2 Thessalonians by Scott Risley (2012)

Here, we address a topic that many Christians would rather avoid: the reality of Hell. Paul is writing his second letter to the church in Thessalonica to instruct them on a few key points. He begins the letter by encouraging them on the ways in which their church is doing well. They are growing in faith and love, and a few points of application are made about practical steps we can take to grow in our faith. The passage moves on to describe the Thessalonians' victorious suffering in the midst of intense persecution. Paul says that God will use this persecution to show His justice, in other words, their good attitudes show that they believe God is aware of suffering and evil, and intends to do something about it. However the issue of "God's justice" is often considered problematic. Does God have the right to judge anyone? If Hell does exist, what is it like? Does the punishment really fit the crime? This teaching addresses all of these questions and more. Although Hell is real, God doesn't want anyone to go there, and has offered everyone a way to escape.\r\n

Biblical theologians agree this may be the most obscure passage in all of Paul's writings. The general topic of the passage is the coming of Jesus Christ and the end of human history. The Thessalonians had received a letter containing false claims about the "Day of the Lord," the day when Jesus will come back and gather His people. While only God knows the exact time, Christians should not be surprised, because God has given us some clues to help us recognize the day approaching. The Thessalonians had received false information that lead them to fear that these events had already taken place, and so Paul is writing to them to remind them of the things they had been taught. Five questions relevant to the passage are discussed: 1) what is this about?, 2) what is the "apostasy?", 3) who is the "man of lawlessness?", 4) who/what is the "restrainer?", and 5) what is the "deluding" influence? In the face of this future we know is coming, Christians can take comfort in the promise to be loved by God forever. We know that Jesus is coming back, therefore, Paul encourages the Thessalonians to stand firm and hold to the truth.

Instruction on the principle of biblical loving discipline, or the importance of exercising "tough love" in the Christian community is given. Paul writes, "keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life." Though at first glance such a statement might seem judgmental and unloving, according to the Bible, taking a hard stance on biblical truth is one of the most loving things fellow Christians can do for one another. Those who follow God have a decision to make: will the body of Christ imitate the apathy of the postmodern world, or will we choose to love people, no matter the cost?