NO NEED TO PANIC
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Opening Prayer
Thank you, Lord God, that when I read your Word, it will always offer me truth, assurance, and hope.
Read 2 THESSALONIANS 2:1–12
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
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 is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, 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 splendor 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.
Reflect
This passage is complex. Ask the Lord to help you understand it.These verses are confusing. However, Paul’s purpose is to remind the Thessalonians that, despite gloomy happenings, the Lord Jesus Christ will prevail and his people will be vindicated.
Paul encourages the Thessalonians to persevere and not be thrown off balance by teaching that allegedly came from him but actually did not (vv. 1, 2). He tells them not to be afraid because ‘the day of the Lord’ has not yet come (vv. 2, 3).
Next, Paul refers to what will happen when ‘the man of lawlessness’ comes (vv. 3–10). First will be a great rebellion against God (v. 4). The ‘man of lawlessness’ can also be called both anti-Christ and anti-Law. Paul does not explain who this person is, only that he is to come and will be a rebel in league with Satan. Look at verses 9 and 10. How does Paul describe ‘the man of lawlessness’ and what he will do? Despite all the uncertainties around Paul’s meaning, the one thing beyond doubt is that Jesus will defeat this man. He reminds the Thessalonians that those who believe the lies of ‘the man of lawlessness,’ live in the dark, and take pleasure in wickedness will also be defeated by Jesus (v. 8, 9).
Apply
Jesus is light and defeats the darkness once and for all. Pray for people you know who are struggling with darkness at this time.
Closing prayer
Light of the World, help me remember that in you there is no darkness; help me to stand firm in that reality as I wait for you to return with power and great glory.
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