2
Thessalonians 2 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)
The
man of lawlessness
2
Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him,
we ask you, brothers and sisters, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed
by the teaching allegedly from us – whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth
or by letter – asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. 3 Don’t let
anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion
occurs and the man of lawlessness[a] is revealed, the man doomed to
destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is
called God or is worshipped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple,
proclaiming himself to be God.
5
Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? 6
And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the
proper time. 7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the
one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the
way.
8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will
overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendour of his
coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan
works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders
that serve the lie, 10 and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are
perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe
the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth
but have delighted in wickedness.
Stand
firm
13 But we ought always
to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose
you as firstfruits[b] to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit
and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel,
that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 So then, brothers and
sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings[c] we passed on to you,
whether by word of mouth or by letter.16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and
God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and
good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and
word.
It won't be long,
from Elim Missions
The Holy Spirit is holding him back, but not for long.
2 Thessalonians 2
Paul's thoughts of the return of Christ are especially relevant today.
Once again we wake to the news of people held by ISIS, attacks by Boko Haram on innocent people and the evil stories continue. How much more will this go on for?
We read in this chapter of the return of Christ coming after the lawless one is revealed. The power of the lawless one is already at work, even in Paul's day, but is being held back. Many comment on who is holding back the power of the lawless one. For me, it can only be the power of God, the Holy Spirit, who is the restraining arm holding him back, until the Spirit steps aside and lets him loose on the earth and then Jesus will be here!
There has never been a time like the one we live in. There has never been more Christians persecuted than in these days. Evil is intensifying alarmingly. The restraining arm is slowly letting go.
Jesus will come soon!
Matthew
Henry's Commentary
Verses
13-15
Here
observe, I. The consolation the Thessalonians might take against the terrors of
this apostasy, 2 Thess. 2:13, 14. For they were chosen to salvation, and called
to the obtaining of glory. Note, When we hear of the apostasy of many, it is
matter of great comfort and joy that there is a remnant according to the
election of grace which does and shall persevere; and especially we should
rejoice if we have reason to hope that we are of that number. The apostle
reckoned himself bound in duty to be thankful to God on this account: We are
bound to give thanks to God always for you. He had often given thanks on their
behalf, and he is still abounding in thanksgiving for them; and there was good
reason, because they were beloved by the Lord, as appeared in this matter—their
security from apostatizing. This preservation of the saints is owing,
1.
To the stability of the election of grace, 2 Thess. 2:13. Therefore were they
beloved of the Lord, because God had chosen them from the beginning. He had
loved them with an everlasting love. Concerning this election of God we may
observe, (1.) The eternal date of it—it is from the beginning; not the
beginning of the gospel, but the beginning of the world, before the foundation
of the world, Eph. 1:4. Then, (2.) The end to which they were chosen—salvation,
complete and eternal salvation from sin and misery, and the full fruition of
all good. (3.) The means in order to obtaining this end—sanctification of the
spirit and belief of the truth. The decree of election therefore connects the
end and the means, and these must not be separated. We are not the elected of
God because we were holy, but that we might be holy. Being chosen of God, we
must not live as we list; but, if we are chosen to salvation as the end, we
must be prepared for it by sanctification as the necessary means to obtain that
end, which sanctification is by the operation of the Holy Spirit as the author
and by faith on our part. There must be the belief of the truth, without which
there can be by true sanctification, nor perseverance in grace, nor obtaining
of salvation. Faith and holiness must be joined together, as well as holiness
and happiness; therefore our Saviour prayed for Peter that his faith might not
fail (Luke 22:32), and for his disciples (John 17:17), Sanctify them by thy truth;
thy word is truth.
2.
To the efficacy of the gospel call, 2 Thess. 2:14. As they were chosen to
salvation, so they were called thereunto by the gospel. Whom he did
predestinate those he also called, Rom. 8:30. The outward call of God is by the
gospel; and this is rendered effectual by the inward operation of the Spirit.
Note, Wherever the gospel comes it calls and invites men to the obtaining of
glory; it is a call to honour and happiness, even the glory of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the glory he has purchased, and the glory he is possessed of, to be
communicated unto those who believe in him and obey his gospel; such shall be
with Christ, to behold his glory, and they shall be glorified with Christ and
partake of his glory. Hereupon there follows,
II.
