Paul starts out his second letter to the Church at Thessalonica talking about their persecution and tribulation. We know from Paul’s first letter that the Thessalonians were persecuted for sharing the Word of the Living God. But what we may not have realized is that they now had been taught another element of death and resurrection that others had not been taught. The Thessalonians were now teaching something new. There was another resurrection. Not just one resurrection at the end of the age, but a resurrection of the righteous redeemed dead before the time of the tribulation. The people of the first century had heard about the resurrection of the just unto life, and they had heard about the resurrection of the unjust unto damnation. But they had not heard about a resurrection before that time.
We know that the Sadducees did not believe in a resurrection, but the Pharisees did. This new understanding of the resurrection displaced all Jews, eliminating them from the first two resurrections of the righteous redeemed unless they believed on Jesus. To understand this, we have to also know what they believed about death.
Here is a short recap of the three major ideas regarding death during the first century. As we can see, our society has tended toward the Pharisaical ideas on death. However, man is not in charge of death and hell, Jesus is the only one with the keys.
This is a first-hand account of the three major religious sects in Israel, during the first century. The Essenes believe that the soul is immortal and imprisoned in the body and that people should strive for rewards. They believe death is a happy time for the soul and that the judgment of where one goes is best left to God. The Pharisees believe that souls are immortal and the good people will get rewards and new bodies while the bad will suffer eternal punishment.
The Sadducees don’t believe in the soul being immortal and they don’t believe in adjusting their behavior for eternal rewards or eternal punishment. John called them a generation of vipers and wanted to know who warned them to flee the wrath to come. Jesus said they were hypocrites. In Matthew 22:31 Jesus tells them that God is not the God of the dead but of the living. This is in direct contradiction to their beliefs.http://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2016/02/philosophies-of-death-essenes-pharisees.html
With these thoughts in mind, we can see how adding the harpazo to the philosophies of death would stir up a lot of controversy. For us, it is beneficial that Paul explains the harpazo again to the Corinthian Church because in so doing we get a broader picture of what he was saying. Now it is understandable as to why the Thessalonians were being persecuted.
2 Thessalonians 1:4-6 (KJV)
4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
The Thessalonians were being persecuted and had to endure these persecutions. Paul believes suffering is just one way they/we are counted worthy of the kingdom of God. God repays these persecutors with affliction. When? Either when the one persecuting the innocent dies or during the tribulation. For that time period, the persecutors would enter Hades. For our age, if the Lord were to gather his church, the persecutors would endure the tribulation.
2 Thessalonians1:6G1512if indeed G1342it be righteous G3844by G2316God G467to recompense G3588the ones G2346afflicting G1473youG2347with affliction;
2346LSJ Gloss: θλίβω to press, squeeze, pinch
Dodson: θλίβω I make narrow, persecute, press hard (a) I make narrow (strictly: by pressure); I press upon, (b) I persecute, press hard.
Thayer:
1) to press (as grapes), press hard upon
2) a compressed way
2a) narrow straitened, contracted
3) metaph. to trouble, afflict, distress
2) a compressed way
2a) narrow straitened, contracted
3) metaph. to trouble, afflict, distress
θλίβω
thlibō thlee'-bo Akin to the base of G5147; to crowd (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: afflict, narrow, throng, suffer tribulation, trouble.
2347Dodson: θλῖψις persecution, affliction, distress persecution, affliction, distress, tribulation.
Thayer:
1) a pressing, pressing together, pressure
2) metaph. oppression, affliction, tribulation, distress, straits
2) metaph. oppression, affliction, tribulation, distress, straits
θλίψις
thlipsis thlip'-sis From G2346; pressure (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: afflicted, (-tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble.
The ones pinching, squeezing, or troubling you will be anguished, burdened, persecuted, or afflicted. Why would we think that life on earth is supposed to be like heaven? This is the devil’s kingdom. Jesus called the devil the prince of this world. Paul called him the god of this world. If we follow Jesus, then by worldly standards we are enemies of the state. We are the enemies of the devil. Peter reminds us of suffering.
