Disinformation

Rumors about the Day of the Lord caused alarm and confusion in the Thessalonian congregation – 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2.

The Apostle Paul addressed rumors and false claims about the “Day of the Lord" in his second letter to the Thessalonians. Incorrect information concerning Christ’s return had disrupted the congregation. The disinformation was attributed either to a “spirit,” word ('logos'), or a letter “as if from” Paul and his coworkers.

The Church has been plagued by false information and overheated expectations about Christ’s return since its inauguration. Paul’s two letters to the Thessalonians attest to this reality. Unfortunately, the problem continues to this very day.

[Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash]

Paul listed two events that must occur before Christ’s ‘Parousia’ or “arrival” when he comes to gather his saints. First, the “revelation of the Man of Lawlessness.” Secondly, the “Apostasy.” The fact that neither had occurred when Paul wrote his Letter demonstrated that the “Day of the Lord” remained in the future.

Paul prepared his readers for this discussion in the Letter’s first chapter. Despite hostility from outsiders, the Thessalonians exhibited “endurance and faith in all their persecutions and tribulations.” God will recompense “tribulation to those who trouble” His saints, and He will provide “release” and “glory” to them when Jesus is “revealed from Heaven” - (2 Thessalonians 1:3-10).

More dangerous than persecution, however, is the threat posed by deceivers who spread false information that could cause many saints to apostatize. Jesus also warned us not to be alarmed by deceivers who spread false reports about his return and the “end of the age.”

• (2 Thessalonians 2:1-2) - “But we request you, brethren, in behalf of the arrival of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to him, that you be not quickly tossed from your mind nor be put in alarm, either by spirit or by discourse or by letter as by us, as that the day of the Lord has set in.”

The English term “arrival” translates the Greek noun ‘Parousia,’ the word applied by Paul to the “coming of Jesus” in his letters to the Thessalonians. It means an “arrival” or “presence,” the arrival of someone or something.

The English clause “our gathering together” translates the Greek noun ‘episunagogé.’ Whatever this “gathering” is, Paul connects it to Christ’s ‘Parousia’ and the “Day of the Lord” - (1 Thessalonians 2:19, 3:13, 4:15, 5:23, 2 Thessalonians 2:1, 2:8-9).

Jesus applies the same term to the “gathering of his elect” at his “coming” in his ‘Olivet Discourse’ (“Then will he send his angels and gather together his elect from the four winds”). This “gathering” will occur on the “Day of the Lord” - (Matthew 24:31, Mark 13:27, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

Paul issued this warning to prevent the Thessalonians from becoming “troubled.” The verb translated as “troubled” or ‘throeō’ occurs in the Greek New Testament only here and on the lips of Jesus in his ‘Olivet Discourse.’ Paul was echoing Christ’s warning about coming deceivers - “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled, for these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet” – (Matthew 24:6, Mark 13:7).

Disciples of Jesus must not heed false information about Christ’s coming regardless of its source - “Whether by spirit or by discourse or by letter, as by us.” Paul was unsure how the false rumors were being spread. The term “spirit” is ambiguous but could refer to a spiritual gift such as prophecy.

The Greek word translated as “discourse” or ‘logos’ could refer to several types of verbal communication. The significance of the noun “letter” is obvious. The clause “as if by us” means someone erroneously attributed this communication to Paul.

THE DAY OF THE LORD

Paul linked the “Day of the Lord” to the “arrival” of Jesus and the “gathering” of the elect. The “Day of the Lord” is a common term in the Hebrew Bible for the time of visitation and judgment of God, the “Day of Yahweh” when He rescues His people and judges His enemies - (Isaiah 2:12, Joel 1:15, 2:1, 2:31, 3:14, Malachi 4:5).

The Apostle Paul uses the same phrase in his first letter to the Thessalonians and compares that day’s sudden arrival to “a thief in the night,” the same analogy Jesus applied to his future return. That day will bring “sudden destruction” on those who oppose the Gospel and persecute the Church.

Elsewhere in Paul’s letters, the “Day of the Lord” becomes the “Day of Jesus Christ,” the hour when he will vindicate the righteous but also judge the wicked - (Matthew 24:42-44, Luke 12:39, 1 Corinthians 1:8, 5:5, 2 Corinthians 1:14, Philippian 1:6-10, 2:16, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11).

The English phrase “has set in” translates the Greek verb ‘enistemi,’ meaning “stand in, to set in.” It is in the Greek perfect tense, signifying a completed action. Here, it indicates something imminent or an event that has begun and is underway.

The reference to the “word” received “as from us” is a verbal link to the conclusion of this literary section of the Letter where Paul encourages the Thessalonians to adhere to the “traditions” they received from him and his coworkers (“So then, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or by epistle from us” - 2 Thessalonians 2:15).

Regardless of the source, believers must not heed voices that deviate from the body of apostolic teachings, including information about the end of the age and the coming of Jesus. This tradition is preserved in the Greek New Testament.

By adhering to the Apostolic Tradition, believers will avoid apostasy and deception, and attain salvation and glory when Jesus does appear - (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14).

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SEE ALSO:

• The Day of the Lord - (Jesus will arrive on the Day of the Lord when the dead are raised, the wicked are judged, and death will cease forever)

• The Apostasy - (Paul warned the Thessalonians of the future apostasy which he linked to the unveiling of the Man of Lawlessness, the Son of Destruction)

• Just Judgment of God - (The arrival of Jesus will mean vindication and rest for the righteous, but everlasting loss for the wicked - 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10)

• Two Missing Events - (Two events must occur before the Day of the Lord begins - The Apostasy and the unveiling of the Man of Lawlessness)