(a) What, according to Paul, are the signs of the Parousia? (b) State three lessons in Paul's explanation relevant to Christian living.

(a) The signs of the Parousia according to Paul (1 and 2 Thessalonians)

The Parousia is the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul gave the Thessalonians teaching about it because they were anxious concerning those who had died and about the time of the Lord's return.

• It will come suddenly and unexpectedly: The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When people are saying "Peace and security," sudden destruction will come upon them, and there will be no escape.
• The Lord will descend from heaven: He will come with a cry of command, with the archangel's call and with the sound of the trumpet of God.
• The resurrection of the dead in Christ: The dead in Christ will rise first, before those who are still alive are affected.
• The gathering of believers to the Lord: Then those who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so they will always be with the Lord.
• The coming of the Rebellion and the Man of Lawlessness: Before that day, there will first be a great falling away (apostasy), and the man of lawlessness, the son of perdition, will be revealed. He will oppose and exalt himself above every so-called god, taking his seat in the temple of God and proclaiming himself to be God.
• The restraining power must first be removed: Something (or someone) is at present restraining the lawless one; only when this restraint is taken out of the way will the lawless one be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of his mouth and destroy by his appearing.

(b) Three lessons relevant to Christian living

• Watchfulness and preparedness: Since the day comes like a thief, believers must not sleep as others do but must keep awake, sober and ready at all times.
• Holy and upright living: Christians are children of light and of the day; they should put on the breastplate of faith and love and the helmet of the hope of salvation, living blameless lives in expectation of the Lord.
• Diligence in daily work and steadfastness: Believers should not be idle or unsettled by rumours that the day has come, but should continue their honest labour, stand firm and hold to the teaching they received.
• Comfort and hope in bereavement: They should not grieve like those who have no hope, for the dead in Christ will rise; they should encourage one another with these words.