The apostle Paul was reflecting on the positive response of the young believers in Thessalonica. However, some people in the local community fiercely opposed the apostle and his message and had forced him to leave. Therefore, Paul sent his first letter to the Thessalonians to encourage and comfort the assembly. However, the opponents tried to mislead the new believers through several means (2 Th. 2:2–10). The apostle sent them a second letter, not to correct the first one, but to give additional help in view of those attacks. Similar conditions exist today, and we need to be on our guard. Let us therefore always go back to God’s infallible Word to examine the issues we are facing.

To their credit, the believers in Thessalonica did go back to God’s Word, but they needed additional help from the apostle because at the time the Word of God was not yet complete. This help was provided in this second letter, which Paul wrote them during his journey back to Jerusalem. The enemy continued his attacks and does so even today. According to the prophetic word, this will continue even after the Church is raptured. The enemy opposes God’s people with “the mystery of iniquity” (2 Th. 2:7) until the Lord comes to take us to Himself and the Holy Spirit leaves this earth. Then the Antichrist, “the man of sin,” will carry out his plans, as God in His governmental dealings will send “an energy of error” so people will believe “the lie” (v. 11).

The Lord Jesus may come back today and take all who belong to Him to the Father’s house (Jn. 14:1–6). Meanwhile, He wants us to be His faithful servants. May we persevere, be steadfast, and carry the burdens He gives with real endurance! He is worthy that we put everything on the line for Him.