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2 Thessalonians Chapter Two

 

2 Thessalonians 2

In answering this error and in guarding them from the wily efforts of seducers he puts everything in its place here by appealing to precious truths of which he had already spoken. Their gathering together unto Christ in the air was a demonstration of the impossibility of the day of the Lord being already come.

Moreover with regard to this last he presents two considerations: first the day could not be already come since Christians were not yet gathered to the Lord and they were to come with Him; second the wicked one who has then to be judged had not yet appeared so that the judgment could not be executed.

The apostle had already instructed the Thessalonians with regard to this wicked one when at Thessalonica; and in the former epistle he had taught them concerning the rapture of the church. In order that the Lord should come in judgment iniquity must have reached its height and open opposition to God have been manifested. But the truth had another and more precious side: the saints were to be in the same position as Christ to be gathered together unto Him before He could manifest Himself in glory to those outside. But these truths require a more connected examination.

Their gathering together unto Christ before the manifestation was a truth known to the Thessalonians; it is not revealed here it is used as an argument. The Lord Jesus was coming but it was impossible that He should be without His church in the glory. The King would indeed punish His rebellious subjects; but before doing so He would bring to Himself those who had been faithful to Him amid the unfaithful in order to bring them back with Him and publicly to honour them in the midst of the rebels. But the apostle here speaks only of the rapture itself and he adjures them only by that truth not to allow themselves to be shaken in mind as though the day were come. What an assured truth must this have been to Christians since the apostle could appeal to it as to a known point on which the heart could rest! The relationship of the church to Christ its being necessarily in the same position with Him rendered the idea that the day was already come a mere folly.

In the second place the already known fact is asserted that the apostacy must previously take place and then the man of sin be revealed. Solemn truth! Everything takes its place. The forms and the name of Christianity have long been maintained; true Christians have been disowned; but now there should be a public renunciation of the faith-an apostacy. True Christians should have their true place in heaven. But besides this there should be a person who would fully realise in sin the character of man without God. He is the man of sin. He does his own will-it is but Adam fully developed; and incited by the enemy he opposes himself to God (it is open enmity against God) and he exalts himself above all that bears the name of God; he assumes the place of God in His temple. So that there is apostacy that is the open renunciation of Christianity in general and an individual who concentrates in his own person (as to the principles of iniquity) the opposition that is made against God.

It will be noticed that the character of the wicked one is religious here or rather anti-religious. The apostle does not speak of a secular power of the world whatever its iniquity may be. The man of sin assumes a religious character. He exalts himself against the true God but he shews himself as [1] in the temple of God. Observe here that the sphere is on earth. It is not a god for faith. He shews himself as a god for the earth. The profession of Christianity has been abandoned. Sin then characterises an individual a man who fills up the measure of the apostacy of human nature and as a man proclaims his independence of God. The principle of sin in man is his own will. He arises as we have already seen out of the rejection of Christianity. In this respect also evil is at its height.

This man of sin exalts himself above God and sitting as God in the temple of God he defies the God of Israel. This last feature gives his formal character. He is in conflict with God as placing himself publicly in this position-shewing himself as God in the temple of God. It is the God of Israel who will take vengeance on him.

Christianity Judaism natural religion all are rejected. Man takes a place there on earth exalting himself above it all in opposition to God; and in particular arrogating to himself (for man needs a God needs something to worship) the place and the honours of God and of the God of Israel. [2] These verses present the wicked one in connection with the state of man and with the different relationships in which man has stood towards God. In them all he shews himself as apostate and then he assumes the place of God Himself-the first object of human ambition as its attainment was the first suggestion of Satan.

In that which follows we see not the condition itself of apostacy with regard to the different positions in which God had placed man but simply man unrestrained and the work of Satan. The man is but the vessel of the enemy's power.

Man in whom is the fullness of the Godhead the Lord Jesus and man filled with the energy of Satan are opposed to each other. Before it was man forsaking God wicked and exalting himself. Here it is opposition against God on the part of man unrestrained and inspired by Satan himself. Consequently we have (not the wicked one but) the lawless--the unbridled-one. The principle is the same for sin is lawlessness. (See 1 John 3:4-Greek.) But in this first case man is viewed in his departure from God and in his guiltiness; in the second as acknowledging none but himself.

To this condition in which all restraint will be removed a barrier has yet existed.

