Bible Discussion Thread

INTRODUCTION TO 2 THESSALONIANS (Part 1):

We find in 2 Thessalonians that Paul's going to say that if anybody comes to you, whether it's through a spirit, making reference to somebody giving "personal revelation," by a spirit! Or whether it's through a letter, and 2 Thessalonians was written because a false letter was being circulated by false teachers that had Paul's name on it.

So, he says even if it's through a letter, or through a spirit, and it counters and contradicts what we're saying, it's false! Of course, how would the Christians in Thessalonica know that some of the things went against what Paul taught? And that's why he hurried and turned around and wrote a second letter to the Christians in Thessalonica.

I. ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Paul and his companions Silvanus and Timothy ( II Thessalonians 1:1; 3:17). Paul's inscription is on all thirteen of his letters.

II. TO WHOM IT WAS WRITTEN:

To the believers in Thessalonica who were made up of mostly Gentiles, but some Jews believed also (Acts17:4).

III. THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH IN THESSALONICA:

Paul evangelized the area of Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea during his Second Missionary journey along with Silvanus and Timothy ( Acts 17:1-9).

Paul ministered in Thessalonica for at least three weeks ( Acts 17:2).

Unbelieving Jews stirred up the unbelieving Gentiles against Paul ( Acts 17:5-9).

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy left Thessalonica and went on to Berea ( Acts 17:10).

Hostile Thessalonian Jews followed Paul to Berea and stirred up the people against Paul ( Acts 17:13).

Paul left Silvanus and Timothy in Berea while he went on to Athens ( Acts 17:14).

Paul sent for Silvanus and Timothy to join him in Athens ( Acts 17:15).

From Athens, Paul sent Timothy back to Thessalonica to check on the welfare of the believers there ( I Thessalonians 3:1-2).

Paul also sent Silvanus back to Philippi while he went on to Corinth ( Acts 18:1).

Silvanus and Timothy rejoin Paul in Corinth ( Acts 18:5).

Paul was responding to things that had been said by others to subvert the truth and cause anxiety concerning the return of Jesus. People were saying the return was imminent and would happen even right then. Thus, Satan was seeking to cause undue and inordinate anxiety among the new converts to where they might be preoccupied with their own souls so much that they would not reach out to others with the message of salvation. Today, many are still taken with this preocccupation with the "any moment" return of Jesus, which Paul said was not part of his message, but rather that that Day would not come until there was "a falling away first (people leaving the faith) and the man of sin is revealed." Therefore, as believers we can see the signs of the end play out and observe the gradual progression toward a day of firm expectation of the then imminent return of Jesus after many signs written in the Bible well ahead of time have happened. Thus "you are not in darkness that that Day should ovetake you as a thief." should be the quiet and faithful testimonial of every Christian believer after they shall have learned the word of God on this subject.