CET: 5 The Sequence of Endtime Events According to the Apostle Paul

Chapter 5

The Sequence of Endtime Events According to the Apostle Paul

1 & 2 Thessalonians

Contents

A) Paul confirms what Jesus taught about the timing of Christ’s Return & the Church’s Rescue 1 Thess 4:13-17

B) Paul confirms that the Church’s Rescue does not occur until Christ’s Return 2 Thess 1:6-10

C) The Church’s Rescue will not come until after the Antichrist’s Claim to be God 2 Thess 2:1-4

D) A summary of the sequence of Endtime events in 2 Thessalonians

Primary Points

• The most widely recognized description of the Church’s Rescue (“rapture;” 1 Thess 4:13-17) is practically identical to Jesus’ description of the same event in Matthew 24:31. Both describe a very loud and visible Return of Christ at the Church’s Rescue.
• In 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10 the Apostle taught Christians not to expect rescue from persecution until the glorious appearing of Jesus Christ.
• 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 clearly teaches the Church’s Rescue will not occur until after Antichrist’s Claim to be God in a Jewish temple which begins The Greatest Persecution.
• The Church’s Rescue cannot happen “at any moment.”
• 
  Listen carefully Christian. If you are living when the Endtimes begin, you will experience The Beginning of Birth Pains. If you survive those, you will experience The Greatest Persecution. The Antichrist’s Wrath on the Church comes before Christ’s Return, the Church’s Rescue, and Christ’s Wrath on this world.

In the previous chapter a specific sequence of events that Jesus taught in His Endtimes Teaching was demonstrated. This chapter will look at the Apostle Paul’s teaching on this topic to the Thessalonians. It will become clear that the Apostle taught the same sequence of events as his Lord.

A) Paul confirms what Jesus taught about the timing of Christ’s Return & the Church’s Rescue

1 Thess 4:13-17

[Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17]

Most Christians believe this passage gives the clearest description of the Church’s Rescue (“rapture”) in the Endtimes. The Apostle begins his description of Christ’s Return and the Church’s Rescue with a curious statement that many overlook: According to the Lord’s own word [logō] we tell you… (v. 15 NIV).

The Greek noun logon can refer to an entire speech. ^[1] In other words, the Apostle is telling the Thessalonians that his teaching regarding the Church’s Rescue is according to a teaching of Christ on the same topic.

Did Paul possess a teaching from Jesus on Christ’s Return and the Church’s Rescue? Yes, in Christ’s Endtimes Teaching discussed in the previous chapter. Compare the Lord’s own word (1 Thess 4:15) in Matthew 24:29-31, with Paul’s description of the same event in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17. They are describing the same event. ^[2]

[Read Matthew 24:29-31 again. Then read 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 again. Notice they are describing the same event.]

Let us notice at least seven obvious similarities in these teachings:

1) The general context is Christ’s Return

Both Jesus and Paul were teaching about the Second Coming of Christ. Therefore, we would expect them to teach the same thing.

2) The specific context is severe persecution

The context of Jesus’ teaching on His Return and the Church’s Rescue was The Greatest Persecution of God’s elect people (cf. Matt 24:9, 21, 29). The Apostle’s teaching to the Thessalonians was also in the context of severe persecution (cf. 1 Thess 1:6; 2:2, 14-15; Acts 17:1-8). Martyrdom in the persecution may have been the cause of many of those who had died (cf. 1 Thess 4:13-14, 17).

3) The topic is the very public and visible Return of Christ

In the previous chapter (4) it was noted that many teach that the Church’s Rescue will occur in a “secret and silent rapture.” It was also explained there that Matthew 24:29-31 clearly refutes this idea.

So does the teaching of the Apostle. Paul says Christ’s Return and the Church’s Rescue will be LOUD. Indeed, it could be said this is the loudest passage in all of Scripture! ^[3] The Apostle said the Church’s Rescue will include a loud command, the voice of the archangel, and the trumpet call of God (1 Thess 4:16 NIV). Accordingly, there is no verse in Scripture that describes Christ’s Return or the Church’s Rescue as “secret and silent.” When Christ Returns to Rescue His Church, it will be bright and loud and witnessed by every person on Earth.