The apostle had already told them of the apostacy and of the manifestation of the man of sin. He now says that the Thessalonians ought to know the hindrance that existed to his progress and his manifestation before the appointed time. He does not say that he had told them but they ought to know it. Knowing the character of the wicked one the barrier revealed itself. The main point here is that it was a barrier. The principle of the evil was already at work: a barrier alone prevented its development. Its character when developed would be unbridled will which exalts and opposes itself. [3] Unbridled self-will being the principle of the evil that which bridles this will is the barrier. Now it exalts itself above all that bears the name of God or to which homage is paid: that which hinders it therefore is the power of God acting in government here below as authorized by Him. The grossest abuse of power still bears this last character. Christ could say to Pilate "Thou couldest have no power against me except it were given thee from above." Wicked as he might be his power is owned as coming from God. Thus although men had rejected and crucified the Son of God so that their iniquity appeared to be at its height the hindrance still existed in full. Afterwards God having sent His Spirit gathers out the church and although the mystery of iniquity began immediately to work mingling the will of men with the worship of God in Spirit God had always (He still has) the object of His loving care upon the earth. The Holy Ghost was here below; the assembly be its condition what it might was still on earth and God maintained the barrier. And as the porter had opened the door to Jesus in spite of all obstacles so He sustains everything however great the energy and progress of evil. The evil is bridled: God is the source of authority on earth. There is one who hinders until he be taken out of the way. Now when the assembly (the assembly that is as composed of the true members of Christ) is gone and consequently the Holy Ghost as the Comforter is no longer dwelling here below then the apostacy takes place [4] the time to remove the hindrance is come the evil is unbridled and at length (without saying how much time it will take) the evil assumes a definite shape in him who is its head. The beast comes up from the abyss. Satan--not God-gives him his authority; and in the second beast all the energy of Satan is present. The man of sin is there.

Here it is an outward and secular power that is spoken of but the religious side of Satan's energy.

With regard to the individual instruments who compose the barrier they may change every moment and it was not the object of the Holy Ghost to name them. He who was the one of them that existed when this epistle was written would not be so at the present time; to have named him then would have been of no use to us in the present day. The object was to declare that the evil which should be judged was already working that there was no remedy for it that it was only a hindrance on God's part which prevented its full development: a principle of the highest importance with regard to the history of Christianity.

Whatever form it might take the apostacy of the men who would renounce grace would necessarily be more absolute than any other. It is opposition to the Lord. It has the character of an adversary. The other principle of human iniquity enters into it but this is the source of the "perdition." It is the rejection of goodness; it is direct enmity.

" That which hinders" is in general only an instrument a means which prevents the manifestation of the man of sin-the wicked one. So long as the assembly is on earth the pretension to be God in His temple cannot take place or at least would have no influence. Satan has his sphere and must needs have it in the mystery of iniquity; but there is no longer a mystery when the place of God in His temple is openly taken. That which hinders is therefore still present. But there is a person active in maintaining this hindrance. Here I think indeed that it is God in the Person of the Holy Ghost who during the time called "the things that are " restrains the evil and guards divine authority in the world. As long as that subsists the unrestrained exaltation of wickedness cannot take place. Consequently I do not doubt but that the rapture of the saints is the occasion of the hindrance being removed and all restraint loosed although some of the ways of God are developed before the full manifestation of the evil.

This thought does not rest upon great principles only: the passage itself supplies elements which shew the state of things when the power of evil develops itself. 1st The apostacy has already taken place. This could hardly be said if the testimony of the assembly still subsisted as it had in time past or even yet more distinctly as being freed from all false and corrupting elements. 2nd Authority-as established of God so far as exercising a restraint on man's will in God's name-has disappeared from the scene for the wicked one exalts himself against all that is called God and to which homage is paid and presents himself as God in the temple of God. Compare Psalm 82 where God stands among the gods (the judges) to judge them before He inherits the nations. Before that solemn hour when God will judge the judges of the earth this wicked one despising all authority that comes from Him sets himself up as God: and that on the earth where the judgment will be manifested. And then 3rdly in place of the Holy Ghost and His power manifested on the earth we find the power of Satan and with precisely the same tokens that bore witness to the Person of Christ. So that the passage itself whether as to man or as to the enemy gives us (in the three points of which we have spoken) the full confirmation of that which we have ventured to set forth.

The assembly the powers ordained by God upon the earth the Holy Ghost present here as the Comforter in lieu of Christ have all (as regards the manifestation of the government and the work of God) given place to the self-willed unbridled man and to the power of the enemy. In saying this we speak of the sphere of this prophecy which moreover embraces that of the public testimony of God on earth.

