If you recall, Thessalonica was the capitol of Macedonia, and the second stop in Europe for Paul on his second Missionary Journey. And remember, Paul and his traveling companions were driven out of town by an angry Jewish mob that was “livid” over the fact that Paul was making so many Jewish and Gentile converts to Christ, taking them from the synagogue and forming a new body of believers, thus becoming the first church in the city. When power and influence are threatened, people become angry, and that’s what was behind the response of the Jewish leadership to Paul’s message. If you recall, Paul and his traveling companions immediately traveled to Berea, and then they put Paul on a boat headed for Athens after learning that the same Jewish mob was coming to Berea. And so, after spending just a short time in Athens, Paul traveled by land to Corinth, where he wrote 1 Thessalonians.

While in Corinth, Paul received word from Timothy and Silvanus that although the church in Thessalonica was thriving, it had some questions about the timing of the resurrection and the return of Christ. In response, Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians as an encouragement to these believers that they need not “grieve, as others who have no hope.” Just a short time later, Paul received word that some false teaching was beginning to infiltrate their fellowship, causing these new Christians to begin to be unsettled in their faith. This false teaching had to do with a misunderstanding of the “Day of the Lord,” and so Paul used this opportunity to correct these doctrinal errors by writing his second letter, telling them that although some have been teaching that the Day of the Lord had already come, it was still in their future, and would be preceded by certain events.   

Interestingly, the return of the Lord is mentioned more times in the New Testament (318) than any other doctrine, and this letter clarifies some misunderstandings about the timing of His return, as well as the life-style changes that need to occur while they wait. Expecting His return to occur at any minute, some believers had abandoned their work and began to live off of other believers in their church community. Paul points this congregation to his own example of working (Paul was a tent-maker), and instructs the church leadership to discipline those who are “lazy” and refuse to work.

There are two important sections for us to consider in this second letter,

“See that you may not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit, or a message, or a letter as if from us to the effect that the Day of the Lord has already come. Let no one deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction” (2 Thes. 2:2-3).

 As you might expect, there has been much speculation as to the nature of the “apostasy” referred to by Paul, as well as the identification of “the man of lawlessness, the son of destruction.” Some see the apostasy as having already occurred in Jerusalem by the Jewish leadership and zealots leading up to the destruction of the city, temple, and priesthood in AD 70, while others point to a future time for the “apostasy” to occur. And some look back and identify the “man of lawlessness” as John of Gishala, one of the rebels who took over the city and set up his headquarters inside the temple, in fact, not just in the temple, but in the Holy of Holies itself. And again, others see a future, yet unidentified, “man of lawlessness” who will arrive on the world scene. Regardless, Paul wanted to drive home the point that the return of Christ had not yet occurred, and these two events needed to occur first, that is, the apostasy and the revelation of the “man of sin.”

But Paul has more to say to these Christians,

“May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ. Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition that you have received from us” (2 Thes. 3:5-6).

Of course, Paul’s admonition to these Christians is of great importance for us to also consider, that is, that we not be idle, but continue living for Christ each moment of every day, regardless of one’s opinion concerned the timing of the “Day of the Lord.” Let’s remember what Paul wrote to the church in Corinth,

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil will not be in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58).

Let’s heed Paul’s words, that we always “abound in the work of the Lord,” in whatever “work” He has called us. Sharing the love of Christ and planting seeds of the Good News of salvation as opportunities arise is the greatest work that we could ever be called to do. And in so doing, Paul encourages to know that this “toil” will not be in vain, but will bear the fruit that God intended.

Peggy and I pray that you are encouraged today. Blessings to all of you.