INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY: BOOK OF SECOND THESSALONIANS

INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY: BOOK OF SECOND THESSALONIANS

By Dennis Schmidt 12/2000

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This paper discusses the book of 2 Thessalonians. The book provides a great deal of information on the end times events. Persecution to Christians was a major problem. All scriptures are from the King James' Bible.

SECOND THESSALONIANS THEME:

- STAND FAST IN KINGDOM & FAITH AGAINST PERSECUTION

- TEACHINGS OF THE DAY OF THE LORD, ANTICHRIST, THE LAST THINGS, & GENERAL ESCHATOLOGY

- WORK FOR FOOD & WORK FOR GOD'S KINGDOM

CHAPTER THEMES & ELEMENTS

BOOK
STRUCTURE:
BELIEVERS PROBLEMS/ACTIONS: THEMES:

(1:1-2) Introduction: Salutations & Authorship verses 1:1-2 Enhort Christians to patience & faith through their tribulation, persecution & warning to those, that cause these troubles, of God's vengeance (8).

(1:3-12) Persecution but stand/Faith in Jesus verse 1:4 Concerned believers/To rejoice |
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(2:1-12) Jesus 2nd Coming/Day of the Lord verse 2:1 / verse 1:2 Worried believers/To understand Day of the Lord (3) with some Christians falling away & son of perdition (man of sin) revealed (8) (antichrist work of Satan) (9) that Christians should not be worried since God is in control (11).

(2:13-17) Antichrist revealed/Christians stand fast verse 2:3 / verse 2:15 |
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(3:1-3) Man's/God's faith verse 3:2 / verse 3:3 Listless believers/To respond Work for kingdom (13) & food (10) doing all even if the day of the Lord (5) is close.

(3:4-18) Work for kingdom & God with Christian fellowship verse 3:13-14 |
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AUTHOR: Apostle Paul DATE: 50 AD FROM: Corinth TO: Church at Thessalonica

PURPOSE:

1) ENCOURAGE PERSECUTED BELIEVERS {1:4 - 1:12}.

2) TO CLARIFY THE TEACHING ON THE LORD'S RETURN {2:1 - 2:12}.

3) INSTRUCT BELIEVERS TO CONTINUE TO WORK {2:13 - 3:15}.

4) TEACHING ABOUT ANTICHRIST: {1 Thessalonians 2:3 - 2:10, Daniel 9:27, Matthew 24:15, &

Revelation 11:7/13:1 - 13:12}.

KEY VERSES:

2 Thessalonians 2:2-3 "That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. {3} Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;"

2 Thessalonians 3:6 "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us."

KEY WORD(S)/VERSES: [truth] (2); /\ [Spirit] /\ (2); [glory] (1, 2, 3); [coming of Christ] (1, 2); [faith] (1, 3); [anti-christ] (2); [work] (1, 2, 3); [Day of the Lord] (1, 2)

OUTLINE FOR SECOND THESSALONIANS:

I) SALUTATION & INTRODUCTIONS: {2 THESSALONIANS 1:1-2}

II) ENCOURAGE PERSECUTED BELIEVERS: {2 THESSALONIANS 1:3-12}

III) TO CLARIFY THE TEACHING ON THE LORD'S RETURN: {2 THESSALONIANS 2:1-12}

A) LETTERS FALSELY SENT - FORGERY: {2 THESSALONIANS 2:1}

B) DAY OF THE CHRIST IS AT HAND: {2 THESSALONIANS 2:2}

C) SON OF PERDITION: ANTICHRIST BE REVEALED: {2 THESSALONIANS 2:4}

D) OVERCOMER CHURCH BE REMOVED: {2 THESSALONIANS 2:7}

IV) INSTRUCT BELIEVERS TO CONTINUE TO WORK: {2 THESSALONIANS 2:13-3:15}

A) GOD CHOSEN YOU FROM BEGINNING: {2 THESSALONIANS 2:13}

B) CALLED BY GOSPEL: {2 THESSALONIANS 2:14}

C) STAND FAST: {2 THESSALONIANS 2:15}

D) DO GOOD WORKS: {2 THESSALONIANS 2:17}

E) ALL MAN HAVE NOT FAITH: (2 THESSALONIANS 3:2)

F) FOLLOW APOSTLES EXAMPLE: {2 THESSALONIANS 3:7}

V) BENEDICTION: {2 THESSALONIANS 3:16-17}

Acts 17:1, 5, 13 "Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: {5} But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. {13} But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people." Persecution from Jews & others.

