As we read and study the book of 2 Thessalonians together at IBC, I’m encouraged and motivated by the coming of Jesus (παρουσία). It’s a reality that Paul has already put forth as motivating comfort in his first letter to the Thessalonians (2:19; 3:13; 4:15; 5:23), and now also in his second letter (2:1, 8).
The παρουσία (coming) is a singular term the NT writers use to denote the 2nd coming of Jesus. It is mentioned a total of 24 times by Matthew (4), Paul (12), James (1), Peter (1), and John (1). Surprisingly, παρουσία is not mentioned in John’s Revelation, but is certainly described (Rev. 19:11-21).
Contrary to the still popular (although fading) “Left Behind” ideology, the παρουσία (coming) of Jesus is a singular event. It never appears in plural form. That means Jesus returns only once. Therefore, the depictions Paul gives in his letters to the Thessalonians of the second coming of Jesus describe the same coming of Jesus as described differently in other places of the NT (such as Matthew 24, 1 Corinthians 15-16, James 5, Revelation 19, etc.).
One of the most important and invigorating insight of Christ’s return is in 2 Thessalonians 2:1. Here Paul says that when Jesus comes, we will be “gathered to him” (ἐπισυναγωγῆς ἐπ᾿ αὐτὸν). Paul unites two ideas into one: the coming of our Lord Jesus and our gathering to him.
The only other time this exact language is used is in Hebrews 10:25 where the author encourages the reader not to neglect “meeting”(ἐπισυναγωγῆς) with one another. Followers of Jesus currently meet together until the day Jesus returns when the meeting/gathering will be done in person with Jesus Himself.
But Paul recognizes the difficulty that awaits the Thessalonians in a world of persecution and hatred. So he encourages them in 2:16-17 with the reality of comfort (παράκλησιν), which shares the same root with the word Jesus used in reference to the Spirit (παράκλητος), whom Jesus sent to be with us until His return (John 14:15).
Here are Paul’s words,
“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort (παράκλησιν) and good hope through grace, comfort (παρακαλέσαι) your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.”
2 Thess. 2:16-17
So when Jesus comes again, it will be our ultimate gathering with Him. In the meantime, we also gather together with Him by way of the Spirit whom He gave to us as our comfort. His presence and power among us is the way in which we are able to fulfill the obligation to “stand firm” (2 Thess. 2:15) until He comes.
We are to be comforted until Jesus comes, not anxious or panicky. We are not to be unsure of how we’ll survive this present evil age, because through the Spirit we have already become partakers in the new age of humanity and creation in Christ.
It is an age that is yet to come, but is already here now. Christ’s resurrection proves it. Remember the resurrected Christ who now lives in us through God’s Spirit to both comfort in the midst of difficulty and enable us to stand firm in the gospel.
