If predictions aren't your thing, perhaps you might like to start your discussion by listing some "facts" that turn out not to be true. Here's how I reconcile it all: Christians are to be aware of the signs of the times. Can we trust biblical prophecy? People who try to predict it are deliberately countering Jesus' direct statement. What is the Context of understanding 2 Thess. If there's anything the internet really loves to do, it's to remind everyone of something they said a long time ago that turned out to be wrong. There will be no mistaking the signs of Jesus' return. 2:8). We are to put our energy into being Christ's witnesses. Of the Twelve one will be delivered into his hands. (What is this sex-change craze except a declaration that God has no say over someone? Note the following examples from Spenser's Sonnet 111 and Sidney's Sonnet 313131. This cannot apply to the Roman Catholic Church, with its massive hierarchy and its popes. I want to stay very closely connected to the truth so that I will not be deceived, or worse, allow others to be deceived. The most natural inference from this text and its Danielic imagery is that a human ruler is intended. That power is considerable, especially when directed at us foolish and easily-deceived mortals. 26 So if they tell you, See, hes in the wilderness! dont go out; or, See, hes in the storerooms! do not believe it. 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. All the Antichrist will do is harness the lawlessness and rebellion already in the hearts of the ungodly. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles. God. In fact, I take Matthew 24:24 (which I cited above) to mean that Christians cannot be deceived into believing the Antichrist is Christ. What are they? In scolding his readers for falling for an obviously fake letter that Jesus had already returned, Paul focuses on the "sign" of the man of lawlessness, an enemy of Christ who will deceive many at the Second Coming. 51 AD 21. Cotton Mather (a Boston Puritan) predicted the end of the world in 1697, then revised it to 1716, then finally to 1736. 2 Thess 2:1-2 - what is the timing relationship between the rapture and the day of the Lord? Pauls original audience knew such matters based on Pauls prior instruction (2 Thess. More importantly the Ascension of Isaiah establishes a connection with the Belial/Beliar tradition, which means something like lawless or worthless one. 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. Therefore, the Thessalonians need not fear that the world is out of control. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. 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. The Septuagint Greek translation of Isaiah 57:34 similarly speaks of the sons of lawlessness who are children of destruction (cf. What Does It Mean that Women Are to Submit to Their Husbands? 2:5), but we are left to infer as much as we can to the best of our abilities. The vast preponderance of the evidence shows that the death penalty is no more effective than imprisonment in deterring murder and that it may even be an incitement to criminal violence. You see for yourself whether the meaning is really there. I was taught to the contrary for each of these: Nero wasn't fiddling while Rome burned. Well, all of the major apocalypse prophecies mention some person who will oppose Christ when Christ returns: The "abomination of desolation" (Matt 24:15), (Jesus also mentions other false prophets and false messiahs; Matt 24:24). In 2 Thessalonians 2:3-10, the "man of sin" is described as one who will be revealed before the Day of the Lord comes. 2 Paul at 2 Thessalonians 2 is Quoting Daniel 11! 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but the one now restraining will do so until he is out of the way, 8 and then the lawless one will be revealed. The "signs" before the end cannot be used in that way. In the second example, Sidney capitalizes moon, ordinarily an uncapitalized common noun, because he is addressing the moon as if it were a person. And Koresh wasn't even the fully-empowered Antichrist! Loving People. He is lawless in considering himself subject to no law and no lawgiver and no authority. ", 14 "This good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. What separates the final Antichrist from every previous potential antichrist is that Satan is not restrained from empowering him. Rev. Consider Matthew 24:33. 2 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our assembling to meet him, we beg you, brethren, 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or excited, either by spirit or by word, or by letter purporting to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 2:3) The second thing is the "man of lawlessness" ( 2 Thess. 24. I had always assumed that an angel served this role, but the first pronoun Paul uses is neuter ("what") which leads many scholars to believe that the Holy Spirit restrains Satan. With contributions from a team of pastors and scholars, this commentary through 9 of Pauls letters helps students of the Bible to understand how each epistle fits in with the storyline of Scripture and applies today. 1 Cor. Finally, the word mystery is here applied to lawlessness (for similar evil mysteries, cf. 1:54; 6:7). Does it? And usually the second line is "I don't remember talking about this". It was later revised to 1941. They believed that David Koresh (real name Vernon Wayne Howell) was the Messiah, and they died badly. AND now Hezekiah and Josab my son, these are the days of the completion of the world. apokalypt; also 2 Thess. Jesus will bring him to nothing. 