THE ANTICHRIST
2 Thessalonians 2:1-17
The Lawless Man––the Antichrist
When I was a child I enjoyed the radio dramas. I think that is where I developed vivid imaginative skills and word pictures. Television has made the mind lazy. One of my favorite programs began with the lines, "Who knows what evil lurks in the heart of man? The Shadow knows! ––– ha, ha, ha!"
Little did know back then that the very source of the mysterious power to become invisible and lurk in the shadows of this imaginative figure was evil.
In Second Thessalonians chapter two we are introduced to a mysterious man who is the very incarnate of evil. His very spirit pervades our world system. One day he will make his appearance and all hell will break loose on the earth.
Warren Wiersbe said, “The purpose of Bible prophecy is not for us to make a calendar, but to build character. . . Our Lord warned us not to set dates for His coming (Matt. 24:36, 42). Date–setters are usually upsetters, and that is exactly what happened in the Thessalonian assembly.” On another occasion Wiersbe said, "I am on the welcome committee, not the program committee."
A quick review of the literature on Second Thessalonians chapter two will reveal that Bible scholars differ widely in their understanding of this passage. However, we all love God’s Word and want to live in view of His glorious coming, the blessed hope. Our prayer is that of the apostle John on Patmos, “Come, quickly Lord Jesus. Even so, come.”
DISTURBANCE OVER A FALSE RUMOR (2:1-2)
Paul waits until after his greetings and prayer in chapter one to introduce the purpose of writing this second letter to the Thessalonians. He states the purpose in the opening verses of chapter two. Now let me get to the point he says in verse one, “With regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together to Him.”
“Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come” (vv. 1–2).
The second coming of Christ is a certainty
He has already discussed the Parousia of Christ in 1 Thessalonians 4:15–17.
For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.
Here he is relating the “coming” or Parousia of the Lord to “our gathering together to Him” (v. 1). The word the apostle Paul uses, parousia, means “presence,” and “lays emphasis on the presence of the Lord with his people.” It is frequently translated “coming.” It is referring to a whole series of events during the whole of which Christ is present. A. T. Robertson says, “Paul is referring to the rapture, mentioned in I Thess. 4:15–17, and the being forever with the Lord thereafter. Cf. also Matt. 24:31=Mark 13:27.” At what point will we be with Jesus? When will be our gathering together with Christ?
It hasn’t happened yet
Paul’s concern is that someone was upsetting the believers and they had lost their composure (v. 2). Someone was disturbing the church at Thessalonica with false doctrine. As a result of someone’s teaching they had lost their composure, literally “mind.” They were “shaken out of your mind.” They were at their wits end, “shaken” and “disturbed.” He describes them as in a continuing state of deep agitation and disturbance. The word means to cause to move to and fro, to be shaken. They have become frightened, disturbed following a definite shock and were jumpy.
Paul is not talking about excitement about the coming of the Lord. They were scared out of mind because they thought they had been left out. They had lost their peace of mind thinking that the terrible “day of the Lord” had already begun. They were thinking they were already going through it because of the intense persecution they were suffering. Someone led them to believe their current persecution and affliction was the beginning of the great judgment of God he described in his first letter. The day of the Lord will be a time when God will intervene and will deal directly with human sin. It will be culminated in the judgment at the great white throne before God. It is an extended time, not just a twenty-four hour day. It will be a terrible day of destruction, with no escape like a woman ready to give birth. Because of the fire of persecution they easily believed that what they were experiencing was that terrible day. Old Testament prophets described it as a day of distress and ruin for the unbeliever and a day of salvation for the righteous. It will be a day of judgment for the unbeliever (1:6, 8-9), and it will also be a day of rest for the believer (1:7, 10).
W. E. Vine in his book on Thessalonians page 245 gives an interesting contrast and comparison between the Day of the Lord and the Parousia.
q Whereas the Day of the Lord is a subject of O.T. prophecy the Parousia is not.
q The scene of the Day of the Lord is the earth; the scene of the Parousia is the air.
q The Day of the Lord, since it is a period of judgment and punishment, is to be anticipated with dread; the Parousia, since it is a period of rest and reward, is to be anticipated with joy.
q From the Day of the Lord believers are to be delivered, saved; in the Parousia they are to meet the Lord and to be with Him.
q Angels are prominent in connection with the Day of the Lord; they are not mentioned in connection with the Parousia.
q The aim of the Apostle here is to clear away the confusion existing in the minds of the converts by further defining the circumstances attending the Day of the Lord; these are different from the circumstances of the Parousia.
Who upset you? Paul scratches his head and wonders what has caused the confusion. It came by way of “a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come” (v. 2). It may have been someone in the church had uttered a prophecy or interpreted an Old Testament Scripture to the effect that the day of the Lord had already come. Paul even suggests that they had received a letter purportedly written by him saying the day had arrived. It may have been they misunderstood his first letter. An enemy of Paul, a Judaizer may have sent a forged letter claiming to be from Paul and was misleading them.
“Let no one in any way deceive you” the day of the Lord hasn’t come yet for the Thessalonians. There are some other things that must first take place. He tries to settle them down and restore their peace of mind.
What is it that has them so troubled? Someone was teaching them, “The day of the Lord has already begun.” Paul says, it is not true, but how do we know this for sure?
THE MAN OF LAWLESSNESS (2:3-5)
“Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction” (v. 3). The necessary prelude to the coming day of the Lord is "the rebellion." Paul has already discussed with them "the rebellion."
