2 Thessalonians 1-3

Hey guess where this book is set? That's right! Thessalonia must have been pretty special for Paul to be writing so much. So let's try and pay attention to what he is trying to say.

Chapter 1 is another time where Paul is thankful for them. Same old, same old. But Chapter 2 is about the "man of lawlessness"...I'm just not sure what I should be taking away from it. Paul describes this man as someone who will appear close to the "end of the world" and will oppose everything that represents God. He will in alliance with powers of Satan, displaying false miracles and signs. He is the "man doomed to destruction."

All of these details makes sense to me, but there is a group of verses that confuses me a little:

"9The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, 10and every kind of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refuse to love the truth and so be saved. 11For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth who have delighted in wickedness."

Why would God send the people, following the "Lawless One", delusions in order to condemn them? The way this is put makes it sound like Paul is saying God wants them to go to Hell. I understand that because they know what the truth is and still follow the work of Satan, it anger's God. It's just a tad confusing in how God is said to deal with it. Please comment!!

But, Paul tells us to "stand firm and hold to the teachings", to "request for prayer", and he "warns against idleness." Chapter 3:

"6In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us."

"10For even when we were with you we gave you this rule: 'If a man will not work, he shall not eat."

"13And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right. 14If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. 15Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother."

Again, I love that Paul knows these are the specifics to being a Christian. That we are to follow the "instruction" that he has sent us, and if there is someone who does not follow the "instruction," we are not supposed to associate with that person. To "warn him as a brother."

Theme: Be steady and holy because Christ is coming again.