Second Thessalonians

Author: Paul
Type of Book: Epistle
Date of Writing: 52-53 AD
Theme: The great tribulation and second coming of Christ

Paul founded the church in Thessalonica while on his second missionary journey with Silas, Timothy, and Luke. According to Acts 17, he was in Thessalonica for less than a month and taught them three consecutive Saturdays. He moved on after a few weeks but left behind a young, vibrant church.

Paul continued on his journey to Berea, then to Athens and Corinth. Apparently, while in Corinth, he received a report about how things were going in Thessalonica, including some questions the church had concerning some of his teachings. The book of 1 Thessalonians was written to answer their questions and to correct some of their misunderstandings. Shortly after sending them the first letter, he received reports of other questions and misunderstandings they had, and he then wrote this second letter to further clarify what he had taught them previously.

First Thessalonians focused primarily on the rapture of the church. Second Thessalonians focuses on the great tribulation and the second coming of Christ. Some were teaching that the great tribulation was already upon them. Paul corrected this error by writing that, although they were currently suffering tribulation, it was not the great tribulation. That period of time will be clearly distinguishable by the rise of the Antichrist as a world leader, and it will end when Jesus returns to the earth to destroy His enemies. Paul makes a distinction between the rapture, where Jesus takes us up into the air to meet Him, and the second coming following the great tribulation, when He will return to subdue the earth and set up His earthly thousand-year reign.

So again, the first letter comforts Christians by telling us that the rapture is coming, while the second letter comforts us by letting us know we are not presently in the great tribulation, and we will not go through the great tribulation. Glorious assurance, especially to those who are presently suffering.

-from Pastor Chuck Smith from The Word for Today Bible