Key word: Second Coming
Apparently, Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians did not answer all their questions about the return of Christ. They now had a handle on the rapture – the next event on God’s prophetic time table to be Christ returning in the air and catching up His people to Himself and returning to heaven. Seven years later Christ returns – but this time in judgment on unbelievers. Paul called this the Day of the Lord in 1 Thessalonians 5. This did not compute well in the Thessalonians’ minds, and so, Paul returns to that theme in this second epistle. The purpose of the Second Coming is clear in 1:7-10. This will be an awful day of judgment, leading to “eternal destruction” (v. 9).
But there was still one more issue – the timing. Some seemed concerned that they might be caught off guard and have to endure the residual effects of the Day of the Lord. So, in chapter two Paul details three events that will take place before Christ returns:
1. A worldwide apostasy (2:3). “Apostasy” means falling away and normally refers to abandoning God’s truth. Therefore, there will be a complete turning from truth – possible coming in the wake of the rapture.
2. Revealing of the man of lawlessness, who we usually call the antichrist (2:3). This is one who will set himself up as God and demand worship (2:4).
3. The removal of the restrained (2:6-7. Only the Lord has such power so, most likely then is a reference to the rapture and the removal of the Holy Spirit indwelt Christians.
Fear the antichrist, for the Lord will slay him with just a word (2:8). Our key phrase is the Second Coming, and our key verse is 1:9, which serves as a powerful reminder of the fate of the lost, and the importance of proclaiming to them the gospel before it is too late.
Key verse: 2 Thessalonians 1:9 – These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,
