Paul always wished “grace and peace” to the people receiving his letters.

And no wonder! Because whether you’re living through Pandemics in the Twenty-First Century, or through Perplexities in the First Century, you need grace and peace.

For example, when Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica—a city in modern-day Greece—Paul said, “Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 1:2).

Why did the people in Thessalonica need grace and peace? Perplexities.

Luke was the doctor who became Paul’s traveling companion (Acts 16:10). He wrote the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts.

It’s fair to assume that what Luke wrote in these books is similar to what Paul knew and taught. Therefore, in this blog and in my other blogs, I will frequently draw from the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts when describing what Paul knew and taught about Jesus and the early church.

In Acts, Luke described the persecutions surrounding the birth of the church in Thessalonica.

Paul spent three sabbaths in the synagogue “reason[ing] with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. ‘This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,’ he said.” (Acts 17:2-3).

Some Jews agreed with Paul. But most did not. In fact, they soon drove Paul from the city. (Acts 17:5-10).

Most of Paul’s success in Thessalonica came by convincing “a large number of God-fearing [non-Jews] and quite a few prominent women” that Jesus is the Messiah. (Acts 17:4).

As best we can reconstruct 2,000 years later from meager evidence, there were many “God-fearers” associated with the synagogues that were spread throughout the Roman Empire.

These non-Jewish God-Fearers rejected paganism and followed the moral teachings of Judaism—the ideals of the Law of Moses and the Prophets.  (Acts 15:21; Matthew 5:1).

Nevertheless, these God-Fearers did not want to observe the detailed provisions of the Law of Moses such as being circumcised, following kosher dietary rules, or keeping the Sabbath. (Acts 15:19-29; Mark 7:1-23).

Jesus realized that these God-Fearers were as persistent as dogs begging for food—in this case begging for “crumbs” from the ideals of the Law of Moses and the Prophets. (Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30).

Paul found that these God-Fearers were naturally attracted to his gospel—his good news. Paul taught them that—through faith in Jesus—they could be justified as righteous in the eyes of God, even though they did not follow the detailed provisions of the Law of Moses!

These God-Fearers were as overjoyed as dogs lapping up crumbs to learn that “[t]here is neither Jew nor [non-Jew] . . . for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28).

Similarly, Paul’s good news was attractive to “prominent women.” They must have been as overjoyed as dogs lapping up crumbs to learn that “[t]here is . . . [not] male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28).

Similarly, Paul’s good news was appealing to the many slaves in the Roman Empire. They—and all other exploited, despised people—must have been as overjoyed as dogs lapping up crumbs to learn that “[t]here is neither . . . slave nor free . . ., for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28).

As they learned about God’s amazing grace, these non-Jews, women, slaves—and all other exploited, despised people—must have been as overjoyed as dogs lapping up crumbs.

Through this amazing grace, they “will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God.” (2 Thessalonians 1:5).

Through this amazing grace, they will “be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.” (2 Thessalonians 2:13).

Through this amazing grace, “our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, [will] encourage [their] hearts and strengthen [them] in every good deed and word.” (2 Thessalonians 2: 16-17).

How did this amazing grace give peace to the Thessalonians?

In general, people find peace when they “turn to God from idols to serve the living and true God.” (1 Thessalonians 1:9). In the 21st Century, almost no one serves literal idols. Rather, we serve “idols” such as materialism, nationalism and racism.

An “idol” is anything or anyone or any idea that we want other than the LORD our God. For we are to love the one LORD our God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our strength and with all our mind. (Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Matthew 22:36-38).

There should not be any room remaining in our heart, in our soul, in our strength, or in our mind to love any “idol”.

As Jesus warned us:

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and [an ‘idol’ such as] money.” (Matthew 6:24).

Therefore, Paul urged the Thessalonians to find peace through “your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 1:3).

In addition to such general principals for finding peace in our lives, our families, our nations, and our civilizations, there were two specific threats that disturbed the peace of the Thessalonians—fear of death and fear of persecution.

Through the gift of God’s amazing grace, they could overcome these fears and live in peace.

Paul wrote: “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of [Humanity], who have no hope.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13).

Why is such hope possible?

Because “we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.” (1 Thessalonians 4:14). “[W]e who are still alive and are left will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

When would this ultimate peace be ours?

Paul wrote: “Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” (1 Thessalonians 5:1-2; Matthew 24:42-44; Luke 12:39-40).

The way not to be caught by surprise on the day of the Lord is to live every day in the Way of Jesus: “putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.” (1 Thessalonians 5:8).

Unfortunately, many people cannot resist the temptation to try to figure out “times and dates”. Such intellectual speculations are far more entertaining and amusing than the hard work of putting into practice at all times the good deeds commanded by Jesus and Paul.

Jesus refused to answer the question of when God would restore the kingdom to Israel—when God would end the persecution of God’s people. Jesus said: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.” (Acts 1:6-7).

Instead of satisfying our curiosity, Jesus said: “[Y]ou will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8).

Paul had to write a second letter to the Thessalonians because their peace had been disturbed by a false teaching about the timing of the day of the Lord.