1 Peter 3:17-22 (KJV)
17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
Jesus rose from the dead. Paul informed the Thessalonian Church that there will be another resurrection from the dead. In fact not only will the dead rise on that day, but the living redeemed will also rise. Then there will be a terrible time on the earth just before the Day of the Lord. This was new information and not only did the Thessalonians get persecuted for it, they were being talked out of it from those who were religious leaders. Paul tells them to rest because the Lord is going to come and take vengeance on those people who don’t know Him.
2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 (KJV)
7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
2 Thessalonians 1:7G2532and G1473to you G3588the ones G2346being afflicted, G425a relaxation G3326with G1473us, G1722in G3588the G602revelation G3588of the G2962Lord G*Jesus G575from G3772heaven, G3326with G32angels G1411of his power, G1473
425LSJ Gloss: ἄνεσις a loosening, relaxing
Dodson: ἄνεσις relief, remission, indulgence, freedom, rest.
Thayer:
1) a loosening, relaxing
1a) spoken of a more tolerable condition in captivity, to be held in less vigorous confinement
1b) relief, rest, from persecutions
For Synonyms see entry G5810
ἄνεσις
anesis an'-es-is From G447; relaxation or (figuratively) relief KJV Usage: eased, liberty, rest.
602LSJ Gloss: ἀποκάλυψις an uncovering, a revelation
Dodson: ἀποκάλυψις an unveiling, uncovering, revealing an unveiling, uncovering, revealing, revelation.
Thayer:
1) laying bear, making naked
2) a disclosure of truth, instruction
2a) concerning things before unknown
2b) used of events by which things or states or persons hitherto withdrawn from view are made visible to all
3) manifestation, appearance
ἀποκάλυψις
apokalupsis ap-ok-al'-oop-sis From G601; disclosure KJV Usage: appearing, coming, lighten, manifestation, be revealed, revelation.
1411LSJ Gloss: δύναμις power, might, strength
Dodson: δύναμις might, power, marvelous works (a) physical power, force, might, ability, efficacy, energy, meaning (b) plur: powerful deeds, deeds showing (physical) power, marvelous works.
Thayer:
1) strength power, ability
1a) inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth
1b) power for performing miracles
1c) moral power and excellence of soul
1d) the power and influence which belong to riches and wealth
1e) power and resources arising from numbers
1f) power consisting in or resting upon armies, forces, hosts
For Synonyms see entry G5820
δύναμις
dunamis doo'-nam-is From G1410; force (literally or figuratively); specifically miraculous power (usually by implication a miracle itself)
KJV Usage: ability, abundance, meaning, might (-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle (-s), power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work.
Paul tells the Church that they should relax because of the revealing, the apocalypse of Jesus with His angels of His power. Who are these angels of His power? Peter told us that Jesus has authorities and powers under His command. But on the Day of the Apocalypse the saints are coming back with Him. Here, the “angels of His power”, are the saints. How do we know this? Because Jesus explained that we will be like the angels at the resurrection. Not the resurrection at the end of the age, but the resurrection at the time of the harpazo.
Matthew 22:29-32 (KJV)
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
31 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,
32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
Are the dead in Christ going to rise? Then this is the resurrection. If people are in Christ, they are of His power. This is also recorded in Mark and Luke.
Mark 12:24-27 (KJV)
24 And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?
25 For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.
26 And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?
27 He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.
The Sadducees were mistaken to believe that the dead were dead, because God is the God of the living. But the dead in Christ will rise first, this tells us that although their bodies are dead, they, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, are alive. Their Spirit and Soul are alive, not asleep, not dead, not unconscious. The Living God is the God of the Living.
Luke 20:34-38 (KJV)
34 And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:
35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:
36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
37 Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.
38 For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.
Luke records the phrase “Neither can they die any more”, which tells us that whoever is counted worthy to obtain the resurrection from the dead cannot die. Jesus himself explains that a time is coming when the dead shall hear His voice. Jesus did not tell us of the harpazo, he may have alluded to it, but we would not have known what he was referring to until we learned from Paul that the dead and living in Christ will be seized, harpazo.
