Nepaug Bible Church - http://www.nepaugchurch.org - Pastor's Evening Sermon Notes - http://www.nepaugchurch.org/ev/ev19990207.htm

II THESSALONIANS: EDIFYING NEW CONVERTS WITH CORRECT ESCHATOLOGY
Part IV: Standing Against Errant Living Promoted By Non-Pretribulational Views Of The Rapture
(2 Thessalonians 3:6-18)
  1. Introduction
    1. Sometimes, those who assume the Pre-tribulation Rapture Position may be viewed as being theologically too prudish, that we are dotting all our "I's" and crossing all of our "T's" with too much precision! "Why not tolerate the Amillenn ial, the Posttribulational or other views?" goes the question.
    2. Well, Paul answers that question for us in 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18 in the context of the whole epistle:
  2. Standing Against Errant Living Promoted By Non-Pretribulational Views Of The Rapture.
    1. As we have already seen, the drift in the Thessalonian Church away from a Pretribulation Rapture Position had led to wayward living and a negative testimony amongst unbelievers:
      1. As some had errantly concluded that the Great Tribulation was already upon them in the way they were persecuted by the ungodly (2 Thess. 1:4-6), the Thessalonian believers had become upset and insecure, inhibiting their abounding in Go d's service, 2 Thess. 2:2 with 2:16-17 implied.
      2. Indeed, other believers had quit earning a living altogether, assuming that Christ's return was soon-coming as they felt the Tribulation was upon them. This irresponsibility had led to their being busybodies and a generally bad testim ony in the unsaved community, 2 Thessalonians 3:11.
    2. Paul thus wrote a stern admonition about such errant living caused by non-pretribulational beliefs, 3:6-15:
      1. Paul commanded those who heeded the pretribulation view and applied it to responsible, comforted, productive, hard working living practice separation fellowship from believers who were living irresponsibly due to their beliefs that they were in the Tribulation, 2 Thessalonians 3:6.
      2. Paul then backed up this command by reminding his readers of his own example of life, 2 Thess. 3:7-9:
        1. Though he had the right to have lived off of the financial support of his converts at Thessalonica, Paul had chosen not to do so in order to example responsible living for them, 2 Thess. 3:9.
        2. Thus, he dwelt on his example to spur irresponsible believers to get back to self-supportive living in contrast to the irresponsible living practiced by those who felt they were in the Tribulation, 3:7-8.
      3. Additionally, Paul reminded these converts how he had specifically commanded them in their presence that if any did not work to make a living, they shouldn't be allowed to eat from the charity of others, 10.
      4. Paul again directly commanded the irresponsible to get back to responsible wage-earning and orderly living, and not to be wearing in doing what was good, 2 Thess. 3:12-13.
      5. Just to make his point very clear, Paul again urged separation from fellow believers who lived irresponsible lives due to their having incorrectly felt they were in the Tribulation, 2 Thess. 3:14-15!
      6. Finally, he closed with the hope that these believers would enjoy God's comprehensive peace, 3:16-18.
Lesson: Because assuming a non-Pretribulational Rapture View leads to fear and/or irresponsible living, one must take a clear stand AGAINST such ungodly LIVING as WELL as be careful to stand FOR the RIGHT view of the RAPTURE, cf. especially 2 Thess . 3:14! Thus, as theology affects living, crossing our "T's" and dotting our "I's" on eschatology is a Biblical necessity!

Illustration: Dave Hunt, author of The Seduction of Christianity, correctly reacts in his newsletter to a party that wonders why he doen't alarm Christians like Larry Burkett does to get them ready to minister in the alleged chaotic world that begins on December 31, 1999 due to the Y2K problem! Dave writes, "Sadly, Christian leaders, though they mean well, have been doing most of the alarm-sounding and if panic occurs Christians will take much of the blame . . . Tragically, Y2K has become an all-absorbing obsession for many Christians, taking time and effort and funds that the Lord would have us use more wisely in His service . . ." (The Berean Call, 1/99, p. 3-4)

Application: For the sake of testimony and godliness, God would have us take a STAND AGAINST such panic-installing, and be comforted and established in every good word and work as we live in PEACEFUL hope of the Pretribulation Rapture (2 Thess. 2:2, 16-17; 3:16-18)!