Category: 2 Thessalonians

Today you should read: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18

What a timely reminder for us as a church to see that in this hard season, we are to work hard to advance the kingdom instead of falling into idleness.

For many in the church, we’ve been forced into a season of different hard work. But many who can’t attend or serve the way that they used to can be tempted to fall into idleness and as the apostle Paul instructs, we are to imitate those who work hard for the good of the Gospel. This may mean thinking outside of the box in ways to serve or reach people but the church is still the church in building up the body and sharing the Gospel with others.

Besides, like verse 11 shows, when we’re not working hard for the Lord, we tend to use our extra free time getting involved with other’s affairs in meddlesome ways. (I know you’re thinking about all of the Facebook and Twitter debates right now, aren’t you? Don’t feel bad, I thought about that too.)

I love how this chapter points us to imitate others who are doing this. We’re only to follow Jesus, who can then use others who are following us as examples to imitate. Imitate those who work hard for the Gospel. Now more than ever.

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God is honored when we intentionally seek Him in prayer. As a church, we want dependent prayer to be something that marks us. Use the comment section to post prayer requests and experiences of how God has answered prayer and/or changed you through prayer! If you would like to be enrolled to get weekly prayer reminders, text @cpclex to 81010.

Today you should read: 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

What is the most important rule in understanding what the Bible is saying? Context. To remind us of the context of 2 Thessalonians, consider how the ESV Study Bible summarizes chapter 2:

In 1 Thess. 5:1–11 Paul responded to a question from the community relating to the timing of the day of the Lord. He has now heard that they have succumbed to the false notion that the day of the Lord has already arrived (2 Thess. 2:1–2). Paul first points out that, before that day, a final rebellion and the revelation of the “man of lawlessness” must occur (vv. 3–12). Then he reassures the Thessalonians that they are destined for glory (vv. 13–14), and calls on them to hold firmly to the traditions he passed on to them (v. 15). He concludes with prayer (vv. 16–17).

Paul is trying to comfort the church in understanding that they have been chosen by God and will be saved at the day of Jesus’ return.

There are some great encouragements for us in this passage. We are: chosen by God, saved by God, sanctified by God, obtaining the glory of Christ. We are then encouraged to: stand firm in the faith according to the Word of God. And as the chapter closes, we also see that we have been given eternal comfort, hope through grace, and comfort to be established in our faith.

What does all of this mean for you? God is intricately involved in your life and has a desire for you to know Him and walk with Him. He is the one who saves and sanctifies; He alone offers true hope and comfort to sinners and sufferers.

Run to Him today in repentance and faith.

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God is honored when we intentionally seek Him in prayer. As a church, we want dependent prayer to be something that marks us. Use the comment section to post prayer requests and experiences of how God has answered prayer and/or changed you through prayer! If you would like to be enrolled to get weekly prayer reminders, text @cpclex to 81010.

Today you should read: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12

Paul’s reasoning for writing this passage comes in verses 1-2. The Thessalonians had believed a false claim about the second coming of Jesus. They thought that Jesus had already come back for a second time and they were left on earth. You can imagine the panic in their hearts. But Paul assures them that two things must happen before Jesus comes back: (1) a rebellion and (2) the revelation of the ‘man of lawlessness’. When the ‘man of lawlessness’ is revealed, he will come proclaiming to be God (v. 4). His mission comes from Satan (v. 9). But those who follow him will be sent into delusion from God because they did not believe the truth (v. 11-12). 

This is definitely a difficult passage to understand, and sometimes we have to be okay with not understanding. We are not meant to know all things. If we did, there would be no reason for God. But we do not understand everything, and we just have to have faith in the good and righteous God we serve. 

We may not understand everything in this passage, but there is one thing that is clear. Jesus will have the final victory (v. 8). The ‘man of lawlessness’ will be killed by the breath of Jesus. Jesus has already won, but there will be a day when everyone knows about it!

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God is honored when we intentionally seek Him in prayer. As a church, we want dependent prayer to be something that marks us. Use the comment section to post prayer requests and experiences of how God has answered prayer and/or changed you through prayer! If you would like to be enrolled to get weekly prayer reminders, text @cpclex to 81010.

Today you should read: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

When stepping into a new Bible book it’s always helpful to remind ourselves of the context and flow. Check out the Bible Project summary here.

2nd Thessalonians 1 packs a whole lot into relatively few verses. Paul begins the body of the letter by telling the Thessalonians how he brags on them for their faithfulness in suffering (4). Paul clearly states that their suffering will be repaid to those who are the cause of that affliction while they will receive rest (6–7). 

The wicked oppressors will face the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power (9). We commonly call Hell the place where that happens—eternal destruction away from God’s glory and presence. We understand from this passage and others that the destruction is eternal; meaning a person/soul is not destroyed in a final annihilation sense, but in a continual painful process that never ends. The destruction itself is eternal.

As bad as Hell will be for those who never accept Christ, an eternity with Christ will be that much better (Rom 8:18). Paul said that he rejoices because “our testimony to you was believed.” Understanding the truth about who Christ is and what He accomplished begins by trusting in the Word that tells us that information. We must believe and trust that Paul and the others’ testimony recorded in Scripture. On the backside of salvation, we can look to our experience in a personal relationship with Jesus, but even that is grounded in the truth of the revelation recorded by the apostles and prophets. We do not worship Christ apart from the Word. So, in that sense, this is an incredibly important and powerful detail. One day we will marvel when Christ comes to be glorified in His saints. 

Eternal punishment and eternal reward are an incredible aspect of our faith. In Christ, we need not fear Hell. Likewise, if what excites you most about Heaven isn’t a closer relationship with Jesus, you might reconsider the content of your hope. As we see in this passage it is right to hope for a day when suffering will end, but our glory and our hope is in the Servant who Suffered, not the escape of suffering.

I don’t know about you, but reading this passage, I think of those who do not know Christ and how much they need Him. May we, like Paul, share faithfully and prayerfully that our testimony is believed. Living for Him and living in light of the Gospel, may Paul’s prayer be true of us that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.  

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God is honored when we intentionally seek Him in prayer. As a church, we want dependent prayer to be something that marks us. Use the comment section to post prayer requests and experiences of how God has answered prayer and/or changed you through prayer! If you would like to be enrolled to get weekly prayer reminders, text @cpclex to 81010.