all that God is for you in Christ explodes with faith, and joy, and love. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. Matthew 7:21-23 KJV (21) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; They love to be first and will oppose the Word of Truth that they will hear it. I use them to keep us on the same page, but I rarely find them helpful. Paul again applies to the lawless one and Satan terms typically reserved for Gods activity in Christ. They will falsely accuse those they will cast out labeling/judging them as devils and all the while proclaiming they are doing it in the authority of God. How long will the man of lawlessness deceive the nations before Jesus destroys him? So the appearing of the man of lawlessness doesn't help us predict the return of Christ at all. Yet others would suggest a more metaphorical understanding of the lawless ones session in the temple. Lawlessness exists now, and people are drawn to it -- that's what "is already at work" -- but on this day it will be given a power that is currently unfathomable. (II Thessalonians 2:1. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him: We ask you, brothers and sisters, 2 not to be easily upset or troubled, either by a prophecy or by a message or by a letter supposedly from us, alleging that the day of the Lord has come. (They are either deceiving you or deceiving themselves.) However, Pauls reliance in this context on OT imagery and Jesus eschatological instruction implies that temple of God refers to the Jerusalem temple. So it's a, [You might remember the Peretti books. Remember Satan likes to mimic God and the antichrist will mimic everything Jesus did. The Man of Lawlessness 1 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. But that leaves a big window for deception "in between". Similar objections could be made against any of the subsequent religious shrines built atop the Jerusalem Temple Mount, whether the Hadrianic Temple of Jupiter (built around AD 135) or the current Dome of the Rock (built around 691). In 1:7, Jesus will be revealed in a display of power and glory; in 2:9, the . Deu 13:15 Thou shalt surely smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying it utterly, and all that is therein, and the cattle thereof, with the edge of the sword. False The Thessalonians had no idea what was "restraining" the "man of sin" from being revealed? This article is part of the Tough Passages series. 2 Thessalonians 2:3English Standard Version. comment on 2 Thess. Now imagine the power of Satan behind those magicians. February 9, 2023. Only in hindsight will we understand the full intent of the prophetic word. Verses 9-12: But many foolish people will follow the man of lawlessness. 24:15; Mark 13:14). 2Co 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? The view that the church fathers held that persisted in Christian theology down through the Reformers was that the Papacy was the man of lawlessness. 3Let no one deceive you in any way. And usually the second line is "I don't remember talking about this". Still, Pauls argument works only if the man of lawlessness has not yet appeared, since the absence of the lawless ones arrival proves that the day of the Lord is yet to come. Selected Answer: True Question 12 1 out of 1 points 3:1; cf. Here is the depressing conclusion to Paul's words about the man of lawlessness -- he will deceive many people. An apple never fell on Isaac Newton's head. The term used, also called a son of perdition, is used in one other place, in John 17:12, to describe Judas. Don't These Signs Help Us Predict the Second Coming? The Antichrist's greatest tool is deception through miraculous signs and wonders, and that's something Paul highlighted in our passage (you can also read about this in Rev 13 and 19. also comment on 2 Thess. stand firm Who is Jesus in 2 Thessalonians? Rather, the lawless one will appear in his time and will be conquered by the Lord Jesus at the proper moment (2 Thess. How many times have you said that you one of your children? For that day will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. In II Thessalonians the Apostasy is such that the Man of Lawlessness and the system he fosters is in open rebellion against Christ and the Gospel. Jesus has told us these things ahead of time so that we will not be tripped up by themnot rendering evil for their evil. There is a reverse of this: "If Jesus doesn't come back until after the man of lawlessness, doesn't that mean that Jesus can't come back "at any moment"?". 4-28) happen, the time is near, These things will all happen in that generation, Comparison: the day of Noah; they knew yet they didnt know. Deu 13:12 If thou shalt hear say in one of thy cities, which the LORD thy God hath given thee to dwell there, saying, Those miracles are going to fool a lot of people. You look at a Bible text on the screen. 