As Jesus said, we become like the angels in the resurrection. So the question becomes when? When will the resurrection occur so that people will become like the angels?
John 5:25-29 (KJV)
25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
Paul also testifies about the resurrection when he tells Felix why everybody is mad at him. He then pits the philosophies of the Pharisees against the Sadducees.
Acts 24:14-16 (KJV)
14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
Wrapping up this idea of resurrection and becoming like angels, we have to understand the minds’ of the people in those days. The timing was generally determined to be that the resurrection of both the just and unjust would happen at the end of the age. But they just learned that there would be a resurrection preceding that day. They had only heard about the resurrection of the just which is unto life and the resurrection of the unjust which is unto damnation, and thought that these would occur simultaneously. They may have understood that at that time of the resurrection, at the end of the age, we would be made like the angels of heaven, but they did not know about the harpazo and the new bodies that the army of Jesus would have until Paul told them. As we once studied, the army of saints will have incredible abilities when they return on the Day of the Lord.
Now let’s remember our timing. The first resurrection of the righteous dead will be the harpazo. The second resurrection of the righteous dead will be before the millennial kingdom. However, the only people resurrected at this time, right before the millennial kingdom, will only be those who were martyred during the tribulation and those who did not take the mark of the beast, Revelation 20:5-6. The resurrection of the unrighteous will occur at the white throne judgment at the end of the millennial kingdom. At that time all the dead who did not attain to either of the first two righteous resurrections will be judged for their works.
Essentially Paul moved up the timing of the resurrection of the righteous to a time seven years before the millennial kingdom. As we know, those martyred during the tribulation for their faith and confession of Christ are told to rest a while, until the number of martyrs is fulfilled, Revelation 6:11. So the first resurrection of the righteous redeemed occurs when the dead in Christ rise at the harpazo. This is not what the Jews and Pharisees were thinking. This made the believers in Christ the first to rise. The Jews still don’t believe this and are insulted by the very idea that the believers of Jesus Christ as Lord will rise before they do. This is the reason for the persecution of the Church at Thessalonica.
Again, the first resurrection of the righteous redeemed dead occurs at the time of the harpazo, before the tribulation. The second resurrection of the righteous redeemed dead happens at the end of the tribulation for those who were martyred and did not take the mark of the beast. The rest of the dead do not rise until the end of the millennial kingdom at the end of the age.
Getting back to Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians, Paul points out that the Lord comes to punish those who do not know God and those who do not obey the good news of Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 1:8G1722in G4442fire G5395of flame, G1325giving G1557punishment G3588to the ones G3361not G1492knowing G2316God, G2532and G3588to the ones G3361not G5219obeying G3588the G2098good news G3588 G2962of our Lord G1473 G*Jesus G5547Christ;
4442LSJ Gloss: πῦρ fire
Dodson: πῦρ fire, trials fire; the heat of the sun, lightning; fig: strife, trials; the eternal fire.
Thayer:
1) fire
πῦρ
pur poor A primary word; “fire” (literally or figuratively, specifically lightning)
KJV Usage: fiery, fire.
5395LSJ Gloss: φλόξ a flame
Dodson: φλόξ a flame.
Thayer:
1) a flame
φλόξ
phlox flox From a primary φλέγω phlegō (to “flash” or “flame”); a blaze
KJV Usage: flame (-ing).
1492Dodson: οἶδα I know, remember I know, remember, appreciate.
