THE PARENTHETIC PROMISSARY EPISTLE – EXPECTATION

2 THESSALONIANS

The Thessalonians are still unable to distinguish between the rage of man and the wrath of God. Their continued trials and persecution leads them to conclude that God is against them, instead of for them. The kingdom of God, which was proclaimed among them, is to be introduced by Divine judgements. The day of the Lord, in which it will be set up, opens with an unparalleled display of divine indignation. They still persist in imagining this was represented to be the apostles teaching. 2 Thess. 2:2 Greek.

“….. that you be not quickly shaken from your mind, nor yet be alarmed, either through a spirit, or through a word, or through an epistle, as through us, as that the day of the Lord is present”

In reply Paul and his fellow workers define these dreaded judgements as those which fall only on those being unacquainted with God and who do not obey the evangel, especially on such as their persecutors. Their main argument is founded upon the teaching of the first epistle in reference to the Lord’s presence and our assembling with Him in the air. They had been definitely taught that this must OCCUR BEFORE the day of His indignation.

The secret phase of lawlessness has been in operation throughout this economy, but its full development has been held in check by the presence of the saints and the Holy Spirit.

When the Ecclesia (called -out -ones) are taken out of the midst, then, and not till then , will the apostasy bear its bitter fruit. Its presence will be indicated by the appearance of the man of lawlessness, corresponding to the head of the wild beast of the Unveiling of Jesus Christ who will be seconded by the false prophet who does signs and miracles to prove his claims. Revelation 13:1:11.

”And I perceived a wild beast ascending out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on its horns ten diadems, and on its heads blasphemous names…..and I perceived another wild beast ascending out of the land and it had two horns like a lambkin and it talked as a dragon”

These delude mankind to destruction.

But the Thessalonians are not deceived by God but are ‘called out’ for salvation and belief of the truth and the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The latter part of the epistle is devoted to some practical disorders especially busybodies who do not work for their living.