Second Thessalonians 2 Part 1 Rapture & Resurrection, Tribulation Then Final Judgment

More instruction about the return of Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-2  Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 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 Christ is at hand.

In this chapter of his second letter to the Thessalonians, Paul is correcting a wrong view of Christ's second coming.

Paul encouraged the Thessalonians because they believed Christ would come, and they desired His return. They rejoiced in the hope of His coming.

However, they needed to be careful to avoid  erroneous teaching about Christ's second coming. This is why Paul was now cautioning them.

Whatever uncertainty or mistakes may arise about the time of His coming, the return of Christ is as certain as the eternality of the scriptures.  

Christ's return has been the faith and hope of all Christians in all ages of the church. 

Christ coming with His saints is after rapture and marriage of the Lamb.

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. 

It was the faith and hope of the Old Testament saints, ever since Enoch spoke of the Lord's return.

Notice the text reads that Jesus will come "with ten thousands of His saints" which means that those saints have already been received into heaven via the rapture of the church.

This also connects with Revelation 19 and First Thessalonians 4:13-18.

In his first letter, Paul spoke about the rapture of the church. 

The resurrection of the dead in Christ and rapture of church occur first. 

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18  But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14)  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15)  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16)  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 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. 18)  Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 

Either some of the Thessalonians misunderstood Paul's teaching or else a false teacher propagated wrong teaching. 

The coming of Christ will occur in two distinct events. 

First, Jesus will come to take His church home. The dead in Christ will be resurrected first and given glorified bodies (See Philippians 3:21). 

Then, all Christians who are alive at the time of Christ's return, will be "caught up together" to meet the resurrection saints in the air. 

Paul revealed this truth in his first letter to the Thessalonians and we covered this topic thoroughly in lessons posted on May 9th and May 10th. 

In 2 Thessalonians 2, Paul begins by speaking of the "coming of the Lord Jesus." 

The word "coming" refers to the future visible return from heaven of Jesus in both stages. 

The words "gathering together unto him" refers to the rapture of the entire Christian church, dead and alive at that wonderful day.

That they all shall be gathered together in a general meeting of all the saints, and none but saints.

 All Old Testament saints and all the New Testament saints, to whom life and immortality were brought to light by the gospel. 

They will all be gathered together from the four winds of heaven all from the beginning to the end of time shall be gathered together. 

We shall be gathered together to Christ. He will be the great center of our lives and we shall be gathered together to Him. 

We will be presented by Christ to His Father, to be with Him forever, and altogether happy in His presence for eternity.

First, Jesus will to raise the dead and then He will snatch up the living believers to transport us home to heaven.  

Seven years later, He will judge all the wicked sinners and establish the glorious kingdom of God on earth. 

Do not be agitated over the timing of Christ's return. 

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 Christ is at hand.

No one should have any doubt as to the rapture of the church, followed by a horrendous tribulation period which concludes with Christ returning as King and Judge.

Paul cautions the Thessalonians that they should not be deceived about the time of Christ's coming. They should not be shaken in mind, or be troubled. 

Errors in the mind tend greatly to weaken our faith, and cause us trouble. Such as are weak in faith and of troubled minds oftentimes fall a prey to seducers.

Christians of any period should retain the convictions we had from the truth of scripture faithfully delivered to us by pastors, elders or teachers. 

Faith is continuing to hold fast the faithful word that has been taught, refusing to give up the doctrines which we have been discipled in.

To be shaken, signifies being agitated like a ship sailing on stormy seas. It strongly marks the confusion and distress which caused fear in the Thessalonians about coming of Christ.

The timing of Christ's return belongs to the Father in heaven.

Acts 1:6-8  When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7)  And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8)  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 

Matthew 24:35-36  Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. 36)  But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 

The coming of Christ is certain but the timing of the rapture is entirely the Father's decision. 

During tribulation on earth, Christ's church will be in heaven celebrating the marriage supper of the Lamb (See Revelation 19:1-10). 

When this glorious feast is ended, the seven years of tribulation on earth will also be over. 

After the marriage of Christ and His church, He returns to judge the wicked. 

Revelation 19:11-21  And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12)  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13)  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14)  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15)  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16)  And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. 17)  And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; 18)  That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. 19)  And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 20)  And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21)  And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. 

Jesus will be sitting on a white horse, clothed in righteousness, ready to make war on all the wicked sinners, the antichrist, the false prophet and the Devil. 

This connects with the previous chapter and Paul telling us Jesus will return with flaming fire to take vengeance on all the wicked.

All the heavenly host shall follow King Jesus to earth, to judge the wicked. Christ will bring the irresistible power of His Word with overwhelming force such that none will stand before Him. 

All this being true, Paul tells us not to be fooled by those who try to set a date and time for Christ's return.

They are liars and deceivers because only the Father knows when the rapture will happen.

Let us resolve to remain true to the Great Commission.

Let us worship God in Spirit and in truth.

Let us be His faithful followers and witnesses.

Bob