88:23 LXX [English 89:22]). Although Paul prophetically anticipates the rise of a particular figure who will embody deceptive opposition to God, he admits readily that the same forces of deception and lawlessness are already prevalent in society. Marshall Applewhite (Heaven's Gate) "claimed that a spacecraft was trailing the Comet Hale-Bopp and argued that suicide was the only way to evacuate this Earth so that the cult members' souls could board the supposed craft and be taken to another level of existence above human. Is it a bug? Will persecute the plant which the Twelve Apostles of the Beloved have planted. Discussion question: the world seems to be getting more and more "lawless". 37 related questions found. 1 thessalonians 2). 21 For though they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or show gratitude. In other words, the church has a direct impact on God's ability to defeat Satan. Well, Satan's "role" in Christ's Return is to provide an opponent to Christ, a "man of lawlessness" (whom we usually name "the Anti-Christ"). (4) But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, 2:9). This man of lawlessness is not Satan, but a ruler under his control. No? 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. In fact, I take Matthew 24:24 (which I cited above) to mean that. Remember when Moses performed God's wonders in Egypt and the magicians were able to replicate-ish those miracles? The only other use of the Greek word for exalts himself (hyperair) in Paul bears connotations of conceit (2 Cor. 11 For this reason God sends them a strong delusion so that they will believe the lie, 12 so that all will be condemnedthose who did not believe the truth but delighted in unrighteousness. Those books contributed to this misunderstanding. Paul has experienced such evil, as has the persecuted church in Thessalonica. Chapter two refers to an unnamed 'man of lawlessness." There are several interpretations and theories about this person. What predictions have you made that were completely wrong, What beliefs have you held that turned out to be false, This Week's Big Idea: False Predictions of the Apocalypse, But there are so many predictions to consider. 17:5, 7), but elsewhere Paul speaks of God as the author of the mysteries of the gospel (e.g., Rom. The letter of Paul that makes use of the most explicit apocalyptic language, especially of a "man of lawlessness" who appears at the end of the age to lead people astray and away from God. Those books contributed to this misunderstanding. 20. And the man of lawlessness will emerge from the "human sea of lawlessness" to oppose God and deceive the nations. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way. (6) And now ye know what Its interesting that 2 Thessalonians was written at around 52 ad, and Nero came to power just a few years later in 54 . "Mystery" means "something hidden that has been revealed". People who try to predict it are deliberately countering Jesus' direct statement. 5. 2 Thessalonians 2:5-10 KJV (5) Remember ye not, that, when I was yet In 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul reminded them that all Christians would be gathered together (even the dead would rise) to be with Jesus when He returns. That's not as much "fun" as predicting the end of the world. That's nothing new. At 2 Thessalonians 2:6, Paul wrote, regarding his day, about "the thing that acts as a restraint" on the lawless one. Some people say "No, this means that Christ will return really. 2:3 ), also referred to as the "son of destruction" (2:3) or "the lawless one" (2:8, 9). And all these things, behold they are written [in the Psalms] in the parables of David, the son of Jesse, and in the Proverbs of Solomon his son, and in the words of Korah, and Ethan the Israelite, and in the words of Asaph, and in the rest of the Psalms also which the angel of the Spirit inspired. In 2 Thessalonians he wrote that the day of the Lord cannot begin immediately. Briefly explain the significance of Thirteenth Amendment. 1 2 Thessalonians Ch 2:1-12 - Text. If any discussion comes out of this topic, I really hope you direct it here: Jesus was very clear that we will not know when He is going to return. comment on 2:34). These statementsthat the day of the Lord could begin soon, but it could not begin immediatelymay seem contradictory, but they are not. God is faithful to his prophetic promises, yet the actual fulfillment of these promises often surprises. itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is But here's the really interesting consequence of verse 11: it takes more effort not to believe in God than to believe in God. Paul almost certainly knows this history, and it may well be in his mind as he writes. And they will sacrifice to him and they will serve him saying: "This is God and beside him there is no other." Domitian demanded to be addressed as "My Lord God, Domitian." (in the 90s AD) This fits 2 Thessalonians 2:4 quite well. all that God is for you in Christ explodes with faith, and joy, and love. Paul says that God has dealt with every generation in this way: The Bible Project video tapped into this idea: non-Christians want a life without God, and so God lets them live their life their way (with all of the consequences that come with it). 