Year 2, Week 43, Day 1 Bible Reading Observations

Year 2, Week 43, Day 1

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Acts 18; 2 Thessalonians 1-3.

Today’s reading continues the Book of Acts. Acts 18 concludes a section begun at the end of Acts 15, tracing Paul’s second missionary journey. Much of Acts 18 describes Paul’s ministry in the city of Corinth: “After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth…And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks” (Acts 18:1,4). In fact Paul remained in Corinth for some time: "And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them” (Acts 18:11). After he left Corinth, Paul returned to Antioch; but after a short stay there, Paul returned to previous locations to check up on the churches he formerly established: “After spending some time there, he departed and went from one place to the next through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples” (Acts 18:23). Today’s reading also covers the Book of 2 Thessalonians, a church that Paul helped start while on his second missionary journey. This second letter to the church at Thessalonica devotes a lot of its instructions on the Second Coming of Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1 offers encouragement to persecuted believers but speaking of the justice that will come when Christ returns: “This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted…when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven” (2 Thessalonians 1:5-8). 2 Thessalonians 2 speaks about the Second Coming by clarifying important truths: “Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come” (2 Thessalonians 2:1-2). 2 Thessalonians 3 warns of irresponsible idleness: “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies” (2 Thessalonians 3:10b-11).

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading is what Paul explains about the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ: “Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ…brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed…to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed” (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3a). The return of Christ is known as the Day of the Lord. The Day of the Lord will include His glorious return and the accompanying judgment against the wicked. Paul seeks to correct an erroneous notion that the Day of the Lord had already occurred. In his first letter to the believers at the church in Thessalonica, Paul said that Christ’s return will be surprising: “For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape” (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3). Perhaps because of a misreading of what Paul had previously said, perhaps because of the persecution that they were currently facing; or perhaps because of both reasons (plus other reasons), many were suggesting that the Lord's return had already happened. Paul seeks to straighten out what they were misunderstanding.

Paul explains that three things must occur before the Day of the Lord takes place. First, the man of lawlessness would be revealed, which is coupled to a surge of rebellion, the second thing: “For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). The description of the man of lawlessness is associated with the prophecies of Daniel: “And the king shall do as he wills. He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods. He shall prosper till the indignation is accomplished; for what is decreed shall be done” (Daniel 11:36). The third thing that must take place is a moral of restraint currently upon the man of lawlessness: “And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way” (2 Thessalonians 2:6-7). Only when the man of lawlessness’ restraint is removed, would he be fully revealed and thus, a surge of rebellion against the Lord: “The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10). Ultimately the one behind the man of lawlessness is Satan; however, the one over Satan is the Lord: “Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 Thessalonians 2:11).

While neither the Lord has returned, nor the man of lawlessness fully unleashed, it is beyond the reach of believers to completely sort of some of these details—as fascinating as they might seem—but we are called to remain faithful to the Lord: “But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm” (2 Thessalonians 2:13-15a).

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe