Christ Through the Ages, 16: 1-2 Thessalonians–He’s Coming Back!

<p>For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ <a href="https://www.douglasjacoby.com/christ-through-the-ages-15-philippians-to-live-is-christ-2/" target="_blank"><strong>website.</strong></a></p><p><strong>Introduction</strong></p><ul><li>Isn't this theme in most of the NT books? Yes; it occurs in the majority of them.</li><li>7 consecutive chapters on return of Christ.</li><li>Issues surrounding the 2 Thessalonian letters are closely related. And seem to be the most urgent issues in each, and certainly in the 2nd letter.</li><li>Thessalonica<ul><li>Acts 17. But reading this background doesn't add so much to our understanding of the doctrinal concerns of 1-2 Thessalonians.</li><li>Situation of 1-2 Thess. Paul had preached that Messiah had to suffer and rise (vv.2-3), and that loyalty to him was above that owed to Caesar (v.7).</li><li>Paul's first three letters: Gal (48), 1 Thess (50), 2 Thess (50/51). And 2 Thess 3:17 suggests possible previous letters.</li></ul></li><li>Theme<ul><li>What we learn is <i>not</i> only that he's coming back. That we already know. There's more. (Although still I admit that you can find my topic in several NT books.)</li><li>In 1 Thessalonians, Paul instructs the Thessalonians about the return of Christ, countering the notion that only those still alive at the end of the world will be saved.</li><li>In 2 Thessalonians, apparently some have misunderstood Paul to have been urging them to quit their jobs (see 2 Thess 3) and loiter around until the Lord returned. He tells these people, "Get back to work!"</li></ul></li></ul><p><strong>Thessalonian Texts</strong></p><ul><li>1 Thess 1:9-10 -- Christ's ("second") coming from heaven. (The first coming is the incarnation.)</li><li>1 Thess 2:19-20 -- When the Lord returns, believers will be together.</li><li>1 Thess 3:11-13 -- We are to live blameless and holy lives.</li><li>1 Thess 4:13-18<ul><li>Some grieving in misunderstanding.</li><li>No "hope" => resurrection</li><li>Dead in Christ will rise. Not lost to God.</li><li>We will j