The day of the Lord is a concept with a rich Old Testament background, and was mentioned in Paul’s previous letter to the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 5:2). A preferred manuscript reading of 2 Thessalonians 2:2 has the day of the Lord rather than the day of Christ. “The word to be shaken, signifies to be agitated as a ship at sea in a storm, and strongly marks the confusion and distress which the Thessalonians had felt in their false apprehension of this coming of Christ.” (Clarke) Their fears centered on the idea that the day of Christ had come. Here Paul used a strong wording, speaking of both a sudden jolt ( shaken in mind) and a continuing state of upset ( troubled). We ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled: Apparently, a misunderstanding of Paul’s teaching (or an incorrect application of it) had caused the Thessalonians to be shaken in mind and troubled. Different scenarios regarding the predictability of the date of Jesus’ return are established (Matthew 24:36, Daniel 12:11).Ĭ.Different manners of Jesus’ return are described (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Revelation 19:11, 14-15, 21).Different world conditions are described (Matthew 24:37-42, Matthew 24:21, Revelation 6:15-16).This is completely consistent with other passages of Scripture that indicate that there must be two aspects of Jesus’ second coming, and the aspects must be separated by some appreciable period of time. Hiebert shows how the grammar of the ancient Greek in 2 Thessalonians 2:1 shows this: “The government of the two nouns under one article makes it clear that one event, viewed under two complimentary aspects, is thought of.” “They are two parts of one great event.” (Morris) One coming is for His church (as described clearly in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18), and the other coming is with His church, to judge a rebellious world. This strongly suggests that there are essentially two comings of Jesus. Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him: Paul clearly wrote of the return of Jesus, but the wording here implies a difference between the coming and our gathering. Yet the ideas are clear enough if carefully pieced together.ī. The challenge in understanding this chapter comes from the fact that it is a supplement to what Paul has already taught the Thessalonians in words, and we don’t know exactly what Paul said to them. Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him: Paul here addressed questions raised by his first letter, where he instructed the Thessalonians about the catching away of the church to be with Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18). Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.Ī. (1-2) Paul’s comfort to the troubled Thessalonians and their question. Instruction regarding the coming of Jesus. And blessed be His glorious name forever And may the whole earth be filled with His glory Amen, and Amen.A. Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, Who alone works wonders. May his name endure forever May his name increase as long as the sun shines And let men bless themselves by him Let all nations call him blessed. May there be abundance of grain in the earth on top of the mountains Its fruit will wave like the cedars of Lebanon And may those from the city flourish like vegetation of the earth. He will rescue their life from oppression and violence, And their blood will be precious in his sight So may he live, and may the gold of Sheba be given to him And let them pray for him continually Let them bless him all day long. He will have compassion on the poor and needy, And the lives of the needy he will save. For he will deliver the needy when he cries for help, The afflicted also, and him who has no helper. And let all kings bow down before him, All nations serve him. Let the kings of Tarshish and of the islands bring presents The kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts. Let the nomads of the desert bow before him, And his enemies lick the dust. May he also rule from sea to sea And from the River to the ends of the earth. In his days may the righteous flourish, And abundance of peace till the moon is no more. May he come down like rain upon the mown grass, Like showers that water the earth. Let them fear You while the sun endures, And as long as the moon, throughout all generations. May he vindicate the afflicted of the people, Save the children of the needy And crush the oppressor. Let the mountains bring peace to the people, And the hills, in righteousness. May he judge Your people with righteousness And Your afflicted with justice. Give the king Your judgments, O God, And Your righteousness to the king's son.
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