I & II Thessalonians
Preparing for the Second Coming
Events Before the Last Day
Teaching Strategy
The focus of this lesson is Paul’s teaching to the Thessalonians about events that must occur before Jesus’ second coming. Of special note in this lesson is the understanding that the day has not come, however, the day will come and there will be general indicators of the return. Key to all of Paul’s instructions is to remain ready.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Know: Summarize Paul’s teachings on the second coming of Christ from Thessalonians.
- Feel: Defend the importance of remaining ready for the return of Christ.
- Do: Remain ready for Jesus’ return by faithful living.
Body of the Lesson
Discussion Questions
Below are suggested questions to use during the guided discussion portion of the lesson. There are also suggested responses to questions to help students grasp the various concepts. These are provided to assist the discussion and are not considered as “right or wrong” responses.
Apocalyptic means uncovering or revealing. It was used in the ancient world to describe the content of prophecies. Part of the difficulty in understanding it was decerning its symbolic language. We have to understand the context of the writing and why it was written as well as to whom it was written and the events that were occurring at the time.
- Apostasy (vs. 3) – means to fall away. In context of Paul's teachings, it meant to fall away from following Christ. One who is not in Christ cannot fall away. Paul seems to be communicating that a great number of Christians will fall away from following Christ.
- Man of Lawlessness/Son of Destruction (vs. 3) – Lawlessness means sin. Several other names or terms are synonymous (Son of Destruction; Perdition; Anti-Christ). It is thought that this would be a distinct personality that would influence many to leave or depart from the teachings of Christ. We look for an individual but it may in fact not be a single person but an entity or movement.
- Restraining Influence (vs. 6) – This is the person or power that restrains (keeps from fully acting) the man of lawlessness. Because of the restraining influence he is unable to fully reveal his/its position or reveal himself.
- Mystery of Lawlessness (vs. 7) – The outworking of the apostasy. It would be the opposite of the outworking of good by followers of our Lord.
- Breath of his mouth (vs. 8) – The word of God, the scriptures (Revelation 2:16).
- Appearance of His coming (vs. 8) – The second coming or return of our Lord.
- Prophecy – As used in II Thessalonians, Paul is telling them what will happen in the future and at the end of time. Note that Paul does not conflict with Jesus' statement that no one knows the actual time of His return except God the Father (Matthew 24:36). Paul is providing signs and indicators, not a timeline.
Acts 20:28-30 states, "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock…" (ESV). Knowing that many will fall away, and not wanting any to fall away, we must be alert to any trends or individuals that might wander from the truth of the gospel. We should have the attitude of Christ as taught in Luke 15:2-7 because every soul is important.
A kind of person whose evil is initially hidden then revealed. He opposes God and worship to God. His influence is seen before he is.
He will seek to deceive people in the name of God and Christ to seduce them to believe false teaching. Those that follow these teachings will be lost. God will give them over because of their submission to the Man of Lawlessness.
God will destroy the Man of Lawlessness and all who follow him.
False teaching hurts the church. It draws people away from the truth and salvation. Satan seeks to destroy souls. In doing so, he hurts our Father. We must continuously be on guard to prevent Satan and his followers from being effective. We do this by following the truth of God's word. We must know it, communicate it and most of all, live it.