The focus of Christ's return

Now, dear brothers and sisters, let us clarify some things about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered to meet him. Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 NLT

Paul, from the text, is clearing up some of the misinformation that was being spread by false teachers regarding Christ’s return. So, to straighten out the record about this matter, Paul mentioned the connection between “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered to meet him.” He was talking about one and the same event. Christians will not miss Christ’s return for they will be gathered to meet Him. The anticipation by the Thessalonian Christians of the second coming of Jesus had caused some to be disappointed. They thought that those who are alive when Jesus returns are the only ones that will be saved and that those that have passed away before His second coming will not be included. To allay their fear, Paul told them that both the living and the dead who are in Christ will both meet with Christ when He returns (see 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Aside from this concern from the believers in Thessalonica, there are those spreading rumors that Jesus had already come and He already left. This teaching caused them to be “shaken or alarmed.” So, Paul encouraged believers not to be alarmed. He admonished them not to be overcome by their emotions but to think through about the matter. So, Paul told them that they will not miss His return for they will see Christ face to face. Those who are in Christ will be the focus of His return. He encouraged the believers to be constantly discerning about the false teachers for they will “claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us.” Christ’s return will serve as a vindication of the claim that Jesus is God. It will also provide the evidence that the suffering of believers will be changed to victory. We are not called upon to explain away the events surrounding Christ’s return, but to be encouraged that one day He will fulfill His promise.

Blessings,