Reference: Thessalonians, Second Epistle To The
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THESSALONIANS, SECOND EPISTLE TO THE
1. Occasion and date.
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for many will come in my name saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will mislead many.
Many false prophets will rise up and mislead many; and because of the increase of iniquity the love of the majority will grow cold;
For false christs and false prophets will arise, and will work great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if it were possible, the very elect.
My first account, O Theophilus, dealt with all that Jesus began doing and teaching from the beginning down to the day when, after giving instructions through the Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen, he was taken up to heaven. read more. After his sufferings he had also shown himself alive to them in many convincing manifestations, revealing himself to them during forty days, and speaking of the kingdom of God. And once when he was eating with them he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father. "Of this," he said, "you have heard from me.
And once when he was eating with them he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father. "Of this," he said, "you have heard from me. "For John indeed baptized in water, but you shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days hence."
"For John indeed baptized in water, but you shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days hence." So, when they came together, they began to ask him, "Master, are you at this time about to restore the kingdom of Israel?"
So, when they came together, they began to ask him, "Master, are you at this time about to restore the kingdom of Israel?" He answered. "It is not for you to know times and occasions which the Father has fixed in his own authority;
He answered. "It is not for you to know times and occasions which the Father has fixed in his own authority; "yet you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you are to be my witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and to the very ends of the earth."
"yet you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you are to be my witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and to the very ends of the earth." When he had said this, and while they were looking at him, he was lifted up, and a cloud received him up out of their sight.
When he had said this, and while they were looking at him, he was lifted up, and a cloud received him up out of their sight. While they were gazing into the sky as he was going up, suddenly there were two men in white garments standing by them,
While they were gazing into the sky as he was going up, suddenly there were two men in white garments standing by them, and they said: "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing into the sky? This same Jesus who has been taken up from you into the sky will come back in just the same way as you have seen him going into the sky." read more. Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, about a Sabbath Day's journey distant.
When the day of Pentecost was fully come, and they were all together in the same place,
When the day of Pentecost was fully come, and they were all together in the same place, there came suddenly from the sky a sound like the onrush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
there came suddenly from the sky a sound like the onrush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
there came suddenly from the sky a sound like the onrush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. There appeared to them tongues, like flame, distributing themselves, one resting upon the head of each one,
There appeared to them tongues, like flame, distributing themselves, one resting upon the head of each one, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit was giving them utterance. read more. Now there were, staying in Jerusalem. devout Jews from many and distant lands. So when this noise was heard, the crowd gathered in bewilderment because each man heard them speaking in his own language. The were beside themselves with wonder. "Are not these Galileans who are speaking?" they exclaimed. "Then how is it that each one of us hears them speak his own mother tongue? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, dwellers in Mesopotamia, in Judea, in Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia, in Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the district of Lybia around Cretans and Arabians, we all hear these men telling in our own tongue what great things God has done." All were astonished and bewildered and kept saying to one another, "What can this mean?" But others were saying with jeer, "These men are full of sweet wine." Then Peter, with the Eleven, stood up and addresses them in a loud voice. "Men of Judea and dwellers in Jerusalem, have no doubt about this matter, but listen to what I say. "These men are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only nine o'clock in the morning. "No, this is what the prophet Joel predicted. "In the last days, God says, it shall come to pass that I will pour out my Spirit upon all mankind; "Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams;
One day Peter and John were going up together for the hour of prayer, at three in the afternoon, when a man lame from his birth was carried along, who was wont to be laid each day near the gate of the Temple called the Beautiful Gate, to ask alms of those who were going into the Temple. read more. When he saw Peter and John about to go into the Temple, he kept asking them for alms; Peter fixed his eyes upon him, as did John, and said, "Look at us." So he waited, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said: "I have neither silver nor gold, but what I do have, this I am going to give to you; in the name of Jesus Christ, the Nazarene, walk!" Then taking his right hand he lifted him up. Instantly his feet and ankle-bones were strengthened; and leaping forth he stood on his feet, and began to walk, and went with them into the Temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized that this was the man who used to sit and beg at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple, they were filled with awe and amazement at what had happened to him. While he was clinging to Peter and John, all the people crowded awe-struck around them, in what was known as Solomon's Portico.