Definitively then we have man here in his own nature-as it has displayed itself by forsaking God--in the full pursuit of his own will in rebellion against God; the willful man developed as the result of apostacy from the position of grace in which the assembly stood and in contempt of all the governmental authority of God on the earth. And since that authority had shewn itself directly and properly in Judea this contempt and the spirit of rebellion in man who exalts himself above everything but who cannot be heavenly (heaven and all pretension to heaven is given up by man and lost by Satan) display themselves by man taking the place of God in His temple under the most advanced form of Jewish apostacy and blasphemy. At the same time Satan acts-God having loosed his bridle-with a power (a lying power indeed but) which gives the same testimony before men as that which the works of Christ did to the Saviour; and also with all the skill that iniquity possesses to deceive. It is in the wicked the lawless one that Satan works these things. Our consideration of the development of the latter part of this solemn scene will come (God willing) in the Book of Revelation. We may add that there we have this wicked one as the false Messiah and as prophet in the form of his kingdom-two horns like a lamb. He had been cast down from heaven where he had been anti-priest and now takes up Christ's titles on earth of king and prophet. In Daniel 11 he is seen as king; here as the unbridled man and in particular as the result [5] and the manifestation of Satan's power. In a word instead of the assembly the apostacy; instead of the Holy Ghost Satan; and instead of the authority of God as a restraint upon evil the unbridled man setting himself up as God on the earth.

Another circumstance already mentioned demands particular attention. I have said that he presents himself as the Messiah (that is to say in His two characters as king and prophet which are His earthly characters). In heaven Satan has then nothing more to do; he has been cast out from thence so that there is no imitation of the Lord's high-priesthood. In that respect Satan had in his own person acted another part. He was previously in heaven the accuser of the brethren. But at the time of which we are speaking the assembly is on high and the accuser of the brethren is cast out never to return there. In a man inspired by him he makes himself prophet and king. And in this character he does the same things (in falsehood) as those by which God had sanctioned the mission of Christ before men. (Compare Acts 2:22) In a Greek the words are identical. [6] I would also recall here another solemn fact in order to complete this picture. In the history of Elijah we find that the proof of the divinity of Baal or that of Jehovah is made to rest upon the fact of their respective servants bringing down fire from heaven. Now in Revelation 3 we learn that the second beast brings down fire from heaven in the sight of men. So that we find here the marvelous works that sanctioned the Lord's mission and there that which proved Jehovah to be the true and only God. And Satan performs both in order to deceive men.

This may give us an idea of the state in which they will be; and it indicates also that these things will take place in relation with the Jews under the double aspect of their connection with Jehovah and their rejection of Christ and reception of Antichrist.

Thus thank God the truth is abundantly confirmed that these things do not relate to the assembly but to those who having had opportunity to profit by the truth have rejected it and loved iniquity. Neither does it relate to the heathen but only to those among whom the truth has been set forth. [7] They refused it and God sends a lie and an efficacious lie that they may believe it. He does this in judgment: He did the same thing with the nations (Rom. 1:24 26 28); He did it also with the Jews (Is. 6:9 10); He does it here with nominal Christians. But it does relate to the Jews as a nation that rejected the truth-the testimony of the Holy Ghost (Acts 7)-but still more to Christians (in name); in short to all those who will have had the truth presented to them.

With nominal Christians this has necessarily the character of apostacy or at least it is connected with this apostacy and is consequent upon it; as verse 3 teaches us the apostacy takes place and then the man of sin is revealed.#

In connection with his character of the man of sin he presents himself without restraint in the temple of God shewing himself that he is God. [8] In relation to the lying power of Satan and his efficient work he presents himself in the character of Christ-he is the Antichrist assuming consequently a Jewish character. It is not only the pride of man exalting itself against God but the power of Satan in man deceiving men and the Jews in particular by a false Christ; so that it it were possible the very elect would be deceived. We may remark that all these characters are precisely the opposite of Christ-falsehood instead of truth iniquity instead of righteousness perdition instead of salvation.

It is to a power like this of lies and destruction that man-having forsaken Christianity and exalted himself in pride against God-will be given up. The apostacy (that is to say the renunciation of Christianity) will be the occasion of this evil; Judea and the Jews the scene in which it ripens and develops itself in a positive way.

The Antichrist will deny the Father and the Son (that is Christianity); he will deny that Jesus is the Christ (that is Jewish unbelief). With the burden upon him of sin against Christianity grace and the presence of the Holy Ghost he will ally himself with Jewish unbelief in order that there may be not only the full expression of human pride but also for a time the Satanic influence of a false Christ who will strengthen the throne of Satan among the Gentiles occupied by the first beast to whom the authority of the dragon has been given. He will also set up his own subordinate throne over the Jews as being the Messiah whom their unbelief is expecting; while at the same time he will bring in idolatry the unclean spirit long gone out who then returns to his house which is devoid of God.

And now with regard to his destruction (whom the Lord Jesus will consume with the spirit of His mouth and destroy with the manifestation of His presence or of His coming) the first of these means characterises the judgment; it is the word of truth applied in judgment according to the power of God. In the Revelation it says that the sword proceeds out of His mouth. Here He is not spoken of in the character of a man of war as in Revelation 19. The spirit of His mouth is that inward and divine power which kindles and executes the judgment. It is not an instrument it is the divine source of power which executes its purpose by a word. (compare Isa.33:33) But there is another aspect of this judgment. The Lord the man Jesus will return. His return has two parts-the return into the air to take His assembly to Himself and the public manifestation in glory of His return.

In the first verse of our chapter we have read of His return and our gathering together unto Him. Here verse 8 is the manifestation of His presence publicly in creation. At the time of this public manifestation of His coming He destroys the whole work and power of the wicked one. It is the Man formerly obedient and humbling Himself on the earth exalted of God and become Lord of all who destroys the lawless man that has exalted himself above everything and made himself as God instead of being obedient to God.

This evil--on the side of Satan's influence-was already working in the apostle's time; only it was bridled and kept back until that which restrained it should no longer be on the scene. Then should the wicked one be revealed. To sum up the taking away of the assembly and the apostacy were first necessary; and then this man should present himself as an unbelieving Jew [9] and the power of Satan would be displayed in him.

Now this Satanic influence was for those who had rejected the truth. Of the Thessalonians--to whom he had given these explanations respecting the day which they fancied was come-the apostle thought very differently. God had chosen these "brethren beloved of the Lord " from the beginning for salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth to which He had called them by Paul's gospel (and that of His companions) and to the obtaining of the glory of the Lord Jesus. How different was this from the visitations of the day of the Lord and the circumstances of which the apostle had spoken! They were numbered among those who should be the companions in that day of the Lord Jesus Himself.

Footnotes

[1] "As God" is to be left out before "sitteth " in chapter 2:4.

[2] In 1 John 2 we find the double character of the Antichrist as regards Christianity and Judaism. He denies the Father and the Son rejects Christianity; he denies that Jesus is the Christ which is Jewish unbelief. His power is the working of Satan as we find here. As man he sets up to be God. So that his impiousness is manifested in every way. As the question is more upon the earth it is the God of the earth the man withal from heaven who judges him.

[3] Note this point. All was ready and complete in the apostle's time only restrained. So Christ was ready to judge. Only the patience of God waits in the accepted time.

[4] The principle of this may be widely at work individually as in 1 John 2 it had begun but the open public manifestation was to come. Jude gives the creeping in to produce corruption John the going out which characterises the Antichrist.

[5] We may remark that the apostacy develops itself under the three forms in which man has been in relationship with God; Nature-it is the man of sin unrestrained who exalts himself; Judaism-he sits as God in the temple of God; Christianity-it is to this that the term apostacy is directly applied in the passage before us.

[6] Only the word for "miracle" or "power" is plural in Acts 2.

[7] I only allude here to the connection between the renunciation of Christianity and the development of apostate Judaism which are linked together in the rejection of the true Christ and the denial of the Father and the Son-features given in 1 John as characteristic of the Antichrist. But I am persuaded that the more we examine the word the more we shall see (perhaps with surprise) that this fact is confirmed. Moreover the turning back to Judaism and the tendency to idolatry by the introduction of other mediators and patrons and the losing sight of our union with the Head and thus of the perfection and deliverance from the law which are ours in Christ have at all times characterised the mystery of iniquity and the principle of apostacy. The apostle had incessantly to combat this. That of which we spoke above is but its full manifestation.

