“THESSALONIANS“

GOD’S RED LETTER BOOK

By Bonnie Jones

July 2020

Recently in a vision I saw the book of Thessalonians (both books) completely written in red letters. And the Lord said, “It is a red letter book!” So there was no distinction between the first and/or second book. Both books were emphasized and therefore equally important. 

The main theme of 1 and 2 Thessalonians is the return of Christ to the earth. Paul begins the first book by reflecting on their faithfulness, labor of love and patience of hope in the Lord. He acknowledges them for knowing their election by God. Because they, like ones from each generation, have been chosen. Paul goes on to express how he, Timothy and Silvanus did not come to please men with flattering words nor did they seek their glory. Instead they came in boldness to impart the gospel of God so the young Thessalonian believers would walk worthy of their calling in Christ. (2:12) The same remains true for Christians today, to know their calling, walking in truth and boldness and pleasing God not man.

Paul tells them to walk blameless in holiness before God (3:11-13) and reminds them that God called them to sanctification and honor not passion of lust. (4:3) Believers are called to holiness and whoever rejects this call rejects the Holy Spirit whom God has given them.

Paul gives an exhortation on how Christians must walk in love toward one another and be an example for the unbeliever. Then he begins to speak about the second coming of Christ. For the Lord will descend from heaven with a shout and an archangel will declare His coming and the trumpet of God shall sound. And the dead in Christ shall arise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. (4:14-17)

Blueprint for Christian Living

Paul concludes the first book of Thessalonians by reassuring believers that the day of the Lord comes as a thief in the night. (5:2) And there is no darkness in the sons of light. (5:5) Therefore the sons of light must not sleep but watch and be sober, calm and alert (5:6) They must wear the breastplate of faith and love and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.

Paul’s last exhortation outlines a blueprint for successful life in every generation of believers. (5:14-22) In Paul’s encouragement, notice how many times he uses the word “all”. These are measures Christians should uphold daily. Not only toward other believers but also toward “all” people. There can be no distinction! 

Warn the unruly, Comfort the faint hearted, Uphold the weak, Be patient with all people, See that no one renders evil for evil, Pursue what is good for all, Rejoice always, Pray without ceasing, Be thankful in all things, Don’t quench the Holy Spirit, Don’t despise prophecies, Test all things holding on to the good, And abstain from all evil. (5:14-22)

Second Coming of Christ

In the second book of Thessalonians Paul clarifies and expands his teaching on the second coming of Christ. (4:13-5:11) He states that the Lord will return with His angels in a flame of fire and He will take vengeance on those who reject God and don’t obey the gospel of Christ. They will be banished from His presence and the glory of His power. But He will be glorified through His saints and admired by all who believe. (1:7-10)

Paul warns, “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” (2:3-4) I believe a great falling away has been taking place in the body of Christ for many years. Compromise and seeker friendly churches are on the rise and many have caved in to complacency and politically correctness. Unfortunately the fear of the Lord is far-gone and fire of God has been quenched. Paul warned about this in his letter to Timothy saying, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron” (1 Timothy 4:1-2)

I believe that we are living in the end of the end times and the spirit of the antichrist is seizing the nations. But there is no darkness in the sons of light. As Christ is the Light (1 John 1:5) so also the sons walk in His likeness (John 12:36) therefore shedding light wherever they go. While the world (those separated apart from God) grows darker, our light must shine brighter and reflect His glory. He is the Way and the only way therefore His light in us must out shine the darkness. In this time of lawlessness all eyes are upon Christians watching to see their response in these perilous times. How do we react? Do we love and remain peaceful? Or do we respond in anger and revenge inflicting even greater hostility toward our neighbor? 

Mystery of Lawlessness Revealed 

I believe the mystery of lawlessness is the antichrist spirit and it is running rampant throughout the nations. But that’s all the enemy can do – run. And I believe evil will increase because the devil is at work through his followers and must gain traction to run his course. Evil must increase because the time is short. 

Personally I’ve never gotten into the “tribulation” debate although I’ve had my thoughts regarding it. However when the Lord highlighted Thessalonians and its importance, I searched for greater understanding. Here’s what I believe Paul is saying regarding the second coming of Christ. Paul begins by addressing the mystery of lawlessness. He states that it is already at work in the world. (2:7a) This is the antichrist spirit working through unbelievers. Simply stated, it’s any spirit that opposes Christ. If it was at work in Paul’s day, how much more is it alive and active today? There are nine billion people alive today and many do not know the Lord. Therefore this antichrist spirit has gained velocity. 

