The Finished Word

Paul does not provide detailed information about signs and seasons since the Lord will arrive like a thief in the night – 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3. Paul continues to discuss the “ arrival ” or ‘ Parousia ’ of Jesus Christ in Chapter 5 of First Thessalonians , as he addresses the question of the timing of that day and how it will affect the prepared and the unprepared. Rather than signs and timetables, the Apostle reminds his readers that the Day of the Lord will come like a “ thief in the night .”

The arrival of Jesus will be an event of victory and finality. It will include the resurrection, judgment, and the New Creation . The return of Jesus at “ the conclusion of this evil age ” will be an event of complete finality. His “ arrival ” or ‘ Parousia ’ (παρουσια) will be accompanied by celestial and terrestrial upheaval, the arrival of the New Creation, the resurrection of the dead, the judgment of the unrighteous, the destruction of “ the Man of Lawlessness ,” the gathering of Christ’s elect, and the end of death itself.

The arrival of Jesus will result in vindication and rest for the righteous, but everlasting loss for the wicked  - 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10. The “ revelation ” of Jesus from heaven will result in the reward of the faithful, but the punishment of those who have rejected the Gospel, including men and women who have abandoned the true faith. Christ's return will result in “ just judgment ” for the righteous and the unrighteous.

The arrival of Jesus will mark the end of the present world order, accomplish the resurrection of the dead, and inaugurate the New Creation . Jesus will return at the end of the present age. His arrival will coincide with the completion of the Kingdom of God and the judgment of all men. The Son of God will vindicate his saints by raising them from the dead, and he will usher in the New Heavens and New Earth, “ in which righteousness dwells ” – (2 Peter 3:13).

Writing to the Assembly in Thessalonica, the Apostle Paul refuted false claims about the coming of Jesus, arguing that the “ Day of the Lord ” would not come until the “ Apostasy ” and the “ revelation of the Man of Lawlessness ” occurred “ first .” Moreover, that day would be when Jesus “ gathered ” Paul and his fellow believers to himself.

The coming of Jesus is not a major topic in Paul's letters to the Corinthians though it is in his Thessalonian correspondence. However, he does touch on several aspects of the event, including its identification as the “ Day of the Lord ,” the consummation of God’s kingdom, the resurrection of the righteous, the judgment of the wicked, and the cessation of death.

Paul expressed his goal of going on to completion, a process that would culminate in bodily resurrection when Jesus arrived in glory . Paul instructed the congregation of Philippi to “ completion ” in Jesus. Bodily resurrection must take place for the consummation of this process and the completion of our salvation. This will occur when Jesus appears “ on the clouds of Heaven .” God will continue to perform what He began with our conversion until “ the Day of Christ .”

When Jesus is revealed from Heaven, the saints will experience glory, but the wicked will receive everlasting destruction . In his introduction to  First Corinthians , the Apostle Paul describes the members of the congregation as those who are “ eagerly waiting for the Revelation of our Lord Jesus .” The Apostle connects this event to the “ Day of the Lord .”

Paul warned of the coming Apostasy and linked it to the unveiling of the Man of Anarchy when he seats himself in the Assembly . Paul responded to false reports about the “ Day of the Lord ” by pointing to the expected Apostasy and the “ Man of Lawlessness .” Jesus will not “ arrive ” until the “ Apostasy ” occurs and the “ Lawless One ” is revealed. Rumors claiming that the “ Day of the Lord had set in ” were circulating in Thessalonica, disrupting the Assembly – (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12).

( False information about the Day of the Lord caused alarm and confusion among the believers of Thessalonica  – 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2). The Apostle Paul addresses false claims about the Day of the Lord in his second letter to the Thessalonians. Incorrect information concerning Christ’s return is disrupting the congregation. Paul attributes the source of the disinformation to either a “ spirit ,” a word (‘ logos ’), or a letter, “ as if from us ”; supposedly, from Paul and his coworkers .

In his second epistle, Peter addresses the growing weariness of some believers due to the apparent delay in or even the failure of the “ arrival ” of Jesus to materialize, an open door for false teachers and outside critics to exploit. Instead of the predicted terrestrial and cosmic upheaval, daily life was continuing as it always had. The Apostle’s explanation is as relevant today as it was two thousand years ago.

In Chapter 5 of  1 Thessalonians , Paul continues his discussion about the “ coming ” or ‘ parousia ’ of Jesus. But now, he addresses the question of its timing, as well as the different ways it will impact believers and nonbelievers. But rather than provide chronological information, he reminds the Thessalonians that the “ DAY OF THE LORD ” will come like a “ THIEF IN THE NIGHT .” No one except God knows its timing, therefore, believers must remain ever vigilant and prepared for its sudden and unexpected arrival.

The outpouring of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost signaled the start of the Last Days and the time of fulfillment . The application of Joel’s prophecy to the events of the Day of Pentecost links the outpouring of the Spirit to the last days. The death, resurrection, and exaltation of Jesus inaugurated History’s final stage before the Day of the Lord, and now, he reigns and bestows the gift of the Spirit on his Church.

“Wrath” consistently refers to the final judicial sentence of God on His enemies in the Book of Revelation . The “ wrath of God ” is not synonymous with the plagues unleashed by the series of Seals, Trumpets, and Bowls of Fury. Despite the devastation they inflict, impenitent men refuse to repent. The Greek term translated as “ wrath ” refers to the judicial sentence of God on His enemies on the day of judgment, the everlasting punishment men earn because of their sins, failure to repent, and allegiance to the Beast.