10: Assurance about the Lord’s Coming (2Thess 2:1-17)

I.       The Basics

A.     Setting

While writing about the judgment of God in the last chapter, Paul referred to the coming of the Lord. Now, Paul instructs the believers on the timing of this event. Apparently, some believers had been shaken by the false claim that the day of Christ has already come. Paul assures the believers that the day has not yet come by pointing out that the lawless one must first be revealed before the Lord returns. He also gives thanks to God for His election of the Thessalonians, encourages them to stand fast, and prays to God to comfort and establish them.

B.     Key Verse

            “Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle” (2:15).

C.     Did You Know…?

1. “Shaken” (2:2): “The Greek for this verb was often used of a ship adrift from its mooring, and suggests lack of stability.” ^6/1830

2. “The falling away” (2:3) translates the Greek word apostasia, from which the English word “apostasy” comes..

3. “The son of perdition” (2:3) means “the one doomed to destruction” (cf. Jn 17:12).

II.    Observation

A.     Outline

(2:1-4)

(2:5-12)

(2:13-15)

(2:16-17)

B.     Key Words/Phrases

III. General Analysis

1. Compare the first two paragraphs with the last two. How do they contrast and relate to each other?

2. Read the following passages, which also refer to the lawless one, and record your observations: Dan 7:8,20; 8:24,25; Mt 24:15; 1Jn 2:18,22; 4:3; and possibly Rev 13:1-18; 17:8. Note the distinction in 1Jn 2:18 between “antichrists,” many of which have already come, and “the Antichrist,” which is yet to come.

IV.  Segment Analysis

A.     2:1-4

1. Why would believers be shaken and troubled by the false claim that the day of Christ had come?

2. What three possible sources could the false claim come from?

3. What two events must precede or initiate the day of the Lord? Explain these events.

4. What are the nature and works of the man of sin?

B.     2:5-12

5. Why is the man of sin not yet revealed?

6a. What is already present in the world?

6b. Have you witnessed its presence today? Give some examples.

7. What will be the end of the lawless one?

8. Who is behind the lawless one? What does he aim to accomplish?

9. How will the lawless draw followers, and who will be his followers?

10. In what ways do people today reject the love of the truth? Why do they refuse to believe in the truth?

11a. What will God do to the followers of the lawless one? Why?

11b. How can we take this as a warning for ourselves so as to not fall under condemnation?

C.     2:13-15

12. What does the word “but” in verse 13 indicate?

13. What does this paragraph teach about

13a. Election

13b. Salvation

13c. Calling

13d. Glory

14. What does it mean that God saves us through the sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth?

15. How does the command in verse 15 relate to the preceding verses?

D.     2:16-17

16. What “everlasting consolation and good hope by grace” has God given us (16)?

17. What kind of comfort and establishment is Paul praying for (17)?