2 Thessalonians - Chapter 2:1–12

The circumstances of the coming of the Lord. Paul warns against credulously accepting teachings announcing the imminent coming of the day of the Lord. They intimidate Christians and create confusion in their community. Iniquity is working in the world, but it still remains a mystery (2:7). Until Jesus comes again, we will not understand why God has allowed its presence. Evil tempts people by deceiving them with false signs and encouraging them to do iniquity. Therefore, Christians should be vigilant and persistent in their waiting for the Lord Jesus. Paul assures us that when iniquity is revealed in all its fullness, it will not stand a chance against the coming Jesus.

2:3–12

While we are warned against predicting the day of the Lord (Matt 24:36; Acts 1:7; 1 Thess 5:1) there will be signs preceding his coming. Paul instructs the Thessalonians concerning two such signs:

  1. a general falling away (2:3; apostasy) from Christ and the church;
  2. the revealing of the man of sin, “the son of perdition” (2:3), who is the antichrist of first and second John, similar to the Dragon and the beast of Revelation 13.

This lawless one is described in the Old Testament (Dan 7:25; 8:25; 11:36), mentioned by Christ (Matt 24:15), and discussed by Paul on his first visit to Thessalonica (2:5).

The devil incites divisions among people so they will readily receive the antichrist when he comes. The man of sin is a counterfeit messiah with a counterfeit kingdom.

  1. He exalts himself above God (2:4);
  2. He performs deceptive miracles and wonders through satanic power (2:9);
  3. He will fool the unrighteous into following him (2:10–12);
  4. He will be removed from power by Christ himself at his Second Coming (2:8).

Paul instructs that when the world gets worse, Christians must not be distressed or deceived (2:11–12), but rather persevere as good stewards (2:13–17).

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