While he was clinging to Peter and John, all the people crowded awe-struck around them, in what was known as Solomon's Portico. When he saw this, Peter said to the people. "Men of Israel, why are you wondering at this? Why do you stare at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made this man to walk? read more. "The God of Abram, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his Servant Jesus, whom you betrayed and disowned before Pilate, when he had decided to let him go; "but you disowned the holy and righteous One, and asked as a favor the release of a murderer. "The Pioneer of Life you put to death. But God has raised him from the dead, and we are witnesses of that fact. "And his name, on the ground of faith in his name, has made strong this man, whom you now see and know; yes, the faith that is through him has made this man sound and strong again, in the presence of you all. "And now, brothers, I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers.
"And now, brothers, I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers. "But God has thus fulfilled what he foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ should suffer.
I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock; and that from among your own number, men will arise, perverting the truth, to draw away the disciples after them.
Surely, brothers, you know (for I am speaking to those who know what law means) that law governs a person only during his lifetime? For a married woman who has a husband is bound by law to her husband during his lifetime; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband. read more. So then, if during her husband lifetime, she unites herself with another man, she will be counted an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the Law, so that she is no adulteress, even if she unites herself with another man. So also, my brother, you were made dead to the Law through the body of Christ; that you should be joined to another, even to Him who was raised from the dead that we might bear fruit for God. For while we were unspiritual, the sinful passions, aroused by the Law, were ever active in every part of our bodies, leading us to bear fruit unto death. But now we have been released from the Law, because we are dead to that in which we were held; so that we are now in thralldom in new and spiritual conditions, and not under the old written code.
I exhort you, brothers, to keep watch of those who are causing the divisions among you, and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the teaching which you have learned. Turn away from them. For men of that stamp are not the slaves of Christ, but are slaves to their own appetites. By their smooth and fair speech they beguile the hearts of the innocent. read more. I say this, for the tidings of your obedience have been told throughout the world. On your own behalf, then, I rejoice; but I want you to be wise unto the good, but innocents in evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
What concord has Christ with Belial? What portion has a believer with an unbeliever?
For such fellows are sham apostles of Christ. No wonder! for Satan himself disguises himself as an angel of light. read more. It is no great marvel, then, if his ministers also disguise themselves as ministers of righteousness. Their end will be according to their works.
Tell me, you who wish to be subject to the Law, why do you not listen to the Law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and one by the free woman; read more. but while the son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, the son by the free woman was born in fulfilment of a promise. Now all this is an allegory, for these women are the two covenants; one from Mount Sinai, which is Hagar bearing children into bondage (for the word Hagar stands for Mt. Sinai in Arabia and represents the present Jerusalem who with her children is in bondage.) But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written, Rejoice, O thou barren one who dost never bear, Break forth in joy, thou that dost not travail; For the children of the desolate woman are many. Yea, more than hers who has a husband. But you, brothers, are like Isaac, children of the promise; but just as in old times the son born by the flesh used to persecute the son born by the power of the Spirit, so also it is now. But what does the Scripture say? Send away the slave-woman and her son; for the slave's son shall not be heir along with the son of the free woman. So, brothers, we are the children of no slave woman, but of free woman. For freedom did not Christ set us free;
Paul and Silas and Timothy. To the church of the Thessalonians which is in God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be to you, and peace.
They forbid me to speak to the Gentiles with a view to their salvation. They continue always to fill up the measure of their sins; but the wrath of God is come upon them to the full!
They forbid me to speak to the Gentiles with a view to their salvation. They continue always to fill up the measure of their sins; but the wrath of God is come upon them to the full! But I, my brothers, although torn from you for a short season (in presence, not in heart), made eager efforts to behold you face to face with strong longing.
