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2 That [eis] ye [humas] be [saleuo] not [me] soon [tacheos] shaken [saleuo] in [apo] mind, [nous] or [mete] be troubled, [throeo] neither [mete] by [dia] spirit, [pneuma] nor [mete] by [dia] word, [logos] nor [mete] by [dia] letter [epistole] as [hos] from [dia] us, [hemon] as [hos] that [hoti] the day [hemera] of Christ [Christos] is at
hand. [enistemi]KJV-Interlinear
2 that you may 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. NASB
The Thessalonians in
this letter, lived over 1900 years ago.They had it in their minds that the Day of the
Lord was already at hand.This caused
great consternation in them for they were anxious about the event, they were
anxious regarding their preparation, or lack of it, for His return. And there
were (as Paul warns them herein) constantly being bombarded with all sorts of
do-it-yourself prophets, as well as shysters, and scoffers.
There were those who
thought the whole idea was a hoax.There
were those who tried to make fast money by taking advantage of those who
believed in the imminent return of Christ.And as you should remember, the whole region was full of trouble and
turmoil from rebellion and conflict with Rome.That would end in less that
twenty years with the virtual destruction of Jerusalem and Judah.Millions would die.
The Day of the Lord was
the subject.
By spirit, means by
someone else's teachings or predictions, which were false.We have lots of false prophets, guru s, even
historical figures who have written predictions, in our present day.
By word, means by the
spoken word, by gossip, by rampant misinformation. There is never a shortage of
false impressions made by evangelists, teachers, or anyone who try to get the
emotions stirred up into some type of action.Usually just to gain memberships.
By letter, refers to
any written communication.Even back in those
days, when something was put into writing, it was almost immediately thought to
be truth.With all of our contemporary
media and publication technology, people will generally believe the written or
published word almost immediately.Even
in the face of horrendous journalistic distortions or bias.
However, the overall
importance of this letter from Paul, is a warning, a
reminder, and a calming plea for everyone to not get upset, and more important,
not to focus all of their energy on the expected coming of Christ.
His return will occur
in due time.Your priority is not to do
nothing as though He was going to stop by tonight, but to live your day to day
life, with poise, and responsibility, and be prepared through your daily
studies.
By doing so, then you will
be prepared by default, whether Christ returns in your lifetime, or at some
later date after you are already gone.
The date of His return
is not relevant to your spiritual growth.Your advance to spiritual maturity is important, for it is through that
mechanism that you will be made complete in your life, not through emotional
hysteria.
We will all face scoffers
and taunters, and those who simply dislike our beliefs.We will face a world that is going apostate,
indifferent, apathetic, even violent against anything
of a spiritual nature.
We are entering into a
technological world where all things are going to be believed as being solved
by technology or social public policies.
However, technology or
government, discounts even ignores the sin nature of humanity.Thus when power and control is focused in the
few, then abuses are not far behind, against the masses.
But not to worry, Paul says.God has a timetable and Gods timetable is
perfect.God has a plan specifically for
your life, and His plan for you, is a perfect plan.You can do no better on your own.
As that the day of
Christ is at hand, means the subject of His return, not that He is now on
His way.
Paul did not say that Christ
was coming now, but in fact Paul will lay out a sequence of events that have to
occur, before Christ is going to return.
In their day, Paul was
quieting the minds of the Thessalonians.In our day, Paul is preparing us for the identification of the pattern
of the end of our age, not the actual events.
Now is the time to post a prayer.
End Of Lesson
Study to show thyself approved (mature) unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing (studying/discerning), the Word of truth.
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