2 Thessalonians Blog 1

Scholars tend to debate as who wrote 2 Thessalonians. Many of them believe that Paul wrote this letter. According to Raymond F. Collins, this is called the second letter simply because it is shorter than 1 Thessalonians (2123). Craig S. Keener adds that 2 Thessalonians was probably really written second (597). Keener adds that the reason for this letter may be a response to the reaction of the first letter where some hearers may have thought that the Day of the Lord had already come (598). Paul wrote 2 Thessalonians in the mid 50s (Tafoya).

One thing that is really hard to realize, that I have discovered a lot in the past year, is the fact that we are all born into this spiritual war that has been going on for a really long time. As I mature in this faith, I realize the reality of both sides. Growing up I was taught that God exists as three in one. His son, Jesus, came to die to save humanity. In order to be saved, I would have to ask Jesus into my heart and then begin a relationship with Him. I learned that the Bible is more than a good book (or even a compilation of good books). In fact, the Bible is the Living Word of God.

After a while I also learned that God is really smart. He knows me from the inside and therefore knows everything I need before I even know. I learned that God wants all of me and not just every Sunday morning. God also wants me to desire Him more and more every day.

Life is easy still up to this point. Then add the fact that the devil wants to tear up everything that God stands for. Add the reality of the force that is moving as hard as it can against God. See how so many people are blindly following that movement. Imagine what God really feels. Suddenly it gets hard because the devil would love to convince you of something, anything. Whatever he convinces you of is a lie. Now everyone needs to sort out the Truth from the lie.

From that point try to understand that God is close even when everything feels contrary. Good things happen in life and then it is easy to declare that Jesus is King. Bad things happen and it is harder to remember the God who loves us so much. The devil then tries to convince us that he is winning and God is losing. During those moments, we have to remember that now is not the greatest point of life. In faith, we have to remember and hold to the FACT that God has won and will win. We have to remember that the devil lost, and that God was and is and is to come.

2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 “Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us, so that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified everywhere, just as it is among you, and that we may be rescued from wicked and evil people; for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will go on doing the things that at we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.”

No matter what is going on, whether good or bad, the Lord is near and hears our prayers. He is mighty.

There are times this past semester that I have either forgotten or doubted that. Sometimes I wondered if my choices to follow God were correct. I wondered if He had left because the enemy felt so close and God felt so far. In reality God was closer than however close the enemy was. The Lord has been faithful and will continue to be faithful. Praise God!


WORKS CITED

Books:

Collins, Raymond F. “The Second Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians.” Pages 2123-2124 in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible with the Apocrypha. Edited by Walter J. Harrelson et al. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003.

Keener, Craig S. “2 Thessalonians,” Pages 597-604 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.

Lecture:

Tafoya, Stace. “2 Thessalonians,” lectured on BIB114. Colorado Christian University. 19 November, 2008.