Douglas Jacoby Podcast
Christ Through the Ages, 16: 1-2 Thessalonians–He’s Coming Back!
Episode Summary
Douglas continues his series Christ Through the Ages, looking today at 1-2 Thessalonians–He’s Coming Back!
Episode Notes
For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.
Introduction
- Isn't this theme in most of the NT books? Yes; it occurs in the majority of them.
- 7 consecutive chapters on return of Christ.
- Issues surrounding the 2 Thessalonian letters are closely related. And seem to be the most urgent issues in each, and certainly in the 2nd letter.
- Thessalonica
- Acts 17. But reading this background doesn't add so much to our understanding of the doctrinal concerns of 1-2 Thessalonians.
- Situation of 1-2 Thess. Paul had preached that Messiah had to suffer and rise (vv.2-3), and that loyalty to him was above that owed to Caesar (v.7).
- Paul's first three letters: Gal (48), 1 Thess (50), 2 Thess (50/51). And 2 Thess 3:17 suggests possible previous letters.
- Theme
- What we learn is not only that he's coming back. That we already know. There's more. (Although still I admit that you can find my topic in several NT books.)
- In 1 Thessalonians, Paul instructs the Thessalonians about the return of Christ, countering the notion that only those still alive at the end of the world will be saved.
- In 2 Thessalonians, apparently some have misunderstood Paul to have been urging them to quit their jobs (see 2 Thess 3) and loiter around until the Lord returned. He tells these people, "Get back to work!"
Thessalonian Texts
- 1 Thess 1:9-10 -- Christ's ("second") coming from heaven. (The first coming is the incarnation.)
- 1 Thess 2:19-20 -- When the Lord returns, believers will be together.
- 1 Thess 3:11-13 -- We are to live blameless and holy lives.
- 1 Thess 4:13-18
- Some grieving in misunderstanding.
- No "hope" => resurrection
- Dead in Christ will rise. Not lost to God.
- We will join them. Not lost to God or to us!
- Rapture? Escorting Lord to earth or is this a flight from the earth, by the traditional understanding of John 14?
- 2 Thess 1:6-10
- Vindication of saints
- Punishment of enemies
- 2 Thess 2:1-10
- A false apostolic letter or report has been circulating.
- He has not come back yet! Nor should we evade the responsibilities of life in order to wait for his imminent return (see 3:6-15).
- Certain events must take place first. This passage is (I admit) difficult to interpret.
- Don't be impressed by interpretations, or even miracles, that contradict this teaching.
- Many Bible readers in our generation have been misled, too; they are focusing on signs and wonders and the end of the world, but have failed to be truly prepared in holiness.
- 1 Thess 5:1-11
- Another misunderstanding: the business of predicting. This is fruitless!
- Be ready, be alert (awake).
- God's plan is that those who sleep (the dead) together with those who are awake (living) may enjoy fellowship with him.
- The Day of the Lord will be terrible if we aren't striving to live holy lives. See Amos 5:18ff.
Summary
- He's coming back, and we'd better be ready!
- We are to be vigilant: not by analyzing current events, tracking global weather, or scrutinizing the prophecies, but by living alert Christian lives.
- He expects holiness. (See also 2 Peter 3.)
- He will bring final redemption, and justice. We must offer to Him a vigilant holiness. Which is why he looks for alert, not sleepy, followers.
- For more on the afterlife and the end times, listen to the lessons in the Last Things series at this website.
Next: The Pastoral Epistles: Christ Our Gracious Guide