Disinformation

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

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 Assembly. The disinformation was attributed either to a “spirit,” word (logos), or a letter “as if from” the Apostle Paul and his coworkers.

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

[Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash]

Paul listed two events that must occur before the ‘Parousia’ or “arrival” of Jesus 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 Christ’s return and 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 would recompense “tribulation to those who troubled you,” and provide “release” and “glory” to the beleaguered saints when Jesus was “revealed from Heaven” - (2 Thessalonians 1:3-10).

More dangerous than persecution, however, was the threat posed by the deceivers who spread false information in the congregation that could cause many to apostatize. Jesus also warned us not to be alarmed by deceivers who spread false reports about the “End.”

• (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” was, Paul connected 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 applied the same term to the “gathering of his elect” at his “coming” in his ‘Olivet Discourse’ (“Then shall 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 - “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you be not troubled, for these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet” – (Matthew 24:6, Mark 13:7).

The Thessalonians 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 by us” means someone attributed this communication to Paul. He denied any such claim.

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 would rescue His people and judge His enemies - (Isaiah 2:12, Joel 1:15, 2:1, 2:31, 3:14, Malachi 4:5).

The Apostle Paul used the same phrase in his first letter to the Thessalonians and compared 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 epistles, 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. In this context, it indicates something imminent, or more likely, an event that had begun and was underway.

The reference to the “word” received “as from us” is a verbal link to the conclusion of this literary section 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 Apostolic Tradition, including its teachings about the end of the age. This tradition is preserved in the Greek New Testament. By adhering to those teachings, followers of Jesus will avoid apostasy and deception, and attain salvation and glory when he does appear - (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14).

[PDF Copy]

SEE ALSO:

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

• The Revelation of our Lord - (At the revelation of Jesus, the saints will experience glory, but the wicked receive everlasting destruction)

• Final Events - (In explaining the future resurrection, Paul lists the key events that will precede or coincide with the arrival of Jesus)