2 THESSALONIANS OUTLINE
A. Ralph Johnson
THEME: Correction of misconception that Christ's coming was to be just at hand.
Written by Paul from Corinth around A.D. 50, shortly after 1Thes., after Acts 18:5
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CHAPTERS & KEY WORDS |
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Greeting (1-2) |
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1: Judgment |
I. COMING RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT OF GOD |
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A. Thanksgiving for their faithfulness in persecution (3-4) |
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B. Judgment upon their persecutors at Christ’s coming (5-10) |
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C. Prayer that they will be acceptable to God (11-12)
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2: Man of Sin |
II. COMING OF THE LORD NOT JUST AT HAND (2:1-17) |
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A. Do not be deceived (1-2) |
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B. The falling away must come first (2:3-12) |
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1. Man of Sin*—Son of Perdition to be revealed (3-10) |
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a. Sitting as God in the temple of God (4-6) |
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b. The mystery of iniquity has already begun (7a) |
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c. There is one who restrains (7b) |
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d. After that is removed he will be revealed and ultimately destroyed by the Lord’s coming (8) |
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e. He will deceive and do lying wonders (9-10) |
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2. God will send a “Strong delusion” (11-12)
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III. THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER (2:13-3:5) |
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A. Thanksgiving for them (2:13-14) |
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B. Faithfulness urged (2:15 ) |
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C. Blessing invoked (2:16 -17) |
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3: Idlers |
D. Request for their prayers for Paul and companions (3:1-2) |
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E. Confidence in their faithfulness (3:3-5)
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IV. WITHDRAW FROM THOSE WHO WON'T WORK (3:6-15)
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CONCLUSION: (3:16-18) -Invocation (16) -Salutation (17) -Benediction (18)
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* Note: The “Man of Sin” is often confused with the “antichrist” (1John 2:18-19; 2John 7) The antichrist was not one person but many—the Gnostics—those who dienied the Jesus came in the flesh.
