SCRIPTURE: 2 THESSALONIANS 2
BIBLE VERSES:
“Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)
“And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.” (2 Thessalonians 2: 8)
“So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.” (2 Thessalonians 2:15)
THE MAN OF LAWLESSNESS (vs. 1-12)
The Thessalonian believers were alarmed by some prophesy and report coming from Paul saying that the Lord has already come. Paul was warning them no to be deceived by such revelation. Before that day, a man of lawlessness will come and exalt himself over everything. He will set himself up in God’s temple and proclaim himself to be God” (v. 4)
The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders and in every sort of evil that deceive those who are perishing and refuses the truth” (vs. 9-10)
STAND FIRM (vs. 13-17)
Paul thank God for choosing them to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He advised them to stand firm and hold on to the teachings he had passed on to them whether through mouth, word or letter.
Paul explained the events that will take place before the Day of the Lord – the day of wrath and judgment comes to the world:
- People will fall away from truth (vs. 1-3)
- A man call Anti-Christ will appear with all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs, wonders and all wickedness (vs. 4-5)
- The Holy Spirit will hinder Stan’s activities until he is taken “out of the way” when the church is raptured (vs. 6-7)
- Believers will share in the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ (v. 14)
Paul closed with this benediction: “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” (vs. 16-17)
THOUGHTS:
- One of the chief weapon of Satan in making believers lost confidence is by deception. Be sure to stand firm on the Word of God to avoid being trapped by the lies of Satan. Do not listen to the teachings of the cults, the sugar-coated promises of false teachers. Let us face the future with assurance of hope and comfort because of the unfailing grace of our Lord.
- Today, we also face persecutions, false teachings, worldliness and apathy. That is why we should stand firm and hold on to the truth of Christ’s teachings.