Did Paul Expect to Live to See Christ Return?

Some of the Thessalonian believers understood Paul to be expressing the hope that he himself would live to witness the Savior’s coming. This served to increase their enthusiasm and excitement. Those who had neglected their duties became more persistent in urging their mistaken views.ULe 98.1

In his second letter Paul set about to correct their misunderstanding. Before the coming of Christ, important developments would take place that prophecy had foretold: “We ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.”ULe 98.2

No one was to teach that Paul had warned the Thessalonians that Christ would come immediately. The apostle cautioned the believers not to receive any such message as coming from him. He emphasized the fact that the papal power that the prophet Daniel described had not yet risen against God’s people. Until this power performed its blasphemous work, it would be fruitless for the church to look for the coming of their Lord.ULe 98.3

Terrible trials were going to oppress the true church. The “mystery of iniquity” (KJV) had already begun to work. Future developments “according to the working of Satan” will be “with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish.” Paul wrote about those who would deliberately reject the truth, “God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie.” God withdraws His Spirit, leaving them to the deceptions they love.ULe 98.4

In this way Paul outlined the work of that evil power that was to continue through long centuries of darkness and persecution before the second coming of Christ. He advised the Thessalonian believers to take up bravely the work before them and not to neglect their duties or to sit back in idle waiting. After their glowing expectation of being delivered immediately, the routine of daily life would seem unbearable. So he urged them:ULe 98.5

“Stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or by our epistle. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.” “May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.”ULe 98.6

The apostle pointed them to his own example of diligence in earthly matters while he worked in the cause of Christ. He rebuked those who had yielded to laziness and aimless excitement, and directed that they “do their work quietly and ... earn their own living” (NRSV).ULe 98.7

Paul concluded this letter with a prayer that in all of life’s toils and trials the peace of God and the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ would be their comfort and support.ULe 99.1