Note: In the body on this article the verses from 2 Thessalonians 2 are in italics, the explanation of the verse/s follows in straight text with additional scriptures shown in bold italics.
The Great Apostasy
1 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 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 Christ had come.
In verses 1 and 2 Paul and his companions (we ask you) are probably responding to questions from the Thessalonian Church about their first letter and concerning the second coming of the Lord and the Lord’s gathering of the Church to Himself – these days “the gathering of the Church” is commonly referred to in many Christian circles as the rapture (see 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (NKJV)
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
From the wording in verse 1 of our current chapter we can see that the second coming of the Lord is a significant two stage event. Firstly, He will gather His Church, both the dead in the Lord who will be resurrected and those that are still alive at the time.
And the second stage, after a period of time has passed from stage 1, of His second coming is when the Lord returns with His Church and heavenly hosts to establish the Messianic Kingdom on earth for 1000 years. This will happen after the Tribulation and when the 100 years is over, it will usher in the Great White Throne Judgement where Satan and his followers and all those that have not accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour and whose names are not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will be cast into the Lake of Fire (Hell) for eternity!
Revelation 20:6 (NKJV)
Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
In verse 2 it is apparent that the Thessalonians had misunderstood the teaching on the second coming of Christ when Paul and his companions were with them in person. Some of the Thessalonians were thinking that the second coming had already taken place and that they had missed it and that they were now living in the Great Tribulation.
Paul is quick to assure them that Christ’s second coming had not yet taken place and told them not to be shaken, the word shaken here refers to a ship being tossed back and forth by s stormy sea, in mind or spirit as that day had not come!
3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 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.
In verses 3 and 4 Paul tells them of two certain events and happenings that would need to take place before the Lords coming and the time of Great Tribulation. These two events are:
1. The falling away must come first.
2. And the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition.
Ok, so let’s have a look at what the “falling away” is!
The term “falling away” here is a transliteration of the Greek word “apostasia” (pronounced ah-pos-tah-SEE-ah) from which we get our English word “apostasy”.
Its expanded meaning is: Apostasy, rebellion, defection, falling away, defection and revolt.
The Greek origin or root of the word “apostasia” is “aphistēmi” and means "to stand away" or "to depart from."
The concept of apostasy in the Old Testament is often related to the Hebrew word “meshubah”, meaning "backsliding" or "turning away," as seen in passages like Jeremiah 3:6. Israel had deserted God and taken to worshipping the idols of the nations around them – they are described as “backsliding” and “faithless.” What they had once believed in they had now turned their backs on – an apostasy of falling away
Jeremiah 3:6 (NKJV)
The Lord said also to me in the days of Josiah the king: “Have you seen what backsliding Israel has done? She has gone up on every high mountain and under every green tree, and there played the harlot.
The word "apostasia" refers to a departure or defection from a previously held position, often in the context of religious faith. In the New Testament, it is used to describe a falling away from the truth or a rebellion against God. It implies a deliberate abandonment of faith or a turning away from previously held beliefs. In other words, in these terrible times many will turn away from their faith in Jesus and return to the sin of what they were before they were saved and condemn themselves to Hell.
Now let’s have a look at the second event that must take place before the Great Tribulation.
This is what Paul, and his companions call the “revealing of the man of sin or the son of perdition.”
Here the “man of sin” is the antichrist who is the embodiment if Satanic sin – you could call him the “Son of Satan” as he is Satan’s counterfeit Jesus. He will appear as being a man of peace! But he is just like Satan, a liar, a thief and a destroyer! Hence, he is also called “the son of perdition.
Perdition here is a transliteration of the Greek word “apóleia” (ah-PO-lee-ah) and its expanded meaning is: destruction, ruin, loss, perishing; eternal ruin. Its word origin is derived from the Greek verb “apollymi”, meaning "to destroy" or "to perish."
The term "apóleia" is used in the New Testament to denote a state of destruction or ruin, often with a focus on eternal or spiritual loss. It can refer to both physical destruction and the ultimate spiritual ruin of a soul.