4) There is the presence of clouds

Jesus said, the Son of Man will be coming on the clouds (Matt 24:30). The Apostle said at Christ’s Return and the Church’s Rescue that Christians will meet the Lord in the clouds (1 Thess 4:17). In both passages this probably refers to the Glory Cloud that will accompany Christ at His Return.

5) There is the presence of Angels

Jesus said at His Return and the Church’s Rescue, “He will send His Angels … and they will lift up and gather together God’s elect people” (Matt 24:31). Likewise, the Apostle said at the same event there will be the voice of the archangel (1 Thess 4:16 NIV). This certainly implies the presence of other Angels.

6) There is a trumpet call

This is perhaps the most obvious similarity between these two teachings. Anyone denying they are describing the same event exposes a distorting bias toward the text. ^[4] At Christ’s Return and the Church’s Rescue Jesus said, “He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet sound” (Matt 24:31). Likewise, the Apostle said at Christ’s Return and the Church’s Rescue there will be the trumpet call of God (1 Thess 4:16). Jesus and Paul are clearly describing the same event.

This is the same trumpet that will sound when the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed (1 Cor 15:52 NIV) in the First Resurrection.

7) Believers will be gathered in the air to meet Christ

Jesus said, angels … will lift up and gather together God’s elect people in the sky when the Son of Man is coming on the clouds of Heaven (Matt 24:30-31). This will be for the purpose of meeting Christ in the air. Likewise, Paul said the Church, will be caught up together … to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thess 4:17). Both Jesus and Paul are describing a gathering of the Church to meet Christ in the sky at His Return.

Important rules of biblical interpretation in which we compare Scripture with Scripture should clearly lead to the conclusion that both Jesus and the Apostle were teaching about Christ’s Return and the Church’s Rescue. Especially when we note that the Apostle described his teaching as being According to the Lord’s own word (1 Thess 4:15). Why would we doubt that Paul is referring to one of the most famous and longest teachings Christ ever gave? Especially when Jesus and Paul were teaching on the very same topic, Christ’s Return.

B) Paul confirms that the Church’s Rescue does not occur until Christ’s Return: 2 Thess 1:6-7

[Read 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7. As you do, imagine the Thessalonian Christians in the midst of their persecution. Then ask yourself what they were instructed to look for when they received relief from their persecution.]

In the previous section regarding 1 Thessalonians 4, we noted that the context was severe persecution occurring in this church. There he offered them consolation by reminding them of Christ’s Return and the Church’s Rescue. When Paul wrote his second letter to them shortly afterwards, the persecution was continuing. And again, he seeks to encourage them by describing Christ’s Return and the Church’s Rescue:

We proudly tell God’s other churches about your endurance and faithfulness in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering. And God will use this persecution to show his justice and to make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering. In his justice he will pay back those who persecute you.

And God will provide rest [anasin, NIV relief] for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. (2 Thess 1:4-8 NLT)

Now here is the important question. When could these Christians expect relief from being persecuted? The Apostle said This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels (NIV). Why would their relief from being persecuted happen then? Because Christ’s very visible Return and the Church’s Rescue will occur at that time.

Therefore, what did the Apostle teach the Thessalonians to expect when the Church’s Rescue occurred? The Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels (NIV). This again clearly refutes the popular belief of a ”secret & silent rapture.” ^[5]

Also notice that Christ’s Wrath does not begin until after the very visible Return of Christ. It is only after the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels that He will punish those who do not know God … on the day he comes to be glorified (2 Thess 1:7-8, 10 NIV). Again, contrary to popular teaching, Christ’s Endtime Wrath does not begin until the very visible and very first appearing of Jesus Christ in glory to the whole world.