I) SALUTATION: {2 THESSALONIANS 1:1-2}

WHO: PAUL, TO WHOM: THE CHURCH IN THESSALONIANS

2 Thessalonians 1:1 "Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in /\ God /\ our /\ Father /\ and the /\ Lord /\ M Jesus M T Christ T:"

Paul (Saul): Saul means asked for and Paul means little or small. Paul had plenty & little (Philippians 4:12). Paul's conversion (Acts 9:1-22). He was the apostle to the gentiles (Acts 9:15-16/Galatians 2:8). He apostleship care was always for the church (Romans 8:36), but he was many times challenged as an apostle (1 Corinthians 9:1-5). He made four missionary trips (Acts 13:2-14:28; 15:40-18:23; 18:23-21:17; 1 Timothy 1:3/Titus 1:3/Philemon 22) & started several churches. Paul was taken to Rome as a prisoner & was later released. Paul again became a prisoner in Rome & was killed for his faith in Jesus. Paul wrote 14 books (Romans to Hebrews) of the 27 books in the New Testament. Peter called them scripture (2 Peter 3:15-16).

Silas (Silvanus):

Silas was a Prophet:

Acts 15:32 "And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed <them>."

Silas is chosen to go on 2nd missionary journey with Paul:

Acts 15:39-40 "And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; {40} And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God."

Silas was an Apostle:

See my paper: "Apostle" for more information on this subject.

1 Thessalonians 1:1 "Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians <which is> in God the Father and <in> the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace <be> unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ." This scripture with verse 2:6.

1 Thessalonians 2:6 "Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor <yet> of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ."

Silas is a Roman citizen:

Acts 16:37 "But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast <us> into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out." Both Paul and Silas are Romans.

Paul & Silas preach to Berea with results of them studying Old Testament to verify their words:

Acts 17:10-11 "And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. {11} These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."

Timothy (Timotheus): Means worship of God. He was as a son to Paul. He was to carry on Paul's ministry after Paul departed. His father was a Greek and mother was a Jew (Acts 16:1). His mother was Eunice and grandmother was Lois, both of whom were Christians (2 Timothy 1:5). Paul's letter send with regards from Timothy include: 2 Corinthians 1:1, Philippians 1:1, Colossians 1:1,

1&2 Thessalonians, Philemon 1 & Hebrews 13:23. Paul writes to Timothy in his 2 books. Paul addresses his ministry in 1 Corinthians 16:10

& 1 Timothy 4:11-4:16. His apostleship in 1 Thessalonians 1:1/2:6.

2 Timothy 1:4-6 "Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; {5} When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. {6} Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands."Paul's last testament from prison is to his spiritual son

God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: God is a triunity. God can not be divided. Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit are the way the one God reveals himself. If one sees Jesus, he also sees the Father and the Holy Spirit at the same time since God can not be separated (Colossians 1:15). Jesus is perfect man and God.

See my paper: "Triunity - Father, Son, & Holy Spirit" for more information on this subject.

John 14:9-10 "Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou <then>, Show us the Father? {10} Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works."

Colossians 2:9 "For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily."

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KEY WORD: {2 THESSALONIANS 1:3-3:2} FAITH

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(1) {1:3} Faith grows exceedingly

(2) {1:4} Faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure

(3) {1:11} Count you worthy of <this> calling of faith with power

(4) {3:2} For all <men> have not faith

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2 Thessalonians 1:2 "Grace unto you, and peace, from /\ God /\ our /\ Father /\ and the /\ Lord /\ M Jesus M T Christ T."

Grace: Getting what we do not deserve as compared with mercy: not getting what we deserve.

See my paper: "Grace" for more information on this subject.

Peace: Hebrew word Shalom used for hello, good-bye & God bless you.

Only God gives peace to ones spirit of forgiveness & restoration.

II) ENCOURAGE PERSECUTED BELIEVERS: {2 THESSALONIANS 1:3-12}

2 Thessalonians 1:3 "We are bound to thank /\ God /\ always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your [faith] groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;"

Faith growth exceedingly:

See my paper: "Faith" for more information on this subject.

Luke 17:5-10 "And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. {6} And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you. {7} But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? {8} And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? {9} Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. {10} So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do." Faith comes by God's grace to us, by the word, to anyone who knows he is unworthy & that God should gets the glory for his accomplishments.