So, here we can see that the antichrist will initially pose as a man of peace, yet we will eventually destroy the peace that he pretends to broker and bring destruction to the world in many different ways – this is the time of the Great Tribulation. His mantra will be peace, peace! Yet their will be no peace, only destruction! His promises are false and superficial, He is a liar just like his master who is Satan! His eternal destiny is in Hell with his master!
Jeremiah 6:14-15 (NIV)
14 They dress the wound of my people
as though it were not serious.
‘Peace, peace,’ they say,
when there is no peace.
15 Are they ashamed of their detestable conduct?
No, they have no shame at all;
they do not even know how to blush.
So they will fall among the fallen;
they will be brought down when I punish them,”
says the Lord.
The Lawless One – verses 5 - 12
5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?
In verse 5 the Thessalonians are reminded by Paul and his companions that he told them about the return of the Lord and the certain conditions that had to be in place before His return when they were with them in person. See Acts 17:1-10.
6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.
In verses 6 and 7 we are also reminded that it is the Holy Spirit that restrains the emergence of the antichrist (He who now restrains). The antichrist will be revealed in his time – when Satan “thinks” the time is right. One of the descriptions of Satan is that he is the ruler of this world.
In Ephesians 2:1-2 we are told that lawlessness is still at work in the world today the evidence is blatantly obvious to those who are born again and the things of the world will only get worse. But there is coming a time when the Holy Spirit will stand aside (not taken out of the way as He will be drawing men to salvation during the Great Tribulation) and allow the antichrist to be revealed.
The fate of the antichrist has already been determined by God
In verse 5 the Thessalonians are reminded by Paul and his companions that he told them about the return of the Lord and the certain conditions that had to be in place before His return when they were with them in person. See Acts 17:1-10.
6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.
In verses 6 and 7 we are also reminded that it is the Holy Spirit that restrains the emergence of the antichrist (He who now restrains). The antichrist will be revealed in his time – when Satan “thinks” the time is right. One of the descriptions of Satan is that he is the ruler of this world.
John 14:30 (AMP)
I will not speak with you much longer, for the ruler of the world (Satan) is coming. And he has no claim on Me [no power over Me nor anything that he can use against Me];
Ephesians 2:1-2 (AMP)
And you [He made alive when you] were [spiritually] dead and separated from Him because of your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you once walked. You were following the ways of this world [influenced by this present age], in accordance with the prince of the power of the air (Satan), the spirit who is now at work in the disobedient [the unbelieving, who fight against the purposes of God].
In Ephesians 2:1-2 we are told that lawlessness is still at work in the world today the evidence is blatantly obvious to those who are born again and the things of the world will only get worse. But there is coming a time when the Holy Spirit will stand aside (not taken out of the way as He will be drawing men to salvation during the Great Tribulation) and allow the antichrist to be revealed.
The fate of the antichrist has already been determined by God
8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.
The Antichrist (the lawless one) will come in power
Revelation 19:20 (AMP)
20 And the beast (Antichrist) was seized and overpowered, and with him the false prophet who, in his presence, had performed [amazing] signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were hurled alive into the lake of fire which blazes with brimstone.
The Antichrist (the lawless one) will come in power
9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 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.
In verses 9 and 10 we are told that the “lawless one” comes in accordance with Satan’s plans and he will have the power to perform signs and deceiving wonders. Using these things, he will completely deceive the unsaved, all those who have not repented and accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. He will also introduce and forcefully implement the mark of the beast – 666!
The eternal resting place for these people (all unbelievers) is with Satan and his demonic forces in Hell where they will be in eternal torment!
11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
In verses 11 and 12 we learn that it is God Himself that causes the unbeliever to believe the lies of the antichrist so that they will be condemned because they revel in their sins and go from bad to worse. God sends the unbeliever “a strong delusion.”
Now the phrase "a strong delusion” is a transliteration of two Greek words, ”energeia” and “plané” (Ref from Strong’s).
Energeia (pronounced en-ER-gay-ah) is defined as supernatural energy, working, operation or activity. This denotes the working of the Holy Spirit amongst men.
Plané (pronounced plä-nā') is defines as a deception (as in a leading astray), to error, delusion and a sinful wandering.
