Obtain The Glory

Introduction

Apocalyptic movies.

Responses to the end of the world.

There’s always some remnant that survives and overcomes.

What does it take to survive the end of the world?

Be Discerning about the Parousia.

vv. 1-2

Connection to 1 Thessalonians 4-5. More questions!

The main issue here is to be discerning. Use wisdom. Don’t just believe whatever you see.

Don’t be quickly shaken or alarmed.

People that will contact me asking if something means the end of the world:

Increase in earthquakes, wars in the Middle East, gas prices...

Things which Jesus says are going to happen (well, maybe not the gas prices).

Matthew 24:6–8 ESV

And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.

Yet, people hear of these events and get either worried or excited.

The issue that the church in Thessalonica was facing was that a group had begun to say that they’d missed the return of Jesus.

The same feeling when you get home and your whole family is gone and you start to wonder if the rapture has happened!

They were being told, we were left behind! You aren’t true believers!

This is when we have to stop and think, what do we know?

Matthew 24:14 ESV

And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

PROGRESS PRESENTATION

The church has yet to complete its mission.

Look for Unique Hardships before the Parousia.

vv. 3-12

Paul speaks of a major rebellion that will occur first.

The man of lawlessness. This being one of the predicted antichrists.

1 John 2:18 ESV

Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.

“Anti-”

But, when this particular person comes, it will be in God’s perfect timing. Only when God has allowed it.

God is sovereign over history.

And Jesus wins!

2:8

Yet, there will still be those who reject the truth, continue in their rebellion, and face eternal destruction.

The Second Coming serves to motivate the church.

We need to be actively engaging people with the Gospel.

Stand Firm through the Parousia.

vv. 13-15

“But we...”

God chose them to be saved. Future tense.

Sanctification - this continual process of spiritual growth, becoming more like Jesus.

And we look forward to eventual glorification.

Glorification - being perfected in Jesus.

The things Paul had taught them about standing and growing in Jesus.

“Traditions” - teachings that are passed down.

We stand firm through discipleship.

This is why Sunday school classes are important!

This is why preaching services are important. Feeding the sheep.

Engage thoughtfully in your faith.

This is why we are called disciples.

Trust Jesus to Keep You until the Parousia.

vv. 16-17

Grace / Mercy

Mercy is when you don’t a punishment you deserve.

Grace is when you receive a blessing you don’t deserve.

Through grace, we receive comfort and hope.

This in the specific context of the Second Coming.

This is not a doctrine which should bring about fear or anxiety.

If that’s how it’s being presented by someone you are listening to, maybe you need to listen to someone else!

Thinking of the movies that were particularly popular in the 1980’s.

Instead, when we think about the fact that the end is coming, we should be established in good work and word.

Live out your faith for the benefit of a lost world.

Conclusion

An extremely difficult couple of weeks, mostly due to my doctoral program.

Honestly, I’ve been closer to quitting despite being so close to the end.

It’s in these moments that I have to remind myself that I am close to the end and it has benefited my ability to read and understand the Bible.

The result justifies the struggle.

Same is true when we think about what we endure as Believers, and not even close to what Christians in other countries face!

But, the end result of our growth and the growth of the Kingdom of God makes what we do worth it.

The teaching of the Second Coming often causes fear, but Scripture doesn’t present it that way.

Instead, it is something that encourages us, reminds us which side of history we are going to be on.

Keep in mind that we are told that life will be filled with difficulties, but in the end, there will be glory.