2 Thessalonians Chapter 2
A word of Warning, continued
Although the warning here comes near the end of this chapter (Verses 9-12 respectively) nevertheless for the sake of those not so familiar with the implications of the text we should begin with Verse 1 in order to get the full picture of events, some of which is in the past, and some of which is yet still future. Another reason for our going into such detail in this particular instance is because we believe this particular study will greatly aid us in our study of Matt 24, particularly Verses 25-27.
VERSE 1 “Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you…”
Paul was entreating the Thessalonians: “We beseech you, brethren, concerning the presence [Greek parousia] of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Second Advent), and our gathering together unto him.” He was the apostle who showed, particularly, that at the end of the Gospel Age, the presence would be a period of time and that those who slept in Christ would be raised first. Later the feet members of the body of Christ (those still alive this side of the vail) would (upon their deaths and the faithful completion of their sacrifice) be invisibly and spiritually raptured [translated] as a group. (To have a single last member would detract from the first, the head and the preeminence given him.) As pictured by Elijah’s having been taken up by a whirlwind, a class will be taken together. When John the Baptist was beheaded, he portrayed the last members (plural) of the body of Christ.
At the end of the age, there are two collective gatherings of faithful Christians: first, the dead in Christ, which took place in 1878 A.D., and then the feet members at a yet-future date (1 Thess. 4:17). In between these events, saints who die now as individuals do not sleep but are instantaneously changed (1 Cor. 15:51, 52). When Paul uttered these words, however, he was probably thinking of himself and the brethren at Thessalonian, rather than the feet members especially, but he was quite aware of both.
VERSE 2 “…not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.”
Paul was cautioning the Thessalonians not to be soon shaken “by spirit” (doctrine), “by word” of mouth (a rumor, for example), or “by letter as from us” (Paul’s first epistle and possibly also a letter purportedly from an apostle that was, in fact, false or counterfeit) to believe “that the day of Christ is at hand” (that Jesus was already invisibly present, then).
Part of Paul’s first letter was misconstrued, but in addition, other sources of information seemed to confirm their misunderstanding. For instance, when Jesus died on the Cross, an earthquake occurred and “saints” (believers who had died during his 3 1/2-year ministry) were awakened from the tomb (Matt. 27:51–53). Being initially thoroughly confused to find out that Jesus, the one they had listened to and accepted as Messiah, had been crucified, they waited and did not go into Jerusalem until the third day, that is, after his resurrection. When they received information that Jesus was alive—that he had been resurrected—they could then testify that they, too, had been raised from death.
Comment: The fact Paul said in Verse 3, “Let no man deceive you,” indicates there were individuals teaching erroneously that the resurrection had already begun.
Paul said in the first epistle, “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night” (1 Thess. 5:1, 2).
In other words, “You are fully aware that Christ’s Second Presence will be SECRET AND INVISIBLE, and NOT a physical coming.” Based on this knowledge and the resuscitation of saints in the earthquake, the Thessalonians falsely concluded that Jesus was already present. They also knew that Jesus would deal first with his Church and afterwards with the world. Thus they concluded that the “day of Christ” had already come. Jesus had died and was raised as a spirit being, so what would stop him from setting up his Kingdom right away? In fact, some of the disciples asked Jesus that very question during his earthly ministry: “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). “Will you set up the Kingdom now?”
Paul was trying to tell the Thessalonians, “I fully informed you of the nature of the Second Advent—that Jesus would be invisible. You are correct on that point, but you are incorrect in thinking that Jesus’ presence is taking place now” (See Verse 5). Excerpts taken from The Book of Thessalonians
We will continue with Verse 3 in our next post.
A word of Warning, continued
Although the warning here comes near the end of this chapter (Verses 9-12 respectively) nevertheless for the sake of those not so familiar with the implications of the text we should begin with Verse 1 in order to get the full picture of events, some of which is in the past, and some of which is yet still future. Another reason for our going into such detail in this particular instance is because we believe this particular study will greatly aid us in our study of Matt 24, particularly Verses 25-27.
VERSE 1 “Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you…”
Paul was entreating the Thessalonians: “We beseech you, brethren, concerning the presence [Greek parousia] of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Second Advent), and our gathering together unto him.” He was the apostle who showed, particularly, that at the end of the Gospel Age, the presence would be a period of time and that those who slept in Christ would be raised first. Later the feet members of the body of Christ (those still alive this side of the vail) would (upon their deaths and the faithful completion of their sacrifice) be invisibly and spiritually raptured [translated] as a group. (To have a single last member would detract from the first, the head and the preeminence given him.) As pictured by Elijah’s having been taken up by a whirlwind, a class will be taken together. When John the Baptist was beheaded, he portrayed the last members (plural) of the body of Christ.
At the end of the age, there are two collective gatherings of faithful Christians: first, the dead in Christ, which took place in 1878 A.D., and then the feet members at a yet-future date (1 Thess. 4:17). In between these events, saints who die now as individuals do not sleep but are instantaneously changed (1 Cor. 15:51, 52). When Paul uttered these words, however, he was probably thinking of himself and the brethren at Thessalonian, rather than the feet members especially, but he was quite aware of both.
VERSE 2 “…not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.”
Paul was cautioning the Thessalonians not to be soon shaken “by spirit” (doctrine), “by word” of mouth (a rumor, for example), or “by letter as from us” (Paul’s first epistle and possibly also a letter purportedly from an apostle that was, in fact, false or counterfeit) to believe “that the day of Christ is at hand” (that Jesus was already invisibly present, then).
Part of Paul’s first letter was misconstrued, but in addition, other sources of information seemed to confirm their misunderstanding. For instance, when Jesus died on the Cross, an earthquake occurred and “saints” (believers who had died during his 3 1/2-year ministry) were awakened from the tomb (Matt. 27:51–53). Being initially thoroughly confused to find out that Jesus, the one they had listened to and accepted as Messiah, had been crucified, they waited and did not go into Jerusalem until the third day, that is, after his resurrection. When they received information that Jesus was alive—that he had been resurrected—they could then testify that they, too, had been raised from death.
Comment: The fact Paul said in Verse 3, “Let no man deceive you,” indicates there were individuals teaching erroneously that the resurrection had already begun.
Paul said in the first epistle, “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night” (1 Thess. 5:1, 2).
In other words, “You are fully aware that Christ’s Second Presence will be SECRET AND INVISIBLE, and NOT a physical coming.” Based on this knowledge and the resuscitation of saints in the earthquake, the Thessalonians falsely concluded that Jesus was already present. They also knew that Jesus would deal first with his Church and afterwards with the world. Thus they concluded that the “day of Christ” had already come. Jesus had died and was raised as a spirit being, so what would stop him from setting up his Kingdom right away? In fact, some of the disciples asked Jesus that very question during his earthly ministry: “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). “Will you set up the Kingdom now?”
Paul was trying to tell the Thessalonians, “I fully informed you of the nature of the Second Advent—that Jesus would be invisible. You are correct on that point, but you are incorrect in thinking that Jesus’ presence is taking place now” (See Verse 5). Excerpts taken from The Book of Thessalonians
We will continue with Verse 3 in our next post.
