OK, you’re the perfect person to ask this question...
in this passage in 2 Thess:
Does this mean that Christians will see the rebuilt temple, but that we’ll be removed before the Tribulation? or after?
I’m not sure about that, which is why I wasn’t “sure” previously....
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2 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
Great question! And one I had as well.
Before we go into the second chapter that you quoted we need to look at the opening chapter to see what he is referencing.
First Paul references their patience and faith while going through persecution.
2 Thess 1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
He then says it’s God’s righteous judgement that they may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God.
2 Thess 1:5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
Then he begins to address what is going to happen to those who are troubling them.
2 Thess 1: 6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
But look closely at the next verse and let it sink in.
2 Thess 1: 7 And to you who are troubled rest with us,
When are those faithful to Him going to be resting?
when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
Now you might say “well yeah they knew they would be dead by this time” but keep in mind that they were still under the impression that it would happen in their lifetime. Then go on to see what happens to those who “obey not the gospel”.
<2 Thess 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
Then the next verse Paul is talking about after the tribulation when all saints which would include those who came to believe during the tribulation will admire and glorify Him.
2 Thess 1:10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
Now you can go to the verses you quoted and see that “that day” that he is referencing there is the day that all saints will glorify and admire Him.
2 Thess 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
There he is talking again about that day after the tribulation. So the sequence of events is:
True, faithful believers will be taken (raptured) to rest with Paul
The tribulation begins where God punishes the unbelievers and the antichrist is revealed at the end of which Jesus comes to “end it all”.
Then all the saints will be gathered during the millennium to admire and glorify Him.