Thayer:
1) to see
1a) to perceive with the eyes
1b) to perceive by any of the senses
1c) to perceive, notice, discern, discover
1d) to see
1d1) i.e. to turn the eyes, the mind, the attention to anything
1d2) to pay attention, observe
1d3) to see about something
1d31) i.e. to ascertain what must be done about it
1d4) to inspect, examine
1d5) to look at, behold
1e) to experience any state or condition
1f) to see i.e. have an interview with, to visit
2) to know
2a) to know of anything
2b) to know, i.e. get knowledge of, understand, perceive
2b1) of any fact
2b2) the force and meaning of something which has definite meaning
2b3) to know how, to be skilled in
2c) to have regard for one, cherish, pay attention to (
1Th. 5:12)
For Synonyms see entry G5825
εἴδω
eidō i'-do A primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent, G3700 and G3708; properly to see (literally or figuratively); by implication (in the perfect only) to know KJV Usage: be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) known (-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wist, wot.
5219LSJ Gloss: ὑπακούω to listen, hearken, give ear
Dodson: ὑπακούω I listen, obey I listen, hearken to, obey, answer.
Thayer:
1) to listen, to harken
1a) of one who on the knock at the door comes to listen who it is, (the duty of a porter)
2) to harken to a command
2a) to obey, be obedient to, submit to
ὑπακούω
hupakouō hoop-ak-oo'-o From G5259 and G191; to hear under (as a subordinate), that is, to listen attentively; by implication to heed or conform to a command or authority KJV Usage: hearken, be obedient to, obey.
The Lord comes like lightning and flames. Who will be punished? Those who don’t know or perceive God, and those who don’t hearken to the gospel. This about sums up everyone left on the earth for the tribulation. Those who want to make Jesus Lord during the tribulation will attain to the resurrection of the just before the millennial kingdom, Revelation 20:5-6. This is part of the key to understanding what Paul was revealing, all the righteous, redeemed, saints of Jesus Christ will be raised to life, either at the harpazo or at the end of the tribulation. But the ones who rejected God and did not obey the gospel of Jesus Christ will be punished with flaming fire on the Day of the Lord. They will receive eternal ruin.
2 Thessalonians 1:9G3748ones who G1349with punishment G5099shall pay, G3639[2ruin G1661eternal] G575from G4383the face G3588of the G2962Lord, G2532and G575from G3588the G1391glory G3588 G2479of his strength; G1473
1349 LSJ Gloss: δίκη custom, usage
Dodson: δίκη justice, judicial hearing, punishment (a) (originally: custom, usage) right, justice, (b) process of law, judicial hearing, (c) execution of sentence, punishment, penalty, (d) justice, vengeance.
Thayer:
1) custom, usage
2) right, just
3) a suit at law
4) a judicial hearing, judicial decision, esp. sentence of condemnation
5) execution of a sentence, punishment
5a) to suffer punishment
6) the goddess Justice, avenging justice
δίκη
dikē dee'-kay Probably from G1166; right (as self evident), that is, justice (the principle, a decision, or its execution) KJV Usage: judgment, punish, vengeance.
5099 LSJ Gloss: τίνω to pay a price
Dodson: τίνω I pay I pay (penalty).
Thayer:
1) to pay, to recompense
2) to pay penalty, suffer punishment
τίνω
tinō tee'-no Strengthened for a primary word τίω tiō (which is only used as an alternate in certain tenses); to pay a price, that is, as a penalty KJV Usage: be punished with.
3639LSJ Gloss: ὄλεθρος ruin, destruction, death
Dodson: ὄλεθρος ruin, doom, destruction ruin, doom, destruction, death.
Thayer:
1) ruin, destroy, death
1a) for the destruction of the flesh, said of the external ills and troubles by which the lusts of the flesh are subdued and destroyed
ὄλεθρος
olethros ol'-eth-ros From ὄλλυμι ollumi a primary word (to destroy; a prolonged form); ruin, that is, death, punishment KJV Usage: destruction.
166LSJ Gloss: αἰώνιος lasting for an age
Dodson: αἰώνιος eternal, unending age-long, and therefore: practically eternal, unending; partaking of the character of that which lasts for an age, as contrasted with that which is brief and fleeting.
