[Book of 2 Thessalonians] How the 2nd Coming Influences the Believer

316 BC, 26 villages were merged together to form this city. This port city gave the best access via Mediterranean to the ports in Syria, Palestine, and Egypt.It was the largest city of the Roman province of Macedonia City was named after the sister of Alexander the Great

Geographical/Topographical:

Located on the eastern coast of Macedonia

Religious context:

city worshipped pagan deities, sons of Zues who were protectors of the Alexandrian ship -

KJV 1900And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.

also included worship of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and joyCabirus, a Thracian god believed to protect sailors and aid fertility these cultic religions meant that there was sexually explicit activity and imagery in the city -

Economic context:

much of their success lay in the place were they were located, joining land and sea - good for commerce

Apostolic Consideration:

Paul visited the city during his second missionary journey: Writing: probably while Paul was in Corinth

This book:

Three major divisions:

Affliction for the name of Christ (as evidence that they are followers) -

False teaching about the 2nd coming of Christ -

Idleness of some in the body of Christ -

Proposition:

Suffering as a Sign - Suffering points us to the 2nd Coming -

(a) A new way of considering suffering (v. 5)

Bassler observes, “Thus the temporal suffering is no longer a sign of rejection by God. In this theological framework it is viewed somewhat paradoxically as a sign of acceptance by God insofar as he offers through it an opportunity for his elect to receive in this age the punishment for their few sins, thus preserving the full measure of their reward in the age to come”

(b) An assurance of God’s justice - Illustration: Why I don’t want to grow up to be an Avenger

How am I assured that justice will actually prevail one day?

(1) The nature of the God of the Bible is a God who avenges (v. 6)

* No one really wants a God who does not carry out justice, but human nature cannot be underestimated. Pilate underestimated the hatred of human nature.

How (by what standard) will all wrongs be avenged?

ill: recent avengers, they try to control by providing an international set of rules

(2) The gospel of Jesus Christ assures us of injustice being avenged (v. 7 - 9)

How does the gospel of Jesus Christ assure me that all injustice will be avenged?

The gospel is the creator coming the first time and assuring us that he will come a second time.

The gospel is the creator suffering the ultimate injustice by humanity (separated from his Father) and for humanity

The gospel is the creator calling all peoples to immediately recognize his unjust suffering and accept it as your punishment paid.

The gospel is the creator calling you to swear allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ. The gospel is the creator calling you to exalt and admire the Lord.

Illustration: friend grew up in Middletown - living in China - police arrested...etc

Why can followers of Jesus Christ find relief right now in God's payback plan?

(1) The return of Jesus & his angels (implication is that there is a spirit world) (v. 7)

(2) The retribution of Jesus (v. 8)

(3) The reasoning for this justice (v. 8)

(1) Retribution on those who rejected the gospel

(2) Glorification in those who received the gospel

Recap: Suffering as a sign - Suffering points us to the 2nd Coming

Secure about the Second Coming - the security of the believer is understood by clarity of the 2nd Coming -

(a) The Antichrist - walk through ; compare to , , ,

(b) The Assurance in an eternal salvation -

Application:

Apostolic teaching has not changed, so neither should the stability of our faith in what has already been given. teaching that Jesus is not returning - People assuming apostolic authority or speaking things contrary to what the apostles have already said.

Affront to those who give date and time for the return of Jesus Christ

Affront to those who come up with new and different theories about the return of Christ

Affront to those who say they have received a new revelation from God about the return of Jesus Christ.

Reminder: The Scripture is complete (external evidence)

Josephus evidence

The Rabbinic Literature

The early church fathers

The list of books by Melito, bishop of Sardis [A.D. 170]

Recap: Suffering as a sign - Suffering points us to the 2nd Coming

Recap: Secure about the 2nd Coming - the security of the believer is understood by clarity of the 2nd Coming.

Subordinate as servants - Saved individuals live a certain way because of the 2nd Coming -

(a) Paul’s heart for them -

(b) The problem with laziness (explain cultural idea of Greek people) - ,

Approve of gainful employment and admonish those who are lazy.

Affront to the something for nothing mentality

Affront to those who leach off of other people because they are lazy

Affront to those who have convinced themselves and a doctor of their disability - so they are lazy

Affront to those who are so lazy, they are involved in the perpetual pursuit of excess pleasure

Affront to those who are too spiritual to work.

Conclusion:

Because of what God has done in the gospel:

We are assured that suffering is evidence that we are in the gospel.

We are assured that we are securely saved.

We are affirmed to be diligently working by Jesus Christ -

Recap: Suffering as a sign - Suffering points us to the 2nd Coming

Recap: Secure about the 2nd Coming - the security of the believer is understood by clarity of the 2nd Coming.

Recap: Subordinate as servants - Saved individuals live a certain way because of the 2nd Coming

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