“Satan’s Opposition, the Lord’s Parousia, and Persecution of the Faithful” (1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13) -- Episode Six Is Up!!
Episode Synopsis:
Paul was forced out of Thessalonica after three short weeks among them. Paul truly desires to return (he’s writing to the Thessalonians from Corinth) but so far has been prevented from doing so. Paul attributes this unfortunate circumstance to the activity of Satan and so explains why he sent Timothy instead of coming in person. Paul boasts in the fact that despite all that has happened, the Thessalonians are standing firm. Paul reminds them that Christian hope is grounded in the certainly of Christ’s parousia (his second coming), a term which the apostle introduces for the first time in this letter. Paul then discusses the inevitability that those who follow Jesus will be persecuted and that Jesus himself will ensure that his people persevere to the end. All of these topics are important and thinking about them properly goes a long way to living a healthy Christian life. So, there is important content here for us as we work our way through the balance of chapter two and the whole of chapter three in Paul’s first Thessalonian letter.
Show Notes:
Note, at 9:28, I mistakenly speak of Paul as the author of Revelation. Of course, I meant John.
Links:
Leon Morris on the Second Coming of Jesus Christ
Nicolas Batzig: Satan's Tactics in the Church
J. V. Fesko: Being on Alert for the Demonic in the Mundane
R. S. Clark: What Christ Expects of His Church During Times of Opposition
Michael Glodo: Blessed Are Those Who Are Persecuted for Righteousness Sake
Bibliography for Season Two of the Blessed Hope Podcast, “When the Lord Jesus Is Revealed from Heaven: Paul’s Thessalonian Letters”
A History of the City of Thessalonica Important background to our series
F. F. Bruce's "Paul: The Apostle of the Heart Set Free" The Life and Times of Paul—Still the best biographical study of Paul
G, K, Beale, 1-2 Thessalonians (IVP NT Commentary) The best all around commentary on the Thessalonians letters (strong on eschatology)
F. F. Bruce, 1 and 2 Thessalonians (Word) One of the better technical commentaries—Bruce is especially strong on background, setting, and historical matters
Gene Green, The Letters to the Thessalonians (Pillar) A very good scholarly evangelical commentary
John Calvin, 1 and 2 Thessalonians (Crossway Classics) Calvin’s insights into this letter are still worth consideration
Music:
(Shutterstock): Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op 92m, second movement, Allegretto (A minor)