2 Thessalonians 2:1-17
1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,a
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
6 And now ye know what withholdethb that he might be revealed in his time.
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
Contents: Day of the Lord and the man of sin. Exhortation and instruction.
Characters: Christ, Holy Spirit, anti-christ, Satan, Paul.
Conclusion: The blessed hope of Christ's coming is a doctrine with which believers are to be deeply affected that they might not be moved about with the conflicting and Satanic heresies of the last days, when there will be general religious apostasy and denial of the program of God's Word. Let us not be deceived by the doctrine of any man or by the trend of events, to let loose of the hope of His imminent return.
Key Word: Day of Christ, 2 Thessalonians 2:2.
Strong Verses: 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:8.
Striking Facts: 2 Thessalonians 2:7; 2 Thessalonians 2:8. The word «letteth» is lit. «restraineth» or «hindereth.» The Holy Spirit is the restraining influence now in the world. He will hinder the progress of Satan's gospel until the coming of Christ when He, whose present mission is the formation of the Body of Christ will be taken out of the way with the Body. This will leave Satan unrestrained and will precipitate the Great Tribulation period.