(a) According to Paul, what are the signs of the parousia? (b) State three lessons relevant to Christians in Paul's explanation.

Answer Details

(a) According to Paul, the signs of the parousia (second coming) (1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12)

• The Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of the archangel and the sound of the trumpet of God.
• The dead in Christ will rise first, then those who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.
• The day of the Lord will come suddenly and unexpectedly, like a thief in the night, when people say "peace and safety."
• Before that day, there will be a great rebellion (apostasy) or falling away from the faith.
• The man of lawlessness (son of perdition) will be revealed, exalting himself above God and taking his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.
• He will come with the power of Satan, with pretended signs and wonders and wicked deception, but the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of His mouth and destroy him by His appearing.

(b) Three lessons relevant to Christians

• Believers should be watchful and always ready, living as children of light and not being caught unprepared like those in darkness.
• Christians should live holy, sober and upright lives, putting on the breastplate of faith and love and the helmet of the hope of salvation.
• They should comfort and encourage one another with the hope of the resurrection and reunion with the Lord, and not grieve like those who have no hope.