Standing Firm on the Truth of God’s Word II Thessalonians 2:1-17
In these perilous days of spiritual apostasy, it is essential that believers be fortified with God’s word in order to combat the false teachers of our era. Such was the cause with the young converts of Thessalonica who were briefly taught by Paul. These new converts were still confused about end-time events; mainly, the relationship of the imminent event called the Rapture with the present persecution they were experiencing.
Apparently, many believers were saying that the persecutions they were experiencing signaled that the Rapture had occurred and that they were experiencing the beginning of the “Day of the Lord.” Such a misunderstanding of the Bible’s teaching on the Rapture and the Tribulation Period will stimulate unnecessary, unwarranted worries! To alleviate the fears of these believers, Paul will deal with the error in these believers’ theology.
II Thessalonians 2:1-17 may be outlined as follows: I. Paul’s Correction to the Believers’ Dreaded Misunderstanding – II Thessalonians 2:1-12; II. Paul’s Prayer and Exhortation for Believers to Stand Fast in View of False Teachings – II Thessalonians 2:13-17.
- Paul’s Correction to the Believers’ Dreaded Misunderstanding
II Thessalonians 2:1-12
With warm affection, Paul refers to these believers as his brethren as he refers clearly to the teaching of the Rapture by the expression “by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him” (v. 1). In verse 2, the essence of Paul’s plea was that the believers at Thessalonica not be “shaken in mind” or be troubled by deceivers’ teaching that the Day of the Lord had arrived. The false teaching had arrived “by spirit”, that is, by self-proclaimed prophetic utterance; “by word”, that is, by oral teaching; “by letter” some spurious letter written from others.
In order to calm the hearts of these believers, Paul offered three reasons why the Thessalonians were not in the Day of the Lord. First, the falling away had not taken place (v. 3). The expression “falling away” means apostasy. There have been many departures from the faith through many centuries; however, this apostasy involves the uniting of all religious groups into one world church – the false church.
Second, the Day of the Lord had not come because the man of sin had not been revealed (v. 3). This person will make a covenant with Israel to commence the Tribulation Period (Daniel 9:27). He is the little horn, the prince, the willful king, the Anti-Christ and the beast that comes out of the sea (Daniel 7:8, 9:26, 11:36; I John 2:18; Revelation 13:1-10). He is called the “man of sin” who will oppose God and set himself up to be worshipped as God in the temple in Jerusalem (v. 4). This is the abomination of desolation referred to in Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15. He will demonstrate power as Christ did, but it will be counterfeit (II Corinthians 11:13-15). He will deceive all who reject God’s truth. His end will be destruction and those believing his lie will share his eternal fate. In verse 5, Paul cites that he had taught this truth.
Paul offered as a third reason that the believers were not in the Day of the Lord because the “Restrainer” had not been taken out of the way (vv. 6-7). The Holy Spirit is the “Restrainer” who is holding back the forces of evil in this world. In verse 8, only after the Rapture of the church will the wicked one be revealed. After the Tribulation Period concludes with the Battle of Armageddon (Revelation 19:11-16) and the personal return of Christ in judgment, the Anti-Christ (“the wicked one”) will be dealt with conclusively. The “man of sin” will be destroyed by being cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20) and will remain alive in that place for all eternity (Revelation 20:10).
According to verses 9-10, working according to the energy of Satan, the Anti-Christ will work signs and lying wonders. Just as Christ was attested by miracles (Acts 2:22), so His imitator will be attested by satanic miracles (Revelation 13:4). Unbelievers will be deceived and duped because they did not love truth, and when they heard the gospel, they suppressed the truth! (v. 10). Those who refuse to be saved by the truth of the gospel will be subject to the deceit of Satan and a moral punishment will issue from a “strong delusion from God” (vv. 11-12). Unbelievers would rather believe a lie of Satan rather than believe the truth of God! Unbelievers love the pleasure of unrighteousness!
- Paul’s Prayer and Exhortation for Believers to Stand Fast
in View of False Teachings
II Thessalonians 2:13-17
In verses 13-14, Paul rendered thanks unto God for the way the believers had responded to God’s work in their lives. He reminded them that God loved them and had chosen, called, and sanctified them. He also would glorify them. The believers, in contrast to unbelievers, were secure from the judgment of God because of their faith. Believers are not appointed unto wrath (I Thessalonians 5:9) as unbelievers are, but are appointed to glory – to sharing the glories of God with Jesus Christ.
In verse 15, Paul exhorted that the believers “stand fast and hold the traditions” they have been taught. In light of the uncertainly of the time of Christ’s return, believers in Him must “stand fast.” “Stand fast” means do not move away from the truth of the Gospel. As believers, we must “hold” (v. 15) or grasp firmly, the teachings of God’s word to stand against sin and Satan.
In verses 16-17, through His word, the Lord Jesus brings comfort and consolation to our hearts. The word “stablish” means that believers are rooted and grounded in the Word so that we are not carried away by every wind of doctrine.
May God Bless!