⁶ And now you know what is restraining him [from being revealed at this time]; it is so that he may be manifested (revealed) in his own [appointed] time.

⁷ For the mystery of lawlessness (that hidden principle of rebellion against constituted authority) is already at work in the world, [but it is] restrained only until he who restrains is taken out of the way. (AMPC)

But Paul goes on to explain that although the antichrist spirit is at work, the Antichrist is restrained until He who restrains is removed. (2:7b) So whom is Paul talking about? I believe he’s talking about the Holy Spirit that lives in each born again Christian. As each Christian fights the good fight of faith against the antichrist spirit, the Antichrist himself is restrained. However when Christ returns, the dead in Christ rise and the remaining Christians meet Him in the air. (1 Thes. 4:16-17) Then the Antichrist will no longer be restrained. Therefore he’ll be given permission to rule and reign on the earth. The Holy Spirit will also ascend with/through the living saints.

I also believe that Paul was looking ahead prophetically seeing the return of Christ in Revelation 19 for he states in 2:8 “ And then the lawless one (the antichrist) will be revealed and the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of His mouth and bring him to an end by His appearing at His coming.”

Lawlessness Precedes Christ’ Return

Paul said that certain signs would precede the return of Christ. In particular there will be an outbreak of lawlessness followed by the appearance of the lawless one (the antichrist) that will escort to their doom those who have no love for the truth. (2:10-12) However, in contrast to those who are perishing, believers can give thanks to God for their call to salvation. (2:13-17) This is a call for harvesters to take up arms and go into the fields because they are ripe for harvest. (Joel 3:13) Jesus said, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” (Matthew 9:37-38) God has prepared the harvest fields. Are we willing to go?

We Are Sons of Light

Man’s Free Will

God gave mankind free will to choose right from wrong, good from evil. I believe each generation’s delusion grows stronger yet knowledge of the Word has increased. Today we have access to the written word and revelatory teaching via TV and Internet in many forms. So there is no excuse to anyone in the free world being uninformed about the gospel of God. Therefore it’s because of man’s inability or unwillingness to love the Lord that God will send a strong delusion.  

And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2:11-12)

The Good News

Here’s the good news! God has the Christian’s back and He will keep their feet from stumbling. As the days grow darker their light will shine forth even brighter. And as evil is exposed God’s justice will prevail. 

But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you. (3:3-4)

Paul had no idea he was speaking to generations that would span more than two thousand years. His understanding of what will take place at the second coming of Christ remains true. There was a great expectation of this event and they believed it would take place soon. But over the centuries hopelessness and complacency set into the body of believers causing their faith to wane and the love of many grew cold. (See Matthew 24:9-14)

Paul’s last exhortation says, “ The Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ. (3:3&5) And he gives a final warning to the believers saying, “But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.”Although Paul was addressing the fact that he did not take food, etc. from others, he earned his wage. But I believe there’s a hidden message in this. Paul tells us to withdraw, retreat and disengage from the disorderly. They are undisciplined, unruly, unpredictable and confusing or chaotic. Christians must depart from evil and follow the gospel of God.

End of the End of the Age

In this time of great harvest lawlessness abounds but God’s grace abounds even more. (Romans 5:20) The two short books of Thessalonians arm the believer with the assurance of their calling and the second coming of Christ. They’re given a blueprint for faithful living and the assurance that God has their back.

Christians are the vessels, tools, implements and weapons God uses to reach lost souls. While the enemy spreads lies through lawlessness, Christians wield a two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12) while in agreement with the Lord’s in Revelation 1. The sword of the saint together with the sword of the Lord will disembowel the enemy and cut off his lying tongue every time. 

He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. (Revelation 1:16)

Let us rise up together and take arms against the deceits of the enemy by remembering our call and election in Him. Let your light so shine in the dark places where the enemy sets traps. Each day is one day closer to the Lord’s return and what a glorious day that shall be. But let us not forget those who are lost. I believe God gives us opportunity daily to reach lost souls. So let’s be diligent to our election in Christ and do the work of a harvester as we look forward to the coming of Christ.

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)