Romans 10:17 "So then faith <cometh> by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

Romans 12:3 "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think <of himself> more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."

WHAT: YOUR PATIENCE & FAITH IN PERSECUTIONS & TRIBULATIONS THAT YE ENDURE

2 Thessalonians 1:4 "So that we ourselves [glory] in you in the churches of /\ God /\ for your patience and [faith] in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:"

Your persecutions and tribulations that you endure: More than most.

1 Thessalonians 2:14 "For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they <have> of the Jews:"

1 Thessalonians 3:3-4 "That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. {4} For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know."

2 Thessalonians 1:5 "<Which is> a manifest token of the righteous judgment of /\ God /\, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of /\ God /\, for which ye also suffer:" Which is = Your faith & patience

A manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, counted worthy:

For counted worthy see 2 Thessalonians 1:11.

Colossians 1:12 "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:"

WAY: GOD TO RECOMPENSE TRIBULATION TO THEM THAT TROUBLE YOU

2 Thessalonians 1:6 "Seeing <it is> a righteous thing with /\ God /\ to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;" God can do it.

Righteous:

See my paper: "Imputed/Reckoned/Counted Righteousness of Jesus" for more information on this subject.

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KEY WORD: {2 THESSALONIANS 1:7-2:1} JESUS 2ND COMING

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(1) {1:7} Revealed from heaven

(2) {1:7} Coming with his mighty angels

(3) {1:8} Taking vengeance on them that know not God

(4) {1:10} Glorified in his saints

(5) {2:1} Gathering together unto Him His saints

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WHEN: WHO ARE TROUBLED REST WITH US WHEN THE LORD JESUS SHALL BE REVEALED

2 Thessalonians 1:7 "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the [ /\ Lord /\ M Jesus M shall be revealed ] from heaven with his mighty angels,"

When the Lord Jesus be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels:

See my paper: "God's Plan and Purpose for the Ages" for more information on this subject.

Jude 1:14-15 "And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, {15} To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard <speeches> which ungodly sinners have spoken against him."

2 Thessalonians 1:8 "In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not /\ God /\, and that obey not the gospel of our /\ Lord /\ M Jesus M T Christ T:" Gospel of Lord is the life & ministry of Jesus and imputed righteousness of God.

Know not God .. obey not the gospel:

See my paper: "True Gospel for Salvation by the Imputed Righteousness of Jesus" for more information on this subject.

Romans 1:16-17 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. {17} For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." Gospel of Jesus is the imputed righteousness of God.

Romans 1:21 "Because that, when they knew God, they glorified <him> not as God, neither were thankful; but becamevain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened."

Romans 10:1-5 "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. {2} For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. {3} For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. {4} For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. {5} For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them."

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; {2} By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. {3} For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; {4} And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" The gospel of the Lord is the life & ministry of Jesus.

2 Thessalonians 1:9 "Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the /\ Lord /\, and from the [glory] of /\ his /\ power;"

Everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord: Spirit lives

See my paper: "Judgment for Believers & Unbelievers" for more information on this subject.

Matthew 25:41 "Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:"

Matthew 25:46 "And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal."

2 Peter 2:4 "For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast <them> down to hell, and delivered <them> into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;"

Jude 13 "Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever."

WHEN: HE SHALL COME TO BE GLORIFIED IN HIS SAINTS

2 Thessalonians 1:10 "When he shall come to be [glorified] in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day."

Saints: Sanctified one, set apart, by God, for His purpose.

See my paper: "Multiple Raptures" for more information on this subject.

Psalms 50:5 "Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice."

Hebrews 10:10 "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once <for all>."

2 Thessalonians 1:11 "Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our /\ God /\ would count you worthy of <this> calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of </\ his /\> goodness, and the [work] of [faith] with power:"

We pray always for you .. God would count you worthy of this calling:

See my paper: "Prayer" for more information on this subject.

For counted worthy see 2 Thessalonians 1:5.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray without ceasing."

