20160908 Thursday, September 8 2016
2 Thessalonians 01: Finishing The Course

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing"

The apostle Paul's second letter (see The Epistles: What Is An Epistle?) to the Christians of Thessalonica (see The Church Of Mount Olympus) was written not long after his first letter to them - a few months, or perhaps a year.

As with the first letter, Paul provided concise information, and dire warnings, about the return of the Messiah (see Who Will Meet The Returning Messiah In The Clouds?) and what they had to do to live a genuine Christian life (see Christ Died For Repentant Sinners), in order to be found acceptable to be saved on that day (see also What Was The Lesson Of John 3:16? to understand what, and when, being "saved" and being "born again" truly mean).

Paul began the epistle with a greeting that included two of the many associates of Paul (see The Men And Women Who Made It Happen and Why Did Others Write For Paul?), Silvanus and Timotheus (i.e. Timothy), who continued on after the LORD (see The Identity Of The LORD God and The LORD God Our Saviour) permitted the Romans to martyr Paul - as Paul wrote to Timothy when he saw it coming:

"4:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:6-8 KJV).

Notice that although Paul's greeting was customary, he then went right to business. Time and resources were precious to him - perhaps the primary reason that the Biblical epistles aren't longer. But they don't need to be. All that is necessary is there for those whose time of calling is "now" (see Who Knows The Secret Of Christ's Return? and the Fact Finder question below).

"1:1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

1:2 Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; 1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:

1:5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: 1:6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 1:10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

1:11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: 1:12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 KJV)

Fact Finder: How does "apocalypse" happen to everyone, of all time?
See Apocalypse Now