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2 Thessalonians 2:1-12

For I know the plans I have for you”–this is the LORD’s declaration–“plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. – Jeremiah 29:11 

God has a plan and a purpose for your life,  He promises a future and a hope, if you stay the course.

Hebrews 1:1-2 tell us that we are in the last days and these last days will end at the second coming of Christ Jesus. God’s Word tells us that on that day, Judgment Day, the last day when Jesus returns for His Church that all true believers will be glorified.  

Here in 2nd Thessalonians we see that that day will not take place until after the Great Apostasy, the Rebellion against God that we looked at last week. I believe we are experiencing the rebellion today. How long this will last and who all will fall is yet to be seen.  But we know that whole denominations have fallen, condoning and embracing what God has clearly called sin. However, it is not just the Church that is experiencing rebellion against God; the apostasy, the falling away, being spoken of here involves more than the church, it includes the moral, and even the political, rebellion we see directed towards God today.

Who or what is the “man” of lawlessness? First, we need to know what lawlessness is. Lawlessness is to not have the law or to know it and disobey it, either by commission of a direct thou shall not or by omission, knowing the good you ought to do and not doing it. For example Jesus said, “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another.”  When we don’t love it is sin.

Last week…we know nothing for certain…  

Here is what we do know; when he is revealed it will be followed by his destruction. God has this, it is written. He will be destroyed by the breath of His mouth and will bring him to nothing when He returns.  

In Chapter 1  we read that on that day, at the revelation of Jesus Christ, He is going to take vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who don’t obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus. Just so we are clear, the word gospel means “good news,” so the gospel of Christ is the good news of His coming to provide forgiveness of sins for all who will believe.

Since we know that all have sinned – all are guilty. The punishment for the crime of sin is physical death (Romans 6:23). After physical death comes judgment and then an eternity spent in a place of eternal destruction and eternal separation from God which is also called the “second death” in Revelation 20:14.

Some teach and believe that the man of lawlessness is pointing to what John speaks of as the anti-Christ (the apostle John is the only one to use that term).    Anti-Christ: anyone who opposes Christ, His reign, His Word in the world or in their life…

In Biblical numerology the number 3 is the number of harmony and completeness. The Number 7 is the number of perfection, balance, and God. The number 6 is the number of imperfection and incompleteness, it is the number of Man. Revelation 13:18 – 6 6 6 – me, myself, and I????

 Where is God’s Temple? Who sits on the throne in your life, “Don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought at a price. So glorify God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).  

The coming of the lawless is based on Satan’s working. Is Satan working in the world now? Is he coming against you and tempting you? Is it possible for us to be deceived and tempted? Yes! But, get this, people are perishing because they did not accept the love of the Truth and, therefore, be saved, “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God to us who are being saved” (1 Corinthians 1:18). They perish because they did not accept the love of the Truth! Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Jesus is the word…

If we love the Truth we can persevere in and through it and be preserved by it! It is the truth by which we will be judged on that last day, “The one who rejects me and doesn’t receive my sayings has this as his judge: The word I have spoken will judge him on the last day” (John 12:48). 

“the Lord Jesus will destroy him with the breath of His mouth” The Lord destroys as He created… All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” – 2 Timothy 3:16

He had seven stars in his right hand; a sharp double-edged sword came from his mouth, and his face was shining like the sun at full strength. – Revelation 1:16

For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. – Hebrews 4:12

Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. – John 8:31-32 

Sanctify them by the truth. Your word is truth. – John 17:17

“It is one thing to know about the Truth. It is yet another thing to experience the Truth of God being worked out in your life.” – Blackaby 

For just as you offered the parts of yourselves as slaves to impurity, and to greater and greater lawlessness, so now offer them as slaves to righteousness, which results in sanctification. – Romans 6:19 

Digging Deeper

• Who sits enthroned in your life: God or self?
• Is your focus on Jesus and His gospel or on people?
• If it is on people (The World) can you stay the course?

Further Reading:

• General: Romans 1:18-32, John 15:1-17, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, 1 John 2:18-29, 1 John 3:4, James 4:17, Ephesians 5:6, Revelation 13:18
• That Day: Hebrews 1:1-2,  John 12:48, 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 2 Peter 3:1-13, Jude 1:5-7
• To be Ready: Romans 12, Colossians 3:12-17
• Anti-Christs – see verses 18 and 19 at this commentary