Standing Firm in Hope

                                                            Sunday School Lesson                           

Lesson: II Thessalonians 2:1-3, 9-17                                                                              

Golden Text: “Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work” (II Thessalonians 2:16-17).

INTRODUCTION.  During his visit with the believers in Thessalonica, the Apostle Paul taught them many truths about the Day of the Lord; that period of history mentioned repeatedly in the Old Testament during which God will bring judgment and blessing on the people of the earth in a more direct, dramatic, and drastic way than ever before (see Isaiah 13:6, 9; Zechariah 1:14-16).  The Thessalonian believers had been experiencing persecution and now they were confused.  Were they in the Day of the Lord now?  No doubt false teachers had caused this confusion.  However, as the church’s spiritual parent, Paul in our lesson sought to set their thinking straight.

II. FALLING AWAY (II Thessalonians 2:1-3) 

A. An alarming proposal (II Thessalonians 2:1-2).
1. (vs. 1). As previously noted Paul’s second letter to the church at Thessalonica helped to correct the misunderstanding in the church.  He began this section by writing “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him.”  This was a tender appeal to his new “brethren” or fellow believers.  The word “beseech” means to implore or beg earnestly.  Note: As an apostle, he could have used his authority and spoken by command.  But Paul considered himself as one of them, so he besought or begged these believers (see II Corinthians 10:1-2).  The proposal that Paul was about to make in the next verse was “by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” which is a reference to the rapture.  It will include “our gathering together unto him.”   In other words, at the rapture, all saints, both living and dead will be gathered together with Christ in the air (see I Thessalonians 4:13-17).
2. (vs. 2).  Here Paul gives his purpose for writing. He said “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.”  It seems that false teachers had so misled the church that the members were “shaken in mind, or be troubled” indicating that these believers were  frightened that the Day of the Lord had arrived (see Mark 13:7).  Paul may not have known who or what was causing the trouble, but he suggested that it could be “by spirit” or prophecy; “by word” or oral report.  When Paul said “by letter as from us” he was referring to any written communication that was said to have come from him and didn’t.  At any rate, the Thessalonian believers were begged by Paul not to believe any of those things that indicated that “the day of Christ is at hand” or that the tribulation had begun. 
B. Antichrist predicted (II Thessalonians 2:3).  Paul went on to say “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.”  The phrase “Let no man deceive you by any means” looks back to the three ways in verse 2 that these believers would be troubled by false teaching regarding the coming of the Day of the Lord.  Paul said that before the day of the Lord came, two significant events had to take place.  First, there would be “a falling away.”  The use of the definite article “a” before the word translated “falling” indicates that Paul was referring to a specific, identifiable time.  The term Paul used for “falling away” or the departure from God’s revealed truth in His Word is literally translated “the apostasy.”  The second event to take place before the day of the Lord would be “that man of sin be revealed.”  The term “man of sin” means man of lawlessness; he will act in a lawless manner.  The “man of sin” or antichrist is also called the “son of perdition” meaning one doomed to destruction.  This predicts the ultimate destruction of the antichrist (see Revelation 19:20; 20:10).  He is a man doomed for destruction.  Note: A study of the Bible reveals that the “man of sin” is the antichrist (see I John 2:18; 4:3), the “little horn” (see Daniel 7:8), “the prince that shall come” (see Daniel 9:26), “the king (who) shall do according to his will (see Daniel 11:36) and also the “beast” in Revelation chapter 13.  As Satan’s instrument (see II Thessalonians 2:9), he will be revealed after the church is raptured and will attempt to usurp the place of God.  He will make use of the rebuilt Jerusalem temple in establishing a new religion in which he is the god to be worshipped (see Daniel 9:27; 11:37; Matthew 24:15; Revelation 13:4, 12, 15).  The apostasy or falling away from the faith during the reign of the antichrist will be greater than any previous apostasy in history.
III. FALSE SIGNS (ii Thessalonians 2:9-12)
A.  Satanic deception (II Thessalonians 2:9-10).  In verses 4-8, Paul gives us a picture of the antichrist as a person who exalts himself above God and demands worship (see vs. 4).  Paul had taught these believers these things while ministering among them, but it appears that they didn’t remember them (see vs. 5).  This wicked one will not succeed in his efforts to thwart Christ’s work; instead he will be destroyed at the second coming of Christ (see vs. 8).
1. (vs. 9).  Now in this verse, Paul continues to talk about the “man of sin” or the antichrist saying “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders.”  The word translated “coming” in this verse is the same word used of the coming of Christ in verse 8 indicating satanic deception causing people to think the “man of sin” is Christ.  The phrase “after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders” means that this man will be able to perform miracles through Satan’s power.  As a result, the world will stand in awe of him as he claims divine power and demands worship (see II Thessalonians 2:4; Revelation 13:3-4).  Note: The ability to perform miracles does not necessarily mean that a person is God sent or is preaching the truth. This is true of the antichrist or any other false teacher (see Matthew 7:21-23).   
