Answering 439 Bible Contradictions
Answer: Yes, the Day of the LORD draws nearer and nearer, though God’s final judgment of sinners has not yet happened.
Problem: First Thessalonians 4:15-17 suggests an imminent return of Christ, while 2 Thessalonians 2:2-3 suggests it may already have happened.
Explanation: The Day of the Lord refers to Jesus’ future judgement of sinners. The Second Coming refers to Jesus’ future, bodily return to earth. These are not exactly the same event, though they are connected.
The Old Testament (OT) uses the phrase “Day of the LORD” far more frequently than the New Testament (NT). The OT uses the phrase “day of the Lord” in reference to near judgement (as in, it’s already happened) and future judgement (as in, it’s yet to take place).
Protestant Christians differ on some of the finer details regarding the future, such as the nature of the millennium (amil, postmil and premil) and what precedes the Lord’s Second Coming. There’s also disagreement if the Second Coming and Day of the Lord happen simultaneously or if a period of time exists between them. Some believe complex events proceed the Lord’s return and judgement, while others believe it will be quick and simple.
The theme of 1 and 2 Thessalonians is the Second Coming of Christ. First Thessalonians focuses on the hope that the Second Coming brings, while 2 Thessalonians emphasizes how the Second Coming changes our actions. Some Thessalonian Christians foolishly believed the heretics that taught the LORD’s return had come and gone. Paul said: “Don’t believe them” (2Th. 2:2). A Christian being “caught up in the air” is a precursor to the Day of the Lord (1Th. 4:15-17), when the Lord will punish the disobedient, which has not yet happened, though some believed it had.
Regardless of one’s millennial views, all Christians should believe the following about the Day of the LORD and the LORD’s return.
(1) The Second Coming will be a worldwide event in which Jesus will come to earth visibly and publicly (Rv. 1:7). (2) The Second Coming will eventually usher in the general resurrection of the dead, the last judgment, rewards for the faithful, and the new heavens and the new earth (Hb. 9:27-28). (3) The Second Coming is nearer now than ever (Rm. 13:11). (4) No one knows the exact time of Jesus’ return and judgement (Mt. 24:36). (5) The Second Coming should bring an attitude of readiness (Mt. 24:44), eagerness (Hb. 9:28), and watchfulness (Lk. 21:34-36) while the Day of the Lord should bring an spirit of gratitude for being saved from that judgment (1Cor. 1:8).
In sum, 1 Thess 4:15-17 and 2 Thess. 2:2-3 pose no contradiction at all. The former emphasizes the LORD’s return, while the latter highlights the three things that must take place before the day of the LORD.