2 Thessalonians 2:1-12

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12

The more we obsess about the future, the less useful we are in the present. In the first letter, Paul addresses certain issues concerning the Second Coming and the disruptions caused by muddle-headed teachers on that subject. That correction had apparently gone unheeded, and he once again addresses the issue. In this passage Paul is not attempting to provide detailed clues about the future time and identity of the end-time actors. Rather, he is addressing a few major themes.

First, you will not miss the second coming. The return of Christ is not the kind of thing that happens unnoticed. 

Second, the moral wretchedness of those who oppose Christ. Eschatology is always primarily ethical; typically it focuses on the proper behavior as Christians. But here Paul looks at the immorality and lawlessness of the enemies of Christ. 

Third, there is only one way to avoid the mental, intellectual, and moral rot of a godless world, and that is “…love of the truth as to be saved.” Rejecting the gospel not only means rejecting eternal life but also rejecting that which would keep us from being completely decadent and destroyed intellectually and morally.

Fourth, and related to the above, there are forces of darkness that operate with the intent of confusing, deceiving, and befuddling even God's people for the purpose of preventing them from being effective.

So how do we respond to what Paul tells the Thessalonians? Clearly Paul doesn’t reject teaching about the end times. When he was with them, he taught them these matters. But neither does he want them distressed, overwrought, and obsessing about the second coming. The point of end times teaching is to call believers to holy lives as the way to prepare for the Lord’s return. Second, he wants to infuse the believers with hope so that they can stand strong and faithful in hardships and under pressure. Third, he wants them to never forget that the Lord has won the victory and His coming is the ultimate expression of that victory. Obsession about dates and times is never a part of the agenda.

“Lord, help me be prepared for the return of Jesus my Savior. AMEN”