2 Thessalonians 2:11-17

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Being Firmly Established in the Faith

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. People who will not believe cannot believe.

  2. People who do believe must believe.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Don’t hold the wrong traditions.

QUESTIONS

  1. The future day of the Lord cannot come until some specific prophesied events take place. What are these events?

  2. Is the rapture a part of the day of the Lord, or does it precede it, or follow it?

  3. What is the first part of the future day of the Lord?

  4. Was it possible for the Thessalonians believers to be deceived or misled concerning the timing of future events?

  5. Could a believer today be deceived or misled about the timing of future events as outlined in Scripture?

ANSWERS

  1. a. the great apostasy or falling away b. the coming of the anti-Christ c. the removal of the Holy Spirit

  2. The rapture must be before the day of the Lord.

  3. The Great Tribulation.

  4. Yes. According to Paul's letter, they could be deceived by a. spirit or prophecy b. word or message or report c. forged letter.

  5. Yes, in the same ways.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. God is not the author of the lie, or anything false. Rather, He is the source of that which blinds the unbelievers to the truth they’ve already rejected. For example, see Matthew 13:13-14. Do you know people who will not believe, and thus cannot believe?

  2. God chose you from the beginning. The sovereignty of God in electing of some people for salvation is a great truth. The responsibility of all people to believe the gospel when it is presented to them is also a great truth. These truths are not contradictory, but complimentary. Don’t let these complementary truths disturb you. Everyone who is saved by the gospel must believe.

CHALLENGE

  1. Paul exhorted the Thessalonian believers to stand firm and hold the traditions they were taught from the word of God. But man-made traditions are to be closely examined, because they may hinder the work of the Lord. Which traditions are you holding?

KEY VERSES

  • “ God will send a strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they may be condemned who did not believe the truth… ” - 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12

  • “ God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by the gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. ” - 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14

  • “ Brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or by our epistle… May He comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work. ” - 2 Thessalonians 2:15,17



2 Thessalonians, New Testament, TalksDeb Harms2 Thessalonians 2:11-17