Thayer:
1) without beginning and end, that which always has been and always will be
2) without beginning
3) without end, never to cease, everlasting
For Synonyms see entry G5801
αἰώνιος
aiōnios ahee-o'-nee-os From G165; perpetual (also used of past time, or past and future as well) KJV Usage: eternal, for ever, everlasting, world (began).
The payment of punishment is a perpetual destruction. Wouldn’t it be advantageous to know what the punishment is before making the decision to reject Jesus? Because people like to gamble, they think this punishment is somehow variable, like in our judicial system today. Those who commit crimes weight the price of getting caught as if maybe they may receive mercy and a lighter sentence. This is not the case for the people who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of Jesus Christ. They will be eternally ruined from the countenance of the Lord and from the glory and splendor of His strength.
4383LSJ Gloss: πρόσωπον the face, visage, countenance
Dodson: πρόσωπον the face, countenance, surface.
Thayer:
1) the face
1a) the front of the human head
1b) countenance, look
1b1) the face so far forth as it is the organ of sight, and by it various movements and changes) the index of the inward thoughts and feelings
1c) the appearance one presents by his wealth or property, his rank or low condition
1c1) outward circumstances, external condition
1c2) used in expressions which denote to regard the person in one's judgment and treatment of men
2) the outward appearance of inanimate things
πρόσωπον
prosōpon pros'-o-pon From G4314 and ὤψ ōps (the visage; from G3700); the front (as being towards view), that is, the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication presence, person KJV Usage: (outward) appearance, X before, countenance, face, fashion, (men’s) person, presence.
1391LSJ Gloss: δόξα a notion
Dodson: δόξα honor, renown, glory splendor honor, renown; glory, an especially divine quality, the unspoken manifestation of God, splendor.
Thayer:
1) opinion, judgment, view
2) opinion, estimate, whether good or bad concerning someone
2a) in the NT always a good opinion concerning one, resulting in praise, honour, and glory
3) splendour, brightness
3a) of the moon, sun, stars
3b) magnificence, excel
δόξα
doxa dox'-ah From the base of G1380; glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literally or figuratively, objectively or subjectively) KJV Usage: dignity, glory (-ious), honour, praise, worship.
2479LSJ Gloss: ἰσχύς strength
Dodson: ἰσχύς strength, power strength (absolutely), power, might, force, ability.
Thayer:
1) ability, force, strength, might
For Synonyms see entry G5820
ἰσχύς
ischus is-khoos' From a derivative of ἱς his (force; compare ἔσχον eschon ; a form of G2192); forcefulness (literally or figuratively)
KJV Usage: ability, might ([-ily]), power, strength.
We know what the punishment is, now it is time for each person to weigh the cost of not knowing or obeying the good news of Jesus Christ. These words of Paul’s are meant to encourage the Church because they were under persecution from the devil via evil people. So Paul goes on to say that their punishment will happen when Jesus comes to be glorified among his people and to be marveled at by those who believe on Paul’s testimony.
2 Thessalonians 1:10G3752whenever G2064he should come G1740to be glorified G1722among G3588 G39his holy ones, G1473 G2532and G2296to be marveled at G1722by G3956all G3588the ones G4100having believed G3754(because G4100[4was believed G3588 G31421our testimony G1473 G19092to G14733you]) G1722in G3588 G2250that day. G1565
2296LSJ Gloss: θαυμάζω to wonder, marvel, be astonied
Dodson: θαυμάζω I wonder, admire (a) intrans: I wonder, marvel, (b) trans: I wonder at, admire.
Thayer:
1) to wonder, wonder at, marvel
2) to be wondered at, to be had in admiration
θαυμάζω
thaumazō thou-mad'-zo From G2295; to wonder; by implication to admire
KJV Usage: admire, have in admiration, marvel, wonder.
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 (KJV)
11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul prays for them to be worthy of the calling of God and that the name of Jesus Christ our Lord would be glorified. His encouragement is that in their suffering they should relax and be comforted because those who punish them will meet with greater eternal punishment. In other words, they should rest in the knowledge that there will be vengeance on those who have persecuted the Church.