[8] This is the culminating point in his character as an apostate who has renounced grace. The ninth and following verses develop his positive and deceitful activity by which he seeks to win men. This explains the mixture (which moreover generally resists) of atheism in will and superstition

[9] I do not say that his first appearance will be the apostacy of Judaism; I do not think it will be. He will present himself to them as being the Christ but according to the hopes and passions of the Jews. But afterwards it will be an apostacy even from Judaism as had partially been the case in the days of the Maccabees-a fact which the Spirit uses in Daniel 11 as a figure precursive of the time of Antichrist. He is from his first appearance an unbeliever and the enemy of God an apostate as to the assembly and denying that Jesus is the Christ. We are taught positively by John that the rejection of Christianity and Jewish unbelief are united in the Antichrist. It appears that apostacy with regard to Christianity and Jewish unbelief are connected and go together; and afterwards Jewish apostacy and open rebellion against God which causing the cry of the remnant brings in the Lord and all is ended. Now the apostle (chap. 2:3 4) presents the complete picture of man's iniquity developed when apostacy from the grace of the gospel had taken place (he exalts himself even to the making himself God) without touching the Jewish side or the manifested power of Satan. These verses shew us the man of sin is the result of the apostacy which will break out in the midst of Christendom. Verse 9 begins to teach us in addition that the coming of this wicked one is also in immediate connection with a mighty display of the energy of Satan who deceives by means of marvelous works and a strong delusion to which God gives men up and of which we have spoken in the text. It is man and Satan here with enough to shew its connection with Judaism in the last days (even as the mystery of iniquity was linked with Judaism in the days of the apostles although it is not the occasion of giving the details of the Jewish development of the evil. We must look for these details elsewhere where they are in their place as in Daniel. The Apocalypse and 1 John furnish us with the means of connecting them: we do but allude here to this connection.

── John DarbySynopsis of 2 Thessalonians

 

2 Thessalonians 2

Chapter Contents                                                                                    

Cautions against the error that the time of Christ's coming was just at hand. There would first be a general apostacy from the faith and a revealing of the antichristian man of sin. (1-4) His destruction and that of those who obey him. (5-12) The security of the Thessalonians from apostacy; an exhortation to stedfastness and prayer for them. (13-17)

Commentary on 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4

(Read 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4)

If errors arise among Christians we should set them right; and good men will be careful to suppress errors which rise from mistaking their words and actions. We have a cunning adversary who watches to do mischief and will promote errors even by the words of Scripture. Whatever uncertainty we are in or whatever mistakes may arise about the time of Christ's coming that coming itself is certain. This has been the faith and hope of all Christians in all ages of the church; it was the faith and hope of the Old Testament saints. All believers shall be gathered together to Christ to be with him and to be happy in his presence for ever. We should firmly believe the second coming of Christ; but there was danger lest the Thessalonians being mistaken as to the time should question the truth or certainty of the thing itself. False doctrines are like the winds that toss the water to and fro; and they unsettle the minds of men which are as unstable as water. It is enough for us to know that our Lord will come and will gather all his saints unto him. A reason why they should not expect the coming of Christ as at hand is given. There would be a general falling away first such as would occasion the rise of antichrist that man of sin. There have been great disputes who or what is intended by this man of sin and son of perdition. The man of sin not only practises wickedness but also promotes and commands sin and wickedness in others; and is the son of perdition because he is devoted to certain destruction and is the instrument to destroy many others both in soul and body. As God was in the temple of old and worshipped there and is in and with his church now; so the antichrist here mentioned is a usurper of God's authority in the Christian church who claims Divine honours.

Commentary on 2 Thessalonians 2:5-12

(Read 2 Thessalonians 2:5-12)

Something hindered or withheld the man of sin. It is supposed to be the power of the Roman empire which the apostle did not mention more plainly at that time. Corruption of doctrine and worship came in by degrees and the usurping of power was gradual; thus the mystery of iniquity prevailed. Superstition and idolatry were advanced by pretended devotion and bigotry and persecution were promoted by pretended zeal for God and his glory. This mystery of iniquity was even then begun; while the apostles were yet living persons pretended zeal for Christ but really opposed him. The fall or ruin of the antichristian state is declared. The pure word of God with the Spirit of God will discover this mystery of iniquity and in due time it shall be destroyed by the brightness of Christ's coming. Signs and wonders visions and miracles are pretended; but they are false signs to support false doctrines; and lying wonders or only pretended miracles to cheat the people; and the diabolical deceits with which the antichristian state has been supported are notorious. The persons are described who are his willing subjects. Their sin is this; They did not love the truth and therefore did not believe it; and they were pleased with false notions. God leaves them to themselves then sin will follow of course and spiritual judgments here and eternal punishments hereafter. These prophecies have in a great measure come to pass and confirm the truth of the Scriptures. This passage exactly agrees with the system of popery as it prevails in the Romish church and under the Romish popes. But though the son of perdition has been revealed though he has opposed and exalted himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped; and has spoken and acted as if he were a god upon earth and has proclaimed his insolent pride and supported his delusions by lying miracles and all kinds of frauds; still the Lord has not yet fully destroyed him with the brightness of his coming; that and other prophecies remain to be fulfilled before the end shall come.

