The Skeptics Annotated Bible (950 page)

24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

25 Brethren, pray for us.

26
Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.

(5.26)
“Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.”

27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.

28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned.
—
2 Thessalonians 2.11-12

Although this epistle (1.1, 3.17) claims to have been written by Paul, many scholars think it was a later forgery. If Paul did write it, though, he completely changed his mind (since writing 1 Thessalonians) about the timing of Christ’s return. The day of the Lord is no longer at hand. In fact, it’s nowhere near. Many things must happen first: there will be a great “falling away,” a “man of sin” will be reveled, and Satan will show off his power by doing all kinds of signs and wonders. (
2.2-9
)

Every skeptic should know one passage from Second Thessalonians:
2.11-12
. (“God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned.”)

Here are the highlights:

• “Jesus … in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God … who shall be punished with everlasting destruction.”
  1.7-9
  
• “Be not soon shaken in mind … by letter as from us.” What letter is being referred to here? Is it 1 Thessalonians? If so, then should Christians not read it to avoid being “skaken in mind?”
  2.2
  
• Jesus will “consume” the wicked “with the spirit of his mouth.”
  2.8
  
• Satan, not God, is all-powerful.
  2.9
  
• “God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned.”
  2.11-12
  
• “God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation.” (If you’re among the chosen, that is. If not, you’re going to hell.)
  2.13
  
• Those who disagree with the views expressed in this epistle are to be shunned.
  3.6
  , 14
  
• Those who will not or cannot work should starve to death.
  3.10
  

1
Paul
, and Silvanus, and Timotheus,
unto the church of the Thessalonians
in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

(1.1)
“Paul … unto the church of the Thessalonians”
Although this epistle claims to have been written by Paul, many scholars think it was a forgery.

2 Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;

4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:

5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:

6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;

7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when
the Lord Jesus
shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

8
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God
, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

9
Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction
from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

(1.7-9) “The Lord Jesus … in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God … who shall be punished with everlasting destruction.”
157 Does Hell exist?

10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:

12 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.

2
Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,

(2.2) “Be not soon shaken in mind … by letter as from us.” What letter is being referred to here? Is it 1 Thessalonians? If so, then should Christians not read it to avoid being “shaken in mind?”

(2.2-9) If Paul wrote this letter (and many scholars think he didn’t), then he changed his mind (since writing 1 Thessalonians) about the timing of the Christ’s return. The day of the Lord is no longer at hand. In fact it’s nowhere near. Many things must happen first: there will be a great “falling away”, a “man of sin” will be reveled, and Satan will show off his power by doing all kinds of signs and wonders.
469 Is the Day of the Lord at hand?