The Book of 2 Thessalonians

 

The second epistle to the Thessalonians was probably written from Corinth Greece not many months after the first. Apparently the first letter was misunderstood, especially regarding the second advent of Christ. The Thessalonians had embraced the idea that Paul had taught that (the day of Christ was at hand), meant that Christ's second coming was about to occur. This error is corrected in (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12), and the apostle Paul announces what first must take place before the end times. The "Great Apostasy" is first mentioned here.

2 Thessalonians 1

 1Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Paul, Silas, and Timothy, from whom the book was truly from, under the guidance of our Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

 2Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Love and peace from our Father and Lord.

 3We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; Giving thanks to God because your faith has grown and your love for each other has also grown.

 4So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: We are happy to tell other churches about your patience and complete faith in God, even with the trials and tribulations you must endure. i.e. When you have faith in God and are doing His work, Satan will always tempt and test you as a Christian.

 5Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: Plane evidence that God is always fair. "Using your sufferings to make you ready for His kingdom." As a Christian, you will have trials and tribulations because you love God; but you can endure it.

 6Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; At the same time as you suffer, God is preparing judgment and punishment for those who are hurting you. "God always takes care of His own."

 7And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, God will give you rest when the Lord Jesus returns and appears suddenly from heaven with His mighty angels. Again, here is the subject on how Christ will be revealed at His return in the second advent.

 8In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Taking vengeance on those against God and those who follow Satan.

 9Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; They will be punished in everlasting hell; forever separated from the Lord, never to see the glory of His power. (Blotted out of the book of life as if they never existed).

 10When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. Again, when Christ will return is the subject. Coming to receive His praise for all He has done for us. We will be among those praising Him because of what we have believed.

 11Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: The calling: Do you have the Faith to be worthy of His calling? Fulfill His goodness: Enough faith to keep focused on the Word of God and not false teachings? Faith and power: Enough faith to keep you from falling into a world controlled by Satan?

 12That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. "To dwell within Him and He within you." In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (John 14:2). God has made all things possible for you if you let Him in. (It is a spiritual bonding between you and Jesus Christ).

II Thessalonians 2

 1Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him. We are talking here about the return of Jesus Christ at the second advent and our gathering back to 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. Don't get upset or excited by rumors that this day of the Lord has begun. If you hear of people of having visions and special messages from God about this, don't believe them. Remember that the falling away must take place first.

 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. Do not be deceived! Christ will not return until the "Great Apostasy." (Rebellion against God, fallen away of the church, or one who gives up their professed beliefs). And the "son of perdition," one of Satan's names, be revealed. "The false messiah." (Revelation 17:8). Again, there will be no return of Christ before this happens; and there will be no "rapture" to precede this event. "Do not be deceived by false doctrine!"

 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, shewing himself that he is God. He (the false messiah), will defy God and will try to take the place of God, sitting in the temple of God in Mount Zion. (Isaiah 14:12-16).

 5Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? Don't you remember I went into much detail about these things.

 6And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. The son of perdition can only come at 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. The work this man of rebellion, will do when he comes is already going on. "We are speaking of Satan here." That war in heaven is already taking place till Michael cast Satan out of heaven. (Revelation 12:7-9). The key word here is "letteth" (katecho), Greek Strong's 2722, meaning to hold, keep, or retain. Michael the ark angel is the one holding Satan in heaven until he casts him out.

 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. This wicked one will appear and only be allowed a short time to do his work; till the Lord consumes him with the "Holy Spirit" and destroys him with the brightness of the Lord's presence.

 9Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders. We are speaking of one of Satan's roles as antichrist. He will trick everyone with strange demonstrations, great miracles, and lies, because he is the father of lies. (John 8:44).

 10And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. He will completely fool those who refused the truth of the Word that they might be saved. "Those who follow Satan will perish." Once saved always saved? I don't think so.

 11And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie. If you want to be ignorant of God's Word and follow lies, deception, and traditions of men; God will send you strong delusion to believe those lies. "He will close your eyes to the truth." (Isaiah 29:10). Look at how people are so comfortable with their teachings. "Comfortable with their spirit of slumber."

 12That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. They will all be judged for believing falsehoods, refusing the truth, and enjoying their sins.

 13But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth. God chose you from the very first to give you salvation, cleansing you with the Holy Spirit and by your trusting in the truth of the Word.

 14Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. You were told the Good News and were called by God to share the Good News and share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 15Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Keep a strong grip on the truth of God's Word, not man's word.

 16Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace. That eternal grace and life that the Heavenly Father gives us.

 17Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work. Comfort your hearts with all comfort, and help you in every good thing you say and do. "The Word and works." Are you working for God?

II Thessalonians 3

 1Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: Pray that the Lord's message will spread rapidly and triumph wherever it goes, winning converts everywhere as it did with you.

 2And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. "Saved from the clutches of evil men." Some people do not love the Lord, or care about the Word. People like that will use you if given the chance. "Be smarter than the serpent."

 3But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. The Lord will make you strong and guard you from satanic attacks. You can count on the Lord to help you stand against them.

 4And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. We trust in the Lord to touch you and help put into practice the things we taught you.

 5And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. May the Lord help your mind bringing you into a deeper understanding of the love of God and the patience for the coming of Christ. But beware; "Don't fall for the false Christ that comes first." (The antichrist is coming to deceive as many as possible).

 6Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. Here is an important order. Separate yourself from those who do not care about God, or Christians that do not follow God's Word. "You don't need to hate them, just keep your distance and don't follow their ways."

 7For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; Imitate those who are a good example when you spread the Word. (Like the apostles of Christ).

 8Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: We never accepted anything from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night for the money we needed to live on so that we would not be a burden on you. "Work for your own money." (i.e. Do not be a beggar when teaching the Word). "Here at the Good News Ministry; we do not ask for, or except donations." (The word is freely given and received as God intended it to be).

 9Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. Not that we did not have the right to receive your hospitality. "Every servant is worthy of his hire." We wanted to show you firsthand, how you should be living by example.

 10For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. "He who does not work shall not eat." (God does not care for lazy people).

 11For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. We hear that some of you are living in laziness, refusing to work. "Wasting their time in gossip." How many people do you know that are like this. (Never work and always using the system to get by). "Wasting their time gossiping and spreading lies." (Remember that Satan is the father of lies). Who is your spiritual father?

 12Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. We appeal to such people in the name of Jesus Christ; that they should stop the gossip, mind their own business, get to work, and earn their own living. "That is part of what makes a true Christian."

 13But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. Never be tired of doing right. I know it is hard today to do the right thing, but trust in the Lord to help you. "It makes you feel good when you do right." (Your rewards will be endless when you do good towards others).

 14And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. If anyone refuses to live by the Word of God, stay away from him, that he may be ashamed of himself.

 15Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. Don't treat them like the enemy, but speak to them like a brother that needs to be warned. "Maybe a little tough love if it is a friend or family member."

 16Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. May the Lord of peace bring you peace of mind and be with you.

 17The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write. Signed by Paul as proof that it really was from him. Many scholars believe that Luke did much of Paul's writings, but Paul always signed his letters when they were finished.

 18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. May the blessings of the Lord be upon you all. Amen. "That's That."

Keep The Faith,
Barton