This reminds me of what the Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 1:28-32 (AMP):
This is certainly a picture of the reprobate world of today that denies God in every way. They will reap a whirlwind of destruction as did Sodom and Gomorrah as the world did in the days of Noah!
Jesus is coming soon are you ready? Do you know Him as Lord and Saviour. Do you follow Him in accordance with the teachings of the Bible? If you don’t you are hell-bent for Hell and eternal damnation and suffering!
Give Thanks to God and Stand Fast in your Faith
In verses 9 and 10 we are told that the “lawless one” comes in accordance with Satan’s plans and he will have the power to perform signs and deceiving wonders. Using these things, he will completely deceive the unsaved, all those who have not repented and accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. He will also introduce and forcefully implement the mark of the beast – 666!
Revelation 14:11 (NKJV)
And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”
The eternal resting place for these people (all unbelievers) is with Satan and his demonic forces in Hell where they will be in eternal torment!
Matthew 25:46 (AMP)
Then these [unbelieving people] will go away into eternal (unending) punishment, but those who are righteous and in right standing with God [will go, by His remarkable grace] into eternal (unending) life.”
In verses 11 and 12 we learn that it is God Himself that causes the unbeliever to believe the lies of the antichrist so that they will be condemned because they revel in their sins and go from bad to worse. God sends the unbeliever “a strong delusion.”
Now the phrase "a strong delusion” is a transliteration of two Greek words, ”energeia” and “plané” (Ref from Strong’s).
Energeia (pronounced en-ER-gay-ah) is defined as supernatural energy, working, operation or activity. This denotes the working of the Holy Spirit amongst men.
Plané (pronounced plä-nā') is defines as a deception (as in a leading astray), to error, delusion and a sinful wandering.
This reminds me of what the Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 1:28-32 (AMP):
28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God or consider Him worth knowing [as their Creator], God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do things which are improper and repulsive, 29 until they were filled (permeated, saturated) with every kind of unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice and mean-spiritedness. They are gossips [spreading rumors], 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors [of new forms] of evil, disobedient and disrespectful to parents, 31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful [without pity]. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree and His judgment, that those who do such things deserve death, yet they not only do them, but they even [enthusiastically] approve and tolerate others who practice them.
Jesus is coming soon are you ready? Do you know Him as Lord and Saviour. Do you follow Him in accordance with the teachings of the Bible? If you don’t you are hell-bent for Hell and eternal damnation and suffering!
Give Thanks to God and Stand Fast in your Faith
13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, 14 to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.
In verse 13 Paul and his companions repeat what they told the Thessalonians in 2 Thessalonians 1:3, as brothers in Christ they are obligated to give thanks to God for them. This is a stance that every Christian today should do, give thanks to God for each other – we are the body of Christ and need to be in unity with each other in the power of the Holy Spirit. In this way we will bring glory to Jesus! It is certainly worth the repetition and reinforcement!
This verse goes on to further tell has that we are God’s chosen ones – He chose us for salvation in Christ Jesus. We are His sons and daughters because He chose us, we did not chose Him! We are a chosen generation.
Why were we chosen?
Well verse 13 continues by specifically telling us we were chosen for salvation through sanctification – He sets us apart from the world – through the Holy spirit and by our belief in the truth. The truth being belief in Jesus and God’s Word who is Jesus!
In verse 13 Paul and his companions repeat what they told the Thessalonians in 2 Thessalonians 1:3, as brothers in Christ they are obligated to give thanks to God for them. This is a stance that every Christian today should do, give thanks to God for each other – we are the body of Christ and need to be in unity with each other in the power of the Holy Spirit. In this way we will bring glory to Jesus! It is certainly worth the repetition and reinforcement!
This verse goes on to further tell has that we are God’s chosen ones – He chose us for salvation in Christ Jesus. We are His sons and daughters because He chose us, we did not chose Him! We are a chosen generation.
John 15:16 (NKJV)
You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Why were we chosen?
Well verse 13 continues by specifically telling us we were chosen for salvation through sanctification – He sets us apart from the world – through the Holy spirit and by our belief in the truth. The truth being belief in Jesus and God’s Word who is Jesus!