Paul then goes on to give them some new understanding. Where people may have gotten confused, Paul will now clear up their misunderstanding using some very specific words. This again is why the secret to knowledge and understanding the Bible resides in the words themselves. Someone may have told the Thessalonian Church that the Day of the Lord is occurring. That is similar to people claiming that we are in the tribulation. We know that those things cannot be happening until the harpazo occurs, so Paul gets more specific.
2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 (KJV)
1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
Paul spends quite a bit of time telling the called out of Thessalonica to rest and relax as the evil people persecuting them will be ruined with flaming fire on the Day of the Lord. Now he tells them not to be shaken in mind or troubled regarding the parousia and the episunagoge as if the Day of the Lord has come. Let’s review parousia and learn episunagoge.
2 Thess 2:1G2065And we ask G1161 G1473you, G80brethren, G5228concerning G3588the G3952arrival G3588 G2962of our Lord G1473 G*Jesus G5547Christ, G2532and G1473our G1997assembling together G1909unto G1473him,
3952 LSJ Gloss: παρουσία a being present, presence
Dodson: παρουσία presence, a coming, arrival, advent (a) presence, (b) a coming, an arrival, advent, especially of the second coming of Christ.
Thayer:
1) presence
2) the coming, arrival, advent
2a) the future visible return from heaven of Jesus, to raise the dead, hold the last judgment, and set up formally and gloriously the kingdom of God
παρουσία
parousia par-oo-see'-ah From the present participle of G3918; a being near, that is, advent (often, return; specifically of Christ to punish Jerusalem, or finally the wicked); (by implication) physical aspect KJV Usage: coming, presence.
1997LSJ Gloss: ἐπισυναγωγή a gathering
Dodson: ἐπισυναγωγή a gathering together a gathering (collecting) together, assembling.
Thayer:
1) a gathering together in one place
2) the (religious) assembly (of Christians)
ἐπισυναγωγή
episunagōgē ep-ee-soon-ag-o-gay' From G1996; a complete collection; specifically a Christian meeting (for worship) KJV Usage: assembling (gathering) together.
1996LSJ Gloss: ἐπισυνάγω to collect and bring to
Dodson: ἐπισυνάγω I collect, gather together I collect, gather together, assemble.
Thayer:
1) to gather together besides, to bring together to others already assembled
2) to gather together against
3) to gather together in one place
ἐπισυνάγω
episunagō ep-ee-soon-ag'-o From G1909 and G4863; to collect upon the same place KJV Usage: gather (together).
1909 ἐπί
epi ep-ee' A primary preposition properly meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution [with the genitive case], that is, over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc. KJV Usage: about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, [where-]) fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-) on (behalf of) over, (by, for) the space of, through (-out), (un-) to (-ward), with. In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or figuratively).
4863 LSJ Gloss: συνάγω to bring together, gather together, collect, convene
Dodson: συνάγω I gather together I gather together, collect, assemble, receive with hospitality, entertain.
Thayer:
1) to gather together, to gather
1a) to draw together, collect
1a1) of fishes
1a2) of a net in which they are caught
2) to bring together, assemble, collect
2a) to join together, join in one (those previously separated)
2b) to gather together by convoking
2c) to be gathered i.e. come together, gather, meet
3) to lead with one's self
3a) into one's home, i.e. to receive hospitably, to entertain
συνάγω
sunagō soon-ag'-o From G4862 and G71; to lead together, that is, collect or convene; specifically to entertain (hospitably) KJV Usage: + accompany, assemble (selves, together), bestow, come together, gather (selves together, up, together), lead into, resort, take in.
There are two events mentioned here, the parousia, and the above gathering. What is this above gathering? The base of this word, sunago is an “assembly”. When we look at all it’s usages we see that it is a “rising up together”. The prefix Epi means “above”. What above gathering is Paul referring to? Harpazo. It is a complete collection, a worship assembly. As we looked at the resurrection earlier, we recognized that Paul moved up the timing of the event and defined those who are the just as those who believe on Jesus. Now Paul further defines the harpazo as a complete above gathering. We can see how specific this is.