Commentary on 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15

(Read 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15)

When we hear of the apostacy of many it is a great comfort and joy that there is a remnant according to the election of grace which does and shall persevere; especially we should rejoice if we have reason to hope that we are of that number. The preservation of the saints is because God loved them with an everlasting love from the beginning of the world. The end and the means must not be separated. Faith and holiness must be joined together as well as holiness and happiness. The outward call of God is by the gospel; and this is rendered effectual by the inward working of the Spirit. The belief of the truth brings the sinner to rely on Christ and so to love and obey him; it is sealed by the Holy Spirit upon his heart. We have no certain proof of any thing having been delivered by the apostles more than what we find contained in the Holy Scriptures. Let us then stand fast in the doctrines taught by the apostles and reject all additions and vain traditions.

Commentary on 2 Thessalonians 2:16 17

(Read 2 Thessalonians 2:16 17)

We may and should direct our prayers not only to God the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ but also to our Lord Jesus Christ himself. And we should pray in his name unto God not only as his Father but as our Father in and through him. The love of God in Christ Jesus is the spring and fountain of all the good we have or hope for. There is good reason for strong consolations because the saints have good hope through grace. The free grace and mercy of God are what they hope for and what their hopes are founded on and not any worth or merit of their own. The more pleasure we take in the word and works and ways of God the more likely we shall be to persevere therein. But if we are wavering in faith and of a doubtful mind halting and faltering in our duty no wonder that we are strangers to the joys of religion.

── Matthew HenryConcise Commentary on 2 Thessalonians

 

2 Thessalonians 2

Verse 1

[1] Now we beseech you brethren by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and by our gathering together unto him

Our gathering together to him — In the clouds.

Verse 2

[2] That ye be not soon shaken in mind or be troubled neither by spirit nor by word nor by letter as from us as that the day of Christ is at hand.

Be not shaken in mind — In judgment.

Or terrified — As those easily are who are immoderately fond of knowing future things. Neither by any pretended revelation from the Spirit nor by pretence of any word spoken by me.

Verse 3

[3] Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come except there come a falling away first and that man of sin be revealed the son of perdition;

Unless the falling away — From the pure faith of the gospel come first. This began even in the apostolic age. But the man of sin the son of perdition - Eminently so called is not come yet. However in many respects the Pope has an indisputable claim to those titles. He is in an emphatical sense the man of sin as he increases all manner of sin above measure. And he is too properly styled the son of perdition as he has caused the death of numberless multitudes both of his opposers and followers destroyed innumerable souls and will himself perish everlastingly. He it is that opposeth himself to the emperor once his rightful sovereign; and that exalteth himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped - Commanding angels and putting kings under his feet both of whom are called gods in scripture; claiming the highest power the highest honour; suffering himself not once only to be styled God or vice-god. Indeed no less is implied in his ordinary title "Most Holy Lord " or "Most Holy Father." So that he sitteth - Enthroned.

In the temple of God — Mentioned Revelation 11:1.

Declaring himself that he is God — Claiming the prerogatives which belong to God alone.

Verse 6

[6] And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

And now ye know — By what I told you when I was with you.

That which restraineth — The power of the Roman emperors. When this is taken away the wicked one will be revealed.

In his time — His appointed season and not before.

Verse 7

[7] For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let until he be taken out of the way.

He will surely be revealed; for the mystery - The deep secret power of iniquity just opposite to the power of godliness already worketh. It began with the love of honour and the desire of power; and is completed in the entire subversion of the gospel of Christ. This mystery of iniquity is not wholly confined to the Romish church but extends itself to others also. It seems to consist of 1. Human inventions added to the written word. 2. Mere outside performances put in the room of faith and love. 3. Other mediators besides the man Christ Jesus. The two last branches together with idolatry and bloodshed are the direct consequences of the former; namely the adding to the word of God.

Already worketh — In the church.

Only he that restraineth — That is the potentate who successively has Rome in his power. The emperors heathen or Christian; the kings Goths or Lombards; the Carolingian or German emperors.

Verse 8

[8] And then shall that Wicked be revealed whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

And then — When every prince and power that restrains is taken away.