There are two key spiritual dynamics here which are essential for every Christian in their walk to spiritual maturity – belief in Jesus and belief in the Bible! We need Jesus as our Saviour in order to be reconciled to God and we need to know the Bible in order to grow to spiritual maturity in the power of the Holy Spirit! It is the leading of the Holy Spirit that gives us revelation from the Word. The Lord Himself says that the Holy Spirit will guide us in all truth!
John 16:13 (AMP)
But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth [full and complete truth]. For He will not speak on His own initiative, but He will speak whatever He hears [from the Father—the message regarding the Son], and He will disclose to you what is to come [in the future].
In verse 14 we are told that the call for this salvation comes through the hearing the gospel, the Gospel Paul preached – Jesus Christ and him crucified.
1 Corinthians 2:2 (NKJV)
For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
and the Gospel that will enable us to obtain the glory of Jesus.
1 John 3:2 (AMP)
Beloved, we are [even here and] now children of God, and it is not yet made clear what we will be [after His coming]. We know that when He comes and is revealed, we will [as His children] be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is [in all His glory].
In verse 15 the missionary trio starts the verse by saying, “therefore”. This means that they want to draw our attention to what has already been said as it is because of this that we need to stand firmly in our faith in Christ Jesus.as we are taught in the scriptures.
The term “stand fast” is a command to us to not budge from our faith in Christ Jesus alone! He is our cornerstone, the rock of our salvation and apart from Him we can do nothing! He is the head of the Church.
Stand fast:
• Because the current distress and demonic sate of the world in which we live.
• Because of the coming judgment of this world in the fire of God’s wrath.
• Because of the strength of coming deception when the antichrist is revealed.
• Because of the glorious destiny that will be ours in Christ Jesus.
A blessing of comfort to the Church
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, 17 comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.
Paul, Silvanus and Timothy end this chapter in verses 16 and 17 by pronouncing a blessing upon the Thessalonian Church of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God the Father who love us with an everlasting love and provides us with everlasting live with Them through grace. God comforts us our hearts and establishes us in every good work, that He prepared for us before we were born in the flesh, we do in Christ Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Life application for today’s believers
1. Do not be afraid of what is happening in the world around us.
2. Do not be deceived by false prophets and teachers – test every spirit.
3. Watch out for false signs and wonders.
4. Always give thanks to God for all things and.at all times.
5. Give thanks to God for your brothers and sisters in Christ.
6. Stand fast in your faith in Christ Jesus. Without faith it is impossible to please God!
7. Make a habit of blessing your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Prayer
Dear Father in Heaven
In the name of Jesus I pray that in the power of the Holy Spirit that you would help me to live my life in a manner that is worthy of your calling. I pray that you would help me to keep my Christian Walk blameless and to have an ever repentant heart. Help me Lord to stand fast in my faith in Christ Jesus. Help me Lord to be a blessing to my brothers and sisters in Christ and to put the needs of others before my own. Amen
Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself. My word is flawed the Bible is not!
Paul, Silvanus and Timothy end this chapter in verses 16 and 17 by pronouncing a blessing upon the Thessalonian Church of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God the Father who love us with an everlasting love and provides us with everlasting live with Them through grace. God comforts us our hearts and establishes us in every good work, that He prepared for us before we were born in the flesh, we do in Christ Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 2:10 (AMP)
For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].
Life application for today’s believers
1. Do not be afraid of what is happening in the world around us.
2. Do not be deceived by false prophets and teachers – test every spirit.
3. Watch out for false signs and wonders.
4. Always give thanks to God for all things and.at all times.
5. Give thanks to God for your brothers and sisters in Christ.
6. Stand fast in your faith in Christ Jesus. Without faith it is impossible to please God!
7. Make a habit of blessing your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Prayer
Dear Father in Heaven
In the name of Jesus I pray that in the power of the Holy Spirit that you would help me to live my life in a manner that is worthy of your calling. I pray that you would help me to keep my Christian Walk blameless and to have an ever repentant heart. Help me Lord to stand fast in my faith in Christ Jesus. Help me Lord to be a blessing to my brothers and sisters in Christ and to put the needs of others before my own. Amen
To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!
Jesus the Name above all names!
Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself. My word is flawed the Bible is not!