Also, notice again the similarities between Jesus and Paul on Christ’s Return and the Church’s Rescue. Like Matthew 24:30-31 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16, in 2 Thessalonians 2:6-10 Paul described the world-wide revelation of Christ and the presence of Angels at His Return and the Church’s Rescue.

C) The Church’s Rescue will not come until after the Antichrist’s Claim to be God: 2 Thess 2:1-4

[Read 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12. Focus especially on verses 1-4]

2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 is one of the clearest passages in Scripture regarding the sequence of Endtime events surrounding Christ’s Return and the Church’s Rescue. ^[6]

What is the context of the passage? Because of some false teaching, the Thessalonian Christians believed they had missed Christ’s Return and the Church’s Rescue that Paul had wrote about in his first letter to them (cf. 1 Thess 4:15-17). They understood that the day of the Lord (2 Thess 2:2) was the time of Christ’s Wrath and would immediately follow Christ’s Return. Therefore, they were alarmed (v. 2) they were going to experience Christ’s Wrath because they had missed the “rapture” and had been “left behind.” To correct this false teaching, the Apostle clearly teaches the following truths.

C.1) The Church’s Rescue occurs simultaneously with Christ’s Return

First, let us notice the topic of Paul’s words. They were with regard to the  coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him (v. 1 NASB ^[7]). It is obvious that by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ the Apostle is speaking of the same visible Return of Christ he had just described in chapter 1 of the same letter as when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with His powerful Angels (2 Thess 1:7 NIV).

Our gathering together to Him is obviously speaking of the Church’s Rescue (“rapture”). Above we noted that in Paul’s first letter to this same church he described this same event as we … will be caught up together … to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thess 4:17). Likewise, Jesus said in Matthew 24 that His angels … will lift up and gather together God’s elect people from one end of the sky to the other, from everywhere on Earth (v. 31). In fact, both Jesus and Paul use the same Greek word to describe the Church’s Rescue. ^[8]

Notice also that the Apostle saw these as two simultaneous events. ^[9] Therefore, when Paul writes, with regard to the  coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him (v. 1), he is describing Christ’s Return and the Church’s Rescue as happening together. Sound familiar? We have already demonstrated that Matthew 24:29-31, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, and 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10 teach the same thing. So the first point Paul makes in this passage is that the Church’s Rescue occurs simultaneously with Christ’s visible Return.

C.2) The Church’s Rescue will not occur until after Antichrist’s Claim to be God

We have noted that the Thessalonians were alarmed (v. 2) that they had somehow missed the  coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him (v. 1). How does Paul correct their error? He simply says:

Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day [the day of the  coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him and the beginning of Christ’s “Day of the Lord” Wrath] will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God. (2 Thess 2:3-4 NIV)

That day (v. 3), refers to the day of the Lord (v. 2), which begins with the visible  coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, resulting in Christ’s Wrath on His enemies remaining on Earth during the Trumpet and Bowl Punishments (cf. Rev chs. 8-9; 15-16). It is the same day of the Lord that Paul described in 1 Thessalonians where we read:

Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night [for non-Christians]. While people [unbelievers] are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers and sisters [Christians], are not in darkness so that this day [of the Lord and the destruction and wrath that will come with it] should surprise you like a thief. (1 Thess 5:1-4 NIV)

This is the same day of the Lord that Paul refers to in 2 Thessalonians above. Understandably, the Thessalonian Christians were concerned this day had already occurred and they had been left on the Earth to experience Christ’s Wrath. ^[10]

Now, back to the critical text in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4. The rebellion (apostasia) probably refers the massive departure from the faith that Jesus predicted during The Greatest Persecution (cf. Matt 24:10). ^[11]

The man of lawlessness being revealed refers to Antichrist’s Claim to be God. Paul described this event in the next verse (4) when he writes the Antichrist sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God (v. 4 NIV). Jesus described this same event when He referred to a time “When you see [the Antichrist] standing in the holy place [of the Jewish temple] causing ‘the abomination that causes desolation’” (Matt 24:15 NIV; cf. Dan 9:26-27). It was immediately after this event that Jesus said His people should flee because The Greatest Persecution would begin (cf. Matt 24:16; cf. vs. 17-21). ^[12] Even though Antichrist’s Claim to be God will occur in Jerusalem, Paul believed the Thessalonian Christians would know when it happened.