12:14).1 With this list of options, it appears most likely that God himself controls the timing and the restraint, holding back the advent of the lawless one until the proper moment. Or employees? I have many emotional scars from conversations that began with "We talked about this". Paul is careful to say every so-called god, indicating the false deities of pagan worship. And that's the point. This view was later picked up by a pastor that influenced John Nelson Darby and C.I. 1:11, 20; 3:20; Phil. John states simultaneously that the antichrist is coming and that now many antichrists have come (1 John 2:18; cf. In this regard, this passage is linked with the portrayal of the beasts and the false prophet in the book of Revelation (Rev. The time frame reference here cant be ignored. being deceived by false signs of the Day of the Lord. (2) They shall put you out of the synagogues: ], [You might remember the Peretti books. 2 Thess. Pope Innocent III (of Crusades infamy) said that the apocalypse would happen 666 years after the rise of Islam in 618 (or 1284). 2 Thessalonians 2:310. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen 3 Let no one deceive you in any way . 3 Don't let . Their understanding of 2 Thessalonians 2 was that the Roman Empire was "that which was restrains" the revealing of the man of lawlessness. (4) Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, October 1, 2021 By Peter Krol Perhaps you've heard of the Man of Lawlessness, otherwise known as the lawless one, who "opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God" ( 2 Thess 2:4 ). What does "really, really" mean? 16. Healing the sick? At least, he never mentioned it. And after (one thousand) three hundred and thirty-two days the Lord will come with his angels and with the armies of the holy ones from the seventh heaven with the glory of the seventh heaven, and He will drag Beliar into Gehenna and also his armies. People will grasp at anything if it will allow them to reject the God of the Bible, no matter how questionable the "science" behind it might be. This week's is particularly unhelpful. that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? [Shall be] revived the great King of Angoulmois. 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. ("Spirit" is a neuter noun.) Or that Christ will return to defeat him the same day he appears? He even bought billboards. (But, we must not fear that power. 2Co 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? And many believers and saints having seen Him for whom they were hoping, who was crucified, Jesus the Lord Christ, [after that I, Isaiah, had seen Him who was crucified and ascended] and those also who were believers in Him - of these few in those days will be left as His servants, while they flee from desert to desert, awaiting the coming of the Beloved. 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). Biblical narrative [ edit] all that God is for you in Christ explodes with faith, and joy, and love. 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"?". (10) Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, 2:1112). yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he Who in the Judaism of Jesus day, having studied OT prophecy thoroughly, would have predicted that the Messiah would be God incarnate? (Century X, No. Paul lists two sets of means through which Satan deceives the masses. 2 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our assembling to meet him, we beg you, brethren, 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or excited, either by spirit or by word, or by letter purporting to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. David Chapman (PhD, University of Cambridge) is professor of New Testament and Archaeology at Covenant Theological Seminary. The church historian Eusebius said that those who followed the apostles were told that the one Jesus spoke of (John 5:43) was a lying, end time antichrist as spoken of in 2nd Thessalonians. After it is consummated, Beliar the great ruler, the king of this world, will descend, who hath ruled it since it came into being; yea, he will descent from his firmament in the likeness of a man, a lawless king, the slayer of his mother: who himself (even) this king. 12. This means that Satan always has a "prospective man of lawlessness" someone on the earth at all times. It was the restraining force of the apostles. And they will sacrifice to him and they will serve him saying: "This is God and beside him there is no other." Marie Antionette didn't say "let them eat cake". (22) Many will say to me in 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. Paul uses apollymi elsewhere to depict those who reject the gospel of Christ (1 Cor. Their presence, with their powerful gifts bestowed by holy spirit, prevented apostasy from then becoming an epidemic. Rather, the lawless one will appear in his time and will be conquered by the Lord Jesus at the proper moment (2 Thess. In particular, the emperor Gaius Caligula ordered soldiers to erect a cult image of himself in the Jerusalem temple, despite widespread Jewish opposition (AD 4041; Josephus, Antiquities 18.261309). And the rest of the vision regarding the Lord, behold, it is written in three parables according to my words which are written in the book which I publicly prophesied. Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. Like Utilitarianism, Imannual Kant's moral theory is grounded in a theory of intrinsic value.But where the utilitarian take happiness, conceived of as pleasure and the absence of pain to be what has intrinsic value, Kant takes the only think to have moral worth for its own sake to be the good will . In other words, we don't know when that day will happen, but we will know it when it happens. