2 Thessalonians 2: 1-17
The Thessalonian believers had been well-taught concerning the certainty of Christ's second coming. It is certain and indisputable. This is the faith and joy of all Christians in all ages. The Thessalonians and all other Christians were waiting expectantly for Christ's coming and "our gathering together unto him." False teachers were going around teaching false revelation about the time of His coming. Some of the believers in Thessalonica were disturbed, confused, troubled and discouraged. Apostle Paul wrote to the believers to correct the misleading errors and properly explain the facts about the events surrounding Christ's second coming and to re-establish Christians in the truth. Instead of allowing disputes and debates to distract Christians and destroy the church, officers and ministers should promptly and properly teach the truth, knowing that the truth sets us free abd keeps us focused.
Error breeds fear and false doctrine produces false security. False prophets and teachers of error do great mischief and serve the adversary of our souls. They intend to deceive, discourage, destroy and damn men's souls. The Antichrist will be a great deceiver and drive men to perdition. So when error or false doctrine is detected in the fellowship, officers and leaders should carefully teach the truth and set things right.
DEPARTURE FROM THE FAITH PREDICTED
2 Thessalonians 2:1-5; 1 Timothy 4: 1, 2; 2 Timothy 3: 1-7; 4:3-5; 2 Peter 2:1-3
"Now I beseech you, bethren by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and by our gathering together unto him"(verse 1). This was a passionate plea of a concerned parent that his children would not be troubled or terrified by false alarm. The appeal came because of false and terrifying revelations with regards to the great event of "the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together to meet Him." The apostle's main purpose of writing in this chapter was to correct the erroneous, alarming teaching of false prophets concerning the second coming of Christ. Some of the false prophets claimed a new revelation as if it came from the apostles (verse 2).
It is of great importance for every Christian to watch so that they are not deceived anf for the whole Church to be on guard. "For that day shall not come, except there be a falling away first"(verse 3). There is going to be "a falling away" from the faith before the day of Christ's coming. This prophecy runs through the New Testament from the beginning to the end. This prophecy of general departure from the faith is being fulfilled today as many people profess religion and chrurch-going, while less people possess righteousness and real Christianity.
"...And that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition" (verse 3). The scriptures contain the many revelations and descriptions of this man of sin who will arise during the period of great apostasy of the Church. He is referred to as "the king of fierce countenance" (Daniel 8:23-25), "the prince that shall come" (Daniel 9:2;6), "the willful king" (Daniel 11: 36), "the antichrist" (1 John 2: 18), "the beast" (Revelation 13: 1-17), "the false prophet" (Revelation 19:20; 20:10). As to his destiny, he is "the son of perdition"; he is doomed to eternal damnation with all who are received by him.
He will violently oppose every form of true worship and will enthrone himself in the temple of God, claiming to be God and demanding worship. As the antichrist, he will be opposed to Christ and persecute all who want to remain faithful to Christ. Those who refuse to worship him will be severely tortured and many will be killed. "Watch ye therefore and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass and stand before the Son of man" (Luke 21:36).
DECEPTION AND DAMNATION THROUGH LYING WONDERS
" Thessalonians 2: 6-12; Mark 13:5,6; Acts 16:16-21; 2 Corinthians 11: 3, 4, 13-15: Ephesians 4:14.
"For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, untill he be taken out of the way" (verse 7). This prophetic message contains words of warning for the Chruch of the present day and men of understanding will take heed. "take heed that no man deceive you" (Matthew 24: 4). These are days of deception and men love falsehood rather than the truth. The spirit of the antichrist is already at work in the world and in the visible Church. Many miracle-seekers are being decived. False prophets adverrtising false miracles are on the increase in many nations of the world. "Even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time" (1 john 2: 18). False teachers "handling the word of God deceitfully", operating through "hidden things of dishonesty" and "walking in craftiness are deceiving people in many nations of the world. This is the age of deception and only commitment to the truth will preserve us from error.
Satan has been a liar, a deceiver, a seducer and a corrupter from the very beginning. His spirits are lying spirits (1 Kings 22:22), his miracles are lying wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:9), his interpretations of the Scripture are deceptive and destructive (Genesis 3:4-7; 2 Corinthians 11:3,4). His gifts and favours are dangerous and deadly (Revelation 13:14- 18; 14: 9- 12). This deceiver will use every form of wickedness to deceive people who love miracles more than salvation. Those who do not love the truth that saves, who reject the truth that sets us free and sanctifies are given over to "a reprobate mind" and "strong delusion" (Romans 1:28; 2 Thessalonians 2: 11). Since they will not belive the truth that they might be saved, they are abandoned in thier state of delusion, believing false doctrine and and the lies of antichrists and Satan. Those who love the world more than heaven and eternal realities will fall for his deception. All who live and die in Satan's lies and deception will spend eternity in hell.
DIVINE COURAGE AND COMFORT FOR STEADFAST SAINTS
2 Thessalonians 2:13-17; 1 Corinthians 16: 13, 14; 15:10,58; Philipians 1:27-30
As the Apostle turned the thoughts of the Thessalonian believers from the Antichrist to Christ and His provison, he gave thanks to God for them as " bethren beloved of the Lord." By thier decision to respond to the call of God, they became saved, converted and included in God's family. By their repentance and faith in Christ, They where seperated from the world and god of this world. To be saved at the end, we must abide in salvation and holiness through the grace of God, the love of Christ and the power of the Spirit.