Session 11 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12
2 THESSALONIANS 2:1-12
MEMORY VERSE: MATTHEW 24:42
The object of the shell game is for one person to keep his eyes on the shell that has a ball in it while another person moves three shells around. The key to winning is staying focused on the shell with the ball while shutting out the distracting chatter of the person moving the shells. We encounter lots of chatter in our world about the end of time that can distract us and cause us to lose focus. Paul warned the church at Thessalonica to observe and stay focused on what they knew to be true.
(In PSG, p. 100)
In Paul’s first letter to the Christians in Thessalonica, he covered a variety of topics related to their faithfulness and their effectiveness as Christ followers. He applauded their commitment to the gospel and praised them for the way their testimony was making a difference around the world.
Not long after writing that initial letter, Paul sent a second Letter to the Thessalonians. Apparently, a new wave of concerns had swept across the congregation. It is possible a group of troublemakers had started claiming authority as teachers, creating confusion, and prompting Paul to remind his friends of the truths he had shared with them.
Paul opened 2 Thessalonians with the same spirit of affirmation that characterizes the first letter. Their faith in Christ and love for one another continued to grow (2 Thess. 1:3-5). They were maintaining this fidelity despite persecution. Paul reminded them their suffering was temporary. Eventually, God would move, and the tables would be turned. Their oppressors would experience God’s wrath when Christ returned (1:6-10). Paul also reminded the Thessalonians that the reality of the Lord’s return should influence their lives on earth (1:11-12).
The second coming was a popular target for the false teachers, making it a particular concern for the church. Thus, Paul provided teaching about Christ’s return to clarify any misunderstandings (2:1-12). He didn’t necessarily give his readers new information, but he did clarify the truth, which would allow the Thessalonians to embrace God’s plan. His words would also help them reject the messages proclaimed by any heretics who were intent on upsetting the Thessalonian congregation.
EXPLORE THE TEXT
1 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him: We ask you, brothers and sisters, 2 not to be easily upset or troubled, either by a prophecy or by a message or by a letter supposedly from us, alleging that the day of the Lord has come.
Paul had just finished sharing how God would care for His people when Jesus returned (2 Thess. 1:5-10). Now, he turned his attention to some specific truths about that event, which is also known as the parousia. This was necessary because opponents were creating problems in Thessalonica, sharing misinformation about the second coming. So, Paul felt a pressing need to respond.
In Greek, the opening words translated we ask you, brothers and sisters reveal two important things. First, ask might be better translated “urge,” indicating an urgency that is not readily apparent in English. Second, the reference to brothers and sisters emphasized Paul’s close relationship with the Thessalonians. As such, the teaching he was about to give did not come from apostolic authority only but also from the heart of a friend.
Paul started by identifying two aspects of the parousia. First, he mentioned the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. In his earlier letter, Paul assured the Thessalonians that the return of Jesus would be accompanied with an angelic shout and the blast of a heavenly trumpet (1 Thess. 4:16-17). It would be impossible to miss, and the Thessalonians could rest in the knowledge that they would recognize it when He came back. The term also carries a reminder of the judgment of unbelievers mentioned in the first chapter.
The second aspect was our being gathered to him. Again, Paul had addressed this concern in his first letter (1 Thess. 4:13-17). He assured his readers that when Jesus came back, He would draw His people—every believer from every land and every epoch—to Himself. The promise of this “gathering” was as sure as the promise of His return.
After this quick review, Paul urged his friends to avoid being easily upset or troubled. This was the apostle’s desired response to his asking and urging in verse 1. Apparently, someone was disrupting the Thessalonians’ peace by twisting the truth of the Lord’s return. The wording Paul chose can refer to a violent storm or earthquake. As a result, the believers were confused and afraid. But Paul’s wording challenges them to keep their heads about them and to avoid giving in to fear or worry.
The source of this confusion is unclear, but Paul’s wording suggests some form of false teaching was gaining momentum. The apostle used three terms that indicate how the false teachers were spreading their message. Prophecy generally refers to divine revelation. The heretics may have been claiming personal inspiration and the authority of the Spirit for their teaching. Message typically relates to verbal or written teaching that is based on logical arguments, similar to how Paul often taught. And a letter suggests that the false teachers may have composed a fraudulent epistle in Paul’s name to deceive the people.
