Deeper Reflection
1 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).

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⁶¹ Gordon D. Fee & Douglas Stuart, How to Read the Bible for Its Worth, Second Edition (Zondervan, 1981, 1993), 48