Sermon Tone Analysis

I) Shaken in mind

This was a new church, only a few months established by the time of this first letter, and perhaps only a few more months older by the time of the second letter –

They were concerned about missing out on the coming of Jesus – – and the day of the Lord –

But since that time, there have been other messages that caused some to believe the day of the Lord had passed them by – – so Paul wants to address that worry

We should not be easily shaken by claims of men to hidden truths (such as DiVinci Code), but trust in the revealed truth that has been proven for millenia

II) False signs of Jesus’ coming

Spirit – many claim such, like Joseph Smith claim that Moroni spoke to him, Oral Roberts claim to have seen angel, children from Medjugore, Yugoslavia, and many purported visions of Mary

Message – inclusive of the above, like Smith, Roberts claim to raise money, Herbert W. Armstrong, Mary Baker Eddy, etc. –

Letter – many known forgeries of apostolic writings (perhaps even Paul’s letters – ) and modern-day “companions” to the Bible, like Book of Mormon, Watchtower literature

III) One sign of day of the Lord

Apostasy – revolt or rebellion, used of political rebels in secular writing – – term suggests a major revolt by some in the church

Man of lawlessness – son of (having quality of) destruction – who opposes all others and exalts himself above them – which describes many religious leaders such as the Roman pope, leadership of JW’s, Mormon’s, cults, etc. – ; – takes his seat, a throne (of authority), in the temple of God, the church – ;

Concl: Many think the man of lawlessness is the Roman pope, but it broadly describes the self-centered attitude of many who desire power among God’s people and perhaps a local event (person) in Thessalonica.