Introduction

The Second Epistle to the Thessalonians was written by Paul shortly after he wrote his first letter to them from Corinth during early A.D. 52 (1 Thessalonians 1:1; 3:17; Acts 18:5). Thessalonians misread Paul’s purpose of his first letter concerning the second coming of Christ. Also they were shaken by a forged letter from Paul. The false teachers taught that the persecution they suffered were of the Day of the Lord (Joel 2:31).  This caused them to waver in their faith.  They waited for the coming of Christ.  This created idleness in the church. Paul begins this letter by commending the believers for their faithfulness in the midst of persecution. He corrects the misunderstanding concerning the second coming of Christ and encourages them that their present suffering will be repaid with future glory.  The central theme of his letter is about the coming Day of the Lord.  Paul warns that contrary to the false teaching, the Day of the Lord has not yet come and that the man of sin will be revealed before that event.  And the rapture of the church will precede the Day of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:14-17).  Paul exhorts that believers should rather than get lazy, they should labor for the Lord and for the progress of the gospel. The purpose of studying God's prophetic program to prepare them to live in anticipation of Christ’s return.