Therefore, the Apostle clearly taught that the  coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him [the Church’s Rescue] (v. 1), will not come until the Antichrist is revealed in a rebuilt Jewish temple. Therefore, the Church’s Rescue (“rapture”) will not happen until after the Antichrist is operating on Earth, well on his way to ruling it, and initiating The Greatest Persecution. ^[13]

C.3) Christ’s Return and the Church’s Rescue cannot happen “at any moment.”

A popular teaching is that a “secret & silent rapture” of Christians could occur “at any moment.” This is false. Paul clearly taught that the  coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him [the “rapture”] … will not come until a spiritual rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed (vs. 1, 3). Antichrist’s Claim to be God in the abomination of desolation (Matt 24:15) in a rebuilt Jewish temple in Jerusalem is just one of many Endtime events that must occur before the Church’s Rescue and Christ’s Return. ^[14] Jesus of course described many more in His Endtimes Teaching.

D) A summary of the sequence of Endtime events in 2 Thessalonians

Therefore, the sequence of Endtime events in the Apostle Paul’s Endtimes teaching to the Thessalonians is as follows:

1. First, there will be a spiritual rebellion … and the man of lawlessness will be revealed through Antichrist’s Claim to be God in a rebuilt Jewish temple (2 Thess 2:3-4).
2. Then, God’s people will be persecuted and should not expect relief until the Lord Jesus appears from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful Angels (2 Thess 1:6-7).
3. Then, there will be the  coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him for the Church’s Rescue (2 Thess 2:1).
4. Then He will be punishing those who do not know God and do not obey the good news of our Lord Jesus (2 Thess 1:8).

Listen carefully Christian. If you are living when the Endtimes begin, you will experience The Beginning of Birth Pains. If you survive those, you will experience The Greatest Persecution. The Antichrist’s Wrath on the Church comes before Christ’s Return, the Church’s Rescue, and Christ’s Wrath on this world.

Therefore, the sequence of Endtime events taught in Thessalonians can be displayed and compared with Christ’s Endtimes Teaching in the following table and graphics.

Endtime Events According Christ’s Endtimes Teaching

#	Endtime Event	Description
➊	The Beginning of Birth Pains	Wars, famines, plagues, and earthquakes. (Matt 24:4-8; Luke 21:11)
➋	Antichrist’s Claim to be God	The “abomination of desolation” when Antichrist enters a rebuilt Jewish temple and proclaims himself to be God. (v. 15)
➌	The Greatest Persecution	Antichrist’s wrath against God’s people. (vs. 9, 16-21)
➍	The Cosmic Signs	In the sun, moon, and stars signaling Christ’s Return. (v. 29)
➎	Christ’s Return	His visible, glorious appearing. (v. 30)
➏	The Church’s Rescue	The “rapture” or lifting up of Christians who are still alive. (v. 31)
➐	Christ’s Wrath	God’s wrath against His enemies on Earth. (vs. 37-41)

Endtime Events According to the Apostle Paul

#	Endtime Event	Description
➊	Antichrist’s Claim to be God	The “abomination of desolation” when the Antichrist enters a rebuilt Jewish temple and proclaims himself to be God. (2 Thess 2:3-4)
➋	The Greatest Persecution	Antichrist’s wrath against God’s people. (2 Thess 1:6-7)
➌	Christ’s Return	His visible, glorious appearing. (2 Thess 1:6-7; 2 Thess 2:1)
➍	The Church’s Rescue	The gathering up of Christians who are still alive. (2 Thess 2:1)
➎	Christ’s Wrath	God’s wrath against His enemies on Earth. (2 Thess 1:8)

E) Paul’s correction of popular errors regarding the Endtimes

E.1) Christ’s Return and the Church’s Rescue will be visible to the whole world

A popular teaching in the Church is that the first “coming” of Christ will be “secret and silent” such that the world will not know what is happening. But the Apostle taught the Thessalonians not to expect relief from being persecuted until The Lord Jesus appears from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful Angels (1 Thess 1:6-7 NIV). When Christ returns to Rescue (“rapture”) the Church, it will be a very obvious and loud event that the whole world will see and hear.