And so, when I could no longer bear it, I made up my mind to be left behind at Athens, all alone.
But now that Timothy has returned from you to me, and has brought good news of your faith and love, and that you are still holding me in affectionate remembrance, always longing to see me as I also am longing to see you. I have been comforted, my brothers, in regard to you, in spite of all my distress and affliction over your faith. read more. For now I am really living, if you are standing firm in the Lord. For what thanksgiving can I render again to God in your behalf, in return for all the joy which you cause me in the presence of my God? Night and day I am praying earnestly that I may see you face to face, and may perfect whatever is yet lacking in your faith. Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct my path to you. Meanwhile, may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love toward one another and toward all men, even as I do toward you. And so may he establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus, with all his saints.
Also, that you endeavor to live quietly and to mind your own business, and to work with your hands (as I charged you).
For this I tell you by the word of the Lord, that we who are living, who survive unto the coming of the Lord, will in no wise precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God will descend from heaven. Then the dead in Christ will rise first. read more. And afterwards we who are alive, who 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.
And afterwards we who are alive, who 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.
You yourselves know perfectly that the Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night. While men are saying "Peace and safety," then, like birth-pangs upon a woman with child, destruction will come upon them suddenly. In no wise will they escape.
And, brothers, we urge you to admonish the disorderly, comfort the faint-hearted, sustain the weak, lose patience with none.
Paul and Silvanus and Timothy. To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
For truly God's justice must render back trouble to those who are troubling you, and give to you, who are now troubled, rest, along with me at the unveiling "apocalypse" of the Lord Jesus from heaven, with his mighty angels,
and give to you, who are now troubled, rest, along with me at the unveiling "apocalypse" of the Lord Jesus from heaven, with his mighty angels, in flaming fire. Then shall he take vengeance on those who know not God, even on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
in flaming fire. Then shall he take vengeance on those who know not God, even on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They shall suffer punishment, even an eternal destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the brightness of his glorious majesty,
They shall suffer punishment, even an eternal destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the brightness of his glorious majesty, when he comes to be glorified in his saints, and to be wondered at in all believers, on that Day; (for you also believed our testimony).
Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to meet him, I entreat you, brothers,
Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to meet him, I entreat you, brothers,
Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to meet him, I entreat you, brothers, not to be "quickly shaken out of your wits" and not to be agitated either by a spirit or by a message, or by an epistle purporting to be from me, saying, "The Day of the Lord is at hand."
not to be "quickly shaken out of your wits" and not to be agitated either by a spirit or by a message, or by an epistle purporting to be from me, saying, "The Day of the Lord is at hand."
not to be "quickly shaken out of your wits" and not to be agitated either by a spirit or by a message, or by an epistle purporting to be from me, saying, "The Day of the Lord is at hand."
not to be "quickly shaken out of your wits" and not to be agitated either by a spirit or by a message, or by an epistle purporting to be from me, saying, "The Day of the Lord is at hand."
not to be "quickly shaken out of your wits" and not to be agitated either by a spirit or by a message, or by an epistle purporting to be from me, saying, "The Day of the Lord is at hand." Let no one deceive you by any means. For it will not come until after the Great Apostasy, and the revealing of the Man of Sin, the son of perdition,
Let no one deceive you by any means. For it will not come until after the Great Apostasy, and the revealing of the Man of Sin, the son of perdition,
Let no one deceive you by any means. For it will not come until after the Great Apostasy, and the revealing of the Man of Sin, the son of perdition,
Let no one deceive you by any means. For it will not come until after the Great Apostasy, and the revealing of the Man of Sin, the son of perdition,
Let no one deceive you by any means. For it will not come until after the Great Apostasy, and the revealing of the Man of Sin, the son of perdition,
Let no one deceive you by any means. For it will not come until after the Great Apostasy, and the revealing of the Man of Sin, the son of perdition, the adversary, who opposes and exalts himself against all that is called God, or is an object of worship; so that he takes his seat in the Temple of God, and vaunts himself as God.
