I am doing a bit of revision and also thinking of some questions to ask my lecturer on Monday. I was glad to stumble on these verses and ponder on them:
2 Thessalonians 2:1-17 (NASB95)
1 Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming (Gk Transliterated parousia) of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, 2 that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.
1 Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming (Gk Transliterated parousia) of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, 2 that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.
- The situation here is that the Thessalonians are shaken and disturbed that the day of the Lord has come. Apparently, there might be a false letter by some writers trying to impersonated Paul, with the intent to deceive them that the day of the Lord has come. The implication for them is that they have missed their rapture!!!
- However, in this letter to them, Paul reminded them that the day of the Lord is not here yet because the apostasy has not yet come, the man of lawlessness not revealed yet.
- NOTE: Therefore, the day of the Lord comes after the man of lawlessness
- This is a reminder because when Paul was with them, he had already told them these things (v5)
5 Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things?
6 And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed.
7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. 8 Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming (parousia); 9 that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, 10 and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.
- Time sequence: Restrainer gone, man of lawlessness appears, the day of the Lord will come (as a thief)
- Restrainer refers to the church (the rapture)
As I read, something caught my attention:
Verse 1 talks about the coming (parousia) of our Lord Jesus Christ
Verse 8 also talks about His coming (parousia)
Question:
Isn’t the coming (parousia) of our Lord Jesus Christ the rapture? Because in verse 1, the coming of the Lord and our gathering with Him implies so.
But how come after the restrainer (the church) is raptured, and the man of lawlessness appears, then is the phrase “the appearance of His coming (parousia)” in verse 8?
Are there 2 ‘rapture’s if parousia means rapture?
Thank God for my lecturer who is amazing with his Greek.
I was reminded “Parousia without any modifier is referring to the rapture.”
Therefore, verse 2 Thessalonians 2:1 “της παρουσιας του κυριου” => the coming (parousia) of the Lord => no modifier => rapture
2 Thessalonians 2:8 “της παρουσιας αυτου” => your coming => there is a modifier => not referring to the rapture => refer to another event.
I will test this out in other scriptures….
11 For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false,
12 in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.
13 But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.
14 It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.
16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace,
17 comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.
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