Paul's second epistle to the church at Thessalonica, written shortly after 1 Thessalonians (c. AD 51-52) to correct an eschatological confusion that had reached the congregation. Some Thessalonians had become convinced that the day of the Lord had already come (2:2) — perhaps through a misunderstood prophecy or a forged letter purporting to be from Paul. The apostle's response unfolds across three chapters. Chapter 1 commends the church's growing faith and patience in persecution, promising vengeance on their oppressors when Christ is revealed. Chapter 2 is the eschatological correction: the day cannot come until the apostasy comes first and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition... who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God (2:3-4) — the man-of-lawlessness whose coming is by the working of Satan but whom the Lord will destroy with the brightness of his coming (2:8). Chapter 3 commands continued work, refusing the disorderly idleness that had set in among some who had taken eschatological expectation as license to stop working. Steady work while waiting is the apostolic command.