutions...
Our own struggles and persecutions...
Remembering in communion we always close with… until He comes… we are looking to the day in which He returns!
As things on this earth get more difficult, as chaos and evil increase we long for and look for that day all the more
Many have approached me over the years and much more so recently… concerned at whether we are in the end times
We see trials increase, persecution intensifying, hardships, and evil
YET… IT WILL BE WORSE!!!!
My answer remains the same… it very well could be, but we are definitely one day closer
The people Paul writes to have seen an increase in trials, persecution, and evil… so Paul writes to address their concerns and also adds some very STRONG DIRECTIVES FOR THEM as well…
Book Introduction
Book Introduction
Paul once again is writing with his two colleagues… TO: “the church BELONGING to God!!!!”
This is written only a few months later!!!
PLEASE NOTE: Jerusalem will be destroyed along with the Temple in in 70AD
Soon after Israel would cease to be a nation with a homeland until May 14th, 1948
GRACE & PEACE are extended to these dear saints...
Consider Paul’s words here 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4
Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater; therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure.
Here they are, Faithful to the Lord, Loving the other saints,
They are following through with Paul’s instruction from his first letter… “do this all the more”
Jesus declared to those who would follow Him… John 16:33
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
These saints are commended for their perseverance,
YET!!! They are concerned due to lies, and false teachers that they have missed Christ, that they are in the time of the “Day of the Lord!
“Day of the LORD!”
“Day of the LORD!”
I want to kindle your remembrance… the day of the Lord Paul spoke of was from the scriptures (Old Testament) teachings!
Dealing with the wrath of God poured out on evil, mankind’s sin
Ezekiel
Ezekiel
God’s wrath would be poured out on sin and evil
Jew and Gentile alike
FOLLOWING this is HOPE
First in the first coming of Christ (at Calvary)
Second when Christ returns to RULE!
Ezekiel Timeline
Ezekiel Timeline
Looking at the grand timeline of things we see this wrath full-scale during the time of the Great Tribulation
Daniel
Daniel
The last portion of Daniel speaks to prophecy that declares:
God does not forget Israel in the end
There will be wars and rumors of wars
God will keep His promise
Daniel Seventy Weeks
Daniel Seventy Weeks
There is an age of the Gentiles that we are in now
The last week (7) has yet to happen…
The one called anti-christ will come into play and power
Joel
Joel
The day of the Lord… judgment
God will restore Israel and sit on the throne of David and rule
Habakkuk
Habakkuk
Declares God’s resounding answer… YES I will deal with SIN!!!
His judgment is coming… His righteous Holy wrath is being stored up
Zephaniah
Zephaniah
God continues to plead with Mankind… REPENT
ALL nations ALL peoples of the earth will face His wrath!
YET… repentance is offered but there will be a time when it is too late!
Zechariah
Zechariah
Spoke of His two comings...
First as rejected Messiah
Second as reigning KING!!! HE WILL RULE JUSTLY!!!
Mountains
Mountains
The time of the prophets saw this in a perspective not able to fully see God’s plan for His bride the church
The coming of Christ was seen but the church was not seen or understood
Pyramids
Pyramids
Paul in his letters has spoke of the mystery of the church revealed
The coming of Christ is yet to come
AND… when He comes it will be preceded by His wrath on sin and evil…
Are we then to face this wrath, endure the HOLY and RIGHTEOUS ANGER of GOD ALMIGHTY???
Scriptures Declare:
Scriptures Declare:
“He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation.
Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.
For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.
For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Last week we looked at the timeline of the Comings of Christ … Review
Both comings brought HOPE… Peace and Grace for the believer
With the rapture we “go to Him” we are caught up
Tribulation Timeline Closer...
During the wrath God pours out during the Great Tribulation
We are NOT subject to His wrath
7 seals opening up His wrath… 7 Trumpets heralding His wrath… 7 bowls pouring out His wrath
Meanwhile we are enjoying the Marriage Feast of the Lamb in Heaven as His bride!
We are preparing to come with Him when He returns to rule with Him
Which brings us to 2 Thessalonians… concerned and fearful that they missed being gathered to Christ and are now experiencing “The Day of the LORD!”
Overview of Book
Overview of Book
Paul is encouraging these saints to REMEMBER what things you were taught!!! (OT Scriptures!)
These are three BRIEF chapters filled with encouragement, doctrine, and warnings…
Chapter 1
Chapter 1
He declares they belong to God, His possession!!!
PERSEVERANCE is commended… these saints are doing the work of ministry
They are assured GOD SEES and that GOD WILL JUDGE
All the more though Paul encourages them to continue on to keep persevering… then he addresses the issue head on:
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Look closely at 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4…
Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.
In verse one there are two things occurring here “and” and in one event we are gathered “to Him”!!!
NOTE ALSO: Paul makes a bold declaration here!!! GOD DOES NOT CHANGE… His word is absolute and unchanging!
Even if Paul changed don’t listen
If others come deceiving you don’t listen
Regardless of “spirit” or a “message” or even a “letter” (Form does not matter) God’s Word is THE STANDARD!
The apostacy comes before Christ returns…
APOSTASY = open defiance of God
The man of lawlessness = The Anti-christ
Sits in the TEMPLE as god… (destroyed in 70AD)
Paul says… remember!
NOW… this cannot happen until… SOMETHING OCCURS…
I love the way 2 Thessalonians 2:6-8 put this...
And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming;
The restrainer is removed! and you know “who he” is! The Holy Spirit!!!!
Not the church but Christ in the church!
He restrains him “until” he is removed… goes somewhere else (gathered up to)
“THEN” these things can occur!!!
Please recall James 4:5 states
Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”?
In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 it clearly states
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.
This chapter describing this anti-christ and his apostacy ends with:
Be comforted with these words
Enjoy good hope
This is yours in Grace
So with comforted and strengthened hearts … Paul issues a warning and a stern COMMAND in chapter 3
What we Need to Do!
What we Need to Do!
In this warning we are told what we are to do with this information about the anti-christ and the coming “day of the LORD!” (CH 2)
1- Declare the gospel!!! in 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 it is a powerful charge…(KEY VERSES)
Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you; and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith.
The truth of the coming end should spur the church to declare the gospel of Jesus Christ
2- DON’T BE LAZY… Paul calls this laziness “an unruly life”
Dependent on others “waiting” for Christ return
Don’t be busybodies “acting” worthless and Paul had stern words…
“if you don’t work, you don’t eat!” admonish them as brothers and sisters in Christ (command)
3- Don’t grow weary… perseverance. cheer each-other onward… PRAYER
How long pastor? Suffering is hard… and so we remember the suffering and sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ… “Until He returns!” Come Lord Jesus