E.2) The Church’s Rescue occurs after The Greatest Persecution

A popular teaching in the Church is that the Church’s Rescue happens before the Antichrist’s Wrath and The Greatest Persecution. But the Apostle taught:

Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him … Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day [the day of the  coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, v. 1] will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness [Antichrist] is revealed. (2 Thess 2:1, 3 NIV)

Therefore, Christ’s Return and the Church’s Rescue will not happen until after the Antichrist’s Claim to be God and The Greatest Persecution. The Last Generation Church will experience the Antichrist’s Wrath.

E.3) Several events must occur before Christ’s Return and the Church’s Rescue

A popular teaching in the Church is that the “rapture” could happen at any moment. Even today. But again, the Apostle taught the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him … will not come until … the man of lawlessness [Antichrist] is revealed. Therefore, neither Christ’s Return nor the Church’s Rescue can happen “at any moment.”

E.4) The biblical sequence of Endtime events is clear

As noted in chapter 1 the “apathetic” view on the Endtimes teaches that the biblical details of the sequence of Endtime events are unclear or unimportant.

On the contrary, the Apostle rebuked the Thessalonians for not understanding the sequence of Endtime events. He asked them, Don’t you remember that when I was with you for only about 3 weeks I used to tell you these things? (2 Thess 2:5 NIV). These things included the timing of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him (v. 1).

Unfortunately, their ignorance caused them to be easily unsettled or alarmed (v. 2) by false teaching regarding Christ’s Return. This “Thessalonian Panic” will be discussed further in chapter 16 (sec. B). This is why Paul corrected their ignorance by reminding them of the biblical sequence of Endtime events and wrote: the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him … will not come until … the man of lawlessness [Antichrist] is revealed.

Therefore, no Christian or Pastor should be claiming the details or sequence of Endtime events is not important or is not clear.

E.5) Endtime prophecies will be fulfilled in a literal way, as in a physical event, person, or place

Many Christian teachers prioritize a metaphorical approach to interpreting Endtimes Scriptures (e.g. Amillennialism). As noted in chapter 3, this was reflected in a survey of Protestant Pastors where 50% of them denied or were unsure that Scripture predicts there will be a literal Antichrist in the future.

But the Apostle taught the Thessalonians: the man of lawlessness will be revealed and will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God (2 Thess 2:3-4). Contrary to 50% of Protestant Pastors, Paul believed in a literal Antichrist and his physical presence in a physical temple. Obviously, so did Jesus (cf. Matt 24:15).

Therefore, contrary to the popular practice of interpreting biblical prophecy in a metaphorical way, those concerning the Antichrist in Daniel and Revelation should be interpreted as predicting real, literal, actual events in the future.

1. Vine’s, 683. ↑
2. It is claimed in this section that when Paul said He was teaching about Christ’s Return according to the Lord’s own word (1 Thess 4:15), that Paul was referring to Christ’s Endtimes Teaching. The similarities outlined make this evident.
   Unfortunately, NT scholars are divided on this topic. In support of our position Calvin wrote: “It is probable that the word of the Lord means what was taken from his discourses.” More recently, D. A. Carson writes regarding Matthew 24: “the [Olivet] discourse itself is undoubtedly a source for the Thessalonian Epistles” (Matt, underlining added). Likewise, Charles Wanamaker comments:

   The similarities between Mt. 24:29-31, 40f. in particular, and the images and language used in 1 Thess 4:16f. suggest that Paul was utilizing what he took to be the teaching of the Lord [in Matt 24] regarding the end of the age. (171)

   John Piper has written:

   The number and specificity of the parallels between Paul’s descriptions of the second coming and Jesus’s descriptions are astonishing. I see at least fourteen, depending on how you count them. I find the conclusion inescapable that the end-time events that Paul describes are the same as those that Jesus describes… This points to conceptual unity, if not verbal dependence…

   [For example], notice how the parallels with Paul’s view permeate the whole of Matt. 24: parousia (24:27), gathering (24:31), not alarmed (24:6), deception and loss of faith (24:4, 10, 11, 24), lawlessness (24:12), lovelessness (24:12), signs and wonders (24:24), clouds, power, glory, trumpet (24:30–31), birth pains (24:8). (217, 219-220).

   Oddly, Walvoord does not even comment on the statement in his commentary on Thessalonians. Green is only willing to claim:

   The declaration of [1 Thess 4] vv. 15-17 corresponds in many respects with Matthew 24.29-31, 40-41, thus making it possible that Jesus’ eschatological discourse was the source of this instruction” (PNTC, underlining added).

   However, several other NT scholars disagree with the view in this chapter. The primary reason is described by John MacArthur:

   There are no close parallels to the present passage [1 Thess 4:16-17] in any of the Gospels. Nor is there any specific teaching in the Gospels to which Paul could be alluding. (MNTC)

   Really? This is an odd and obviously erroneous statement coming from such a respected Bible teacher. Several “close parallels” are demonstrated in this section. But unfortunately such rightly respected NT scholars as Stott (BST) and Morris (TNTC) also deny there are any parallels between Matt 24:31 and 1 Thess 4:15-17.

   Barnes, MacArthur, and Bruce (WBC) claim Paul was referring to another private revelation from Christ. But Paul uses the word logon (“speech, discourse”) in Thess 4:15, not apokalyptis (“revelation”) as he does when referring to a direct revelation from Christ in Galatians 1:11-12. In fact, Paul differentiates these very things in 2 Thessalonians 2:2 where he says a logon (message NASB) is something different from a revelation (prophecy NIV).

   In the end, the similarities between Matt 24:29-31 and 1 Thess 4:16-17 make it rather certain that Paul was referring to Christ’s Olivet Discourse when he wrote according to the Lord’s own word (v. 15). It is humbly and respectfully suggested that those who deny this seem to demonstrate a distorting bias in their interpretation of these texts. ↑

3. Gundry, loc. 1660. ↑
4. Such a distorting bias on Christ’s Endtimes Teaching is unfortunately demonstrated by the rightly respected Bible scholar Warren Weirsbe who writes: “We must not confuse the trumpet of Matthew 24:31 with the “trump of God” mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 4:16” (BECW). On the contrary, he seems to be the one who is “confused.” ↑
5. John Piper agrees with this interpretation, writing:The wording of 2 Thessalonians 1:5–8, when read carefully, shows that Paul, if he is alive at the coming of the Lord, expects to attain rest from suffering at the same time, and in the same event, that he expects the unbelievers to receive punishment— namely, at the revelation of Jesus with mighty angels in flaming fire… Which means that Paul did not expect a [Pre-tribulational] event at which he and the other believers would be given rest seven years before the glorious appearing of Christ in flaming fire. (208) ↑
6. Unfortunately, Morris writes regarding 2 Thess 2:1-12:This passage is probably the most obscure and difficult in the whole of the Pauline writings and the many gaps in our knowledge have given rise to extravagant speculations (Morris, 125).

   This is at best a great exaggeration and simply not true. But this perspective is common and is used as an excuse to not teach clearly what Paul wrote. Greene is better when he comments on this passage: “Paul is keen to emphasize the order of future events throughout this section (vv. 3, 6-8).” (Green, 2 These 2). ↑