the adversary, who opposes and exalts himself against all that is called God, or is an object of worship; so that he takes his seat in the Temple of God, and vaunts himself as God.
the adversary, who opposes and exalts himself against all that is called God, or is an object of worship; so that he takes his seat in the Temple of God, and vaunts himself as God.
the adversary, who opposes and exalts himself against all that is called God, or is an object of worship; so that he takes his seat in the Temple of God, and vaunts himself as God.
the adversary, who opposes and exalts himself against all that is called God, or is an object of worship; so that he takes his seat in the Temple of God, and vaunts himself as God.
the adversary, who opposes and exalts himself against all that is called God, or is an object of worship; so that he takes his seat in the Temple of God, and vaunts himself as God. Do you not recall that I often told you this, when I was with you?
Do you not recall that I often told you this, when I was with you? And now you know what is holding him back, to the end that he may be revealed in his appointed time.
And now you know what is holding him back, to the end that he may be revealed in his appointed time.
And now you know what is holding him back, to the end that he may be revealed in his appointed time.
And now you know what is holding him back, to the end that he may be revealed in his appointed time.
And now you know what is holding him back, to the end that he may be revealed in his appointed time.
And now you know what is holding him back, to the end that he may be revealed in his appointed time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only there is one who is hindering and will continue to hinder till he be removed;
For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only there is one who is hindering and will continue to hinder till he be removed;
For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only there is one who is hindering and will continue to hinder till he be removed;
For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only there is one who is hindering and will continue to hinder till he be removed;
For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only there is one who is hindering and will continue to hinder till he be removed;
For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only there is one who is hindering and will continue to hinder till he be removed;
For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only there is one who is hindering and will continue to hinder till he be removed;
For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only there is one who is hindering and will continue to hinder till he be removed; and then the lawless one will be revealed. Him the Lord will consume with the breath of his lips, and destroy with the brightness of his appearing;
and then the lawless one will be revealed. Him the Lord will consume with the breath of his lips, and destroy with the brightness of his appearing;
and then the lawless one will be revealed. Him the Lord will consume with the breath of his lips, and destroy with the brightness of his appearing;
and then the lawless one will be revealed. Him the Lord will consume with the breath of his lips, and destroy with the brightness of his appearing;
and then the lawless one will be revealed. Him the Lord will consume with the breath of his lips, and destroy with the brightness of his appearing; even he whose coming is according to the energy of Satan, in every power and sign and lying wonder,
even he whose coming is according to the energy of Satan, in every power and sign and lying wonder,
even he whose coming is according to the energy of Satan, in every power and sign and lying wonder,
even he whose coming is according to the energy of Satan, in every power and sign and lying wonder, and with all deceit of unrighteousness for those who are perishing, because they did not receive the love of the truth for their salvation.
and with all deceit of unrighteousness for those who are perishing, because they did not receive the love of the truth for their salvation.
and with all deceit of unrighteousness for those who are perishing, because they did not receive the love of the truth for their salvation.
and with all deceit of unrighteousness for those who are perishing, because they did not receive the love of the truth for their salvation. For this reason God is sending on them an energy of delusion, that they should put faith in a falsehood;
For this reason God is sending on them an energy of delusion, that they should put faith in a falsehood;
For this reason God is sending on them an energy of delusion, that they should put faith in a falsehood;
For this reason God is sending on them an energy of delusion, that they should put faith in a falsehood; so that they all should be condemned, who are faithless to the truth, but take pleasure in evil.
so that they all should be condemned, who are faithless to the truth, but take pleasure in evil.
so that they all should be condemned, who are faithless to the truth, but take pleasure in evil.
so that they all should be condemned, who are faithless to the truth, but take pleasure in evil.
