2 Thessalonians 3 "The LORD is Faithful"

“But the LORD is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil.” (v.3)

Here in chapter 3 Paul is telling the people of Thessalonica, whether men have faith or not, the Lord is faithful. Second, he goes on to encourage them that the LORD will also establish them in their faith, so they shall not be moved from it or Him. And finally, he reassures them the LORD will keep them from evil, from sin and the dominion of it.

This short scripture should encourage us as well that; 1) the LORD is faithful, 2) He will not allow His children to be moved (from Him), and 3) He will not allow us to be tempted beyond our strength, but will enable us to both bear it and make a way for our escape.

The Truth

“Your faithfulness endures to all generations.” (Psalm 119:90)

2 Thessalonians 2 "The Antichrist"

“Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” (vv.3-4)

Here our text speaks of the antichrist, the opponent of Christ. And yet the antichrist is not Satan (1 Peter 5:8, Revelation 12:10), but is expressly distinguished from him (v.9), as the instrument of Satan. Just as Satan entered into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of perdition, so he will take possession of the man of sin, to accomplish his will.

The Antichrist will oppose and exalt himself above all that is called God, both the false gods of the heathen, and the true and living God (Daniel 11:36), and demand to be worshiped as God in the temple of God. This blasphemous arrogance, the abomination of desolation, will begin the second 3 ½ year period of the Tribulation. The Antichrist, as intimidating as he may be, will be destroyed by the brightness of Christ at His second coming (v.8).

May God help us not to be deceived or taken in by so-called “signs and wonders” of false teachers (v.9), but stay connected to His Word in order to see the truth.  

The Truth

“He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time.” (Daniel 7:25)

2 Thessalonians 1 "Rest in the LORD"

“You who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the gospel of our LORD Jesus Christ.” (vv.7-8)

Here Paul is speaking to those who are afflicted, troubled, persecuted by those who “know not God” by saying “rest” with us. The word rest literally means relax, cease from worry. For there will come a day when LORD Jesus returns from heaven with His angles and the vengeance of God will take place - rest in that.

Great advise here as there are so many things in life out of our control. Being put down or getting singled out for what you believe is never controllable, but it is defendable. Yes as Christians we will experience some form of persecution for our beliefs, but rest in the fact that there will come a day when all will be made right. 

Fight the good fight, defend what is true and righteous, then rest in the LORD, knowing He will have the final say.

The Truth

“For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His Angles; then he shall reward every man according to his works.” (Matthew 16:27) 

1 Thessalonians 5 "The Day of the LORD"

“But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.” (vv.1-2)

Paul warns that Christ’s Second Coming will come suddenly and without fanfare. Jesus’ return will be preceded by a period of divine judgment that will take the world by surprise. The phrase “the day of the Lord” appears throughout Scripture, especially in the Old Testament prophets, in contexts that speak of judgment.

This “day” really refers to a series of events that includes Christ’s return and final judgment. It will come like a thief who breaks in while the homeowner is asleep. People will believe they are in a position of peace and safety, even as destruction comes upon them (v. 3).

Jesus warned that it would be like the days of Noah: “For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man” (Matt. 24:38-39).

People have wondered about the timing of these events for generations. But those who have trusted in Jesus Christ and take God at His word have no need to worry about “times and dates.” They are waiting for the Father to send His Son from heaven and rescue them from the coming wrath (1 Thes.1:10). 

This is part of the blessed hope that comes from trusting in Jesus.

The Truth:

“Keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” (Matt. 25:13)

1 Thessalonians 4 "Aspects of Holy Living"

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality.” (v.3)

Today’s Scripture emphasizes the importance of sexual morality. According to verse 3, one of the most important aspects of holy living is to “avoid sexual immorality.” The word used in the New Testament text refers to a wide range of sexual sin. Abstaining from sexual immorality is a matter of God’s will. It is God who defines what constitutes immorality, not the culture.

God’s standard of morality demands that we control what we do with our bodies. We are not to live like animals, driven only by instinct and appetite. Paul describes an ethical landscape in which the moral practice of believers is distinct from that of the surrounding culture.

This reminder is especially timely for Christians today who are being pressured to redefine sexual standards so that practices that the Bible describes as sinful are considered morally acceptable. God expects those who belong to Christ to behave differently. Serious social and spiritual consequences are in store for those who disregard God’s ethical standard. On a social level, human relationships are damaged when people are wronged and taken advantage of through sexual sin. Spiritually, Paul warns: “The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins” (v. 6). These standards are not merely Paul’s. Those who reject them are really rejecting God (v. 8).

Therefore, abstain from sexual immorality, know how to possess your own body in sanctification and honor, love one another with a brotherly love, lead a quiet life, mind your own business, work with your own hands, comfort one another in the hope of His return. In this way we distinguish ourselves from the surrounding culture.

The Truth

“Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.” (1 Corinthians 6:18)