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please God； so ye would abound more and more。 For ye know what commandments
we gave you by the Lord Jesus。 For this is the will of God； even your
sanctification； that ye should abstain from fornication。〃 〃For God hath not
called us unto uncleanness； but unto holiness。〃
The apostle felt that he was to a large extent responsible for the spiritual
welfare of those converted under his labors。 His desire for them was that
they might increase in a knowledge of the only true God； and Jesus Christ；
whom He had sent。 Often in his ministry he would meet with little companies
of men and women who loved Jesus； and bow with them in prayer； asking God to
teach them how to maintain a living connection with Him。 Often he took
counsel with them as to the best methods of giving to others the light of
gospel truth。 And often； when separated from those for whom he had thus
labored； he pleaded with God to keep them from evil and help them to be
earnest； active missionaries。
One of the strongest evidences of true conversion is love to God and man。
Those who accept Jesus as their Redeemer have a deep； sincere love for
others of like precious faith。 Thus it was with the believers at
Thessalonica。 〃As touching
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brotherly love；〃 the apostle wrote； 〃ye need not that I write unto you： for
ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another。 And indeed ye do it
toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia： but we beseech you；
brethren； that ye increase more and more； and that ye study to be quiet； and
to do your own business； and to work with your own hands； as we commanded
you； that ye may walk honestly toward them that are without； and that ye may
have lack of nothing。〃
〃The Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another； and
toward all men； even as we do toward you： to the end He may stablish your
hearts unblamable in holiness before God； even our Father； at the coming of
our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints。〃
〃Now we exhort you； brethren； warn them that are unruly； comfort the
feeble…minded； support the weak； be patient toward all men。 See that none
render evil for evil unto any man； but ever follow that which is good； both
among yourselves； and to all men。 Rejoice evermore。 Pray without ceasing。 In
everything give thanks： for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus
concerning you。〃
The apostle cautioned the Thessalonians not to despise
the gift of prophecy； and in the words； 〃Quench not the Spirit； despise not
prophesyings； prove all things； hold fast that which is good；〃 he enjoined a
careful discrimination in distinguishing the false from the true。 He
besought them to 〃abstain from all appearance of evil；〃 and closed his
letter with the prayer that God would sanctify them wholly；
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that in 〃Spirit and soul and body〃 they might 〃be preserved blameless unto
the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ。 Faithful is He that calleth you；〃 he
added； 〃who also will do it。〃
The instruction that Paul sent the Thessalonians in his first epistle
regarding the second coming of Christ； was in perfect harmony with his
former teaching。 Yet his words were misapprehended by some of the
Thessalonian brethren。 They understood him to express the hope that he
himself would live to witness the Saviour's advent。 This belief served to
increase their enthusiasm and excitement。 Those who had previously neglected
their responsibilities and duties； now became more persistent in urging
their erroneous views。
In his second letter Paul sought to correct their misunderstanding of his
teaching and to set before them his true position。 He again expressed his
confidence in their integrity； and his gratitude that their faith was
strong； and that their love abounded for one another and for the cause of
their Master。 He told them that he presented them to other churches as an
example of the patient； persevering faith that bravely withstands
persecution and tribulation； and he carried their minds forward to the time
of the second coming of Christ； when the people of God shall rest from all
their cares and perplexities。
〃We ourselves；〃 he wrote； 〃glory in you in the churches of God for your
patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure：
。 。 。 and to you who are troubled rest with us； when the Lord Jesus shall be
revealed
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from heaven with His mighty angels； in flaming fire taking vengeance on them
that know not God； and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ：
who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the
Lord； and from the glory of His power。 。 。 。 Wherefore also we pray always
for you； that our God would count you worthy of this calling； and fulfill
all the good pleasure of His goodness； and the work of faith with power：
that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you； and ye in
Him； according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ。〃
But before the coming of Christ； important developments in the religious
world； foretold in prophecy； were to take place。 The apostle declared： 〃Be
not soon shaken in mind； or be troubled； neither by spirit； nor by word； nor
by letter as from us； as that the day of Christ is at hand。 Let no man
deceive you by any means： for that day shall not come； except there come a
falling away first； and that man of sin be revealed； the son of perdition；
who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God； or that is
worshiped； so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God； showing himself
that he is God。〃
Paul's words were not to be misinterpreted。 It was not to be taught that he；
by special revelation； had warned the Thessalonians of the immediate coming
of Christ。 Such a position would cause confusion of faith； for
disappointment often leads to unbelief。 The apostle therefore cautioned the
brethren to receive no such message as coming from him；
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and he proceeded to emphasize the fact that the papal power； so clearly
described by the prophet Daniel； was yet to rise and wage war against God's
people。 Until this power should have performed its deadly and blasphemous
work； it would be in vain for the church to look for the coming of their
Lord。 〃Remember ye not；〃 Paul inquired； 〃that； when I was yet with you； I
told you these things？〃
Terrible were the trials that were to beset the true church。 Even at the
time when the apostle was writing； the 〃mystery of iniquity〃 had already
begun to work。 The developments that were to take place in the future were
to be 〃after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying
wonders； and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that
perish。〃
Especially solemn is the apostle's statement regarding those who should
refuse to receive 〃the love of the truth。〃 〃For this cause；〃 he declared of
all who should deliberately reject the messages of truth； 〃God shall send
them strong delusion； that they should believe a lie： that they all might be
damned who believed not the truth； but had pleasure in unrighteousn