Today I want to look at the books of 1 and 2 Thessalonians together as a look into why these epistles were necessary and what they taught. Paul and Silas have visited on their second missionary journey, and within a year Paul finds reason to believe the church there has become confused and began to fall away.
It’s amazing how much has happened in the short life of the Church.
The city in and of itself is a true marvel. Today it is still a very important seaport for Greece. In Bible times, it had the same importance, as well as two highways that met in Thessalonica, and was the major trade route at the time.
Under Roman rule, the early church there was Jewish and Gentile. The residents were an enthusiastic bunch, but as we know that can lead to a cart before the horse situation.
False teaching so few years after Jesus’ death and resurrection was hard to imagine yet so prevalent.
There were two areas of concern addressed in the letters Paul wrote. One was concerning Jesus’ Second Coming, and the other with daily life as a Christian. The Church was so exuberant over their salvation, they failed to understand the importance and expectations of the Christian walk.
In today’s world not much has changed. Hollywood has caused an obsession with end times and apocalypse which show a good vs. evil theme. This has numbed our brains a little and caused the reality of the last days to be a bore and not so interesting.
The Church has not been immune. Just as false teaching crept into the early church, it has found a place behind church pulpits, as well as social media and the abundance of books written today in the name of Christ.
These Epistles are the first books written of the New Testament. It is also the first time Jesus is mentioned in written word embracing his deity. During this confusing time, the Christians believed the Second Coming was near. They did not have an understanding of even why or how Jesus would return.
Thessalonians 2:9-11 are definitely hard to read. Verse 9 talks about the coming of the Lawless one, the antichrist. At first he is a very charismatic individual that will rise from a religious background who will gain people’s trust displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders.
Verse 10 addresses the evil element of the time as they will be deceived. They will refuse the truth and be saved.
Verse 11 is one many struggle with and it is not looked at due to lack of understanding. God promises to send strong delusion among this group so they will believe Satan’s lies. God is not condemning them without a choice. This group has made the decision to reject Christ and his teachings and actually delight in their sin.
Paul then encourages the church here to stand firm in their belief and hold to the teachings Paul has taught.
One thing I felt throughout Paul’s teaching, through spoken word or written word, is that he loved the churches he planted and I believe looked at them as his children.
Many thought in the early days of the church Christ would return. John who wrote the book of Revelation hinted in his writing he was expecting a return in his time. For most of the 20th Century there was a fascination with Jesus’ return. Some ministers were even so bold as to predict the date of his return only to be disappointed.
Jesus merely tells us to be ready on a daily basis. We are surely in trying times, but we can hold to the One who is tested and true. The only way we can stay above the false teaching and lies the devil would have us to believe is to put our trust in him and on a daily basis and communicate with God and follow his precepts.
If prayer does no come easily for you, take some time alone and read chapters from the Psalms. This is excellent training material. Before you know it, talking to God will come from your heart instead of off the page. This is the hardest most troubling time to be a Christian.
Good News though, I read the end of the book and we win.
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