Fulfill all good pleasure .. work of faith with power:

Paul made similar prayers to 2 Thessalonians 1:11-13 in several of his books such as:

Romans 15:5-6, 13 Colossians 1:9-1:14

Ephesians 1:17-20 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13

Ephesians 3:16-19 Hebrews 13:20-21

Philippians 1:9-11 Also Peter in 1 Peter 5:10-11 & Acts 4:29-30

2 Thessalonians 1:12 "That the name of our /\ Lord /\ M Jesus M T Christ T may be [glorified] in you, and ye in /\ his /\, according to the grace of our /\ God /\ and the /\ Lord /\ M Jesus M T Christ T."

III) TO CLARIFY THE TEACHING ON THE LORD'S RETURN: {2 THESSALONIANS 2:1-12}

A) LETTERS FALSELY SENT - FORGERY: {2 THESSALONIANS 2:1}

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KEY WORD: {2 THESSALONIANS 2:1-7} DAY OF THE CHRIST / LORD

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(1) {2:1} Gathering together unto him His saints

(2) {2:3} That day shall not come except:

(a) {2:3} Falling away first

(b) {2:3} Man of sin revealed

(c) {2:7} He who now letteth until he be taken out of the way

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2 Thessalonians 2:1 "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the [coming of our /\ Lord /\ M Jesus M T Christ T], and <by> our gathering together unto /\ him /\," Gathering = rapture of the Church.

Coming of Lord Jesus and our gathering together unto Him:

See my paper: "Jesus Two Comings as king" for more information on this subject.

Mark 13:27 "And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven."

1 Thessalonians 4:17 "Then we which are alive <and> remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."

2 Thessalonians 2:2 "That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as [ that the day of T Christ T ] is at hand." Day in which Christ returns.

Letter as from us: Someone sent a forgery.

That the day of Christ is at hand:

See my paper: "End Times Events - Day of the Lord" for more information on this subject.

1 Corinthians 1:7-8 "So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: {8} Who shall also confirm you unto the end, <that ye may be> blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Philippians 1:6 "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform <it> until the day of Jesus Christ:"

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KEY WORD: {2 THESSALONIANS 2:3-10} ANTICHRIST

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(1) {2:3} Man of sin

(2) {2:3} The son of perdition

(3) {2:4} Exalts himself above all that is called God

(4) {2:4} Showing himself that he is God

(5) {2:7} Mystery of iniquity does already work

(6) {2:8} Wicked be revealed

(7) {2:9} Coming is after the working of Satan

(8) {2:9} With all power and signs and lying wonders

(9) {2:10} With all deceivableness of un-righteousness in them that perish

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B) DAY OF THE CHRIST IS AT HAND: {2 THESSALONIANS 2:3}

WHAT: DAY OF CHRIST COME AFTER A FALLING AWAY 1ST / 2ND MAN OF SIN BE REVEALED

2 Thessalonians 2:3 "Let no man deceive you by any means: for < [ that day shall not come ] >, except there come a falling away first, and [ that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition ] ;"

That day not come except a falling away occur first: Rebellion

See my paper: "End Times Events - Day of the Lord" for more information on this subject.

1 Timothy 4:1 "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;"

That man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition: Man not a system

See also Matthew 24:15, Revelation 11:7 & Revelation 13:1 - 13:12.

Daniel 9:27 "And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make <it> desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate."

Son of perdition: Same words as used for Judas Iscariot.

John 17:12 "While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled."

C) SON OF PERDITION: ANTICHRIST BE REVEALED: {2 THESSALONIANS 2:4}

2 Thessalonians 2:4 "Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called /\ God /\, or that is worshipped; so that he as /\ God /\ sitteth in the temple of /\ God /\, showing /\ himself /\ that /\ he /\ is /\ God /\."

He as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself .. as God:

Isaiah 14:13-14 "For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: {14} I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High."

Matthew 24:15 "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)"

2 Thessalonians 2:5 "Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?"

WHEN: HE MIGHT BE REVEALED IN HIS TIME

2 Thessalonians 2:6 "And now ye know what withholdeth that [ he might be revealed ] in his time."

WHY: YOU KNOW WHAT WITHHOLDS THAT HE MIGHT BE REVEALED IN HIS TIME

Ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time:

See my paper: "Daniel's Prophecy of the 70 weeks" for more information on this subject.

God withholds until His perfect timing is completed.

Mark 13:32-33 "But of that day and <that> hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. {33} Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is."

D) OVERCOMER CHURCH BE REMOVED: {2 THESSALONIANS 2:7}

WHY: HE WHO LETS UNTIL HE BE TAKEN OUT OF THE WAY

2 Thessalonians 2:7 "For the [ mystery of iniquity ] doth already [work]: only he who now letteth <will let>, until he be taken out of the way."

