2 Thessalonians 2:1-5
1: Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him,
2: 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.
3: 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,
4: 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.
5: Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things?
Paul corrected an error in the Thessalonian’s thinking that the day of the Lord—His return—had come or was at hand. He didn’t want them to be shaken by anything they heard—whether a supposed prophecy saying the time had already come, or whether someone brought verbal or written word that Paul & Co. said the day had come—they were not to believe it. This would be an outright deception and false report.
Paul said before the Lord returned there must first be the apostasy—the falling away of believers. He reminded them that he told them about this when he was with them. Even Jesus spoke about this when He was here saying many would fall away, betray one another, and hate one another. False prophets would arise and mislead many (Matthew 24:10-12). These false Christs and prophets would show great signs and wonders and deceive many people, even the elect if possible (Matthew 24:5, 24).
The man of lawlessness will be revealed prior to the Lord’s coming. Paul said this had not happened yet so it could not be the time of the Lord’s return. The apostasy must come first, and the man of lawlessness revealed—the son of destruction (perdition)—which term was only elsewhere used for Judas, a traitor (John 17:12). In Daniel 7:25 we read of the one who speaks out against the Most High and wears down the saints. “Time and law” will be given to him for 3½ years.
This one who deceives so many is one who opposes Christ. He will betray the Lord and present himself as Christ. He will exalt himself above every false god, displaying himself as God through the things he does. All worship will be directed toward him—above all other false gods. He may or may not take the head seat in any official religion, but will carry a position that puts him as head over all. He will be in the position of a god, over all other gods, and will appear to prove that claim through the signs he does. Some say this could be a Pope or Pope-like figure, others lean toward a political figure. In any case he will carry the power to oppress those who do not worship him.
Paul wanted to be sure the Thessalonians were not deceived about this, and did not believe false reports that may have come to them in the name of Paul. He reminded them of what he had previously told them about the apostasy and the anti-Christ so they could guard themselves against any false prophecies, teachings, or reports that would come their way. We too must be careful what we believe and examine all things.
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Paul corrected an error in the Thessalonian’s thinking that the day of the Lord—His return—had come or was at hand. He didn’t want them to be shaken by anything they heard—whether a supposed prophecy saying the time had already come, or whether someone brought verbal or written word that Paul & Co. said the day had come—they were not to believe it. This would be an outright deception and false report.
Paul said before the Lord returned there must first be the apostasy—the falling away of believers. He reminded them that he told them about this when he was with them. Even Jesus spoke about this when He was here saying many would fall away, betray one another, and hate one another. False prophets would arise and mislead many (Matthew 24:10-12). These false Christs and prophets would show great signs and wonders and deceive many people, even the elect if possible (Matthew 24:5, 24).
The man of lawlessness will be revealed prior to the Lord’s coming. Paul said this had not happened yet so it could not be the time of the Lord’s return. The apostasy must come first, and the man of lawlessness revealed—the son of destruction (perdition)—which term was only elsewhere used for Judas, a traitor (John 17:12). In Daniel 7:25 we read of the one who speaks out against the Most High and wears down the saints. “Time and law” will be given to him for 3½ years.
This one who deceives so many is one who opposes Christ. He will betray the Lord and present himself as Christ. He will exalt himself above every false god, displaying himself as God through the things he does. All worship will be directed toward him—above all other false gods. He may or may not take the head seat in any official religion, but will carry a position that puts him as head over all. He will be in the position of a god, over all other gods, and will appear to prove that claim through the signs he does. Some say this could be a Pope or Pope-like figure, others lean toward a political figure. In any case he will carry the power to oppress those who do not worship him.
Paul wanted to be sure the Thessalonians were not deceived about this, and did not believe false reports that may have come to them in the name of Paul. He reminded them of what he had previously told them about the apostasy and the anti-Christ so they could guard themselves against any false prophecies, teachings, or reports that would come their way. We too must be careful what we believe and examine all things.
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