1 Thessalonians 5; 2 Thessalonians 1-2

1 Thessalonians 5

The Day of the Lord

• The Day of the Lord will come unexpectedly
  • Like a thief in the night
  • Unbelievers will be caught unprepared
• Believers are children of light
• Stay awake, alert, and spiritually prepared
• God has destined believers for salvation, not wrath
• Encourage one another

 Final Instructions

• Respect church leaders
• Live peacefully with one another
• Admonish the idle
• Encourage the fainthearted
• Help the weak
• Be patient with everyone
• Do not repay evil with evil 
• Rejoice always
• Pray without ceasing
• Give thanks in all circumstances
• Do not quench the Spirit
• Do not despise prophesies
• Test everything
• Hold fast to what is good
• Abstain from every form of evil

Paul prays for God to sanctify them 

• God is faithful and will accomplish His work

2 Thessalonians 1

Author: Paul with Silas and Timothy to the church in Thessalonica.

Date: Likely AD 51-52. Probably written only a few months after 1 Thessalonians.

After receiving 1 Thessalonians, some confusion remained about Christ’s return.

Paul thanks God for the church

• Their faith is growing
• Their love for one another is increasing
• They remain steadfast through persecution

Judgment Day

• Their suffering demonstrates God’s righteous judgment
• God will repay affliction to those who afflict them
• Believers will receive relief
• Christ will return in flaming fire
• Jesus will judge those who reject God
• Christ will be glorified in His people

Paul prays they will live worthy of God’s calling

• God will fulfill every good purpose in them
• Christ will be glorified through their lives

2 Thessalonians 2

Some claimed the Day of the Lord had already come

• False messages were being sent
• Paul urges them not to be deceived

Certain events must happen before Christ’s return

• A great rebellion (apostasy) will occur
• The “man of lawlessness” will be revealed
  • He exalts himself against God
  • He seeks worship for himself
  • A restraining force currently holds him back
  • Christ will ultimately destroy him
  • Many will be deceived by his false signs and wonders

Difficult verse:  Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, 12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

• Focus on the “therefore” linking the previous verses

1. They are presented with the truth.
2. They reject the truth.
3. They delight in unrighteousness.
4. God gives them over to the deception they have already chosen.

 Stand Firm in the Truth

• God chose believers for salvation
• They were called through the gospel
• Hold firmly to their teaching

Paul prays for their encouragement and strength

Application

We are called to stay alert and know that one day Christ will return. Until then we must remember our teachings and encourage one another.