16 - Paul's First Epistles -The Itineraries Of Paul
Paul’s First Epistles I want to share a little bit with you tonight on the approximate time at which the books of I Thessalonians and II Thessalonians were written. On the close of Paul’s second itinerary the last major stop was at Corinth. He spent a year and a half at Corinth. The other areas he was at was for a short period of time, he taught the Word, was persecuted and had to move on, like at Philippi, at Thessalonica, at Berea, and Athens. At Corinth God said, “I’ve got some people here that need to hear the Word. You just stay and speak the Word and their going to hear.” And He said, “Paul, don’t be afraid. No man here is going to hurt thee.” They’d touched him at a few other cities; a few stones, a few whips, jail. He had to sneak out of town at night once. Now at Corinth God says, “Nobody is going to touch you.” Sense-knowledge wise, how could that be? In all these other cities, they had raised persecution against him. You sort of figure when something happens over and over again it’s going to continue. But not when God says it’s going to be different. If God told you the sun wasn’t coming up tomorrow, you better get out your blankets. God said there wasn’t going to be any man in this city that would touch Paul. It says he stayed there a year and six months. In I Thessalonians chapter 1 Paul’s writing back to those who are in Thessalonica. He had already been there. He’s writing back to them. There are areas in I Thessalonians where he talks about having been there. I Thessalonians 1:1: Paul, and Silvanus [Silas], and Timotheus [Timothy], unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Silas and Timothy are with Paul. I Thessalonians 1:5-6: For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers
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going to suffer their tribulation later. I’d rather have a little tribulation now. Tribulation now is not so bad compared with the future tribulation. Did that tell the picture of Thessalonica where they had assaulted the house of Jason? Sure, and all the things that must have followed that. That’s why Paul, Silas and Timothy had to get out of there so quick. II Thessalonians 2:7: For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. “letteth” – holds him down In other words, when you and I are gathered together, then Satan will have his run of the world but until that time he’s sort of held down. He can only go so far. He can’t have the things that will happen in the day of wrath. II Thessalonians 2:8: And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the b