7. Unlike some versions (NIV, NLT, NET), the Greek word episynagōgēs would be more fully translated by “gathered together” (BDAG) as it is in the NASB, ESV, GNT, KJV, NKJV, NCV. This is worth noting because “gathered together” obviously highlights the similarities between 2 Thess 2:1, 1 Thess 4:17, and Matt 24:31. In fact, as noted, the Greek words used in 2 Thess 2:1 and Matt 24:31 (episynagōgēs and episynaxousin) are “scarcely to be differentiated” (BDAG). ↑
8. Piper writes:Paul uses the same word as Jesus does to describe the gathering of God’s people at the coming of the Lord. Paul uses the noun form [episynagōgēs]; Jesus uses the verb form [episynaxousin]… Second Thessalonians 2:1 is the only place Paul uses this word (in either noun or verb form) in all his writings. (219)

   Accordingly, Stott notes that Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2:1 is “describing how the angels will assemble God’s people” according to Matt 24:31. ↑

9. Even MacArthur who adheres to modern errors about Christ’s Return notes regarding the coming of Christ and the gathering of believers here:The article [“the”] appears before parousia [“coming”] and is not repeated before episunagoge [“gathered”], indicating that these are complimentary elements in one event” (MNTC).

   Seeing the meaning of this, Green remarks here: “These events are aspects of the same eschatological consummation and cannot be separated temporally or theologically, as some have suggested.” ↑

10. Piper writes regarding 2 Thess 2:1-3:It makes little sense to distinguish this “being gathered to [the Lord]” from “the day of the Lord.” The flow of thought treats them as the same. The natural way to construe the gathering to the Lord is to see it in the light of 1 Thessalonians 4:17: “Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.” This is the same as “our being gathered together to him” in 2 Thessalonians 2:1. Which is the same as “the day of the Lord” in 2 Thessalonians 2:2 [and 1 Thess 5:1-4]. (209) ↑
11. For more on the Great Apostasy see Book #2 of the Endtimes Essentials, The Beginning of Birth Pains, ch. 13, sec. C. ↑
12. What do other commentators say about the clear sequence of events Paul teaches in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4? Walvoord writes:Paul not only gave them assurance that they were not in this period [of God’s Wrath], but he also gave them definite, discernible signs of the tribulation, which cannot occur while the church is still in the world. (1 & 2 Thessalonians).

    Why not? Why can’t Antichrist’s Claim to be God and The Greatest Persecution occur “while the church is still in the world”? Walvoord does not explain.

    MacArthur writes in his commentary on this passage:

    [Paul] was not, of course, setting a posttribulational date for the Rapture; he did not tell his readers that they would live to experience the apostasy and the unveiling of the man of lawlessness. Paul’s point was merely that the apostasy will precede the Day of the Lord.

    On the contrary, Paul taught that “the apostasy” will also “precede” the “rapture.” He taught: the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to Him … will not come until the … man of lawlessness is revealed (vs. 1, 3). Therefore, contrary to MacArthur, Paul did “tell his readers that they would live to experience the apostasy and the unveiling of the man of lawlessness.” ↑

13. Piper explains regarding 2 Thess 2:1-3:If Paul were a pretribulationist, why did he not simply say in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 that the Christians don’t need to worry that the day of the Lord has come because all the Christians are still here? They have not yet been raptured. But he does not say that. Instead, he talks just the way you would expect a posttribulational [or Pre-Wrath Rescue] person to talk… “Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction” (2 Thess. 2:3).

    Paul tells them that they should not think that the day of the Lord is here, because the apostasy and the man of lawlessness have not appeared. In other words, he describes two events that must happen before the coming of the Lord, which we have seen is the same as the gathering of believers in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, when the “rapture” takes place. (209-210) ↑

14. Walvoord admits in an obscure footnote: “In 2 Thessalonians 2:1 Paul referred to the rapture as “our gathering together to him” (Thessalonians). However, he errs when he writes on the same passage: “all the passages clearly identified as referring to the rapture name no preceding events” (“Is a Posttribulational Rapture Revealed in Matthew 24?,” Grace Theological Journal 6, no. 2 (1985): 258).On the contrary, if “our gathering together to him” (2 Thess 2:1) refers to the “rapture,” then Paul certainly taught there will be “preceding events” before the “rapture,” including Antichrist’s Claim to be God. ↑