November 9, 2023
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in 2 Thessalonians? Here’s today’s reading:
2 Thessalonians 2 (NIV)
The Man of Lawlessness
1 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come…….Continue Reading
It appears that Paul is reassuring the Thessalonians of the coming day of Jesus. It is clear the timing is in question and what signs and things to expect, however, Paul’s message is always clear…stand firm and be ready! We should live like today is the day; we should not always assume there is time to sin and time to get back on track. We should be leaning in to the things of God that we might be ready for anything that comes in the days leading up to His return. We waste a great bit of time arguing over when it might be and what are those signs that indicate it is happening, when we should be living at peace with one another, doing the work He calls us to do during our time here, and standing firm in His ways ready as if it will be today.
Amen, Kelly. That truly is the point!
Sorry guys, late day, foggy mind. Last post on I Thess 1, not II Thess.. Nevertheless true, but loosing my marbles. Tired gordy
Great comment Kelly!
Stand firm. And what better encouragement can we receive than from Jesus Christ Himself. I love that Paul writes to encourage the saints at Thessalonica, but then in the last couple verses asks that Christ Himself would encourage their hearts and strengthen them in every good deed and word.
We have an intimate God, who in His unbelievable plan, simply because He loves us, and for His glory, has chosen to save us. But not just save us for eternity…but empower us to become more and more like our Savior Jesus every day. As we experience this conforming power…as we yield and surrender ourselves to the Spirit of Christ within us…we are encouraged by Jesus Himself, and our witness and testimony grows.
Stand firm, because our foundation is Christ our Lord. There is none greater.
Certainly seems like there were people that had in some form claimed the day of the Lord. Certainly goes in in our life time. Remember Henry Kissinger making peace in Israel. Therefore the antichrist and the tribulation was about to begin. To predict the second coming of Jesus is extremely dangerous. Might even get people to try to catch the tail of a comet. Our task is to be prepared for the return of Christ and to spread the gospel so that more will be prepared for his coming. Live every day as Christ died yesterday rose today. And coming back tomorrow Glad we are in the right bus. And not having to be concerned about the coming times. God is easily going to overcome the msn of lawlessness and save his people. Who’s holding him back. Like to believe that’s the Holy Spirit and when we are taken the spirit is no longer present. Vs 13. To be sanctified by the Holy Spirit to be made more like Christ. Loved by our Lord!!!!
2 Thessalonians 2
Paul addresses the concern some may have had that Jesus had already come. But here let’s them and us know that that will not happen until the man of lawlessness is revealed. Better known as the antichrist, he will epitomize the evil that has always been in the world and be empowered by satan himself. But he is no match to the One who is greater than him. God is the One restraining him, very likely in the Holy Spirit’s presence in the world in believers, thereby showing His power over him. And Jesus will also defeat him by just a breath of His mouth. So to me, this means the next tick on the eschatological clock is the revealing of the antichrist, not the rapture. Now once he is revealed, the rapture can happen after that, but naturally in God’s timing. And our job is to stand firm in faith and continue to be the people of God regardless of how evil the world becomes. And although the challenge will be great, God’s presence, His word and His Spirit are far greater. And if God allows us to tarry, we can know He will make provision in and for it.
2 Thessalonians 2
Paul was addressing some confusion over the Day of the Lord. Paul is making it clear that it won`t happen until the man of sin is revealed. [ Anti Christ] There are three events which must occur before the judgments of the day of the Lord took place. They are the apostasy. [ fallen away. 2 Thess 2;3, the revealing of the man of lawlessness. 2 Thess 3-4, and the removal of restraint against lawlessness. 2 Thess 2 ; 6,7. Falling Away means to revolt, a departure, an abandoning of a position once held. Leaving the truth of the word of God and teaching error. The restraining force would be the Person of the Holy Spirit for only He would have the power and since we as believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit this would be the Rapture. I think that the last two would probably happen about the same time. [ The revealing and the Rapture] But however it happens and what order it doesn`t really matter. Only that we will be with the Lord. I do believe that those of us that are believers will be taken up to the Lord before the Tribulation. Others will come to Christ during this Great Tribulation. But we need to be ready even if we are wrong and put on the whole armor of God. I don`t think we are wrong. God bless all who are called by His name.
I forgot to mention my source. [ The Bible Knowledge Commentary;
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.
“They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.” So does this mean that those people who are not saved will not be able to change their minds about God and then be saved after the antichrist arrives on this earth?
I believe it is just saying that God gives them what they want and speeds their delusion/disobedience so it is clear to them and others what they have chosen. I don’t think it takes them beyond changing their minds about Jesus, but their choices make it harder. But the depth of evil can also be used to wake them up to how evil they are, or wake others up about the nature of evil and then have a greater chance to see their need for God. God will help unbelievers go in whatever direction they want to go, but He ultimately desires all people to be saved.