The Thessalonian heretics could have used any—or all—of these tactics in an attempt to create chaos. Regardless of their method, Paul clearly identified their false message. They were alleging that the day of the Lord has come. This presents two possibilities. First, the false teachers could have been saying that Jesus has already come and the Thessalonians had missed it. This would produce incredible anxiety. Or, the false teachers could have taught that Christ’s coming was so imminent that any delay would lead the Thessalonians to question the reality of their faith.
(In PSG, p. 103)
3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way. For that day will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he sits in God’s temple, proclaiming that he himself is God. 5 Don’t you remember that when I was still with you I used to tell you about this?
Paul quickly refuted the allegations of the false teachers. He challenged his readers to not let anyone deceive them with lies or misinformation. The second coming had not occurred. They had not heard the trumpet or been united with Christ, so they didn’t need to be troubled by these false reports.
In addition, Paul reminded them of two additional events that had to take place before Jesus came back. First, he pointed to what he called the apostasy. This term generally refers to a rebellion or a turning away from something previously believed. Since all genuine believers are secure in Christ, this is not a matter of lost salvation. But it could involve those who have the appearance of faith without a true relationship with Jesus—along with those who openly deny Christ. Whatever form this denial might take, it appears to be a concept generally understood by the Thessalonians. It was also clear that it had not happened yet.
Second, Paul mentioned that the man of lawlessness had not been identified. This was a character doomed to destruction, presumably when Jesus returns. While the term lawlessness could relate to civil crimes, Paul used it to emphasize God’s law. This individual’s violation of God’s statutes set him up for God’s eternal judgment. Some scholars equate him with the antichrist in 1 John 2:18.
According to Paul, this evildoer would be revealed before the parousia. The Greek word he used was the same one used to describe the revelation of Jesus in 1:7. In this, Paul may have been hinting at the rebel’s Messiah complex, which the apostle further outlined in the following verses. But it also would have reminded the Thessalonians that this man’s appearance would be hard to miss, proving again that the second coming had not yet occurred.
The appearance of the man of lawlessness will be marked by his arrogance. Paul noted that he opposes and exalts himself above every deity or religious ritual. This served as a rebuke of his character as well as actions. Similar to Satan, who tried to usurp God’s throne, the man of lawlessness will promote himself as the incarnate God. He not only will reject God, but he will try to replace God. In blatant arrogance, he will reinforce his claim of deity by occupying the place of honor in God’s temple. While this could refer to the temple in Jerusalem, it more likely points to God’s rule in general. The man of lawlessness will be more interested in claiming a position than a piece of property. He will demand worship by proclaiming that he himself is God.
While Paul did not mention the apostasy or the man of lawlessness in his first letter, this was not the first time the Thessalonians had heard about them. Paul urged them to remember what they had already learned from him about the second coming. They already knew enough of the truth to reject the lies they were hearing.
The book of Acts states that Paul spent at least three weeks ministering in Thessalonica’s synagogue (Acts 17:1-2). Most likely, his work among Gentiles was more extensive. Whatever the case, he reminded his readers that I used to tell you about this. His quick review was designed to remind them of what they had already accepted so they could continue standing firm in God’s promise of Christ’s return.
(In PSG, p. 104)
6 And you know what currently restrains him, so that he will be revealed in his time. 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,
The great apostasy and the appearance of the man of lawlessness were signs of the coming parousia. Here, Paul mentioned another indicator the Thessalonians could trust: God’s restraint. God currently restrains this evil individual, limiting his influence. The verb form Paul used here and in verse 7 suggests control or suppression. Satan and his followers are powerful, and the man of lawlessness will feed off that power. But evil can never overcome the power of God. The One who lives in believers is still stronger than anything the world can offer as a substitute (1 John 4:1-6).
At some point, the man of lawlessness will be revealed. Just as Jesus came at the proper time in God’s plan (Gal. 4:4), this evil counterfeit will appear in God’s timing. Of course, one doesn’t have to look far to see that evil is a present reality in our world. Paul knew that a mystery of lawlessness was already at work in his day. Since the garden of Eden, Satan and his demonic force have been at work attempting to thwart God’s plan for the world. Humanity has chosen to rebel against God and His ways. All of this is leading up to the days of the false messiah’s appearing. The work of the man of lawlessness already is taking place behind the scenes—staying a mystery or a hidden secret for now. But the stage is being set for the day he appears.
However, Paul also noted that things are not as bad as they could be—or even will be. When God, the one now restraining evil, lifts His hand, the results will be devastating. Until then, the Holy Spirit is working to bring conviction and move individuals toward a relationship with God. In addition, God uses the church’s redeeming and purifying presence to help stem the tide of wickedness in the world. This will continue until God and His Spirit move out of the way. Some scholars see this as a reference to the rapture of the church, when Christ removes His people from the world.
