Pauline Theology South Florida Bible College & Seminary © John Stevenson, 2009

1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians Ephesians Philippians Colossians Philemon Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Pastoral Epistles Prophetic Epistles Prison Epistles Foundational Epistles Christ & the congregation Christ & second coming Christ & the church Christ & the cross EcclesiologicalEschatologicalChristologicalSoteriological

What is eschatology?

What did the eschatology of the Old Testament look like?

Old Covenant New Covenant Moses A Prophet like Moses

Old Covenant New Covenant God comes into His Temple God will come suddenly to His Temple

What additions did Jesus make to that Eschatology?

Destroy this Temple and I will raise it up in three days

“Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.” (Matthew 24:2)

“This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14)

“…the abomination of desolation which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (Matthew 24:15)

Son of Man lifted up Elect gathered World judged Eternal kingdom Gospel to be preached to the nations Son of Man Man

What additions did the book of Acts make to that Eschatology?

Acts 3:19-21 Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; 20 and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, 21 whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.

Jesus dead buried risen ascended World will be judged Eternal kingdom “…until the period of restoration of all things” Son of Man Man

What additions did Paul make to that Eschatology?

The First Epistle to the Thessalonians An Encouraging Expectancy

God’s choice of you (1:2-5). Your imitation of Christ (1:6-8) Your turning to God (1:9-10) A shared salvation history Chapter 1

A shared salvation history Chapter 1 Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica Chapters Thessalonians 2:9. For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

A shared salvation history Chapter 1 Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica Chapters Thessalonians 3:1-2. Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith,

The principle stated (4:1) Sexual purity (4:3-8) Responsible work (4:9- 12). A Promise of Comfort in the face of Death (4:13- 18). A shared salvation history Chapter 1 Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica Chapters 2-3 Exhortation to walk in a worthy manner Chapter 4

Matthew 24 They will see the Son of man coming... (24:30). 1 Thessalonians 4 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven... (4:16). He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet (24:31). With the trumpet of God... (4:16). And they will gather together His elect from the four winds... (24:31). We who are alive shall be caught up together... (4:16). …coming on the CLOUDS of the sky... (24:30). We... shall be caught up together with them in CLOUDS (4:17).

A shared salvation history Living in light of the Day of the Lord (5:1-11). Attitudes toward Christians workers (5:12-13). Closing instructions (5:14-28). Chapter 1 Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica Chapters 2-3 Exhortation to walk in a worthy manner Chapter 4 Living in light of Christ’s return Chapter 5 What God has done in our lives How we are to live as a result of what God has done

The Second Epistle to the Thessalonians Facing the Flame

A Promise of Relief to those under present Persecution The persevering faith and love of the Thessalonian church (1:2-4). A promise of affliction to those who are afflicting (1:5-8) Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians (1:9-10) Chapter 1

A Promise of Relief to those under present Persecution A Dangerous Deception (2:1-2). The Man of Sin (2:3-12) Chapter 1 A Warning of troubles that must precede the day of the Lord Chapter 2

First… The apostasy The Man of sin 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 3 Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. Day of the Lord

First… The apostasy The Man of sin 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 6 And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he may be revealed. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. Day of the Lord

8 And then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; 9 that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, 10 and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. First… The apostasy The Man of sin 2 Thessalonians 2:8-10 Day of the Lord

11 And for this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they might believe what is false, 12 in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness. First… The apostasy The Man of sin 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 Day of the Lord

Identity of the “Man of Sin” Roman Emperor Caligula –Ordered a statue of himself placed in the temple in Jerusalem Roman General Titus –Destroyed the temple in Jerusalem Roman Emperor Trajan –Built a pagan temple on the site of the temple Roman Catholic Church –Pope is said to be the Vicar of Christ Future fulfillment?

A Promise of Relief to those under present Persecution A Dangerous Deception (2:1-2). The Man of Sin (2:3-12) Chapter 1 A Warning of troubles that must precede the day of the Lord Chapter 2 Thanksgiving for God’s gracious choice (2:13-17)

A Promise of Relief to those under present Persecution Chapter 1 A Warning of troubles that must precede the day of the Lord Chapter 2 A Call to Staying Steadfast in Christ Chapter 3 What we are to believe regarding the future How we are to live in the present