Words in italic type have been added for clarity. They are not found in the original Hebrew or Aramaic.

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II Thessalonians 2

The Great Apostasy

II Thessalonians 2:¹ Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you,

• The coming of Jesus Christ is at the end of the seven year tribulation.

II Thessalonians 2:² not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of (the Lord) Christ had come.

II Thessalonians 2:³ Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the “falling away” (departure) comes first, and the man of sin (lawlessness) is revealed, the son of perdition,

• “the falling away” is debated by many for its possible meanings:
  • The Greek word is apostasia
    1. apostasia g646 a falling away, defection, apostasy
    2. apostasion g647 divorce, repudiation
    3. aphístēmi g868 THE ROOT MEANING from G575 and G2476; to remove, i.e. (actively) instigate to revolt; usually (reflexively) to desist, desert, etc.:—depart, draw (fall) away, refrain, withdraw self.
  • The meaning has been taken to be “a departure” as in “rapture”. For others it means a departure from the truth of scripture. It may also be what is called “a double blessing” ie: a double meaning for two truths at the same time.

• Judas was also called “the son of perdition”. (John 17:12) Like the “man of sin” (the coming Antichrist) they are both indwelt by Satan.

II Thessalonians 2:⁴ who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

II Thessalonians 2:⁵ Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?

II Thessalonians 2:⁶ And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time.

II Thessalonians 2:⁷ For the mystery (hidden truth) of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.

• It is believed that the “He” who restrains is the Holy Spirit working in the lives of believers. When the Holy Spirit is taken “out of the way”, the believers also will be taken “out of the way” since they are sealed and occupied by the Holy Spirit. This taking away is called the Rapture of the believers.

II Thessalonians 2:⁸ And then the lawless one (the Antichrist) will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.

• The lawless one is the coming Antichrist who will reign in Jerusalem during the seven year tribulation. Immediately after the seven year tribulation Jesus returns to earth to destroy the Antichrist and to set up His kingdom.

• The Antichrist is described as the “little horn” in Daniel 7:8.

II Thessalonians 2:⁹ The coming of the lawless one (the coming Antichrist) is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,

• Revelation 13:2 Now the beast which I saw (the coming Antichrist) was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.
  • He will have the speed of Alexander the Great, the massive army of the Persians, the absolute authority of Nebuchadnezzar.

• Without God
  Without God there is no morality.
  Without morality there are no consequences.
  Without consequences there is no justice
  Without justice there is no law
  Without law there is no foundation
  Without a foundation the structure crumbles
  When the structure crumbles…
  There is Hell.

II Thessalonians 2:¹⁰ and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

II Thessalonians 2:¹¹ And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,

• The “strong delusion” is the coming Antichrist who will convince many that “he” is “god”. Currently, the newest “religion” is Ancient Aliens, professing aliens as man’s gods. It is possible the Antichrist will go into the holy of holies and declare he is man’s god, having come from another planet with great signs and wonders. This would also explain to the world where all the believers went during the rapture.
  
  • John 5:43 I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive.
    
  • Daniel 11:38-39 But in their place, he shall honor a god of fortresses; and a god which his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and pleasant things. Thus, he shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god, which he shall acknowledge, and advance its glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many; and divide the land for gain.
    
    • Revelation 17:12 “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority (to rule) for one hour as kings with the beast (Antichrist).
    • The Antichrist rules over the world with a global vision. It is possible he divides the nations of the world into ten sections. When Jesus returns and sets up His rules in Jerusalem, there is a vague reference to only ten sections:
      
    • Zechariah 8:23 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘In those days ten men from every language of the nations shall grasp the sleeve of a Jewish man, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.” ’ ”
      
    • Note: Currently a world wide group called “The Club of Rome” has drawn out a map dividing the world into ten divisions.
      
    • Today, the powerful, richest, famous, and most influential people on earth are part of the Club of Rome. It has become a global phenomenon with sub-groups world wide.
    • Under the Free Trade Agreement, Mexico is redrawn to be part of number 1. This could explain why borders don’t matter anymore.
      
      
  • Joel 2:30 “And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth:
    Blood and fire and pillars of smoke. ³¹ The sun shall be turned into darkness,
    And the moon into blood,
    Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.
    
  • Matthew 24:24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.
    
  • Luke 21:11 And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.
    
  • Isaiah 24:20 The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard; And shall totter like a hut; Its transgression shall be heavy upon it, and it will fall, and not rise again.
    

II Thessalonians 2:¹² that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Stand Fast

II Thessalonians 2:¹³ But we are bound (under obligation) to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification (being set apart) by the Spirit and belief in the truth,

• From the beginning: See Topic: Time and Creation
• See Bible Genesis Chapter 1.

II Thessalonians 2:¹⁴ to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

II Thessalonians 2:¹⁵ Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle (letter).

II Thessalonians 2:¹⁶ Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace,

II Thessalonians 2:¹⁷ comfort your hearts and establish (strengthen) you in every good word and work.