2. (vs. 10).  Paul continued to say that the “man of sin” would not only demonstrate the works of Satan with lying wonders but also “with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”  The words “with all deceivableness of unrighteousness” reveal the strategy of the antichrist.  Part of his purpose is to mislead.  The phrase “in them that perish” refers to those who follow the antichrist who will make up the majority of the people on earth during the tribulation.  They will “perish” or die.  Note: The Bible gives two reasons why unsaved people will die during the tribulation.  One reason is that a series of divine judgments will devastate the earth (see Revelation 6:7-8; 8:11; 9:18; 11:13).  Another reason the unsaved will die is that they will destroy themselves.  Entire armies will be wiped out as Gentiles converge on Palestine (see Ezekiel 38:11-39:29; Daniel 11:40-45; Revelation 16:12-14; 19:17-21).  Any unsaved people who survive the tribulation will be judged by Christ before His millennial reign begins (see Matthew 25:31-46).  Paul also said that the unsaved would “perish” because “they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”  In other words, the deceived followers of the antichrist will perish because they refuse to love the truth which would save them.  Since Jesus is the Truth (see John 14:6) and God’s Word is truth (see John 17:17), not receiving both God’s Son and His Word will lead to eternal death. 
B. Strong delusion (II Thessalonians 2:11-12).
1. (vs. 11).  In this verse Paul writes “And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.”  The phrase “for this cause” refers back to verse 10 and the fact that the unsaved will not receive the truth.  Since they will not receive the truth, “God shall send them strong delusion.”  This simply means that God will allow the unsaved to be deluded, deceived or led astray.  The fact that God will send this strong deception does not mean that these unbelievers will not have the choice not to be deceived, because they will.  When Paul says “God shall send them strong delusion” he is presenting a principle of divine justice that when a person turns away from the truth, God allows that person to be led off into error.  During the tribulation God will give the unsaved over to their own lusts and desires (see Romans 1:24, 26, 28).  Having been deluded or deceived by the antichrist, unbelievers will “believe a lie.”  Since the word “lie” is preceded by the definite article “a,” indicates that Paul is referring to a specific “lie.”  Most likely the “lie” the unsaved will believe will be the self-deification (calling himself god) of the antichrist, who is controlled by Satan (see II Thessalonians 2:4; Revelation 13:4).
2. (vs. 12).  God will allow the unbelievers to believe a lie so “That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”  This is further confirmation of what will happen to the unsaved during the tribulation.  They all will “be damned” or condemned.  This is the ultimate result of denying the truth.  All the unbelievers will stand condemned because they “had pleasure in unrighteousness” which is the opposite of God’s will (see Colossians 1:10; I Peter 1:15-16).  What Paul describes here is a people who have rejected the light that God has given them and turned their backs on the love of the truth.  When this happens there are consequences.
IV. FUTURE GLORY (II Thessalonians 2:13-14)
A. The fact of God’s choosing (II Thessalonians 2:13).  In this verse, Paul speaks of his prayer for the Thessalonian believers.  He said “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.”  Paul thanked God for the Thessalonians and their response to God’s Word which was their part in salvation.  These believers were also “brethren beloved of the Lord” just as Paul and all believers are.  The reason we are is because “God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation.”  The fact that believers are “chosen” or elected to salvation “from the beginning” does not mean we had no choice in the matter.  Even though God knew from the beginning who would accept His gospel message, the doctrine of election involves both divine and human aspects.  On the divine side, God “through sanctification of the Spirit” has made us holy and set us aside for His good pleasure by indwelling us and making our bodies holy temples (see I Corinthians 6:19-20; I Peter 1:2).  On the human side every believer’s election is completed because of their “belief of the truth.”  Note: Simply put, election to salvation on God’s part is providing opportunities for us to hear the Word of God (see Romans 10:14-17), and our part is believing that same Word.  While it may be difficult to understand both the divine and human concepts involved in election to salvation, both are true.  While God knows who will or will not respond to the gospel, we don’t.  As a result, we too must share the message with others and leave the results with God (se I Corinthians 3:6).
B. The fact of how we are chosen (II Thessalonians 2:14).  Continuing his thoughts regarding the believer’s being chosen for salvation Paul said “Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  The apostle here was saying that God had called the Thessalonian believers to salvation through his preaching of the gospel so that they could share in the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.