An exhortation to stedfastness and perseverance: Therefore, brethren, stand
fast, 2 Thess. 2:15. Observe, He does not say, “You are chosen to salvation,
and therefore you may be careless and secure;” but therefore stand fast. God’s
grace in our election and vocation is so far from superseding our diligent care
and endeavour that it should quicken and engage us to the greatest resolution
and diligence. So the apostle John having told those to whom he wrote that they
had received the anointing which should abide in them, and that they should
abide in him (in Christ), subjoins this exhortation, Now abide in him, 1 John
2:27, 28. The Thessalonians are exhorted to stedfastness in their Christian
profession, to hold fast the traditions which they had been taught, or the
doctrine of the gospel, which had been delivered by the apostle, by word or
epistle. As yet the canon of scripture was not complete, and therefore some
things were delivered by the apostles in their preaching, under the guidance of
the infallible Spirit, which Christians were bound to observe as coming from
God; other things were afterwards by them committed to writing, as the apostle
had written a former epistle to these Thessalonians; and these epistles were
written as the writers were moved by the Holy Ghost. Note, There is no argument
hence for regarding oral traditions in our days, now that the canon of
scripture is complete, as of equal authority with the sacred writings. Such
doctrines and duties as were taught by the inspired apostles we must stedfastly
adhere to; but we have no certain evidence of any thing delivered by them more
than what we find contained in the holy scriptures.
Verses
16-17
In
these words we have the apostle’s earnest prayer for them, in which observe,
I.
To whom he prays: Our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father. We
may and should direct our prayers, not only to God the Father, through the
mediation of our Lord Jesus Christ, but also to our Lord Jesus Christ himself;
and should pray in his name unto God, not only as his Father but as our Father
in and through him.
II.
From what he takes encouragement in his prayer—from the consideration of what
God had already done for him and them: Who hath loved us, and given us
everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, 2 Thess. 2:16. Here
observe, 1. The love of God is the spring and fountain of all the good we have
or hope for; our election, vocation, justification, and salvation, are all
owing to the love of God in Christ Jesus. 2. From this fountain in particular
all our consolation flows. And the consolation of the saints is an everlasting
consolation. The comforts of the saints are not dying things; they shall not
die with them. The spiritual consolations God gives none shall deprive them of;
and God will not take them away: because he love them with an everlasting love,
therefore they shall have everlasting consolation. 3. Their consolation is
founded on the hope of eternal life. They rejoice in hope of the glory of God,
and are not only patient, but joyful, in tribulations; and there is good reason
for these strong consolations, because the saints have good hope: their hope is
grounded on the love of God, the promise of God, and the experience they have had
of the power, the goodness, and the faithfulness of God, and it is good hope
through grace; the free grace and mercy of God are what they hope for, and what
their hopes are founded on, and not on any worth or merit of their own.
III.
What it is that he asks of God for them—that he would comfort their hearts, and
establish them in every good word and work, 2 Thess. 2:17. God had given them
consolations, and he prayed that they might have more abundant consolation.
There was good hope, through grace, that they would be preserved, and he prayed
that they might be established: it is observable how comfort and establishment
are here joined together. Note therefore, 1. Comfort is a means of
establishment; for the more pleasure we take in the word, and work, and ways of
God, the more likely we shall be to persevere therein. And, 2. Our
establishment in the ways of God is a likely means in order to comfort;
whereas, if we are wavering in faith, and of a doubtful mind, or if we are
halting and faltering in our duty, no wonder if we are strangers to the
pleasures and joys of religion. What is it that lies at the bottom of all our
uneasiness, but our unsteadiness in religion? We must be established in every
good word and work, in the word of truth and the work of righteousness: Christ
must be honoured by our good works and good words; and those who are sincere
will endeavour to do both, and in so doing they may hope for comfort and
establishment, till at length their holiness and happiness be completed.
The Bible Panorama
2 Thessalonians 2
V 1–4: DON’T BE DECEIVED Continuing teaching on the second coming of Christ, Paul deals
with those who have been deceived into thinking that ‘the day of Christ’ has
already come, because of the tribulations they are facing. He tells them to
stay firm: that day will not come without a falling away, and the revelation of
the man of sin (the Antichrist), who will oppose everything to do with God, and
exalt himself. He will even sit in the temple of God claiming to be God.
V 5–12: REMEMBER MY REMINDERS Paul reminds them that he had often told them what would happen
before the second coming of Christ. (The verb for ‘told’ is in the imperfect
tense, indicating he kept on doing it.) As God withdraws His restraining
influence (thought by some to mean that the Holy Spirit will withdraw), the
lawless one (the man of sin, or Antichrist) will be revealed. God the Son will
consume him with the breath of His mouth and ‘destroy him with the brightness
of His coming’. The lawless one will perform satanic works and lying wonders
with great powers and signs. Those who are perishing will be deceived. Having
rejected God’s truth, He will send them a delusion that they will believe.
Condemnation awaits them.
V 13–15: SALVATION AND SANCTIFICATION Paul thanks God that the Thessalonian Christians have been chosen
for salvation to be sanctified through God’s Holy Spirit and a belief in the
truth of His word and His gospel. This glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ, and he
urges them to stand fast in these godly traditions.
V 16–17: GRACE OF GOD Grace from the Father and Son will give those Christians
consolation and comfort, establishing them in ‘every good work and word’. Paul
prays for this for them.
