Publisher's Synopsis
Second Thessalonians is the third letter that the Apostle Paul wrote to any of the local churches. In the opening chapter of this book, one will see how and when he had gotten to the place to where he wrote this letter. It is very interesting to retrace his travels throughout the region, along with the travels of Silas and Timothy. Bible scholars have done an excellent job of examining the scriptures and the movements of key people to put everything into the right context and the right timeframe. That having been said, Paul was in his second Bible-recorded missionary journey. So this letter to the church in Thessalonica was likely written around 52 AD or 53 AD.
In Second Thessalonians chapter one, he wrote about being satisfied by the spiritual growth and maturing of the Thessalonian Christians. Of course, as will be seen later in the book, not all of the Thessalonian Christians were doing as well. He also wrote about his hope that they would be faithful to the calling that the Lord had placed on their life. He wanted them to be involved in the work of the Lord like all Christians should be. In Second Thessalonians chapter two, he next transitioned to one of the main reasons that he was writing this second letter to them so soon after he had written them a first letter. Apparently, the people in the Thessalonian church were confused about when Jesus would come again because they thought that He was coming for them at any time. So Paul, in providing some of the very vivid details about the last days of the Church Age, explained to them very specifically about the Second Coming of Christ in relation to the revealing of the Antichrist and the Great Tribulation. His understanding about all of that has to be some of the most fascinating parts of the scriptures. In Second Thessalonians chapter three, Paul concluded his letter. Before he was done, however, he dealt with the second reason that he had written this letter. Because the people thought that Jesus would come back at any moment, they had stopped working so that they could wait for Him. Of course, that was not a good long-term lifestyle. So Paul had wanted to straighten them out on that, too. There is one note, however, to be made before ending this introduction with respect to the organization of this text. Something that the reader might find useful is boxes throughout that show the different passages that are being referenced at the times and in the places where they are being referenced. That way, he or she will not have to jump all over the place or get into or out of the scriptures to locate a particular reference. Hopefully that inclusion will help the reader in trying to understand the various events and to also put them into their right and proper context. So it is hoped that that will make this book easier to read and that the Lord will receive the praise, honor, and glory that He rightfully deserves.
