Overview of the Book of 2 Thessalonians

The overview of the week for this Sunday is the book of 2 Thessalonians written by the Apostle

Paul in 51 AD.

The theme of this letter is the day of the Lord.

This second letter to the church at Thessalonica was written only a short time after 1

Thessalonians, probably only a few months had gone by.

So why did Paul write to them again so soon?

His first letter, or in his first letter, Paul answered the church's questions about the return

of Christ, but they apparently received another letter claiming to be from Paul, Silas,

and Timothy telling them that Christ had already come back and that they

were living through the tribulation or the day of the Lord, which they believed

because they were experiencing intense persecution.

But at the same time, it confused the church because it seemed to be at odds with Paul's other

letter.

So Paul reminds the church at the end of his letter, you know, you need to be careful.

Basically, you have to look for my signature to know that the letter is from me.

Apparently Paul, his signature was very large, very

unique, perhaps because he had eye problems, but this letter they got was

essentially a forgery, or it was a forgery.

So this all caused a great disturbance in the church, and that may be the reason why

some of the people in the church got distracted or discouraged and started exhibiting bad

behavior.

Paul comments in chapter 3 about those who are walking disorderly and how some were

refusing to work, at which Paul, at which time Paul says, if a man refuses to work,

you shouldn't give him any food to eat.

And of course, that would solve the problem.

But this issue about the day of the Lord, Paul again, like in his first letter, he wants to give the

church comfort because the return of Jesus had not yet come, and no, they were

not living through the day of the Lord, which is why Paul tells them in chapter 2 that the

rapture is not going to happen until the falling away comes

first.

Paul tells them in chapter 2, do you not remember that when I was still with you, I told you these things?

And then he says, and he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of

the way.

And that is almost certainly a reference to the Holy Spirit and his influence upon

the earth through the church, because God's people, we are to act as salt and light, both

preserving godliness and restraining evil.

But once the church age comes to an end, after the falling away, the church

will be removed, that restraint is lifted.

So after the rapture, once the tribulation begins, that is the period when basically all

hell breaks loose upon the earth.

And Paul is telling the church that time has not yet come.