The Big Read – 2 Thessalonians

Powerpoint Pictures: Film posters for Aladdin, The Muppets; Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2; The Dark Knight Rises

What do the following films have in common? [Aladdin; The Muppets; Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2; The Dark Knight Rises]

In each of these films, it looks like the hero or heroes have been defeated.  But then at the last moment, they win!

To the church in Thessalonica it looked like their hero, the Lord Jesus Christ, had been defeated.

Why was that?

Look at what some people were saying:

“Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord had already come.” (2 Thessalonians 2:1-2)

Some people were saying that Jesus had returned.

Now if that’s the case, He must have lost, because they were being persecuted.  If Jesus had returned, that shouldn’t have been happening.

Paul writes 2 Thessalonians to reassure the church that Jesus hasn’t returned yet.

“God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well.  This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.” (2 Thessalonians 1:6-7)

Paul wants them to know that Jesus hasn’t been defeated, because He hasn’t returned yet.  No, when the Lord Jesus does return He will defeat all His enemies.

So 2 Thessalonians encourages us not to panic, to stand firm and keep trusting in Jesus, keep serving Him, because He hasn’t been defeated.  Our hero will return and will give us the relief of heaven He has promised His people.