2. AD 30 – Jesus crucified AD 33 – Saul converted AD 46 – Barnabas and Saul in Antioch AD 47 – Paul’s first missionary journey AD 49 – Jerusalem council AD 49 – Paul’s second missionary journey TIMELINE AD 50-51 – 1 Thessalonians AD 51 – 2 Thessalonians AD 60-62 – Paul imprisoned in Rome AD 54-57 – Paul’s Third missionary journey

4. Paul started the church on his second missionary journey. He was soon chased out of town. While Paul was in Corinth, Silas and Timothy caught up with him. Paul writes a letter to the church in Thessalonica, and sent it with Timothy. A few months later, Paul wrote a second letter to the church in Thessalonica. Background Summary

5. Eschatology – the study of the Last Days. Parousia – “Coming” or “Presence.” Usually referring to the Second Coming of Jesus. Vocabulary

6. 1:1-2 Salutation 1:3-12 Thanksgiving and prayer God’s judgment is coming. –Jesus will be revealed from heaven. –He will punish those who oppose him. –He will reward those who have faith in him. 2 Thessalonians

7. 1:1-2 Salutation 1:3-12 Thanksgiving and prayer 2:1-12Misunderstandings about the Second Coming. The day of the Lord will not come until… –The man of lawlessness is revealed. –The one who restrains him is taken away. –Then the man of lawlessness will be revealed, and Jesus will destroy him. 2 Thessalonians

8. Not mentioned anywhere else in Scripture. Some equate him with the antichrist. But this is not what Paul calls him. Who is this Man of Lawlessness?

9. Early views MOL: Roman emperor Restrainer: Law and order of Roman Empire. Protestant Reformers MOL: The Pope, or the papacy. Restrainer: Martin Luther, or a reformer. Roman Catholic View: MOL: Martin Luther, or a Reformer Restrainer: Roman Catholic hierarchy. Who is this Man of Lawlessness?

10. Mid-20 th Century MOL: Hitler, Mussolini, Roosevelt. Restrainer: Power for good, law and order. Dispensationalists MOL: President, or leader of European Union. Restrainer: The Holy Spirit. Who is this Man of Lawlessness?

11. There are 7 dispensations of biblical history. Future, literal fulfillment of OT prophecies. A secret rapture of those who follow Jesus. Followed by a time of tribulation. Jesus will return again, destroy all opposition, and reign for 1,000 years on earth. Dispensationalism

13. 1:1-2 Salutation 1:3-12 Thanksgiving and prayer 2:1-12Misunderstandings about the Second Coming 2:13-17Encouragement to stand firm 3:1-5Request for Prayer 3:6-15 Warning against Idleness –Some were not busy, they were busy-bodies –“If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” 2 Thessalonians

14. 1:1-2 Salutation 1:3-12 Thanksgiving and prayer 2:1-12Misunderstandings about the Second Coming 2:13-17Encouragement to stand firm 3:1-5Request for Prayer 3:6-15 Warning against Idleness 3:16-18Concluding Greetings 2 Thessalonians