2 Thessalonians 2 - Observation / Interpretation Questions

These observation questions are designed to be followed with application questions to provide a self-directed or group study of the book of 2nd Thessalonians. Find all 2nd Thessalonians resources here. Enjoy!

2 Thessalonians 2 – Observation / Interpretation Questions

Read 2 Thessalonians Chapter 2 thoroughly and answer the questions below. Consider reading the chapter multiple times before answering.

1. In verse 1, Paul returns to a topic which he had addressed in his first letter. Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and write a description of what will occur at the coming of the Lord. Focus on what will happen to living believers; what will happen to believers who have passed; anything else which accompanies his coming.
   
   
2. What similarities do you see while comparing 1 Thessalonians 4:17; 2 Thessalonians 2:1 and Matthew 24:30-31?
   
   
3. Judging by Paul’s reassurance in verse 2, what had some of the Thessalonians been deceived into thinking which caused them to be shaken and alarmed? How did they get this false information?
   
   
4. Reading verse 1 and 2 together, how else might we describe the day of the Lord?
   
   
5. Look up 2 Peter 3:1-10.
   
   
   • According to verse 4, what will the scoffers of the last days be skeptical of?
     
     
   • According to verse 7, what events will accompany the promised coming of Jesus?
     
     
   • Considering verse 4 and 9, what promise is being spoken of in verse 9?
     
     
   • How else does Peter refer to the day of the coming of Christ in verse 10?
     
     
   • What can we conclude about “the coming of Christ” and “the day of the Lord”?
     
     
6. In verse 3, in order to assure the Thessalonians that the day of the Lord has not yet come, he reminds them that there are some things which must occur before his coming, which clearly had not yet happened. What are these things?
   
   
7. What do we learn about the man of lawlessness in verses 3-4?
   
   
8. By what power does the lawless one come? (9)
   
   
9. What will accompany his coming? (9)
   
   
10. According to verse 10, what will be the affect of the signs and wonders which accompany the coming of the lawless one? Who will be affected? Why?
    
    
11. What role does God play in what you answered in question 9? Why does he operate this way? (11-12)
    
    
12. Look up Matthew 24 and compare it to 2 Thessalonians 2 below.
    
    
    • How does Matthew 24:9-12 compare to 2 Thessalonians 2:3?
      
      
    • How does Matthew 24:11,24 compare to 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10?
      
      
    • Compare Matthew 24:15 and 2 Thessalonians 2:4.
      
      
    • Compare Matthew 24:29-30, 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; 2:8 and Revelation 19:11-21.
      
      
    • Compare Matthew 24:31 and 2 Thessalonians 2:1.
      
      
13. Paul’s purpose in 2 Thessalonians is to give some sense of timing regarding the coming day of the Lord. In verse 3 he says that the man of lawlessness must appear first. In verse 8 he states that this same man will be destroyed by Jesus at his coming. Considering these verses, is it possible that the man of lawlessness has come and gone before our day? Why or why not?
    
    
    • If 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 can be connected to Matthew 24:15, what does that tell us about the timing of the events in Matthew 24?
      
      
14. Paul is very thankful that the Thessalonians will not be among those who will suffer the wrath of God on the day of the Lord. Reading verse 13-14, how do the Thessalonians contrast with those who will be deceived on that day (9-12)?
    
    
15. What should be the Thessalonians response to everything Paul has said about the day of the Lord? (15)
    
    
16. What was Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians in verses 16-17?