Apostasy comes first (v, 3a)
The word “apostasy” is translated “a falling away” in the KJV. We know in the last days there will be a “falling away” (2 Tim. 3:13; 4:3-4). However this turning away from truth is just the beginning of apostasy. It is not just a falling away from the faith. It is more than that because the word means “rebellion” or "revolt." Apostasia denotes either political rebellion or religious defection. The context in our passage is a "world-wide rebellion against divine authority at the end of the age, the ideas of political revolt and religious apostasy are combined. . . . It is, in fact, the whole concept of divine authority over the world that is set at defiance in 'the rebellion' par excellence" (Bruce, pp. 166-67). In the Greek Old testament apostasia is used of "rebellion against God." Leon Morris says, "Paul's thought is that in the last times there will be an outstanding manifestation of the powers of evil arrayed against God. Cf. Mt. 24:10ff; 1 Tim. 4:1-3; 2 Tim. 3:1-9; 4:3f; Rev. 12:7ff). It is as though Satan were throwing all his forces into one last despairing effort" (Thessalonians, p. 126).
The man of lawlessness is revealed (v. 3b)
A feature of the rebellion at the end of the age is the appearance of the "man of lawlessness." He will manifest himself as the essence of sin. He is in rebellion against God. He will not be revealed until the end is near. The man of lawlessness, the son of destruction and the antichrist are referring to the same person. He is not Satan, but Satan's instrument who is "imbued with Satan's spirit."
Paul tells us the unmistakable sign that the day of the Lord has begun is that the “Man of lawlessness” or “the Man of sin, ” “the son of destruction” has been revealed, and the great worldwide apostasy that he will lead has started. But keep in mind this man of sin is destined to be destroyed. The leader of the great rebellion is "the man of lawlessness" who is destined for destruction. He is doomed because his opposition to the LORD God characterizes him. He is as Bruce calls him "a rival messiah" (1 John 2:18)." This is the Antichrist who is coming.
The title describes his character (v. 4)
His very life is characterized by blasphemy and evil rebellion toward God. He is a man over whom sin will have absolute dominion. He will be a willing instrument of sin and he will lead others into sin. He “who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God” (v. 4). He makes himself out to be god and sets himself above every so-called god or object of worship. He becomes a false god. He will be such a charismatic powerful appealing leader that people will worship him. He attempts to dethrone God, and draw all worship away from the true God to himself.
Before long in the history of Rome the emperors set themselves up as deity. In order to hold the empire together the emperor became the embodiment of the Roman "spirit." Once a year the inhabitants of the empire had to go to an official shrine and cast a piece of incense upon a throne and say, "Caesar is lord!" The interesting thing about this passage is the antichrist sets himself up above all gods and deities. At lest with the old Roman emperor worship the people could go out and worship whatever god they so desired after paying homage to Caesar. Of course that is just what the true believers in Christ refused to do. Christ alone is Lord!
Jesus described such a person and event in Matthew 24:15-21. He spoke of the "abomination of desolation which was spoken of through Daniel" and ended by saying, "Then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever shall" (v. 24). It will be an unprecedented time of judgment and wrath upon the earth.
The person Paul is presenting is the long expected antichrist, the false Messiah, “the son of perdition.” The only other person called by that name, by the way, was Judas who betrayed Jesus. The “man of lawlessness” opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship. It is not only against the LORD God that he opposes but every object of worship in the world. He takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself as God.
Religion of every form will fall under the ban of the Antichrist. The implication is he will occupy the world-stage and exert a worldwide rebellious influence over all mankind.
"He takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God" (v. 4). This man of lawlessness elevates himself above the true and living God. Bruce observes, "the picture here is of a material shrine. The naos is the sanctuary proper, the holiest part of the temple complex, the dwelling place of the deity. The inner sanctuary of the Jerusalem temple, the Holy of Holies, was the throne room of the invisible presence of the god of Israel. . . . The man of lawlessness is pictured as enthroning himself there in the place of God, in the spirit of the king of Babylon who is portrayed in Isa. 14:13, 14 as aspiring to 'ascend to heaven' in rivalry to the Most High. The attempt of the Emperor Gaius (Caligula) in A. D. 40 to have his statue set up in the Jerusalem temple, in assertion of his claims to divinity which the Jews refused to acknowledge . . ., provided a foretaste of what the final antichrist was expected to do" (p. 168). "
Which sanctuary is actually meant in this passage? Is it the apostate church or the temple in Jerusalem? "The material temple in Jerusalem has much to be said in its favor," says F. F. Bruce (p. 169). Then he adds, "It may be best to conclude that the Jerusalem sanctuary is meant here by Paul and his companions, but meant in a metaphorical sense." The evil intent of the antichrist is to usurp the authority of God. "He demands not only the obedience but also the worship due to God alone." The day of the Lord will bring to an end the rebellion led by the Antichrist.
We should bear in mind that many Bible scholars believe a Temple will be rebuilt on the existing grounds of the ancient Temple built by Solomon and it is this new Temple the Antichrist will occupy. On the whole, it was the Temple at Jerusalem that was in the mind of Paul (Dan. 11:31; 12:4; Matt. 24:15).
Verse nine tells us he is under the effective power and control of Satan. How does he achieve his evil schemes? (v. 9). The “activity of Satan” is the effective power of Satan by which he achieves his aim and purpose. He is always active in his pursuit of evil and deception of God’s people.
Paul reminds them of his teaching while he was with them (vv. 5-6, cf. 1 Thess. 3:4). The only problem is for us today because it is like listening to only one side of a very agitated and heated conversation. We only hear this end of the phone exchange. We don't have the faintest idea what was being referred to.
The apostle Paul reminds the church at Thessalonica that the day of the Lord cannot come until the man of lawlessness is revealed. But this man of lawlessness cannot be revealed until some restraining power is taken out of the way. What is that restraining power? Paul’s answer to the Thessalonians was you know who or what it is because we talked about it when I was with you. There was no reason for him to tell them again! The only problem is it leaves us in the dark. Who is this restrainer that keeps the "man of lawlessness" in check until the proper time of revelation? What is the obstacle that must be removed before the Day of the Lord could come?