V. FIRM FOUNDATION (II Thessalonians 2:15-16)
A. A proclamation (II Thessalonians 2:15).  Based on the fact that God had called these believers to salvation, Paul urged them to “stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.”  They were to “stand fast” in their faith despite their present difficulties. There are many ways we can remain steadfast in the faith (see Acts 2:41-42: I Thessalonians 5:15-22), but remaining true to those things that have been taught and preached is at the top of the list.  They were also encouraged to “hold the traditions which ye have been taught” meaning they were to cling to the truths they had been taught by Paul.  The apostle noted that those “traditions” or teachings were given to the Thessalonians “by word” or orally when he was with them, and “by our epistle” or the letters that he was writing to them.  Note: A tradition is simply something handed down to us by others.  At this time in the history of the church, early Christians had to depend on the oral testimony of the apostles and others.  Even though we have the completed New Testament today, faithful pastors and teachers still need to be passing along the truths of the gospel to each new generation (see II Timothy 2:2; 4:1-5).
B. A prayer (II Thessalonians 2:16-17).
1. (vs. 16).  Here Paul says “Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace.”   In this verse and the next verse, Paul utters a benediction over these believers.  A benediction is simply a prayer that God may bestow certain blessings on His people.  In this portion of the prayer, Paul reminded the Thessalonians that our Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father both love us and have given us “everlasting consolation” or comfort.  In addition, we are given “good hope.”  Biblical “hope” is not wishful thinking but it is a confident expectation of the return of Christ through God’s grace.
2. (vs. 17).  Finally Paul prayed that God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ would “Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.”  In light of the fact that these believers were troubled over the status of their departed loved ones, Paul was compelled to pray for their “comfort” and that The Father and Son would “stablish” or help them to stand firm “in every good word and work.”  The phrase “in every good word and work” means in everything we say and do we should demonstrate how God has provided us comfort and hope.     
                
VI. Conclusion.  The hope of the Lord’s imminent return has helped believers persevere through the centuries, and it can keep us going through the hardest days.  When friends and family disappoint you and life seems unbearable, tell yourself that “He knows what I am going through and will come to take me to the home He has prepared for me.”  When you feel like giving up, remember that you want to be ready to greet Jesus when He comes.  Biblical hope is never “I hope so.”  It is a confident expectation that keeps you standing strong and sleeping peacefully until He returns.