From Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians it appears they had some follow up questions concerning the things he wrote about in his first letter (2 Thessalonians 1) about the final judgment and the coming of the Lord.
Though we may suffer tribulations on the earth it is nothing compared to what God will bring upon those who trouble us (V6-7). Wrath will fall on the ungodly and all who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus (V8). The punishment will be severe. Paul says it will be everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His power (V9).
It’s an interesting use of words. We might think of destruction as ending once an object has been destroyed. Yet the Greek words indicate destruction without beginning or end, never to cease and everlasting.
This draws comparison with Revelation 20:15 and the lake of fire where the judged are cast for all eternity. Jesus also spoke of fire that shall never be quenched in Mark 9:44-48.
Paul wrote that a time has been appointed for this to take place (2 Thessalonians 2). A time when a falling away occurs (V3) and the man of sin or lawlessness is revealed who opposes God and sits in the temple declaring himself to be God (V4). But there is a restrainer currently holding him back (V6-7). This lawless one does signs and lying wonders by the power of Satan deceiving all who do not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved (V9-10).
The saved are to hold fast to the truth of the the gospel and scripture (V15) in which we find comfort, trusting in the Lord to deliver us from such a time (2 Thessalonians 3) withdrawing from those who do not walk according to the teaching of scripture (V6). We are not to keep company with those who will not obey the word of this letter (V14). In the Lord alone we find peace and grace (V16, 18).
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