Introduction: 2 Thessalonians

2Th  •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 12
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The Purpose of the Epistle
In the first epistle, Paul corrected the error that had arisen among the Thessalonians concerning the saints who had died, or fallen asleep (1 Thess. 4:14-1814For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:14‑18)). In this second epistle, Paul corrects the error that they had concerning the living saints (2 Thess. 2:1-81Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. 5Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: (2 Thessalonians 2:1‑8)).
God knew that down through the years Christians would become confused about these things and included this epistle in the canon of Scripture to correct these false notions. It seems that this epistle is needed today more than ever, since many Christians have the idea that the Church will go through the seven-year Tribulation period that is going to come upon this world (Dan. 9:27; 12:127And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (Daniel 9:27)
1And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. (Daniel 12:1); Rev. 3:1010Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. (Revelation 3:10)). Most of these mistaken ideas come from not distinguishing between the two phases of the Lord’s coming—the Rapture and the Revelation (Appearing) of Christ—which Paul carefully distinguishes in both of his epistles to the Thessalonians. (See pages 26-28.)
Simple Outline of This Second Epistle
•  Chapter 1—Comfort for the saints who were passing through persecutions and tribulations resulting from being identified with the name of Christ.
•  Chapter 2—Correction for the saints concerning the false eschatological teaching that they had received regarding the order of events surrounding the Appearing of Christ.
•  Chapter 3—Counsel as to how to treat the practical problems that result from the bad eschatological teaching in chapter 2.