Chapter 2: 2 Thessalonians
Lesson 7
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we pray that You will help us understand and apply Your word into our daily lives. We pray that You will make us students of Your Word to rightly divide Your Word of truth, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Introduction:
Authorship:
Paul wrote 2 Thessalonians about 6 months after 1 Thessalonians in 51 or 52 AD in Corinth. After delivering 1 Thessalonians, Timothy came back to Corinth and gave Paul a report on the Thessalonians. Paul learned that the Thessalonians faced intense persecutions by the hostile Jews. Heretic teachers also came and forged a letter purportedly from Paul saying that they had missed the rapture and were already in the tribulations. Paul wrote 2 Thessalonians to address these issues.
Purpose:
Paul’s purpose in writing 2 Thessalonians was to encourage the Thessalonians facing persecutions, address misunderstandings on the Lord’s second coming, and encourage them to work for a living.
Theme:
The theme of 2 Thessalonians is on eschatology and the second coming of the Lord.
Outline:
Chapter 1: 1-2, Salutation
1: 11-12, prayer
Chapter 2: 1-12, instruction, the day of the Lord
Chapter 3: 1-15, injunction
3: 16-18, Doxology and Benediction
Application:
2 Thessalonians is Paul’s instructions and teachings on eschatology and the second coming of Christ. This is a difficult and controversial subject. In the face of the Coronavirus pandemic, people are worried about many things. This epistle taught us that if we believe in Jesus we should nothing to worry about. Our hope of Christ’s second coming is a certainty although it has not come to pass yet. We are to persevere in the faith as we anticipate Christ’s return
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we commit our lives to You, knowing that You are in control of world history. We know that You will return again to take us to heaven with You at the rapture. Help us to live a life worthy of Your calling, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