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first . 2:9). Some I knew about, many I didn't. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Jesus is greater.). All people have a "God-shaped hole" that only God can fill, but they are determined to fill it with anything but God. How do you interpret these lines? What was that? ", The line is not "Luke, I am your father.". Using Kolmogorov complexity to measure difficulty of problems? Read more Explain verse Share. The way I create an outline is to, Part 1: Remembering (2 Thessalonians 2:1-5). and he delighted in Jerusalem because of Manasseh, and he made him strong in apostatizing (Israel) and in the lawlessness which were spread abroad in Jerusalem. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-5 KJV (3) Let no man deceive you by any means: The passive voice in verse 3 of is revealed makes it difficult to discern whether God is the one doing the revealing or if this is the work of an evil agent (such as Satan; cf. 11:31). (Hosea 1 & 3). Paul draws on Jesus eschatological instruction by similarly applying this Danielic imagery to events yet to occur. It's a downer of a conclusion. (6) And now ye know what 24 Therefore God, 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). I know that some of you have many questions, so I'll try to answer them here. 2:9 the lawless one will come (Gk. Thanks for contributing an answer to Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange! also comment on 2 Thess. Er, well, this is what Nostradamus might have said. Raising the dead? He thus seeks to instill confidence regarding his present argument. You watch his pen draw out meaning. And afterwards they will turn themselves upward in their garments, and their body will be left in the world. They were hanged. How do we know that this antichrist won't be granted supernaturally long life? 9 The coming of the lawless one is based on Satans working, with every kind of miracle, both signs and wonders serving the lie, 10 and with every wicked deception among those who are perishing. Learn more or donate today at, ESV Expository Commentary: EphesiansPhilemon (Volume 11). The only other use of the Greek word for exalts himself (hyperair) in Paul bears connotations of conceit (2 Cor. 2:3) Doug Burleson Paul's words concerning the "man of lawlessness" in 2 Thess. The noted church father . Christians have lost a lot of sleep attempting to identify/predict this person, but all we need to know is that Jesus will defeat him. And the rest of the words of the vision is written in the vision of Babylon. But I don't want to take any chances! These statementsthat the day of the Lord could begin soon, but it could not begin immediatelymay seem contradictory, but they are not. Dan. 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. Well, it seems to be the power that will be given the man of lawlessness when God removes Satan's restraint. The Danielic background is particularly striking in comparison to the man of lawlessness in verse 4. Painful as they are, all our deaths and endings hold lessons we cannot live wisely without. 2:6 he who "now" restrains him will do so until he is out of the way. 15. "Nina" and "Pinta" weren't the names of Columbus's ships. ), Does any of this increasing lawlessness frighten you, Part 3: Deceiving (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12). 11:2045) is followed immediately by Daniels prophecy that Michael the archangel would arise, unleashing a time of trouble prior to the deliverance of Gods people (Dan. prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but. Paul used that truth to, But that leaves a big window for deception "in between". Some have suggested that this refers to a nation-state (rather than to a particular individual), with the Roman Empire being the most likely candidate; however, the imagery itself repeatedly points to an individual rather than an entire state. False But those of God will not sin. 22-28 apply both to this example and the entire age), 24:29-31 Signs of the end (as a parenthetical aside), When these things (vv. And the man of lawlessness will emerge from the "human sea of lawlessness" to oppose God and deceive the nations. There was never a peanut butter named Jiffy. 2 Thessalonians 2 . Remarkably, a major Jewish literary source from the period appeals to Danielic language by labeling the pagan altar Antiochus set up in the temple as the abomination of desolation (1 Macc. 3:37; Jude 1719). The Lord Jesus will destroy him with the breath of his mouth and will bring him to nothing at the appearance of his coming. 12:12). The image, lawlessness, no other God, miracles, etc, remind us of 2nd Th 2. The man of sin speaks of those who love to be first among the churches of men. This week's passage is based on actual "fake news". ", To me, the best passage to read side-by-side with this one is Matthew 24, where Jesus talks about this exact subject. 