Last Days

JUST JUDGMENT OF GOD

/ David R Maas / Leave a comment

The arrival of Jesus will mean vindication and “rest” for the righteous, but everlasting loss for the wicked – 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10.

Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians was written in the months following his departure from the city. The first epistle expressed joy at the good news that the Thessalonians were remaining faithful despite persecution. The second addressed three main issues: Persecution, believers who refused to work, and questions about the “arrival” of Jesus.

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MYSTERY OF LAWLESSNESS

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Even now, the mystery of lawlessness is preparing the way for the appearance of the lawless one who will cause many Christians to apostatize.

According to the Apostle Paul, the “mystery of lawlessness” is working diligently in the world to prepare hearts and minds for the “arrival” of the “lawless one.” And it will continue to do so until the appointed time when this final deceiver will “come out of the midst” and appear in the “sanctuary of God.” Thereafter, he will employ “lying signs and wonders” to cause many saints to depart from the faith.

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LYING SIGNS AND WONDERS

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The final deceiver will use “lying signs and wonders” to deceive and cause many saints to depart from the faith – 2 Thessalonians 2:8-9.

The “Day of the Lord” will not commence until the “lawless one” has been “revealed” when he “seats himself in the sanctuary of God.” His arrival will coincide with the “apostasy,” and he will be characterized by his ability to deceive, especially with “lying signs and wonders.” Satan himself will equip this master deceiver to destroy as many saints as possible.

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STAND FAST

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Believers prepare for the “apostasy” and the coming “man of lawlessness” by “standing firm” in the apostolic tradition.

Having explained the coming “apostasy” and “man of lawlessness,” Paul then provided instructions on how believers avoid the coming deception and find themselves standing “blameless” before Jesus when he “arrives with all his holy ones.” And above all, they must “stand fast” and cleave to the teachings received from the apostles.

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LAWLESS ONE DESTROYED

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Jesus will destroy the works of the “Lawless One” and “paralyze” him at his “arrival” in glory – 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12.

Next, Paul explains how Jesus will deal with the “lawless one” at his “arrival.” In doing so, he employs language from Daniel’s vision about the “little horn speaking great things.” Originally, that image represented the Seleucid ruler who attempted to destroy the Jewish faith through deceit and persecution, Antiochus Epiphanes.

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