THE RESTRAINER (2:6-8)
Many explanations have been offered in the history of interpretation of this passage. Of the dozens of suggestions as to the question of who or what the restraining one is two stand above the others. All suggestions have pros and cons. No one suggestion is without questions in interpretation. Our job is to determine what the apostle Paul meant when he wrote these words and what the recipients of the letter understood him to say. In the present situation a strong curb was placed on the forces of lawlessness. The outburst of worldwide rebellion is held in check even though there is a mysterious hidden principle or spirit of lawlessness at work beneath the surface. When the restrainer is removed, and not before then, this evil one will explode on the horizon and bring revolution on the earth. Now, what was this restrainer?
Civil government checks revolt
A. T. Robertson says, “So Paul recalls their memory of his words and leaves us without the clue to his idea. We know that one of the charges against him was that Jesus was another king, a rival to Caesar (Acts 17:7). That leads one to wonder how far Paul went when there in contrasting the kingdom of the world of which Rome was ruler and the kingdom of God of which Christ is king." What puzzles scholars is Paul’s abrupt question here “with an unfinished sentence behind him” (verses 3f.), even “with a trace of impatience.”
This hesitancy leads a number of competent well-respected scholars to conclude it was the civil government of Rome and succeeding governments ordained of God until the present time. "This can best be explained if more explicit language was liable to cause trouble should the letter fall into the wrong hands" (Bruce).
F. F. Bruce writes: "With the removal of their restraint, the incarnation of lawlessness would dominate the scene, captivating the minds of the unthinking masses and leading a large–scale revolt against the authority of God. This revolt would be put down by the glorious Advent of Jesus. . . . When the secular power in any form continues to discharge its divinely ordained commission, it restrains evil and prevents the outburst of anarchy" (World Bible Commentary, Thessalonians, p. 177, 88).
However, Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Castro, Edi Amine give us vivid examples of what happens when the civil government goes array and the righteous suffer. Paul's concern is not with these evil workers in government, but "the most infamous of all, who will appear in the last days" (Morris). "He does not use the term Antichrist, but it is Antichrist that he has in mind; and this being will not be revealed until the end is near. He is not Satan, for he is distinguished from him (v. 9); but he is Satan's instrument, imbued with Satan's spirit. . . . It is clear that an important feature of the resurgence of evil in the last days will be the attempt to dethrone God" (p. 127, 128). Leon Morris concludes: "It is better to see in the restraining power a reference to the principle of law and government which was illustrated in the Roman empire, but which still continues in other states" (p. 129).
If the government was in Paul’s mind, the wisdom of indefiniteness is obvious. It is not wise to poke around in a bed of rattlesnakes on a hot day.
Since Paul tells us this evil one will be "revealed" "in his time" "God is thought of as in complete charge of the whole process. When this time has come, and not till then, the 'man of lawlessness' will make his appearance; and Paul clearly thinks of the time as being in the Father's hand" (p. 130). But remember there will be a strong, rigid government under the Antichrist. It will be a government that will support the Antichrist’s evil blasphemous goals.
The Holy Spirit working through the church
Many modern Bible scholars think Paul is referring to the Holy Spirit’s work in the church. There is already a mystery of lawlessness at work in the world. It is the mystery of universal evil that reigns all over the universe. Even humanists are puzzled by it because education, social programs, economic and political reforms haven’t solved human wickedness. The problem is much graver. It is a spiritual problem. Why is human nature so depraved? It is this mystery of lawlessness the strange secret of evil in our society. The only way you can change our society is to change man one person at a time.
Scholars place emphasis on the word oido meaning “to know by insight, by inner information.” What is it that restrains evil in your life? A change has taken place in your life since you became a Christian. What is the cause of that change? Is it not the Holy Spirit who has come in to dwell in you? God has taken up residence in your life through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Paul tells us in Galatians 5:16, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” That is the only way you can overcome the spiritual war between the desire of the Spirit and the lust of the flesh that are in opposition to one another. Romans 8:4 reminds us that we “do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”
There is a mighty power at work that restrains evil in our hearts and who through believers restrains evil in the world. Jesus said we are salt in a decaying and corrupt world (Matt. 5:13). If you think it is bad now have you ever thought about what it will be like when the Lord Jesus removes the church whose influence under the power of the Holy Spirit restrains evil? Many believe the Spirit–indwelt church is the restraining force today. When Christ comes and removes the church, as revealed in the passages we read earlier, “then the lawless one will be revealed . . .”
Paul says, “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way” (v. 7). Christ will come and suddenly we will be removed “out of the midst.” When the church through whom the Holy Spirit works to restrain the lawless one is removed then begins the work of the man of lawlessness. The Holy Spirit is not removed, but the restraining instrument the church is. In the light of this supernatural character of the one holding back the man of lawlessness I think it is best to understand "the restrainer" as the Holy Spirit. The church under the superintending influence and power of the Holy Spirit keeps evil in check. Can you imagine what it would be like to suddenly remove all born again believers and the sudden impact it would have on your community, your government and the world at large?
Can you imagine what Washington, Moscow, London, Little Rock, will be like when all restraint is removed and evil reigns supreme? When the restraint is removed the “man of lawlessness” will be fully revealed and all hell will break loose in the universe.
God is the One who ultimately restrains and He may use various means. Yes, He may use the governments which maintain a level of law and order today. In this age of grace it is the Holy Spirit who protects the believer and the church. When the Spirit–controlled church is removed the man of trespasses will lead the world into sin and rebellion against God like has never been known before.
Can you imagine agnostics, atheists, immoral and unethical people running world governments, United Nations and large international corporations? No love, no grace, no mercy, ethics or compassion. The mystery of iniquity will run its course. Satan’s man will be promoted to the role of a superman statesman. His power will come from Satan who will enable him to perform lying wonders and signs.
The books of Revelation and Daniel tell us this lawlessness will last for three and one-half years. It will end with the appearing of Christ in His glory (v. 8). Paul writes, “Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming.” It is that unveiling that destroys the antichrist. Our Lord utters a work and the man of lawlessness is destroyed. It is “the appearance of His presence” that destroys the antichrist. The restrainer will be removed, the antichrist will be revealed and then Jesus Christ will come to "abolish, to bring to naught, to put out of commission" the man of lawlessness by His glorious appearance. It will be a manifestation of great striking splendor when Christ comes to defeat the Antichrist.