The Jews of the first century were already offended by Jesus and the gospel, let alone the tremendous growth of the church. Now the Jews were being told that they were not going to be resurrected before everyone else, but that they would be last. The church was also being stretched by being asked to trust Paul’s revelation regarding the mystery and the harpazo. Paul goes on.
2 Thessalonians 2:2G1519for G3588 G3361[2to not G50303quickly G45314be shaken G14731you] G575of G3588the G3563mind, G3383nor G2360to be alarmed, G3383neither G1223by G4151spirit, G3383nor G1223by G3056word, G3383nor G1223by G1992letter, G5613as G1223by G1473us, G5613that G3754 G1764[5is present G35881the G22502day G35883of the G55474Christ].
4531LSJ Gloss: σαλεύω to cause to rock, make to oscillate, shake to and fro
Dodson: σαλεύω I shake, excite I shake, excite, disturb in mind, stir up, drive away.
Thayer:
1) a motion produced by winds, storms, waves, etc
1a) to agitate or shake
1b) to cause to totter
1c) to shake thoroughly, of a measure filled by shaking its contents together
2) to shake down, overthrow
2a) to cast down from one's (secure and happy) state
2b) to move, agitate the mind, to disturb one
σαλεύω
saleuō sal-yoo'-o From G4535; to waver, that is, agitate, rock, topple or (by implication) destroy; figuratively to disturb, incite KJV Usage: move, shake (together), which can [-not] be shaken, stir up.
3563 Dodson: νοῦς the mind, reasoning faculty
the mind, the reason, the reasoning faculty, intellect.
Thayer:
1) the mind, comprising alike the faculties of perceiving and understanding and those of feeling, judging, determining
1a) the intellectual faculty, the understanding
1b) reason in the narrower sense, as the capacity for spiritual truth, the higher powers of the soul, the faculty of perceiving divine things, of recognising goodness and of hating evil
1c) the power of considering and judging soberly, calmly and impartially
2) a particular mode of thinking and judging, i.e thoughts, feelings, purposes, desires
νοῦς
nous nooce Probably from the base of G1097; the intellect, that is, mind (divine or human; in thought, feeling, or will); by implication meaning
KJV Usage: mind, understanding.
2360LSJ Gloss: θροέω to cry aloud
Dodson: θροέω I disturb, agitate I disturb, agitate; pass: I am troubled, alarmed.
Thayer:
1) to cry aloud, make a noise by outcry
1a) in the NT, to trouble, frighten
1b) to be troubled in mind, to be frightened, alarmed
θροέω
throeō thro-eh'-o From θρέομαι threomai (to wail); to clamor, that is, (by implication) to frighten KJV Usage: trouble.
Do not be oscillated in mind, or do not let your mind spin out of control. Neither be disturbed by any thing or any one that the Day of the Lord is not present. Paul told the Thessalonian Church to rest regarding their suffering and now tells them not to spin out of control regarding the timing of these events, the parousia, the episunagoge, and the apocalypse. Paul then says not to let anyone deceive you because that day will not come until the falling away comes first.
2 Thessalonians 2:3 (KJV)
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
Next week we will dive into chapter 2 of 2 Thessalonians in more detail. The summation of chapter one is that this new timing of the resurrection and who will be resurrected was an offence to the Jews who felt that they were the special chosen ones. Paul makes it clear that those persecuting the church will receive just punishment for their behavior. To avoid punishment we must know God and obey the good news of Jesus Christ. The resurrection for the righteous redeemed is the harpazo. If we erase the harpazo, there is not another time when the righteous redeemed will rise. The only righteous people who will rise will be the martyrs during the tribulation. This is why the harpazo is so important to understand. There is no other time for the righteous redeemed to rise. The unjust will all rise at the end of the millennial kingdom. The unjust will not even be a part of the millennial kingdom. This is why the harpazo and the episunagoge is so very important for us to know and understand.