So, brothers, stand fast, and hold fast the teachings which you have been taught by me, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
and that I may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for all do not hold the faith.
I, Paul, add this greeting in my own handwriting, which is my token in every letter. Thus I write??18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
My children, this is the last hour, and as you have heard that an antichrist was coming, and now many antichrists are already risen, whence we may know that it is the last hour.
My children, this is the last hour, and as you have heard that an antichrist was coming, and now many antichrists are already risen, whence we may know that it is the last hour.
My children, this is the last hour, and as you have heard that an antichrist was coming, and now many antichrists are already risen, whence we may know that it is the last hour.
Who is the liar if not the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the Antichrist, even he who disowns the Father and the Son.
Who is the liar if not the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the Antichrist, even he who disowns the Father and the Son.
and every spirit which confesses him not, is not from God. And this is that spirit of Antichrist of which you have heard that it is coming, and that now it is already in the world.
And I saw another beast ascending from the land; and he had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon; and he exerts the full authority of the first beast before him, and he makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast whose death-stroke was healed. read more. And he performs great miracles, so that he even causes fire to come down to the earth from the sky, before men's eyes. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth, because of the miracles, which he is permitted to perform in the sight of the beast. He tells those who live on the earth to make an image to the beast who had the sword-stroke, yet lived. And he was permitted to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast should speak; and so that any one who would not worship the image of the beast should be put to death. And he makes all men, low and high, rich and poor, freemen and slaves, to have a brand put upon their right hands or upon their brows, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the brand of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding count the number of the beast; for it is the number of a man; and his number is 666.
And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed miracles in his presence to deceive those who had received the brand of the beast, and those who worshiped his image. The two were thrown alive into the lake of fire, blazing with brimstone. And the rest were slain with the sword of him who sat on the horse, that sword which issued from his lips. And all the birds gorged themselves with their flesh.
and the devil who had been deceiving them was hurled into the lake of fire and brimstone, where lie also the beast and the false prophet. And they will be tortured day and night, forever and ever.
Smith
Thessalo'nians, Second Epistle to the,
appears to have been written from Corinth not very long after the first, for Silvanus and Timotheus were still with St. Paul.
In the former letter we saw chiefly the outpouring of strong personal affection, occasioned by the renewal of the apostle's intercourse with the Thessalonians, and the doctrinal and hortatory portions are there subordinate. In the Second Epistle, on the other hand, his leading motive seems to have been the desire of correcting errors in the church of Thessalonica. We notice two points especially which call for his rebuke:-- First, it seems that the anxious expectation of the Lord's advent. Instead of subsiding, had gained ground since the writing of the First Epistle. Second, the apostle had also a personal ground of complaint. His authority was not denied by any, but it was tampered with, and an unauthorized use was made of his name. It will be seen that the teaching of the Second Epistle is corrective of or rather supplemental to that of the first, and therefore presupposes it. This epistle, in the range of subject as well as in style and general character closely resembles the first; and the remarks made on that epistle apply for the most part equally well to this. The structure is somewhat similar the main body of the epistle being divided into two parts in the same way, and each part closing with a prayer. ch.
The epistle ends with a special direction and benediction. ch.
The external evidence in favor of the Second Epistle is somewhat more definite than that which can be brought in favor of the first. The internal character of the epistle too, as in the former case, bears the strongest testimony to its Pauline origin. Its genuineness, in fact, was never questioned until the beginning of the present century.
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to these latter an odor of death to death, to the former, of life to life. For such service as this, who is sufficient? I am; for I am not like most, trafficking in the word of God, but rather from a sincere heart, like a man of God, I speak in Christ, in the very presence of God.
but when their heart turns to our Lord the veil is stripped away. (The Lord means the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord abides there is freedom.) read more. And we all, with unveiled faces, reflecting like a mirror the glory of the Lord, are ourselves continually being transformed into the same likeness, from glory to glory, as by the Lord, the Spirit.