According to this false teaching, the day of the Lord had already come.  And so, the Thessalonians feared that they had missed out on their one and only chance to meet Jesus and their dead loved ones, and to live with them forever.

Naturally, the Thessalonians were unsettled and alarmed by this false teaching. (2 Thessalonians 2:1-2).

Unfortunately, Paul’s explanation to refute this deception has provided fodder ever since for those who prefer talking about times and dates, instead of putting the words of Jesus and Paul into practice.

Paul told the Thessalonians that before the day of the Lord—before the time when all persecutions of God’s people will end—the Lawless One will be revealed. He “will oppose and exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.” (2 Thessalonians 2:4).

Paul’s description of the Lawless One draws upon the example of Antiochus IV Epiphanes—the example of an actual historical ruler who persecuted God’s people ruthlessly in order to destroy all of them forever and forever.

About 200 years before the crucifixion of Jesus, this evil, pagan king destroyed Jerusalem, defiled the Temple, and outlawed traditional Jewish practices.

The Jews were desperate. The Maccabees revolted. Against all odds, Israel won. Israel resurrected and purified the Temple.

This miraculous victory of good over evil is celebrated annually at Hanukkah.

This “lawless one” who is yet to come is probably the same person who is usually called the AntiChrist. Across the last 2,000 years, countless efforts have been made to identify specific rulers as the AntiChrist. In hindsight, these efforts look silly.

Instead of trying to identify only one person who is the Antichrist, we should identify the many people who are an antichrist.

As the Apostle John wrote 2,000 years ago: “Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come.” (1 John 2:18).

How did John tell us to identify an antichrist? It’s whoever “denies that Jesus is the Christ”. (1 John 2:22).

Using the title “The Christ” to refer to Jesus is a way to affirm that Jesus is “The Messiah”—the Anointed One—the Holy One who is anointed by the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 1:2 n.2; 1:18; 3:16-17; Mark 1:1 n.1; 1:9-11; Luke 1:35; 3:21-22; John 1:32-34,41).

John assured us that we will not be deceived by antichrists because “[we] have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of [us] know the truth.” (1 John 2:20).

Those who persecuted followers of Jesus Christ in Thessalonica fit John’s definition of an antichrist. They denied that Jesus is the Messiah, despite Paul repeatedly reasoning from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. ‘This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah he said.” (Acts 17:2-3).

In Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians, he emphasized that the Lawless One who is yet to come—and by implication, the many other “lawless ones” there have been over the millennia—are masters of deception.

They are liars!

They are con artists!

They “will use all sorts of displays of power . . . that serve the lie.” They will use “all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing.” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10).

Why do people fall for these lies, these deceptions? Why do people fall for these con artists?

“They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. . . . . [A]ll will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.” (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12).

Therefore, the way to be saved from the deceptions of antichrists is to love the truth and delight in goodness.

The way “to be saved [from the deceptions of antichrists] is through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth [that Jesus is the Messiah—the Anointed One—the Holy One who is anointed by the Holy Spirit].” (2 Thessalonians 2:13).

The way to be saved from the deceptions of antichrists is to “stand fast and hold fast  to the teachings [Paul and Luke] passed on to [us], whether by word of mouth or by letter.” (2 Thessalonians 2:15).

Even after the passage of two thousand years, this wisdom from Paul has not passed away.

For example, when I was in the Harvard Law School Christian Fellowship more than forty years ago, I remember that we often looked to Paul’s advice to the Thessalonians to help us find peace.

Which passages?

“Live in peace with each other.” (1 Thessalonians 5:13).

“[E]ncourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14).

“Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for anyone else.” (1 Thessalonians 5:15).

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances . . ..” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

“Do not quench the Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19).

In recent days, I see the wisdom of another part of Paul’s advice to the Thessalonians as they sought peace in the midst of perplexities:

“Do not treat prophecies with contempt.” (Not even prophecies about the Lawless One—the Antichrist.) But test all prophesies—including when identifying an antichrist or the Antichrist. (1 Thessalonians 5:20-22).

How should we test all prophesies? Not by trying to figure out dates and times. But by using the Holy Spirit to “hold onto what is good, [and to] reject every kind of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:20-22).

Therefore, when testing any prophesy, do not be perplexed about dates and times.

Instead, try to figure out whether the application of a prophesy—or the application of the words and actions of a leader—encourage words and actions that are obviously contrary to the Spirit: “sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies and the like.” (Galatians 5:19-21).

Try to figure out whether the application of a prophesy—or the application of the words and actions of a leader—encourage words and actions that grow the fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23).

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” (Galatians 5:25-26).

By living in this Way of Jesus, we will experience the same blessing that Paul gave to the Thessalonians 2,000 years ago: “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.“ (2 Thessalonians 3:16).

READ MORE

To learn more about grace and peace, please read my blog “Grace and Peace—Galatians”.

To learn more about applying Biblical prophecies, please read “Part Five: Best Friends” in my book Lighting the World, at pages 155-186 (including the endnotes).