1 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers,2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. 5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, 10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, 12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Reflection
- Chapter in a Glance: Paul warned them that the Day of the Lord will be marked by the appearance of a “lawless” one and counterfeit miracles. Till then believers are to engage in “every good deed”.
- After Paul responded to the fear of missing the joy Christ had for the Thessalonians if they died before Christ returned (1 Thess 4:13-18), someone apparently tried to convince them that the day of the Lord had already come. So, Paul stressed the events that must take place at the beginning of the day of the Lord and the lawlessness of that period.
- The man of lawlessness is referred to a person commonly referred to as the Antichrist. Here Paul picked up the emphasis seen in Daniel (9:25-27) and in Christ’s teachings: the Antichrist arrogantly “opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship”. He even “takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God”.
- Paul also warned that the end times will be marked by the sudden emergence of the supernatural into the realm of nature. Miracles will be performed, but this time, by the Antichrist, through power of Satan. Our only protection against Satan is found in Christ. But in Christ, our protection is guaranteed. The Lord Jesus will overthrow the Antichrist and Satan as well “by the appearance of his coming.”
- Even for Christians, the lawless one will bring fear and testing. What can you do to prepare yourself to withstand him? Talk openly with God about any fears or concerns you have regarding the future.
Prayer & Journaling:
Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.
If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.
Family Time (Begin this time by reading the passage above using a children’s Bible. If your children are younger, you may read vv 1-4 only.)
This is not an easy message for little children to comprehend. Parents be sensitive as you read and explain Jesus’ second coming and the happenings at the end time. On the other hand, it’s a great opportunity to explain that God will protect all his children during this time. Be prepared to lead your child to Christ, if appropriate, and write the decision in your Family Devotional Journal.
Proverbs for Today 23:26-28
26 My son, give me your heart,
and let your eyes observe my ways.
27 For a prostitute is a deep pit;
an adulteress is a narrow well.
28 She lies in wait like a robber
and increases the traitors among mankind.