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1 and 2 Thessalonians

  1. Lesson One
    Overview of 1 and 2 Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 1–3)
    20 Activities
  2. Lesson Two
    Christ's Return (1 Thessalonians 4–5)
    22 Activities
  3. Lesson Three
    The Man of Lawlessness (2 Thessalonians 1–2)
    19 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  4. Lesson Four
    Work (2 Thessalonians 3)
    17 Activities
    |
    2 Assessments
  5. Lesson Five
    Author and Audience (Review 1 and 2 Thessalonians)
    17 Activities
  6. Course Wrap-Up
    Course Completion
    1 Activity
    |
    1 Assessment

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The second coming is not only a topic in the Epistles. Jesus Himself spoke of His return. Some connections between Jesus’ teachings in the Gospels and 1 Thessalonians are provided in the table below.

Teachings of JesusThemes1 Thessalonians
Matthew 24:30; Mark 13:26; Luke 21:27Christ returns4:16
Matthew 24:30; Mark 13:26; Luke 21:27 Descends from heaven4:16
John 5:28-29A commanding shout4:16
Matthew 24:31; Mark 13:27Accompanied by angels4:16
Matthew 24:31With a trumpet call4:16
John 11:25-26Christians who have died will rise4:16
Matthew 24:31; Mark 13:27Believers gathered to Christ4:17
Mark 13:26Caught up in the clouds4:17
Matthew 2:6Meeting the Lord4:17
John 17:24Will be with the Lord forever4:17; 5:10
Matthew 24:36; Mark 13:32Time unknown5:1-2
Matthew 24:43Coming like a thief5:1-2
Matthew 24:37-39; Luke 21:34It will be sudden5:3
Matthew 24:8; Mark 13:8Judgment comes as labor pains5:3
Matthew 24:42-44; Mark 13:35-37; Luke 21:34-36Believers should be watchful and on guard5:4-6
Matthew 24:48-50; Luke 21:34Warning against drunkenness5:7
John 8:12; 12:35-36Live in the light5:8
Matthew 24:13; Mark 13:13Chosen for salvation, not for God’s wrath5:9

Table quoted from: Philip Comfort, Peter Davids, and Harold Hoehner, Ephesians, Philippians, 1 – 2 Thessalonians, Colossians, Philemon, 2008, p. 366.

The continuity between the Gospels and 1 Thessalonians carries on into 2 Thessalonians. In the table below, see comparisons between the Gospels and 2 Thessalonians 2.

Teachings of JesusTheme2 Thessalonians
Matthew 24:3, 27, 37, 39; Mark 13:26; Luke 21:27The second coming of the Lord Jesus2:1
Matthew 24:31; Mark 13:27Being gathered to Him2:1
Matthew 24:6; Mark 13:5; Luke 21:9Don’t be easily shaken or alarmed2:2
Matthew 24:10The day of the Lord preceded by apostasy2:3
Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14The desolating sacrilege in the holy place2:4
Matthew 24:5, 23-24; Mark 13:5, 21-22The man of lawlessness deceiving many with his power, signs and miracles2:9
Matthew 24:27, 30; Mark 13:26Jesus coming with open boldness and great power2:8
Matthew 24:13; Mark 13:13; Luke 21:19A call for endurance2:15

Table quoted from: Philip Comfort, Peter Davids, and Harold Hoehner, Ephesians, Philippians, 1 – 2 Thessalonians, Colossians, Philemon, 2008, p. 395.