Deeper Reflection1 AND 2 THESSALONIANS ARE HIGHLY ESCHATOLOGICAL.
Paul writes specifically on eschatology at two points in 1 Thessalonians
(4:13-18; 5:1-11), aside from every chapter of the letter ending with an
eschatological note (1 Thess 1:10; 2:19-20; 3:13; 4:17; 5:23), and at two points
in 2 Thessalonians (1:5-10; 2:1-12). Biblical eschatology is not primarily
about “fulfilment of end-time prophecies”, which tends to be a common
misunderstanding among Christians. There is much theology in the New
Testament letters, but their theology is “always ‘task theology’, theology
being written and brought to bear on the task at hand”
61. In 1 and 2
Thessalonians, Paul applies eschatology to pastoral work in particular
discipleship situations. We can call it disciplemaking with eschatology.
Christian fake news was going around that “the day of the Lord has come”
(v.2). And the Thessalonians were “quickly shaken in mind” and “alarmed”
(v.2), because they were not “caught up…in the clouds to meet the Lord
in the air” as they were taught (1 Thess 4:17). Paul addresses this issue by
pointing to them two major tell-tale signs before Christ’s return (v.3):
“the apostasy” and the appearance of “the man of lawlessness” – “the
antichrist” (1 Jn 2:18). And Paul recalls briefly what he had taught the
Thessalonians about this final enemy of God, behind whom is “the activity
of Satan” (vv.4-12).Paul’s focus here is deception (vv.3, 10) and falsehood (vv.9, 11). And thus, his
exhortation: “Let no one in any way deceive you” (v.3) and “stand firm and
hold to the traditions which you were taught” – “the truth” (vv.10, 12, 13, 15).
61 Gordon D. Fee & Douglas Stuart, How to Read the Bible for Its Worth, Second Edition (Zondervan, 1981, 1993), 48
