Understand the Things of God

Ever since the fall of man in Genesis 3, Satan has tried to defeat the redemptive purposes of God over and over again. He continues to do so today. He never gives up. In Second Thessalonians 2, Paul picks up this theme as he speaks of one who is coming that will be more evil than anyone who has gone before in all of history. The extent of his power and the evil of his person, both of which he will draw directly from Satan himself, will exceed anything you have ever witnessed. He will be the most powerful and the most wicked man to ever walk the earth. He is called in Scripture by many names, the most known of which is "Antichrist" (1 John 2:18).

Antichrist is a compound Greek word (Antichristos), made up of the preposition anti and the noun Christos. Anti can mean both "against" and "in the place of." Both meanings are appropriate, for the Antichrist will both oppose the true Christ (Christos), and seek to usurp His place. Here in Second Thessalonians chapter 2 Paul calls him "the man of sin" (v. 3) or "the man of lawlessness" (NASB), "the son of perdition" (v. 3) or "the son of destruction" (NASB), and "the lawless one" (v. 8).

Paul wrote these verses to deal with the loss of hope and joy that the Thessalonians were experiencing because of confusion about the end times. He previously gave them instruction about both the Rapture (1 Thess. 4:13-18) and the Day of the Lord (1 Thess. 5:1-11). Yet just a short time later, they had become confused. False teachers had come in among them and deceived them into thinking that they had missed the Rapture and were in the Day of the Lord. They were aware that the Day of the Lord would be God's final judgment on the sinful world and that it was not reserved for them. However, in spite of Paul's instructions in the first letter, the intensity of the persecution they were undergoing continued to increase making them unable to shake the possibility that they had missed the Rapture and were living in the Great Tribulation of God's judgment. Paul wrote to clarify the Word of God on this matter.

"Now, brethren" (2 Thess. 2:1a) marks a transition from his prayer concerns (2 Thess. 1:11-12) to the main doctrinal issue of this letter. He introduces the issue and makes an urgent request of his readers: "Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you" (2 Thess. 2:1). "Ask" (v. 1) means "to plead," "implore," or even "to beg." Instead of coming across as authoritarian, intolerant, or overbearing, Paul gently corrected those struggling under this error.

Their struggle came from confusion about the coming of the Lord and the believer's gathering together to Him. Although Paul uses two expressions, he has but one event in mind. In the Greek, Paul uses one definite article, "the" (v. 1) for the two nouns, indicating that the two phrases refer to two elements of one event. The Rapture, or the "gathering together" begins the Day of the Lord. The Tribulation phase follows, along with the judgment of God on unbelievers. This they understood or they would not have been concerned. If they believed they would be raptured after the tribulation, they would have rejoiced that Christ's coming would be soon. Instead, they expected relief (2 Thess. 1:7), and so they were confused because of the severe persecution Satan was bringing upon them.

So, Paul goes on in verse 2 to tell them "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." "Spirit" (v. 2) likely refers to a false prophet claiming direct revelation from God. "Word" (v. 2) or "message" (NASB) refers to a sermon or teaching. "Letter" (v. 2) refers to just that, a written letter supposedly from Paul and his companions that was intended to give apostolic authority for what the false teachers were teaching—that the day of the Lord had begun and they were suffering as a result.

Satan raised up false teachers in Thessalonica who taught in such a way that it sounded good and it seemed to carry authority, yet it only served to reinforce the confusion they were already feeling. These false teachers sought to take away their hope in the glorious return of Christ for them, and to destroy their joy as well. They sought to destroy their trust in God's love, grace, and goodness.

Paul's message: Do not be "shaken in mind or troubled" (v. 2a). "Let no one deceive you by any means" (v. 3a). Even today, many false teachers exist who would have you believe that God would not punish anyone and that all will go to heaven, or that hell doesn't exist, or some other such thing. Others teach that you can lose your salvation, causing alarm to many who are insecure in their faith as a result. No matter what the doctrine that is attacked by these false teachers, Paul tells us to understand the things of God. Let no one deceive you or mislead you. Know the Word and understand the truth. Remain firm in your faith. Amen.