8 and then the lawless one will be revealed. The Lord Jesus will destroy him with the breath of his mouth and will bring him to nothing at the appearance of his coming.
Once God removes His hand, the lawless one will be revealed. This individual will have a season of free reign to create chaos and turn people away from God’s salvation. But his time of control will be short. Just as the lawless man’s “revealing” is sure, His destruction is guaranteed. Paul noted that Jesus will destroy him with a single breath. This is similar to imagery used by Isaiah the prophet (Isa. 11:4), where the idea takes the form of a spoken word. Here, Paul mentioned the breath of Christ to emphasize the enemy’s weakness in the face of God’s might. The battle will be short and result in an overwhelming victory for Christ.
In addition to wiping out the man of lawlessness, Christ will also do away with the trouble he had caused. Jesus will bring him to nothing at the appearance of his coming. Once Jesus comes back, He will restore order. He will take His rightful place, and He will be the only King left standing.
9 The coming of the lawless one is based on Satan’s working, with every kind of miracle, both signs and wonders serving the lie, 10 and with every wicked deception among those who are perishing. They perish because they did not accept the love of the truth and so be saved.
The lawless one would have his own coming (parousia), and Paul removed any doubt about his motivation. His mission was based on Satan’s working. While this individual was not the devil, the Greek wording (energo) suggests that the lawless one will get his energy and power from Satan. He will carry out wicked schemes to deceive people and lead them astray.
In addition to satanic support, the lawless one will also have a wide variety of supernatural demonstrations at his disposal. He will be able to perform every kind of miracle, along with accompanying signs and wonders. The term used for miracle suggests a supernatural power. Signs validates authority but also directs attention to a source greater than the one performing the act. Wonders is typically a partner with signs and refers to things that inspire awe. At Pentecost, Peter reflected on the miracles, wonders, and signs performed by Jesus as proof that He was the Messiah and to validate the message of the gospel (Acts 2:22). Here, the false messiah will use similar tactics to establish his credentials.
Paul’s wording indicates that these will be counterfeit and deceptive in nature. On the surface, they might convince some that He really is God in flesh, but his incredible acts would be a lie. While Christ used miracles and signs to point people to the Father and draw them closer to Him, the man of lawlessness will use them to draw people away from the faith and reject God.
The man of lawlessness will pursue every wicked deception. Paul used the same adjective here as he used in his description of the counterfeit displays in verse 9. Everything the lawless one will do is designed to fool those who are perishing. While putting on a genuine face, this enemy of God will be actively targeting unbelievers, those who have already rejected the faith. His message is not the result of error or misunderstanding but a determined plan to mislead people.
All his work will place spiritual obstacles between Christ and those who need to embrace His offer of salvation. But Paul also underscored the personal responsibility of those who reject God. While deception would be powerful, ultimately these individuals will be judged because they did not accept the love of the truth and so be saved. Here, truth refers to the substance of the gospel in contrast to the false gospel of the lawless one. People will personally decide to go their own way instead of surrendering their lives to Christ. They will face the consequences of those decisions.
Paul’s words serve as a reminder that Jesus is the only way to a true relationship with God. While others may preach alternatives, Jesus remains “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
11 For this reason God sends them a strong delusion so that they will believe the lie, 12 so that all will be condemned — those who did not believe the truth but delighted in unrighteousness.
The phrase God sends them a strong delusion does not mean that God is responsible for the individual’s decisions. Paul’s use of for this reason connected the delusion to the people’s rejection of the gospel in verse 10. Because they scoffed at God’s offer of salvation, the only other path left for them is to be fooled by the false claims of the lawless man.
It is important to remember in this that God never relinquishes His sovereignty. The lawless one has no true power of his own and cannot act beyond what God allows. Those who choose the false messiah will be condemned because they have rejected their only option for salvation. Paul used contrasting terms to illustrate the destructive nature of the decision. While they had a chance to believe the truth, they instead delighted in unrighteousness. Rather than following the example of the true Messiah, they imitated the man of lawlessness—the false messiah.
(In PSG, p. 107)
Last Things
God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring the world to its appropriate end. (See Matt. 24:37; Luke 21:27-28.)
Compare passages on the same subject.
Compare Paul’s comments in both of his letters to the Thessalonian believers. Review 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:11 and 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12. Identify common themes, words and phrases, and concepts found in both passages. What does the comparison of the two passages tell us about the false teachings being presented in Thessalonica?