Dictionary
of Bible Themes
3233
Holy Spirit, and sanctification
The
work of the Holy Spirit in enabling believers to lead holy lives, dedicated to
the service of God and conformed to his likeness.
6744
sanctification
The
process of becoming consecrated to God, which is an integral aspect of being a
member of the people of God. This process of being made holy through the work
of the Holy Spirit ultimately rests upon the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ,
which the OT anticipates and foreshadows
The
Spirit of holiness is promised
Mt
3:11 pp Lk 3:16 “fire” implies the Holy Spirit’s work of purification and
judgment.
Sanctification
is a special work of the Holy Spirit
Ro
15:16 See also 1Co 6:11; Gal 5:5; 1Pe 1:2
The
Holy Spirit requires believers to be sanctified
2Th
2:13 Sanctification is a necessary part of being a Christian. See also 1Co
6:18-19
The
Holy Spirit enables believers to be sanctified
Ro
8:4 See also Ro 8:13; Eph 5:18
The
Holy Spirit produces sanctification
Gal
5:22-23 See also Ro 14:17; 2Ti 1:7
The
process of sanctification
The
Holy Spirit makes believers more like Jesus Christ 2Co 3:18
The
Holy Spirit helps mortify sinful human nature Ro 8:13 See also Gal 5:17
The
Holy Spirit is opposed to natural desires Gal 5:16-17 See also Ro 8:5-9; Jude
19
Examples
of people sanctified by the Holy Spirit
Joshua:
Nu 27:18 fn; Dt 34:9 fn
Lk
2:25 Simeon The deacons in Jerusalem: Ac 6:3,5
Ac
11:24 Barnabas; 2Co 6:6 Paul and his companions
Some
Scriptures on Sanctification.
1.
Sanctification is a special work of the Holy Spirit
Romans
15:14-20 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)
Paul
the minister to the Gentiles
14
I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of
goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another. 15 Yet I
have written to you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again,
because of the grace God gave me 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the
Gentiles. He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so
that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the
Holy Spirit.17 Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. 18 I
will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished
through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done –
19 by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God.
So from Jerusalem all the way round to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the
gospel of Christ. 20 It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where
Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s
foundation.
2.
The Holy Spirit requires
believers to be sanctified
2
Thessalonians 2:13 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)
Stand
firm
13
But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the
Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits[a] to be saved through the
sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.
3.
The Holy Spirit enables
believers to be sanctified
Romans
8:4-14 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)
4
in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us,
who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit 5 Those who
live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but
those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the
Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind
governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is
hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who
are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.9 You, however, are not in the
realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of
God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not
belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is
subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life[a] because of
righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is
living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your
mortal bodies because of[b] his Spirit who lives in you.12 Therefore, brothers
and sisters, we have an obligation – but it is not to the flesh, to live
according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but
if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
14
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
4.
The Holy Spirit produces
sanctification
Galatians
5:22-26New International Version - UK (NIVUK)
22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things
there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh
with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in
step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying
each other.
Easton's
Bible Dictionary
Sanctification
involves
more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of
the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and
more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul
in regeneration. In other words, sanctification is the carrying on to
perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the whole man
(Rom. 6:13; 2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 3:10; 1 John 4:7; 1 Cor. 6:19). It is the special
office of the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption to carry on this work (1
Cor. 6:11; 2 Thess. 2:13). Faith is instrumental in securing sanctification,
inasmuch as it (1) secures union to Christ (Gal. 2:20), and (2) brings the
believer into living contact with the truth, whereby he is led to yield
obedience "to the commands, trembling at the threatenings, and embracing
the promises of God for this life and that which is to come."
Perfect
sanctification is not attainable in this life (1 Kings 8:46; Prov. 20:9; Eccl.
7:20; James 3:2; 1 John 1:8). See Paul's account of himself in Rom. 7:14-25;
Phil. 3:12-14; and 1 Tim. 1:15; also the confessions of David (Ps. 19:12, 13;
51), of Moses (90:8), of Job (42:5, 6), and of Daniel (9:3-20). "The more
holy a man is, the more humble, self-renouncing, self-abhorring, and the more
sensitive to every sin he becomes, and the more closely he clings to Christ.
The moral imperfections which cling to him he feels to be sins, which he
laments and strives to overcome. Believers find that their life is a constant
warfare, and they need to take the kingdom of heaven by storm, and watch while
they pray. They are always subject to the constant chastisement of their
Father's loving hand, which can only be designed to correct their imperfections
and to confirm their graces. And it has been notoriously the fact that the best
Christians have been those who have been the least prone to claim the
attainment of perfection for themselves.", Hodge's Outlines.
Yours
for the His grace, for the sake of His
Church and His Kingdom
Blair
Humphreys, Southport , England
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