Remember the Word of God

This point is closely related to what we talked about last time, understanding the things of God, because if you forget the Word of God you open yourself up to deception. The key here is in verse 5: "Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?" In the Greek, "told you" (v. 5b) or "was telling" (NASB) indicates continual action in the past. Paul made the teaching of end-time events a constant part of his ministry. If they remembered the Word of God as he had taught them, they would understand the things of God and they would not be so easily deceived.

Paul singles out two events that they should have remembered, both of which must occur before "that Day" (v. 3a), the Day of the Lord, begins. First, "the falling away comes" (v. 3b), then "the man of sin is revealed" (v. 3c).

"Falling away" (v. 3b) is rightly translated "apostasy" (NASB). "Apostasy" (v. 3b) means "revolt" or "rebellion." The word refers to a "deliberate defection from a formerly held religious position" (MacArthur NT Commentaries: 1 & 2 Thessalonians, [Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2008], 271). The definite article indicates that Paul is referring to a specific, identifiable act of apostasy that must occur. This act of apostasy is directly connected to the second event mentioned—the revealing of "the man of sin" (v. 3c).

This is the Antichrist and he will be "revealed" (v. 3c) by his act of "apostasy." He is further described not only as the "man of sin" (v. 3c) or "lawlessness" (NASB), but as the "son of perdition" (v. 3d) or "destruction" (NASB). Verse 4 goes on to describe him by his actions: "who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God." This is the ultimate act of apostasy—a wicked man presenting himself as being God. That desecration of the Temple, which Daniel identified as the midpoint of the tribulation period, is the unmistakable event that precedes the Day of the Lord.

Paul says to remember this truth of God's Word and you will not be easily "shaken" (v. 2a) and "no on" will "deceive you" (v. 3a). Rather, you will be able to stand firm in your faith until the Lord returns to gather us together to Himself. Amen.