3 While he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples approached him privately and said, Tell us, when will these things happen? The man of lawlessness will be revealed (Gk. Isaiah prophesied that the messianic shoot from the stump of Jesse would kill the wicked with the breath of his lips (Isa. Satan's power on earth is real. hat's why Paul takes "The Armor of God" so seriously; that armor is a tool God gives Christians to have the. This could be a reference to Rev 17:16 if an apostate church is understood as a mother (Gal 4:26). Although Paul and his colleagues were compelled to leave Thessalonica sooner than they wished (Acts 17:10), they were able to begin instructing the Thessalonians concerning the events of Jesus return. Rom. Create your discussion outline based on the passage. The Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus have the reading "man of lawlessness" and Bruce M. 5:14 ). 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10. (3) And these things will they do unto you, because they have not for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, This man of lawlessness seeks to make himself the central person of worship, beyond any other religious objects or personages in his day. Our job is to shine the light of Jesus -- hold forth the Word of truth -- into a dark world and pray that some of those people will see their delusion and repent and come to salvation in Jesus before it's too late. Did you notice any of those events? 25 Take note: I have told you in advance. (O to have a good memory.). 24:15; Mark 13:14), revealing that the Danielic imagery establishes a pattern of opposition to Gods rule preceding the eschatological judgment of God. ", Verse 5 is tremendous: "Don't you remember?". The Man of Lawlessness. Both Jesus and Paul warn us about this. As we said last week, they didn't have the tools that we have to detect "fake news". However, I don't want to put you off from taking a look, and responding to, older questions. Deu 13:17 And there shall cleave nought of the cursed thing to thine hand: that the LORD may turn from the fierceness of his anger, and shew thee mercy, and have compassion upon thee, and multiply thee, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers; (Some manuscripts say "man of sin" but the best evidence is for "man of lawlessness". Why are non-Western countries siding with China in the UN? gospel-centered, Bible-centered content. Why are physically impossible and logically impossible concepts considered separate in terms of probability? John 16:1-4 KJV (1) These things have I spoken unto you, that ye Paul and Jesus give us two protections from deception here: Anyone who claims they can predict when Jesus will return is lying. They will be taken out of the way so as not to share in the judgment that comes upon those who think they are doing God service for killing you with false accusations and putting you out of their gatherings because you will receive the Word of Truth.the revealed Word of God. He is usually equated with the Antichrist in Christian eschatology . This should make you think of something we read just a few weeks ago: So, this topic was on their mind. 1:11; for signs and wonders, cf. We don't know. Now let's move to some more famous predictions. 2:13; cf. Those events point to a more-and-more eminent return of Christ. God is faithful to his prophetic promises, yet the actual fulfillment of these promises often surprises. What is going to happen in the end times? You see for yourself whether the meaning is really there. We will talk about this more in verses 9-11. Any further insights as to who or what this "man of lawlessness" is? What is Look at the Book? In those book, angels have physical sword fights with demons, but if the Christians aren't praying, they can't win the fight. The Man of Lawlessness. Paul teaches elsewhere that the rise of deceitful spirits and teachings of demons and also times of difficulty will be indicative of the last days (1 Tim. (II Thessalonians 2:1. Does any of this increasing lawlessness frighten you? 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). He's been practicing this since Adam and Eve, and he's very good at it. Students of biblical prophecy have differing views over the identity of the restrainer in 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7. In any case, the OT messianic resonances are clear: the Messiahs judgment prevails against all lawlessness. So, what is being revealed? In 1 John 3:4, sin is equated with lawlessness, so the meaning is the same.). comment on 2 Thess. Moral of the story? 7:2427; 8:2326; 11:2045; esp. (1 Thess 5), So, this topic was on their mind. Do you recognize these books by Edgar Whisenant, Lester Sumrall, or Ed Dobson? (10) In this the children of God are manifest, and the In Ephesians 2:2 is Paul speaking of "mighty works" by "Satan"? You listen to John Piper. name have cast out devils? .. They will not have brotherly love and will forbid others from receiving them as well and will cast out of the church those who will receive them. Copyright 2011-2023 Got Questions Ministries - All Rights Reserved. 2:3 have proven difficult for biblical interpreters because of their historical and literary contexts. But all of this is within God's plan. 22:22; 2 Chron. They should have remembered all of this. One, that doesn't match the grammar. The Greek word for rebellion (apostasia) occurs in the Septuagint OT and in the NT to speak of rebellion against God and his law (Josh. I rarely like Lifeway's outline titles. How would you be able to tell the difference (if the Antichrist appeared tomorrow)? Whoever the restrainer is . 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. children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of Our friends at Wikipedia compiled a list of some 200 predictions of the end of the world. (What is this sex-change craze except a declaration that God has no say over someone?) 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?).