The Truth about The Second Coming of Jesus
The Name of the Lord Jesus Christ Glorified (Ch. 1)
Thankfulness
"A church…in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." 1:1
The Apostles are thanking God for their brethren. 1:3
Paul was thankful because:
- Their faith grows exceedingly
- Their love abounds
- Their patience endures (1:4)
- They was progression in their calling (1:11; 2:14)
- They had the right object of their hope (1:5)
"The kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer." They had patience therefore they could hope. When you lose your patience you lose your hope, your testimony and your courage. Be strong and of a good courage (Josh. 1:6; Eph. 6:10; II Thess. 2:16).
Encouragement
They need encouragement in the midst of severe persecution. 1:4-7
Future judgment 1:8-10
The Apostle's prayer 1:11,12
"That the name of the Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified"
Instructions Regarding the Day of the Lord (Ch. 2)
- Warning against deception (2:1-4)
- A reminder (2:5)
- A revelation (2:6) "Now ye know"
- A restraining force against iniquity withholding the complete revelation of the mystery of iniquity that doth already work. (2:6-9)
- The progression of sin (2:10-12)
2:10 deception 2:11 delusion 2:12 damnation
- A delightful contrast (2:13-15)
They were chosen to salvation (2:13). This is an act of God, not of man. It was through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Now that they received salvation, they were commanded to "stand fast" (2:15).
- Prayer for the brethren (2:16-17)
Exhortations Regarding Proper Conduct (Ch. 3)
- Request for prayer that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified. (3:1)
- That the apostles might be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men. (3:2)
- That the believers would be established and kept. (3:3)
- A note of confidence (3:4)
- Heart direction (3:5)
Our hearts need directing because they are deceitful. It is our privilege to have our hearts directed "into the love of God" and that they can then be made partakers of the patience of Christ. Our hearts' director is the Lord, for He knows what is in man (John 2:25) and He speaks to the heart (Ruth 2:13). The Lord directs our hearts if we are obedient (3:4, 5; 2:17).
- The method of withdrawing from brothers that you have walked with but now are disorderly. (3:6-11, 14-15)
- Some thought that the coming of the Lord was so near that they stopped working and become busy-bodies, disorderly and some become weary in well doing. (3:11-13)
- Paul's closing prayer (3:16-18)