SCRIPTURE: 2 THESSALONIANS 2
THE MAN OF LAWLESSNESS (vs. 1-12)
Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, Paul reminded the Thessalonians not to listen to prophecy or report or letter that came from him saying that “the day of the Lord” has already come. That day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed. He is the man doomed to destruction who will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or worship. He will set himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.
The secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. 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. 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 deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.
STAND FIRM (vs. 13-17)
Paul thanked God for choosing the Thessalonians to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. Through the gospel, they were called so that they might share in the glory of Lord Jesus Christ. Paul told them to stand firm and hold to the teachings they passed on them whether by word of mouth or by letter.
Paul’s blessings to the Thessalonians:
“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.”
THOUGHTS:
“The day of the Lord” is used in two ways. It can mean the end times (beginning with Christ’s birth and continuing until today) and it can mean the final judgment day (in the future). Some false teachers were saying that judgment day had come, so many believers were waiting expectantly for their vindication and for relief from suffering. But judgment day had not yet come. There are events that would come first before it happens.
False teachings in Thessalonica may come from someone claiming to have a divine revelation, or someone passing on a teaching as though it were coming from Paul or someone distributing a letter supposedly written by Paul. “The man of lawlessness” is an evil man who will bring destruction. He will be Satan’s tool equipped with Satan’s power. This lawless man will be called Antichrist. Paul mentioned the Antichrist so we might be ready for anything that threatens our faith. If your faith is strong, you do not need to be afraid of what lies ahead because you know that this lawless man has already been defeated by God, no matter how powerful he is. God is in control and he will be victorious over the Antichrist. Your task now is to be prepared for Christ’s return and to spread the Good News so that more people will also be prepared.
This evil man will use counterfeit power and signs and miracles to deceive people. All miracles are not necessary from God. The lawless man will have the power to do amazing things but his power will be from Satan. He will use this power to destroy and lead people away from God. Beware of any religious personality who draws attention only to himself or his work. He is not from God.
Paul consistently taught that salvation begins and ends with God. We can do nothing to be saved on our own merit. We must accept God’s gift of salvation and receive forgiveness from sin. Paul was encouraging the Thessalonian believers by reminding them that they were chosen by God from the beginning. They need to grow and become Christlike through the power of the Holy Spirit. He urged them to “stand firm” and hold on to the truth they had been taught both through his letters and in person. As believers, we should also hold on to the truth of Christ’s teachings and stand firm in our faith. .