Notes On The Second Book Of Thessalonians

In this letter Paul (and Silvanus and Timothy) writes to the Thessalonians about the coming of the antichrist, which will precede the coming of Christ.

Notes on the Second Book of Thessalonians

• The afflictions and persecutions we face are evidence of God's approval of us as citizens of the Kingdom of God. (2 Thessalonians 1:4-5). This also allows God to repay with afflictions those who are afflicting us. (2 Thessalonians 1:6)
• When the Lord Jesus comes there will be vengeance and destruction for those who do not know him. (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9)
• Paul's prayer for the Thessalonians: "To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 English Standard Version)
• Do not be shaken by any false gospels or deceptions. (2 Thessalonians 2:1-2)
• The day of Christ will not come until after the "man of lawlessness" is revealed. (2 Thessalonians 2:3 ESV)
• Satan is backing this man with counterfeit miracles and signs, as well as support from the wicked. (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10)
• These sons of the Devil have a strong delusion over them so they are not aware they are being deceived. (2 Thessalonians 2:11)
• The elect should "stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught...either by our spoken word or by our letter." (2 Thessalonians 2:15 ESV). This focus on "traditions" is more prevalent in Roman Catholicism and Orthodoxy than in the Protestant denominations. I believe there is some debate as to what are and what are not traditions and what "traditions" exactly Paul is referring to.
• Paul's second prayer for the Thessalonians: "Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word." (2 Thessalonians 2:17-18 ESV)
• Other prayers for the Thessalonians: "May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ" (2 Thessalonians 3:5 ESV) and "Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all." (2 Thessalonians 3:16)
• It seems from my read of "tradition" given the context of 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12 that, at least in regards to this letter to the Thessalonians, Paul meant the tradition of not being idle. This article appears to agree.
• Per Paul, let us not grow tired of doing what is good and right. (2 Thessalonians 3:13)