What is the place of first and second Thessalonians among the New Testament letters?
First and second Thessalonians are earlier letters in writing but final in content. They follow the format of doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, and rise to a higher plane than the prison epistles, taking believers up to glory through being caught up to meet the Lord and the wicked one’s revelation after the church’s departure.
Les explains that after the three letters just discussed, we come to the earlier letters that were written, but they are really final in their content: first and second Thessalonians. They can now follow the format of doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, and they rise to a higher plane even than the prison epistles. In First Thessalonians chapter 4, we shall be caught up to meet Him in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord. In Second Thessalonians chapter 2, after the departure of the church, then shall that wicked one be revealed. Thus these two letters take us on up to what we are all waiting for—the fruition of everything, when we will finally be in glory with our Crucified, Resurrected, and Ascended Lord.