Explore the Bible: The Day of the Lord

• The Explore the Bible lesson for May 8 focuses on 2 Thessalonians 2:1-10.

In reflecting on the bad decisions I made in my life, there are a couple of common denominators. First, at the moment I made the bad decision, I had the wrong information. Second, I felt pressured to make a decision quickly. In retrospect, all is easier, but we all need to have the correct information and make an educated decision. The pressure to make a decision, at least in my case, was self-inflicted. I want to be quick and focus on what the outcome will be.

In chapter 2 of Thessalonians, Paul wrote again to the Thessalonian Christians and redirected their attention to the meaning of his first letter.

Be still (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3)

The believers in Thessalonica were behaving as if the coming of the Lord was about to occur. The Day of the Lord is critical teaching. In my ministry experience, I have met Christians focused on prophecy and eschatology. Those Christians sometimes behave as if Jesus will be back in the next minute. They sell property, prepare a bunker and completely forget about the gospel. They have a personal interpretative process for the Scriptures. There are no homiletics or hermeneutics, just a personal interpretative process of prophecy.

The Thessalonian church faced this problem, and Paul instructed the Thessalonians Christians not to be alarmed or unsettled. A Christian in panic mode will not be able to act and behave in a way that reflects Christ. Why doesn’t God allow people to know the time and place of our death? What is the reason that people do not know the time of Christ’s coming? The implications of knowing will affect how we live and behave. The believer needs to develop a balanced approach to the Christian life in expectation of the coming of the Lord.

Be wise (2 Thessalonians 2:4-7)

Biblical prophecy needs to be interpreted within the scope of the biblical narrative. Many false teachers use prophecies to deceive people. In the book of Revelation, no person can, with certainty, describe who is the dragon with 10 heads. I can read the entire book and know that God will judge the world and redeem his people of all nations and tongues. This approach sounds too simple, but good theology makes God’s truth applicable and straightforward.

A believer must be wise to know that the Day of the Lord is coming, but it is his or her duty to remain faithful to the calling to live for Christ. Paul wants his readers to know some events need to occur; it is imperative to note that these events are not exhaustive but explanatory for the church in Thessalonica. They had been told that they had missed the Day of the Lord.

Paul introduces two events, the rebellion and the appearance of the man of lawlessness. Paul mentioned the rebellion once; this could be because the church in Thessalonica has a background we do not know. We can interpret that unbelievers will rebel against the one true God in association with the man of lawlessness. Many Bible scholars describe this man as “the son of destruction.” Paul does not identify who this man is, but he illustrates him as a man who will desecrate the temple.

Be in the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:8-10)

Paul explains Jesus will destroy this man who deceives and does Satan’s work. How important is it today to know that Satan works hard to deceive people? How important is it for Christians today to be formed in the truth? How important will it be for God’s people to discern the truth from a lie? Why will people love a lie?

It is interesting how people tend to believe what will make them feel at ease. They refused to know the truth and chose a lie. Paul reminds them the man of lawlessness will create signs and wonders as if these came from God.

Here is the importance of knowing the biblical narrative and the teachings of Jesus in the gospels regarding the end of times. Satan actively is seeking to bring destruction and spread lies. There are eternal implications for believing Satan’s lies. The consequence is that those who believe them will perish. Today, we are bombarded by many lies, but God’s truth remains. Do not be naïve to think that Satan is not working to deceive people; stand firm in the truth.

Ricardo Brambila, M.Div., is the pastor of Primera Iglesia Bautista Dallas and the executive director for West Dallas Community School, a Christian school for boys and girls with limited financial resources in West Dallas.