Will that wicked one — Emphatically so called be revealed. Whom the Lord will soon consume with the spirit of his mouth - His immediate power.

And destroy — With the very first appearance of his glory.

Verse 10

[10] And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved.

Because they received not the love of the truth — Therefore God suffered them to fall into that "strong delusion."

Verse 11

[11] And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion that they should believe a lie:

Therefore God shall send them — That is judicially permit to come upon them strong delusion.

Verse 12

[12] That they all might be damned who believed not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

That they all may be condemned — That is the consequence of which will be that they all will be condemned who believed not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness - That is who believed not the truth because they loved sin.

Verse 13

[13] But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you brethren beloved of the Lord because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

God hath from the beginning — Of your hearing the gospel.

Chosen you to salvation — Taken you out of the world and placed you in the way to glory.

Verse 14

[14] Whereunto he called you by our gospel to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

To which — Faith and holiness.

He hath called you by our gospel — That which we preached accompanied with the power of his Spirit.

Verse 15

[15] Therefore brethren stand fast and hold the traditions which ye have been taught whether by word or our epistle.

Hold — Without adding to or diminishing from the traditions which ye have been taught - The truths which I have delivered to you.

Whether by word or by our epistle — He preached before he wrote. And he had written concerning this in his former epistle.

── John WesleyExplanatory Notes on 2 Thessalonians

 

Chapter 2. The Time of Coming Again

Belief in the Truth
Saved and Sanctified

I. Do Not Become Easily Unsettled

  1. Signs and Miracles
  2. Heresies and False Doctrines
  3. Letters Assuming Our Name

II. Signs of the Lord's Coming

  1. Rebellion Occurs
  2. Lawlessness Reveals
  3. Hindrance Removed

III. Hold to the Teachings

  1. The Gospel of Selection
  2. Stand Firm
  3. Intercede and Entrust

── Chih-Hsin ChangAn Outline of The New Testament

                             
Chapter Two General Review
                             
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
 
1) To examine what is revealed about the "man of sin" whom the Lord 
   will destroy at His coming
 
2) To consider how those who do not have a love for the truth are 
   setting themselves up to be deceived by the man of sin
 
3) To discern why God will send a strong delusion to some that they 
   will believe a lie
 
SUMMARY
 
Evidently Paul received word that some of the Thessalonians had the
impression that the day of Christ had come
that is
it was near at
hand.  To reassure them such was not the case
he reminds them of those
things he had told them while he was still with them.  That is
Christ
will not come until the falling away occurs
and the man of sin is 
revealed (1-3).  Paul then describes this man of sin and explains that 
he is currently hindered from being revealed.  When that which 
restrains him is removed
the man of sin will become apparent
whom the
Lord will destroy with His coming (4-8).  The coming of the lawless one
is further described
whose coming will be according to the working 
with Satan.  With all power
signs
and lying wonders
he will deceive 
those who do not have a love for the truth.  Indeed
God will also send
a strong delusion to those who do not love the truth
that they might 
believe the lie and be condemned for taking pleasure in unrighteousness
instead of believing the truth (9-12).
 
As for the Thessalonians themselves
Paul is ever thankful that God has
chosen them for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and 
belief in the truth
having called them by the gospel to obtain the 
glory of the Lord Jesus Christ (13-14).  He therefore exhorts them to 
stand fast and hold to the traditions taught by word or epistle
and 
prays that Jesus and God the Father will comfort their hearts and 
establish them in every good word and work (15-17).
 
OUTLINE
 
I. ENLIGHTENMENT ABOUT THE COMING OF THE LORD (1-12)
 
   A. DO NOT BE TROUBLED (1-2)
      1. Concerning the coming of the Lord
and our gathering to Him
         (1)
      2. By false reports
as though the day of Christ has come (2)
 
   B. THE APOSTASY MUST COME FIRST (3-12)
      1. The Day of Christ will not come until...
         a. A falling away comes first (3a)
         b. The man of sin (lawlessness) is revealed (3-4)
            1) The son of perdition (3c)
            2) Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called
               God and that is worshipped (4a)
            3) He sits as God in the temple of God
showing himself 
               that he is God (4b)
         -- As Paul told them while he was with them (5)
      2. The man of sin is being restrained (6-7)
         a. They knew what it was that was restraining him (6a)
         b. He will be revealed in his own time (6b)
         c. The mystery of lawlessness is already at work (7a)
         d. But the one who restrains will do so until taken out of the
            way (7b)
      3. When the lawless one is revealed (8-12)
         a. The Lord will...
            1) Consume him with the breath of His mouth (8a)
            2) Destroy him with the brightness of His coming (8b)
         b. The coming of the lawless one...
            1) Will be according to the working of Satan (9a)
            2) With all power
signs
and lying wonders (9b)
            3) With all unrighteous deception among those who perish
               (10a)
               a) Because they did not receive the love of the truth
                  (10b)
               b) That they might be saved (10c)
         c. For this reason...
            1) God will send them a strong delusion (11a)
               a) That they should believe the lie (11b)
               b) That they may be condemned (12a)
            2) Because they did not believe the truth but had pleasure
               in unrighteousness (12b)
 
