Tag: 2nd Thessalonians 2
The man of lawlessness!
Scripture reading for September 21st: 2nd Thessalonians 2
Key Scriptures for over-comers: 2nd Thessalonians 2: 1-4 “Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to Him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophesy, report, or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. 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.”
One of the false teaching going around in Paul’s day in the Thessalonian church was that the second coming of Christ known as the ‘day of the Lord’ had already taken place. Paul assured them that this had not taken place and would not take place until a time of rebellion occurred that would culminate with the ‘man of lawlessness’ being revealed. This man would oppose God and God’s people. He would set himself up as ‘god’ and take over the temple. This man would also come with counterfeit signs and wonders from Satan used to deceive those who were perishing. (2nd Thessalonians 2:9) Believers must not worry because this man is doomed to destruction!
Observations for over-comers: Over-comers walk in the light of Christ’s prophetic plan and understand the basic events preceding the ‘day of the Lord’. They avoid deception by loving the truth of God’s word and staying in step with the Holy Spirit. “until the time of the end” . . .”The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been determined must take place.” (Daniel 11:35-36)
The man of lawlessness!
Scripture reading for September 22nd: 2nd Thessalonians 2
To correct some confusion in the church concerning the coming of Christ, Paul further explained some of the events that would happen before Christ returned. “Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to Him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. 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.” (2nd Thessalonians 2:1-4)
Paul explained that a day or time of rebellion against God’s rule and word would precede Christ’s return. During this rebellion, a man called the ‘man of lawlessness’ would rise up by exalting himself. He would oppose God and set himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God! He would also come with false signs and wonders which would be empowered by Satan. These signs would deceive those who were on the path of destruction. “For this reason God send 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.” (2nd Thessalonians 2:11)
“But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers, loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.” (2nd Thessalonians 2:13) By standing firm in the Spirit of Christ and believing the truth, salvation is assured!