I think Revelation 19:20-21 gives us more insight into this person and his demise. Who destroys the evil one? It is the King of kings, and the Lord of lords, whose is called Faithful and True, who in righteousness judges and wages war and from His mouth comes a sharp sword "so that with it He may smite nations; and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty" (vv. 11-16). "And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh."
However, before his demise the “man of lawlessness” will deceive unbelievers. He will come as a substitute Christ and those who resist Jesus Christ will flock to this Antichrist.
THE DECEIVED PEOPLE (2:9-12)
Paul gives us more information on the methods of this evil personage in verses 9-12. Don’t forget Paul has already told us in verse seven “the mystery of lawlessness is already at work.” But when the lawless one is revealed it will take on world–wide scale. His furry will be unleashed.
Satan is working behind the scenes (v. 9)
Did you notice the antichrist also has his parousia? Paul uses the same word for this antichrist who has his appearing. But his coming is “in accord with the activity of Satan.” Our war is a spiritual one. “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers and wicked spirits in high places, the rulers of the darkness of this world” (Eph. 6:12). He is the master of all evil, including his tool the antichrist. It is the “activity of Satan” that achieves his aims and purpose.
Satan uses counterfeit miracles
Many of the miraculous signs and wonders in our day are counterfeit. Paul wrote, “the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders.” They are demonically inspired. We need the gift of spiritual discernment as never before. How odd that the evil incarnate "will at many points counterfeit the Christ. He will be working in the power of Satan as Christ was of God, and he will perform miracles of various kinds as did the Lord," but this man of evil "will embody the power of Satan" (Morris, p. 132).
Satan uses deception (v. 10)
Satan uses every form of deception of wickedness to accomplish his goals. He achieves his purposes “with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.”
He is always perverting good things to his evil purposes. He makes it look tantalizingly wonderful. Pornography, internet chat lines, adulterous affairs, gambling, perverted sexuality, drugs, etc. all end is destruction to the individual, his family and society. Please don’t try to visualize what it will be like when the man of lawlessness is set loose on the world. We get a steady stream of it on prime time TV every night. It will be something far worse when all restraints are removed!
Satan makes his appeal to those who are lost
“With all (every) deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.” They perish because they refuse to listen to and obey God’s truth. They want to be deceived and the man of lawlessness takes advantage of that evil bent.
God gives them up (v. 11–12)
They will believe “the lie.” Paul writes, “For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false.” They will believe what is literally, “the lie.” It reminds us of the worship of man that began in the Garden of Eden and continues to this very day. We decorate “the lie” with the sanitized word, “humanism.” But in reality it is the same old lie of Satan. You want to be like God? Here is a cheap and easy way, no pain, no struggle, no cross, no submission to the LORD God. Here take and eat and you shall become like God. You can have it your own way, right now, today, and it is instant gratification. You can run your own life the way you want it. You can have anything you want––all the thrills and frills in the world are yours. Go ahead Eve take eat! That is the lie. That is what secular humanism sells you every day in the media. It is the spirit of the antichrist that is at work in our world system. It will continue and one day it will be unleashed with all its ungodly, evil furry on a deceived world.
God gave them up “in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness” (v. 12). “The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18). Three times Paul says, “God gave them over to . . . “ (vv. 24, 26, 28). “Therefore you are without excuse . . . “ (2:1-2). Romans 1:21-28; Revelation 13:8; 2 Cor. 4:4 make a good commentary on these verses.
THE ETERNAL CONSEQUENCES (2:13–17)
Please remember, the day of the Lord has not yet come. This is still the age of grace. There is also another pleading in the heart today and that is the work of the Holy Spirit. Today is the day of salvation. All who "if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation" (Romans 10:9-10). That is all you need to do today to be saved.
God chose you from the beginning (v. 13–14)
But you who know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior are not like those who are deceived by Satan. We can break forth with thanksgiving always for you. You are divinely loved ones by the Lord. We know this "because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth" (v. 13). Blessed thought, "God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation." He has set you apart by the Holy Spirit in faith and truth. What a glorious salvation and a wonderful Savior!
I glory in the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ who died for me and rose from the dead. With a deep sense of humility I can thank God for all Jesus has done for me. "And it was for this he called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ" (v. 14).
Stand firm (v. 15)
Take your stand as a soldier at his post and "hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us" (v. 15). Dig you feet into the ground where you stand, call to mind the great doctrines you have studied in God's Word. "Stand firm, "hold" to the great New testament teachings. Don't be blown in every direction by every wind of theological fad that comes to town. The religious fads come and go. There is a steady stream that came comes to town. Many of them deal with what we have studied in this scripture passage today. From the second coming to sanctification they come. Will you make a commitment to yourself to search the Scriptures? Will you ask the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom and a spirit of discernment to give you insight into truth? Don't make the mistake of the Thessalonians who were blown to and fro by false rumors of Christ's coming. Get into God's word. Study it, eat it, meditate on it, and digest it. Let it become a part of your daily life and thinking. Don't be afraid of the word "traditions" as Paul uses it here. They did not have the New Testament at this early date and Paul is telling the Thessalonians to stick to what they have been taught by the apostle. If he were with us today he would say "stand firm" and "hold to the traditions which you were taught" from God's Word.
Enjoy your security in Christ (vv. 16–17)
The underlying note in this entire chapter is God's unchallenged sovereignty. The revelation of the lawless one is so the sovereign God can destroy him. God is completely in charge of the whole process. Even the time of the appearing of the Antichrist is in the Father's hands. When the time is ripe, the hour will come and the man with it. It will be according to God’s perfect timing. The Lord God reigns! What a benediction salvation brings to us. "Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word." Amen.