II. STEADFASTNESS ENCOURAGED (13-17)
 
   A. THANKSGIVING AND A CALL TO STEADFASTNESS (13-15)
      1. Bound always to give thanks to God (13a)
         a. Who from the beginning chose them for salvation (13b)
            1) Through sanctification by the Spirit (13c)
            2) And belief in the truth (13d)
         b. To which He called them (14a)
            1) By the gospel (14b)
            2) For the obtaining of the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ
               (14c)
      2. Stand fast and hold the traditions which they were taught
         (15a)
         a. Whether by word (15b)
         b. Or by his epistle (15c)
 
   B. PAUL'S PRAYER FOR THE THESSALONIANS (16-17)
      1. May the Lord Jesus Himself
and our God and Father (16a)
         a. Who loved us (16b)
         b. Who has given us... (16c)
            1) Everlasting consolation
            2) Good hope by grace
      2. Comfort your hearts (17a)
      3. Establish you in every good word and work (17b)
 
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
 
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Enlightenment about the coming of the Lord (1-12)
   - Steadfastness encouraged (13-17)
 
2) What two related things does Paul now address them? (1)
   - The coming of our Lord Jesus Christ
   - Our gathering together to Him
 
3) About what did he not want them to be troubled? (2)
   - As though the day of Christ had come
 
4) What two things must happen before that Day comes? (3)
   - The falling away
   - The man of sin is revealed
 
5) List the various descriptions of the "man of sin" (3a-4)
   - The son of perdition
   - Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or 
     that is worshipped
   - He sits as God in the temple of God
showing himself that he is
     God
 
6) Had Paul told the Thessalonians of these things before? (5)
   - Yes
 
7) Did they know what was restraining the "man of sin" from being
   revealed? (6)
   - Yes
 
8) What was already at work at the time Paul wrote the Thessalonians?
   (7)
   - The mystery of lawlessness
 
9) How long would the one who restrains do so? (7)
   - Until he is taken out of the way
 
10) What will the Lord do to the lawless one? (8)
   - He will consume him with the breath of His mouth
   - He will destroy him with the brightness of His coming
 
11) According to what will the coming of the lawless one be?  What will
    accompany his coming? (9-10)
   - According to the working of Satan
   - All power
signs and lying wonders; with unrighteous deception
 
12) Who will be deceived by this lawless one?  Why? (10)
   - Those who perish
   - Because they did not receive the love of the truth
that they 
     might be saved
 
13) What will God therefore send? (11)
   - A strong delusion
 
14) What two purposes does Paul give for God doing this? (11-12)
   - That they should believe the lie
   - That they may be condemned
 
15) Who is it that will suffer such things? (12)
   - Those who did not believe the truth
but had pleasure in 
     unrighteousness
 
16) How did God choose to save the Thessalonians? (13)
   - Through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth
 
17) How did God call them?  For what purpose? (14)
   - He called them by the gospel
   - For the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ
 
18) What two exhortations does Paul give them? (15)
   - Stand fast
   - Hold to the traditions which they were taught
whether by word or
     epistle
 
19) What two things does Paul mention that God and Jesus has given to
    us? (16)
   - Everlasting consolation
   - Good hope
 
20) For what does Paul pray that Jesus and God will do for the 
    Thessalonians? (17)
   - Comfort their hearts
   - Establish them in every good word and work

 

--《Executable Outlines

 

The time of coming again

Belief in the truth

Saved and sanctified

 

I.  Do not become easily unsettled

1.    Signs and miracles

2.    Heresies and false doctrines

3.    Letters assuming our name

II.Signs of the Lord’s coming

1.    Rebellion occurs

2.    Lawlessness reveals

3.    Hindrance removed

III.       Hold to the teachings

1.    The gospel of selection

2.    Stand firm

3.    Intercede and entrust

-- Chih-Hsin ChangAn Outline of The New Testament