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When the Apostle Paul writes a letter, typically, he includes a greeting that is used in many of his other letters. He does this in 2 Thessalonians. . .
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 1:2, ESV).
After this greeting, Paul often mentions something positive about the church receiving the letter. When reading the introductions of the Pauline epistles, I’ve thought, “If Paul wrote a letter to me, what encouragement would he give me?”
I would hope it would be what he wrote in 2 Thessalonians. . .
We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore, we ourselves boast about you (1:3-4a).
Would Paul boast of me? Would he boast of you? And what was all this boasting about?
The Apostle Paul complimented the church for their growing faith and increasing love, despite undergoing extreme persecution.
Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering (1:4-5).
Next, in chapter 1, Paul shifts to the Second Coming — from persecution to Jesus’ return. Why this dramatic change? First, to encourage the Thessalonians to see the bigger picture of God’s calling. . .
To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you (1:11-12a)
And second, to help them know the timing of the return of Jesus. Throughout history, in the face of persecution or even historical catastrophe, many have said, “This means that Jesus will return soon.”
But Paul writes. . .
Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction (2:3).
It seems that the Thessalonians, during their persecution, were receiving letters from so-called prophets, probably explaining that somehow (perhaps because they didn’t believe the right teaching), they had missed the Second Coming of Jesus.
Nonsense!
False teaching is often associated with Biblical truth for the purpose of deception by the evil one (e.g., the soldiers paid to claim the apostles stole Jesus’ body in Matthew 28:11-15). So, Paul says emphatically. . .
Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 2:1-2
Let’s remember today. . .
So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter (2:15).
In chapter 3 of 2 Thessalonians, we read final instructions on how we should live until Jesus returns. . .
As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good (3:13).
Amen.