He who now letteth .. until he be taken out of the way:

Some believe the he is the Holy Spirit & others, the Holy Spirit Christians. Then, the Holy Spirit stays, but the light of the world (Overcomer's) are raptured. Holy Spirit brings 144,000 + to Jesus.

Ephesians 2:15 "Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, <even> the law of commandments <contained> in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, <so> making peace;" Church = he.

Ephesians 4:13 "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:" Church = man.

2 Thessalonians 2:8 "And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the /\ Lord /\ shall consume with the /\ [Spirit] /\ of /\ his /\ mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of /\ his /\ coming:"

2 Thessalonians 2:9 "<Even him>, [ whose coming is after the [working] of Satan ] with all power and signs and lying wonders,"

Wicked be reveal .. whose coming is after the working of Satan:

Revelation 13:4 "And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who <is> like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?"

With all power and signs and lying wonders:

Mark 13:22 "For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if <it were> possible, even the elect."

Revelation 13:14-15 "And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by <the means of> those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. {15} And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed."

2 Thessalonians 2:10 "And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the [truth], that they might be saved."

They receive not the love of the truth .. they might be saved:

Romans 2:7-8 "To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: {8} But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,"

2 Thessalonians 2:11 "And for this cause /\ God /\ shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:" God sent it.

For this cause God shall send them strong delusion .. they believe lie

Exodus 4:21 "And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go."

Jeremiah 4:10 "Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! surely thou hast greatly deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall have peace; whereas the sword reacheth unto the soul."

2 Thessalonians 2:12 "That they all might be damned who believed not the [truth], but had pleasure in unrighteousness."

See my papers: "Is Free Will Biblical?"; "Some Saved and Some Lost God's Sovereignty"; and "God Plans for His Purpose. Who Harden Pharaoh's Heart?" for more information on these subject.

IV) INSTRUCT BELIEVERS TO CONTINUE TO WORK: {2 THESSALONIANS 2:13-3:15}

A) GOD CHOSEN YOU FROM BEGINNING: {2 THESSALONIANS 2:13}

2 Thessalonians 2:13 "But we are bound to give thanks alway to /\ God /\ for you, brethren beloved of the /\ Lord /\, because /\ God /\ hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the /\ [ Spirit ] /\ and belief of the [truth]:"

God has from the beginning chosen you to salvation:

Ephesians 1:4-5 "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: {5} Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,"

Through sanctification of Spirit and belief of the truth:

1 Peter 1:2 "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied."

B) CALLED BY GOSPEL: {2 THESSALONIANS 2:14}

2 Thessalonians 2:14 "Whereunto /\ he /\ called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the [glory] of our /\ Lord /\ M Jesus M T Christ T."

He called you by...gospel: God put out call. We respond.

1 Thessalonians 2:12 "That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory."

C) STAND FAST: {2 THESSALONIANS 2:15}

CONCLUSION: THEREFORE

THEME: STAND FAST & HOLD THE TRADITIONS YOU HAVE BEEN TAUGHT BY WORD/EPISTLE

2 Thessalonians 2:15 "Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle."

Stand fast, hold the traditions .. been taught .. by word .. our epistle:

BOOK STRUCTURE:	BELIEVERS PROBLEMS/ACTIONS:	THEMES:
(1:1-2) Introduction: Salutations & Authorship verses 1:1-2		Enhort Christians to patience & faith through their tribulation, persecution & warning to those, that cause these troubles, of God's vengeance (8).
(1:3-12) Persecution but stand/Faith in Jesus verse 1:4	Concerned believers/To rejoice	\| v
(2:1-12) Jesus 2nd Coming/Day of the Lord verse 2:1 / verse 1:2	Worried believers/To understand	Day of the Lord (3) with some Christians falling away & son of perdition (man of sin) revealed (8) (antichrist work of Satan) (9) that Christians should not be worried since God is in control (11).
(2:13-17) Antichrist revealed/Christians stand fast verse 2:3 / verse 2:15	\| v	\| v
(3:1-3) Man's/God's faith verse 3:2 / verse 3:3	Listless believers/To respond	Work for kingdom (13) & food (10) doing all even if the day of the Lord (5) is close.
(3:4-18) Work for kingdom & God with Christian fellowship verse 3:13-14	\| v	\| v