2 Thessalonians 2 Background Information with Maps and Images (Picture Study Bible - 2 Thessalonians) Free Bible Online

2 Thessalonians 2

The Book of 2 Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 - When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 - Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and [by] our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

2 Thessalonians in The New Testament - A Brief Overview

Painting of Paul the Apostle by Rembrandt - 1657

Introduction to The Book of 2 Thessalonians

Brief Summary. It was not long after Paul had written his first letter to the church in Thessalonica that he realized he needed to write another letter to clarify exactly when they should expect the second coming of Christ. They had believed that the day of the Lord had arrived, but Paul assured them that it had not and that there would be an Apostasy first and then Jesus will return shortly thereafter. He also instructs them regarding sound doctrine.

Content. Shortly after Paul had written his first letter to the Thessalonians he discovers that the church in Thessalonica had become confused regarding the Day of the Lord, believing that it had already arrived. Paul was not aware of how this new idea developed, especially in the light of all the teaching he just given them. In 2 Thessalonians Paul reviews once again what he taught them regarding the second coming of Christ and the signs that would precede this event. He also exhorts them that they should follow his instructions, and separate themselves from anyone who would instruct them differently regarding the gospel of Jesus Christ and sound doctrine.

Thessalonica. The city of Thessalonica was the greatest harbor of Macedonia, and it was sitting on top of large hill overlooking the Thermaic Gulf as well as a beautiful fertile plain. The name Thessalonica was taken from Alexander the Great's stepsister Thessaloniki. Thessalonica was a very important city of the Roman Empire mainly because of its great harbor, and the great Via Egnatia highway which ran through it.

The Church in Thessalonica. Paul the apostle established the church in Thessalonica along with Silas and Timothy during his second missionary journey, around 50 AD (Acts 17:1-9). both Silas and Timothy are mentioned at the beginning of both of Paul's letters to the Thessalonians. Paul spent much time with the Thessalonians because he mentioned his mutual love for them. The church in Thessalonica consisted mainly of Gentile believers who "turned from idols to serve the living and true God" (1 Thessalonians 1:9).

Authorship. Paul the apostle wrote both letters to the Thessalonians.

Date. Paul's letters to the Thessalonians were written from Corinth around 50 AD, just after he was with the church in Thessalonica. 2 Thessalonians appears to have been written only a few weeks, or perhaps months, after the first letter. 1 and 2 Thessalonians are considered by many scholars to be the earliest of Paul's epistles.

Outline of the Book of 2 Thessalonians

The Coming Day of Jesus and Persecution - Chapters 1
The Coming Day of Jesus and Events - Chapter 2
The Coming Day of Jesus and Christian Living - Chapter 3

The Name Jesus In Ancient Hebrew Text
"Yeshua" in First Century Hebrew Text. This is how the name "Jesus" would have been written in ancient Hebrew documents. The four letters or consonants from right to left are Yod, Shin, Vav, Ayin (Y, SH, OO, A). Jesus is the Greek name for the Hebrew name Joshua or Y'shua which means "The LORD or Yahweh is Salvation".

II Thessalonians Maps and Resources

Map of the Roman Empire (14 A.D.) - This map reveals the Roman Empire during the time shortly after the birth of Jesus, in 14 AD at the time of the death of Augustus. The order which prevailed in this extensive empire, the good military roads, and the use of Koine Greek as the general language of culture throughout the area were among the factors which multiplied the rapid spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (Color Map)

Map of Paul's First Missionary Journey (48 A.D.) - This map reveals the areas in Asia Minor where Paul visited in his first missionary journey. Around 48 AD, in the springtime, Paul and his companions Barnabas and Mark were sent on a mission from the church in Antioch. This would be the first of Paul's Missionary Journey's. (Color Map)

Map of Paul's Second Missionary Journey (51 A.D.) - This map reveals the areas in Asia and Greece where Paul visited in his second missionary journey. Paul re-visits a couple cities in Asia, one of which was Lystra where he was stoned and left for dead a few years earlier. He later has a vision that leads him over to Greece and Paul and his companions travel and minister in various cities in Greece (Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens and Corinth. Later Paul returns to Ephesus and finally to Caesarea and Antioch. (Color Map)

Map of Paul's Third Missionary Journey (54 A.D.) - This map reveals the areas in Asia and Greece where Paul visited in his third missionary journey. On Paul's third missionary journey he returned to the cities he had first visited on his first missionary journey. During this time he decided to remain in Ephesus for about 3 years, and this city was the main focus of his activities and an important Christian community (Acts 19). (Color Map)

Map of the New Testament World - This map reveals the "Nations" within the ancient world during the first century A.D., the time of the New Testament. The map includes the areas of Israel, Asia, Greece, and Italy. (Color Map)

Map of New Testament Greece This map reveals the cities within Greece in the ancient world during the first century A.D.,The map includes the principal cities of Greece like: Athens, Corinth, and Thessalonica, and provinces like Macedonia and Achaia. (Color Map)