3 While he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples approached him privately and said, Tell us, when will these things happen? Various views on this restrainers identity were discussed in the preceding verse. The man of lawlessness is so convincing to the masses that Paul emphasizes that he appears with all wicked deception. However, even amid such deception, Paul carefully records that only those who are perishing will be fooled (cf. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? So, yeah. There was never a peanut butter named Jiffy. Let's take a look at the outline of the letter: Continued encouragement in persecution (chapter 1), Clarification about the Day of the Lord (chapter 2), Stay focused on the main things (2:13-17). But because Satan doesn't know when Jesus is returning, he has a "candidate" man of lawlessness on the earth at all times (read verse 4 again -- you can think of a lot of people who have fit that description throughout history, right?). [It was either this or "the man of lawlessness" (don't worry - I'll talk about him later).]. He then reasons that the day of the Lord has not yet begun, since the world has not yet experienced the rebellion and the man of lawlessness, both of which must precede the day of the Lord. Jerry Falwell (and Tim LaHaye!) And there will be the power of his miracles in every city and region. "Nina" was actually the "Santa Clara" and we don't know about the "Pinta". or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? Sadly, many people want to be deceived by God's enemies. In verses 1 & 8, we read of the coming (Parousia) of Christ; in verse 9, we read of the coming (Parousia) of the man of lawlessness. But at some point, God will remove that restraint. Therefore, Paul often speaks in abbreviated ways about matters that we may wish he had written about in greater detail. Let me build on my aside: Satan has power that God allows him to have. The man of sin ( Greek: , ho anthrpos ts hamartias) or man of lawlessness, ( , anomias) is a figure referred to in the Christian Bible in the Second Epistle to the Thessalonians. But they won't return to God; they will believe the lie. [Shall be] revived the great King of Angoulmois. The Thessalonians (and all Christians) need not worry about the approaching time of lawlessness, for Jesus remains Lord, and he will conquer in due time. In this week's lesson, we cover Paul's scolding -- describing the things that the people had already been told and should have remembered. They will do these things supposedly in His name or authority. Paul and Jesus give us two protections from deception here: Anyone who claims they can predict when Jesus will return is lying. In this way are the children of the devil are made manifest: those who will not do righteousness are not of God and neither are those who do not love their brother. Some people though Paul said that Jesus had already come back ("I heard it from a friend who"), but Paul hadn't said that. They will be many acting as one in their evil deeds in this coming time. The lawless ones efforts to receive worship result in his taking his seat in the temple of God. Commentators debate which temple is envisioned here, with most opting for the Jerusalem temple, though others suggest the Thessalonians would imagine an important temple in their city, and still others argue the temple is a reference to the church as the temple of God (e.g., 1 Cor. If so, then many contend this would require a future rebuilding of the Jerusalem temple prior to the advent of the lawless one. Hal Lindsay said 1988 (40 years after the founding of Israel). This could be metaphorical for a group of people, but it seems likely Paul has a single individual in mind. 24:15; Mark 13:14), revealing that the Danielic imagery establishes a pattern of opposition to Gods rule preceding the eschatological judgment of God. Of the Twelve one will be delivered into his hands. Paul is careful to say every so-called god, indicating the false deities of pagan worship. Both Jesus and Paul warn us about this. Realize the difference between "antichrist" and "The Antichrist". What are they? Quietly does not mean that women are never to utter a word when the church gathers for worship. In this paper I will consider one of the very difficult eschatological passages of Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2. They are already in our presence as the mystery of iniquity is already at work and they are to be revealed by the Word of Truth which they will oppose in this coming time when they hear it . Here we note that until he is out of the way is an English idiom for the more particular Greek phrase until he comes from the middle. The restrainer interposes himself between the people of this age and the fullest expression of evil represented by the lawless one.
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