The Lawless Man––the Antichrist
When I was a child I enjoyed the radio dramas. I think that is where I developed vivid imaginative skills and word pictures. Television has made the mind lazy. One of my favorite programs began with the lines, "Who knows what evil lurks in the heart of man? The Shadow knows! ––– ha, ha, ha!"
Little did know back then that the very source of the mysterious power to become invisible and lurk in the shadows of this imaginative figure was evil.
In Second Thessalonians chapter two we are introduced to a mysterious man who is the very incarnate of evil. His very spirit pervades our world system. One day he will make his appearance and all hell will break loose on the earth.
Warren Wiersbe said, “The purpose of Bible prophecy is not for us to make a calendar, but to build character. . . Our Lord warned us not to set dates for His coming (Matt. 24:36, 42). Date–setters are usually upsetters, and that is exactly what happened in the Thessalonian assembly.” On another occasion Wiersbe said, "I am on the welcome committee, not the program committee."
A quick review of the literature on Second Thessalonians chapter two will reveal that Bible scholars differ widely in their understanding of this passage. However, we all love God’s Word and want to live in view of His glorious coming, the blessed hope. Our prayer is that of the apostle John on Patmos, “Come, quickly Lord Jesus. Even so, come.”
DISTURBANCE OVER A FALSE RUMOR (2:1-2)
Paul waits until after his greetings and prayer in chapter one to introduce the purpose of writing this second letter to the Thessalonians. He states the purpose in the opening verses of chapter two. Now let me get to the point he says in verse one, “With regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together to Him.”
“Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come” (vv. 1–2).
The second coming of Christ is a certainty
He has already discussed the Parousia of Christ in 1 Thessalonians 4:15–17.
For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.
Here he is relating the “coming” or Parousia of the Lord to “our gathering together to Him” (v. 1). The word the apostle Paul uses, parousia, means “presence,” and “lays emphasis on the presence of the Lord with his people.” It is frequently translated “coming.” It is referring to a whole series of events during the whole of which Christ is present. A. T. Robertson says, “Paul is referring to the rapture, mentioned in I Thess. 4:15–17, and the being forever with the Lord thereafter. Cf. also Matt. 24:31=Mark 13:27.” At what point will we be with Jesus? When will be our gathering together with Christ?
It hasn’t happened yet
Paul’s concern is that someone was upsetting the believers and they had lost their composure (v. 2). Someone was disturbing the church at Thessalonica with false doctrine. As a result of someone’s teaching they had lost their composure, literally “mind.” They were “shaken out of your mind.” They were at their wits end, “shaken” and “disturbed.” He describes them as in a continuing state of deep agitation and disturbance. The word means to cause to move to and fro, to be shaken. They have become frightened, disturbed following a definite shock and were jumpy.
Paul is not talking about excitement about the coming of the Lord. They were scared out of mind because they thought they had been left out. They had lost their peace of mind thinking that the terrible “day of the Lord” had already begun. They were thinking they were already going through it because of the intense persecution they were suffering. Someone led them to believe their current persecution and affliction was the beginning of the great judgment of God he described in his first letter. The day of the Lord will be a time when God will intervene and will deal directly with human sin. It will be culminated in the judgment at the great white throne before God. It is an extended time, not just a twenty-four hour day. It will be a terrible day of destruction, with no escape like a woman ready to give birth. Because of the fire of persecution they easily believed that what they were experiencing was that terrible day. Old Testament prophets described it as a day of distress and ruin for the unbeliever and a day of salvation for the righteous. It will be a day of judgment for the unbeliever (1:6, 8-9), and it will also be a day of rest for the believer (1:7, 10).
W. E. Vine in his book on Thessalonians page 245 gives an interesting contrast and comparison between the Day of the Lord and the Parousia.
q Whereas the Day of the Lord is a subject of O.T. prophecy the Parousia is not.
q The scene of the Day of the Lord is the earth; the scene of the Parousia is the air.
q The Day of the Lord, since it is a period of judgment and punishment, is to be anticipated with dread; the Parousia, since it is a period of rest and reward, is to be anticipated with joy.
q From the Day of the Lord believers are to be delivered, saved; in the Parousia they are to meet the Lord and to be with Him.
q Angels are prominent in connection with the Day of the Lord; they are not mentioned in connection with the Parousia.
q The aim of the Apostle here is to clear away the confusion existing in the minds of the converts by further defining the circumstances attending the Day of the Lord; these are different from the circumstances of the Parousia.
Who upset you? Paul scratches his head and wonders what has caused the confusion. It came by way of “a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come” (v. 2). It may have been someone in the church had uttered a prophecy or interpreted an Old Testament Scripture to the effect that the day of the Lord had already come. Paul even suggests that they had received a letter purportedly written by him saying the day had arrived. It may have been they misunderstood his first letter. An enemy of Paul, a Judaizer may have sent a forged letter claiming to be from Paul and was misleading them.
“Let no one in any way deceive you” the day of the Lord hasn’t come yet for the Thessalonians. There are some other things that must first take place. He tries to settle them down and restore their peace of mind.
What is it that has them so troubled? Someone was teaching them, “The day of the Lord has already begun.” Paul says, it is not true, but how do we know this for sure?
THE MAN OF LAWLESSNESS (2:3-5)
“Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction” (v. 3). The necessary prelude to the coming day of the Lord is "the rebellion." Paul has already discussed with them "the rebellion."
