Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians is a follow-up to the first. While he was encouraged by their faith and steadfastness, he could see that many in the assembly were still very confused about the second coming of Christ. This misunderstanding had led many in the church to forsake their occupations, to lead undisciplined lives, and to breed unrest among the people by becoming busybodies and beggars, living off those who still maintained gainful employment. Still others had become discouraged, thinking the day of the Lord had already begun and that they had somehow missed it. They had expected Christ to destroy their enemies, yet they were still suffering persecution. Paul explains that while the time of the Lord’s coming cannot be predicted, it will be a spectacular event that no one could miss. Paul encouraged them to take heart in the fact that from very beginning, the LORD God’s purpose was to include them in the glorious events of Christ’s coming, and he instructed those who wanted to eat, to get to work.
2 Thessalonians 1
1:1-2 Salutation
1:3-12 Encouragement in persecution
2 Thessalonians 2
2:1-17 The great apostasy
2 Thessalonians 3
3:1-18 Pray for us
