The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Church in Thessalonica Chapter Two
1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our assembling unto him, 2 That ye be not suddenly moved from your mind, nor troubled neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter, as it were from us, as though the day of Christ were at hand. 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a departing first, and that that man of sin be disclosed, even the son of perdition. 4 Which is an adversary, and exalteth himself against all that is called God, or that is worshipped: so that he doth sit as God in the Temple of God, showing himself that he is God. 5 Remember ye not, that when I was yet with you, I told you these things 6 And now ye know what withholdeth, that he might be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he which now withholdeth, shall let till he is taken out of the way. 8 And then shall that wicked man be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of his mouth, and shall abolish with the brightness of his coming, 9 Even him whose coming is by the effectual working of Satan, with all power, and signs, and lying wonders, 10 And in all deceivableness of unrighteousness, among them that perish, because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved 11 And therefore God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe lies, 12 That all they might be damned which believed not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 13 But we ought to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because that God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit, and the faith of truth, 14 Whereunto he called you by our Gospel, to obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and keep the instructions, which ye have been taught, either by word or by our Epistle. 16 Now the same Jesus Christ our Lord, and our God, even the Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, 17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every word and good work.
Editor’s thoughts:
In verses 2-3, 15, and 17, we read that Paul encourages the congregation at Thessalonica to remain steadfast in their confession of Christ as Redeemer and to keep faith in His promise.
Now also in verse three, we read of the man of sin, (also known as the man of perdition), who must first be revealed. It is wondered herein that perhaps this has more than one meaning. It points to either a false prophet or the Anti-Christ himself, but if we read further onward we see how he has blinded all those who would prefer to succumb to unrighteousness. Could this be the second meaning, that perhaps the man of sin is a collective analogy or reference of a time, wherein the sinful nature of men, and their refusal to accept God, yea, even openly denying and defying Him is likewise revealed?
R.P. Woitowitz Sr. - Disciple in the service of the King, Christ Jesus.
“[Paul] says that the day of Christ will not come, until the world has fallen into apostasy, and the reign of Antichrist has obtained a footing in the Church; [he] therefore, employs the term apostasy to mean — a treacherous departure from God, and that not on the part of one or a few individuals, but such as would spread itself far and wide among a large multitude of persons. For when apostasy is made mention of without anything being added, it cannot be restricted to a few. Now, none can be termed apostates, but such as have previously made a profession of Christ and the gospel. Paul, therefore, predicts a certain general revolt of the visible Church. ‘The Church must be reduced to an unsightly and dreadful state of ruin before its full restoration is effected.’
Paul, foretells that, after they have had foreign enemies for some time molesting them, they will have more evils to endure from enemies at home, inasmuch as many of those that have made a profession of attachment to Christ would be hurried away into base treachery, and inasmuch as the temple of God itself would be polluted by sacrilegious tyranny, so that Christ’s greatest enemy would exercise dominion there. The term revelation is taken here to denote manifest possession of tyranny, as if Paul had said that the day of Christ would not come until this tyrant had openly manifested himself, and had, as it were, designedly overturned the whole order of the Church.”
John Calvin - Theologian
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