Apostasy comes first (v, 3a)
The word “apostasy” is translated “a falling away” in the KJV. We know in the last days there will be a “falling away” (2 Tim. 3:13; 4:3-4). However this turning away from truth is just the beginning of apostasy. It is not just a falling away from the faith. It is more than that because the word means “rebellion” or "revolt." Apostasia denotes either political rebellion or religious defection. The context in our passage is a "world-wide rebellion against divine authority at the end of the age, the ideas of political revolt and religious apostasy are combined. . . . It is, in fact, the whole concept of divine authority over the world that is set at defiance in 'the rebellion' par excellence" (Bruce, pp. 166-67). In the Greek Old testament apostasia is used of "rebellion against God." Leon Morris says, "Paul's thought is that in the last times there will be an outstanding manifestation of the powers of evil arrayed against God. Cf. Mt. 24:10ff; 1 Tim. 4:1-3; 2 Tim. 3:1-9; 4:3f; Rev. 12:7ff). It is as though Satan were throwing all his forces into one last despairing effort" (Thessalonians, p. 126).
The man of lawlessness is revealed (v. 3b)
A feature of the rebellion at the end of the age is the appearance of the "man of lawlessness." He will manifest himself as the essence of sin. He is in rebellion against God. He will not be revealed until the end is near. The man of lawlessness, the son of destruction and the antichrist are referring to the same person. He is not Satan, but Satan's instrument who is "imbued with Satan's spirit."
Paul tells us the unmistakable sign that the day of the Lord has begun is that the “Man of lawlessness” or “the Man of sin, ” “the son of destruction” has been revealed, and the great worldwide apostasy that he will lead has started. But keep in mind this man of sin is destined to be destroyed. The leader of the great rebellion is "the man of lawlessness" who is destined for destruction. He is doomed because his opposition to the LORD God characterizes him. He is as Bruce calls him "a rival messiah" (1 John 2:18)." This is the Antichrist who is coming.
The title describes his character (v. 4)
His very life is characterized by blasphemy and evil rebellion toward God. He is a man over whom sin will have absolute dominion. He will be a willing instrument of sin and he will lead others into sin. He “who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God” (v. 4). He makes himself out to be god and sets himself above every so-called god or object of worship. He becomes a false god. He will be such a charismatic powerful appealing leader that people will worship him. He attempts to dethrone God, and draw all worship away from the true God to himself.
Before long in the history of Rome the emperors set themselves up as deity. In order to hold the empire together the emperor became the embodiment of the Roman "spirit." Once a year the inhabitants of the empire had to go to an official shrine and cast a piece of incense upon a throne and say, "Caesar is lord!" The interesting thing about this passage is the antichrist sets himself up above all gods and deities. At lest with the old Roman emperor worship the people could go out and worship whatever god they so desired after paying homage to Caesar. Of course that is just what the true believers in Christ refused to do. Christ alone is Lord!
Jesus described such a person and event in Matthew 24:15-21. He spoke of the "abomination of desolation which was spoken of through Daniel" and ended by saying, "Then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever shall" (v. 24). It will be an unprecedented time of judgment and wrath upon the earth.
The person Paul is presenting is the long expected antichrist, the false Messiah, “the son of perdition.” The only other person called by that name, by the way, was Judas who betrayed Jesus. The “man of lawlessness” opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship. It is not only against the LORD God that he opposes but every object of worship in the world. He takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself as God.
Religion of every form will fall under the ban of the Antichrist. The implication is he will occupy the world-stage and exert a worldwide rebellious influence over all mankind.
"He takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God" (v. 4). This man of lawlessness elevates himself above the true and living God. Bruce observes, "the picture here is of a material shrine. The naos is the sanctuary proper, the holiest part of the temple complex, the dwelling place of the deity. The inner sanctuary of the Jerusalem temple, the Holy of Holies, was the throne room of the invisible presence of the god of Israel. . . . The man of lawlessness is pictured as enthroning himself there in the place of God, in the spirit of the king of Babylon who is portrayed in Isa. 14:13, 14 as aspiring to 'ascend to heaven' in rivalry to the Most High. The attempt of the Emperor Gaius (Caligula) in A. D. 40 to have his statue set up in the Jerusalem temple, in assertion of his claims to divinity which the Jews refused to acknowledge . . ., provided a foretaste of what the final antichrist was expected to do" (p. 168). "
Which sanctuary is actually meant in this passage? Is it the apostate church or the temple in Jerusalem? "The material temple in Jerusalem has much to be said in its favor," says F. F. Bruce (p. 169). Then he adds, "It may be best to conclude that the Jerusalem sanctuary is meant here by Paul and his companions, but meant in a metaphorical sense." The evil intent of the antichrist is to usurp the authority of God. "He demands not only the obedience but also the worship due to God alone." The day of the Lord will bring to an end the rebellion led by the Antichrist.
We should bear in mind that many Bible scholars believe a Temple will be rebuilt on the existing grounds of the ancient Temple built by Solomon and it is this new Temple the Antichrist will occupy. On the whole, it was the Temple at Jerusalem that was in the mind of Paul (Dan. 11:31; 12:4; Matt. 24:15).
Verse nine tells us he is under the effective power and control of Satan. How does he achieve his evil schemes? (v. 9). The “activity of Satan” is the effective power of Satan by which he achieves his aim and purpose. He is always active in his pursuit of evil and deception of God’s people.
Paul reminds them of his teaching while he was with them (vv. 5-6, cf. 1 Thess. 3:4). The only problem is for us today because it is like listening to only one side of a very agitated and heated conversation. We only hear this end of the phone exchange. We don't have the faintest idea what was being referred to.
The apostle Paul reminds the church at Thessalonica that the day of the Lord cannot come until the man of lawlessness is revealed. But this man of lawlessness cannot be revealed until some restraining power is taken out of the way. What is that restraining power? Paul’s answer to the Thessalonians was you know who or what it is because we talked about it when I was with you. There was no reason for him to tell them again! The only problem is it leaves us in the dark. Who is this restrainer that keeps the "man of lawlessness" in check until the proper time of revelation? What is the obstacle that must be removed before the Day of the Lord could come?
