1 Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him. 2 that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2
Paul’s instructions here about the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ were to people in the Thessalonian church who had been swayed by “a letter” to the effect that what was promised had already occurred, or that they were in the midst of it. Instead of living life with perseverance and faith, they had descended into some kind of “lock down” mode.
We should be vigilant to critically assess anything “extra biblical” coming to our eyes or ears claiming to be “from the Lord,” including, but not limited to a sermon, movie, posting, You Tube video, podcast, or book. I’ve seen many swayed by charismatic preachers who claim to channel the spirit of God, or by a popular trend-setting novel, or a dramatic “Hollywood” depiction of the life and times of Jesus. The Thessalonians received a letter (not from Paul) that had such a “derailing” impact, it prompted this quickly drawn follow-up letter from the Apostle to set things straight.
This was the occasion of this epistle, but for rounding out the biblical teaching on the return of Christ, these words are essential and relevant today, especially now, as it is fathomable that the conditions are finally present worldwide to see these predictions play out in real time.
3 Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4
Down through time there has been speculation that a particular world leader was the man described above, namely the Antichrist. Paul gives us some prerequisites. The apostasy must come first, then he is revealed. He’s destructive. He’s irreverent. He’s delusional. We ask, what about Hitler? Yes, he was a type, and you could make a case for the presence of apostasy at that time, that he caused massive destruction, that he killed millions of Jews, and that he exalted himself above all others, but he never took his seat in the temple of God, and he killed himself. Then there are some, so called preterists, who would make the case that all this was fait accompli (done and over with) in 70 a.d. when the Romans leveled Jerusalem and the temple as Christ predicted. This view, though, requires significant contortions as opposed to belief in the plain interpretation of scripture, which includes this passage! Whatever the case, Paul’s requirements appear to still be in play today.
We should, therefore, also heed Paul’s words to the church, “Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things?” (2 Thessalonians 2:5) There is no need to huddle in a corner as we see the turmoil in the world go from very bad to worse.
8 But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:8–9
We do not read and study a mystery novel, but a historical account written before its unfolding. It is meant to guide us and bring us hope when things turn south, and they will, and might have.
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