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| Chapter 2 |
| Bible Text | Notes and Thoughts |
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1 ¶ Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and by our gathering together unto Him, 2 that ye be not soon shaken in mind or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as if from us that the Day of Christ is at hand. 3 ¶ Let no man deceive you by any means, for that Day shall not come, unless there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposeth God and exalteth himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sitteth as God in the temple of God, showing himself to be God. 5 Remember ye not that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6 And now ye know what withholdeth, that he might be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now holdeth back will hold him back, until he is taken out of the way. 8 And then shall that wicked one 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 according to the working of Satan, with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 and with all the deceit of unrighteousness in those who 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 always to God for you, brethren, beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you for salvation, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, 14 whereunto He called you by our Gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold to the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word or our epistle. 16 ¶ Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God, even our Father, who hath loved us and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work. |
v1,2 Paul now turns to the reason for the letter, the Thessalonians church, probably deceived by false teachers, v2, had misunderstood the word’s of Paul in 1 Thess 4:15, they were concerned that the Day of the Lord had already come. Paul said that the Day of the Lord had not happened yet because a number of events must come first. "Not soon shaken in mind," do not forget true doctrines which they had been taught. Do not listen to any who are saying that they have a new revelation, "neither by spirit," or anyone who says they have heard the apostle give other teaching about the Day of the Lord. v3,4 Paul tells the church not to be deceived, see Matt 24:4. Paul reminds them, as he told them during his visit, v5, that there are to be definite signs before the return of the Lord Jesus. First of all there will be a turning away from the things of God, rebellion, "a falling away," - the apostasy, then the "man of sin will be revealed." This person will not necessarily be known to the world, but he will be setting himself up in opposition to God and will be planning to be worshipped by the world instead of God. Note: v7 Opposition to God already exists, but is being controlled by the Holy Spirit, who will be removed with the Church at the rapture, 1 Thess 4:13-17. Consider 1 Tim 4:1-3; 2 Tim 3:1-9; 2 Tim:3ff. John refers to this "man of sin" as the "Antichrist," 1 John 2:18,22; 1 John 4:3; 2 John v7. v4 This person, the "man of sin," the "Antichrist," will be controlled by Satan and will set himself up to be worshiped in the Jerusalem temple of God, making himself out to be God. Compare note Mark 13:14. v8 Following the signs the "Wicked One" will be revealed, it does not mean it does not already exist, just not known. However, as soon as this person is known, God moves against him, consume is better translated as kill or slay. The spirit or breath from His mouth will do the destruction, see Rev 19:11-21 for a description of the event. v9,10 The Antichrist is the result of the work of Satan, Rev 13:1-8. The appearance comes with great power, miracles, signs, and wonders which caused the world to wonder. But, this was all false, it was all coming from wrong, evil, unrighteousness. This whole action was against God and the message of salvation, and the world prefers to accept these than the truth and love of God. The Greek used does suggest that the effect is already happening, which we know that most of the world will not accept the Truth, the Gospel. v11 This shows that God is still fully in control, controlling the future of those who rejected Him. We must remember that God knows all things, which also applies to the mind of everyone on earth, He knows who will reject the offer of salvation. Consider Matt 13:10ff; Rom 1:20-33. Satan’s aim is to make the world believe him and not God, John 8:44, often putting doubt in what God said, Gen 3:1ff, "did God really say that?" v12 As a result the people prefer and accept the words of Satan and not the Word of God, by this action they willingly join with Satan against God and will share the final punishment of Satan. John 16:11; Rev 20:1-20; Rom 2:1-6. v13-17 In total contrast to the behaviour of the Antichrist Paul now gives praise for the Thessalonian believers because they have chosen the Truth of salvation. In these few verses Paul covers the whole work of salvation. Sanctification by the Holy Spirit, setting the believer apart for God, by the sacrifice action of Jesus, finally preparing the Believer for the future, their Christ like lives and the coming glory. 1 Thess 3:13; 1 Thess 5:23; Rom 8:18ff. "From the beginning," seems to indicate that Paul has a view on election before creation, Eph 1:4. Again we have to consider that God knows all things, including our decisions, past and future. 1 Peter 2:9; 1 Thess 1:4. v15 "Traditions," at the time there was very little written information, tradition, or teaching, 1 Cor 11:2, most information was spread by the Apostles teaching, though now the letters were being created which now makes up the New Testament. v16 Note the honour and praised given to Jesus by the position given to Him, united and equal in action with God the Father. Compare 2 Cor 13:14. The whole of the salvation act is by Grace by God. v17 In whatever you do, do it for the Lord. |
Easy English Translation
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