THE RESTRAINER (2:6-8)
Many explanations have been offered in the history of interpretation of this passage. Of the dozens of suggestions as to the question of who or what the restraining one is two stand above the others. All suggestions have pros and cons. No one suggestion is without questions in interpretation. Our job is to determine what the apostle Paul meant when he wrote these words and what the recipients of the letter understood him to say. In the present situation a strong curb was placed on the forces of lawlessness. The outburst of worldwide rebellion is held in check even though there is a mysterious hidden principle or spirit of lawlessness at work beneath the surface. When the restrainer is removed, and not before then, this evil one will explode on the horizon and bring revolution on the earth. Now, what was this restrainer?
Civil government checks revolt
A. T. Robertson says, “So Paul recalls their memory of his words and leaves us without the clue to his idea. We know that one of the charges against him was that Jesus was another king, a rival to Caesar (Acts 17:7). That leads one to wonder how far Paul went when there in contrasting the kingdom of the world of which Rome was ruler and the kingdom of God of which Christ is king." What puzzles scholars is Paul’s abrupt question here “with an unfinished sentence behind him” (verses 3f.), even “with a trace of impatience.”
This hesitancy leads a number of competent well-respected scholars to conclude it was the civil government of Rome and succeeding governments ordained of God until the present time. "This can best be explained if more explicit language was liable to cause trouble should the letter fall into the wrong hands" (Bruce).
F. F. Bruce writes: "With the removal of their restraint, the incarnation of lawlessness would dominate the scene, captivating the minds of the unthinking masses and leading a large–scale revolt against the authority of God. This revolt would be put down by the glorious Advent of Jesus. . . . When the secular power in any form continues to discharge its divinely ordained commission, it restrains evil and prevents the outburst of anarchy" (World Bible Commentary, Thessalonians, p. 177, 88).
However, Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Castro, Edi Amine give us vivid examples of what happens when the civil government goes array and the righteous suffer. Paul's concern is not with these evil workers in government, but "the most infamous of all, who will appear in the last days" (Morris). "He does not use the term Antichrist, but it is Antichrist that he has in mind; and this being will not be revealed until the end is near. He is not Satan, for he is distinguished from him (v. 9); but he is Satan's instrument, imbued with Satan's spirit. . . . It is clear that an important feature of the resurgence of evil in the last days will be the attempt to dethrone God" (p. 127, 128). Leon Morris concludes: "It is better to see in the restraining power a reference to the principle of law and government which was illustrated in the Roman empire, but which still continues in other states" (p. 129).
If the government was in Paul’s mind, the wisdom of indefiniteness is obvious. It is not wise to poke around in a bed of rattlesnakes on a hot day.
Since Paul tells us this evil one will be "revealed" "in his time" "God is thought of as in complete charge of the whole process. When this time has come, and not till then, the 'man of lawlessness' will make his appearance; and Paul clearly thinks of the time as being in the Father's hand" (p. 130). But remember there will be a strong, rigid government under the Antichrist. It will be a government that will support the Antichrist’s evil blasphemous goals.
The Holy Spirit working through the church
Many modern Bible scholars think Paul is referring to the Holy Spirit’s work in the church. There is already a mystery of lawlessness at work in the world. It is the mystery of universal evil that reigns all over the universe. Even humanists are puzzled by it because education, social programs, economic and political reforms haven’t solved human wickedness. The problem is much graver. It is a spiritual problem. Why is human nature so depraved? It is this mystery of lawlessness the strange secret of evil in our society. The only way you can change our society is to change man one person at a time.
Scholars place emphasis on the word oido meaning “to know by insight, by inner information.” What is it that restrains evil in your life? A change has taken place in your life since you became a Christian. What is the cause of that change? Is it not the Holy Spirit who has come in to dwell in you? God has taken up residence in your life through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Paul tells us in Galatians 5:16, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” That is the only way you can overcome the spiritual war between the desire of the Spirit and the lust of the flesh that are in opposition to one another. Romans 8:4 reminds us that we “do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”
There is a mighty power at work that restrains evil in our hearts and who through believers restrains evil in the world. Jesus said we are salt in a decaying and corrupt world (Matt. 5:13). If you think it is bad now have you ever thought about what it will be like when the Lord Jesus removes the church whose influence under the power of the Holy Spirit restrains evil? Many believe the Spirit–indwelt church is the restraining force today. When Christ comes and removes the church, as revealed in the passages we read earlier, “then the lawless one will be revealed . . .”
Paul says, “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way” (v. 7). Christ will come and suddenly we will be removed “out of the midst.” When the church through whom the Holy Spirit works to restrain the lawless one is removed then begins the work of the man of lawlessness. The Holy Spirit is not removed, but the restraining instrument the church is. In the light of this supernatural character of the one holding back the man of lawlessness I think it is best to understand "the restrainer" as the Holy Spirit. The church under the superintending influence and power of the Holy Spirit keeps evil in check. Can you imagine what it would be like to suddenly remove all born again believers and the sudden impact it would have on your community, your government and the world at large?
Can you imagine what Washington, Moscow, London, Little Rock, will be like when all restraint is removed and evil reigns supreme? When the restraint is removed the “man of lawlessness” will be fully revealed and all hell will break loose in the universe.
God is the One who ultimately restrains and He may use various means. Yes, He may use the governments which maintain a level of law and order today. In this age of grace it is the Holy Spirit who protects the believer and the church. When the Spirit–controlled church is removed the man of trespasses will lead the world into sin and rebellion against God like has never been known before.
Can you imagine agnostics, atheists, immoral and unethical people running world governments, United Nations and large international corporations? No love, no grace, no mercy, ethics or compassion. The mystery of iniquity will run its course. Satan’s man will be promoted to the role of a superman statesman. His power will come from Satan who will enable him to perform lying wonders and signs.
The books of Revelation and Daniel tell us this lawlessness will last for three and one-half years. It will end with the appearing of Christ in His glory (v. 8). Paul writes, “Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming.” It is that unveiling that destroys the antichrist. Our Lord utters a work and the man of lawlessness is destroyed. It is “the appearance of His presence” that destroys the antichrist. The restrainer will be removed, the antichrist will be revealed and then Jesus Christ will come to "abolish, to bring to naught, to put out of commission" the man of lawlessness by His glorious appearance. It will be a manifestation of great striking splendor when Christ comes to defeat the Antichrist.
I think Revelation 19:20-21 gives us more insight into this person and his demise. Who destroys the evil one? It is the King of kings, and the Lord of lords, whose is called Faithful and True, who in righteousness judges and wages war and from His mouth comes a sharp sword "so that with it He may smite nations; and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty" (vv. 11-16). "And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh."
However, before his demise the “man of lawlessness” will deceive unbelievers. He will come as a substitute Christ and those who resist Jesus Christ will flock to this Antichrist.
THE DECEIVED PEOPLE (2:9-12)
Paul gives us more information on the methods of this evil personage in verses 9-12. Don’t forget Paul has already told us in verse seven “the mystery of lawlessness is already at work.” But when the lawless one is revealed it will take on world–wide scale. His furry will be unleashed.
Satan is working behind the scenes (v. 9)
Did you notice the antichrist also has his parousia? Paul uses the same word for this antichrist who has his appearing. But his coming is “in accord with the activity of Satan.” Our war is a spiritual one. “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers and wicked spirits in high places, the rulers of the darkness of this world” (Eph. 6:12). He is the master of all evil, including his tool the antichrist. It is the “activity of Satan” that achieves his aims and purpose.
Satan uses counterfeit miracles
Many of the miraculous signs and wonders in our day are counterfeit. Paul wrote, “the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders.” They are demonically inspired. We need the gift of spiritual discernment as never before. How odd that the evil incarnate "will at many points counterfeit the Christ. He will be working in the power of Satan as Christ was of God, and he will perform miracles of various kinds as did the Lord," but this man of evil "will embody the power of Satan" (Morris, p. 132).
Satan uses deception (v. 10)
Satan uses every form of deception of wickedness to accomplish his goals. He achieves his purposes “with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.”
He is always perverting good things to his evil purposes. He makes it look tantalizingly wonderful. Pornography, internet chat lines, adulterous affairs, gambling, perverted sexuality, drugs, etc. all end is destruction to the individual, his family and society. Please don’t try to visualize what it will be like when the man of lawlessness is set loose on the world. We get a steady stream of it on prime time TV every night. It will be something far worse when all restraints are removed!
Satan makes his appeal to those who are lost
“With all (every) deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.” They perish because they refuse to listen to and obey God’s truth. They want to be deceived and the man of lawlessness takes advantage of that evil bent.
God gives them up (v. 11–12)
They will believe “the lie.” Paul writes, “For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false.” They will believe what is literally, “the lie.” It reminds us of the worship of man that began in the Garden of Eden and continues to this very day. We decorate “the lie” with the sanitized word, “humanism.” But in reality it is the same old lie of Satan. You want to be like God? Here is a cheap and easy way, no pain, no struggle, no cross, no submission to the LORD God. Here take and eat and you shall become like God. You can have it your own way, right now, today, and it is instant gratification. You can run your own life the way you want it. You can have anything you want––all the thrills and frills in the world are yours. Go ahead Eve take eat! That is the lie. That is what secular humanism sells you every day in the media. It is the spirit of the antichrist that is at work in our world system. It will continue and one day it will be unleashed with all its ungodly, evil furry on a deceived world.
God gave them up “in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness” (v. 12). “The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18). Three times Paul says, “God gave them over to . . . “ (vv. 24, 26, 28). “Therefore you are without excuse . . . “ (2:1-2). Romans 1:21-28; Revelation 13:8; 2 Cor. 4:4 make a good commentary on these verses.
THE ETERNAL CONSEQUENCES (2:13–17)
Please remember, the day of the Lord has not yet come. This is still the age of grace. There is also another pleading in the heart today and that is the work of the Holy Spirit. Today is the day of salvation. All who "if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation" (Romans 10:9-10). That is all you need to do today to be saved.
God chose you from the beginning (v. 13–14)
But you who know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior are not like those who are deceived by Satan. We can break forth with thanksgiving always for you. You are divinely loved ones by the Lord. We know this "because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth" (v. 13). Blessed thought, "God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation." He has set you apart by the Holy Spirit in faith and truth. What a glorious salvation and a wonderful Savior!
I glory in the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ who died for me and rose from the dead. With a deep sense of humility I can thank God for all Jesus has done for me. "And it was for this he called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ" (v. 14).
Stand firm (v. 15)
Take your stand as a soldier at his post and "hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us" (v. 15). Dig you feet into the ground where you stand, call to mind the great doctrines you have studied in God's Word. "Stand firm, "hold" to the great New testament teachings. Don't be blown in every direction by every wind of theological fad that comes to town. The religious fads come and go. There is a steady stream that came comes to town. Many of them deal with what we have studied in this scripture passage today. From the second coming to sanctification they come. Will you make a commitment to yourself to search the Scriptures? Will you ask the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom and a spirit of discernment to give you insight into truth? Don't make the mistake of the Thessalonians who were blown to and fro by false rumors of Christ's coming. Get into God's word. Study it, eat it, meditate on it, and digest it. Let it become a part of your daily life and thinking. Don't be afraid of the word "traditions" as Paul uses it here. They did not have the New Testament at this early date and Paul is telling the Thessalonians to stick to what they have been taught by the apostle. If he were with us today he would say "stand firm" and "hold to the traditions which you were taught" from God's Word.
Enjoy your security in Christ (vv. 16–17)
The underlying note in this entire chapter is God's unchallenged sovereignty. The revelation of the lawless one is so the sovereign God can destroy him. God is completely in charge of the whole process. Even the time of the appearing of the Antichrist is in the Father's hands. When the time is ripe, the hour will come and the man with it. It will be according to God’s perfect timing. The Lord God reigns! What a benediction salvation brings to us. "Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word." Amen.
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