Read 2 Thessalonians 3:16-18

Every few years the Reserve Bank introduces new bank notes with new technology that makes it harder for counterfeiters to copy. The reason is simple; if anyone can photocopy a few $100 bank notes, people would lose trust in the value of our money. The ability to prove that your bank note is genuine means you can buy from sellers who may not otherwise trust you, and be concerned that you are committing theft. They know the currency is genuine.

Paul’s letter closes with an encouragement of final blessings to the Thessalonian congregation. To prove that his letter, containing many blessings and also some strong messages, was the genuine article, Paul also included a personal note from himself to them. After all, if Paul’s message was a fake, then the promises and blessings (including those of the closing address) would be fake as well. As counterfeit and valueless to them, as it would be to us.

In the previous section of Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians, the final meaty part of the letter, Paul took a clear stance against those in the congregation who were unwilling to work but preferred idleness and meddling. The congregation were to rebuke and distance themselves from these people, until they repented and were willing to labour in whatever task they were given.

This attitude among some in the congregation undoubtedly caused division, but to that Paul offered a blessing and hope that this division would be healed. “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way” (v.16). 

The Thessalonians had experienced peace and reconciliation with God. Even those with a questionable attitude to work. They were no longer God’s enemies, but his children. Paul wished that they would know and experience this blessing, and that it would also be reflected in reconciliation within their congregation. Ultimately true peace is not cessation of hostility, but reconciliation with God, others, and Creation.

Paul also prayed that “the Lord be with you all” (v.16). Paul wanted the Thessalonians to know and experience the presence of Christ supporting and encouraging them in their daily lives, through the presence of his spirit (the Holy Spirit).

Next, Paul took up the pen personally and wrote “I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write” (v.17). It was common for a scribe to write a message dictated to them. Paul was no stranger to this practice. We see this in other letters Paul wrote, or where sometimes the scribe adds their own greetings to a letter. 

But the other reason for Paul to take up the pen himself and write was to prove that the letter was genuinely from him. It seems a letter, potentially a counterfeit letter, had gone to the Thessalonian church and caused issues. Paul wanted to provide personal proof of his authorship, which the church could check by comparing his handwriting to other texts they knew were his writing, perhaps notes he had left with them previously. Just like a bank checking a signature for authenticity against their own copy of that signature, before accepting instructions.

Since Paul’s letter was genuine, not counterfeit, the teaching, encouragement, and commands were genuinely from Paul. And genuinely from God, therefore, since Paul was an apostle specially called to reveal God’s truths.

Paul had prayed for their peace and their experience of Christ’s presence. Now, finally, he prayed that they may experience the means by which this was possible. “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all” (v.18). There was only one way by which they could experience peace with God and Christ’s presence, and that was by receiving the undeserved favour of their Lord Jesus. 

It was through grace that they experienced these realities, and it is by grace that we do so too. Even though there are sometimes disputes and disagreements within congregations, we ultimately find reconciliation with each other at the foot of the Cross. The same place where we are reconciled, and experience peace, with God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

In the same way, we too are able to experience the Lord’s presence with us because of the grace of Christ. The presence and experience of Jesus, through the Holy Spirit’s presence with us, is a source of encouragement for the ups and downs of daily life. We have not been left alone to fend for ourselves, but our Saviour is present with us truly in Spirit even as he is seated at the right hand of God the Father, making intercession for us all.

Thankfully Paul’s letter was genuine, as indeed all of Scripture is. It truly is God’s Word revealed to us, so that we may know the truth and be set free. If it were not, we would be much to be pitied. But because it is true, and because we have believed, we experience the peace, presence, and grace of Jesus in our lives too. Not just today, but every day.

Read 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15

While I do not watch television, no doubt there are Lotto ads that offer the possibility of a massive jackpot prize, allowing the winner to stop working and live a life of luxury on a tropical island, or something similar. The idea of not having to work certainly has appeal, especially in the West where we do not live hand to mouth. But work is a blessing and an ordinance from God, even if cursed by the Fall, and something that we should embrace.

Sadly some in the Thessalonian church were not pulling their weight, and relying on others for their welfare. Paul had strong words for those that remained idle, warning them to get back to work and that their fellow church members should discipline them if not. This passage reminds us of the importance and blessing of work in all its forms. It also reminds us of the importance of Jesus’ work for us, because we cannot live on bread alone.

After seeking the prayers of the Thessalonians for the advance of the gospel, Paul turned to one final topic in his letter. Idleness. Paul commanded the Thessalonians to keep away from any brother “who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us” (v.6).

That was not how Paul worked in their midst. They knew that Paul was “not idle when we were with you” (v.7) and did not rely on others for his meals but toiled long hours to avoid being a burden (v.8). They knew that example was Paul’s example to them of Godly living.

They should have known that, because Paul had every right to their support as a minister in their midst, but he lived that way as an example to them (v.9). With this reminder, Paul commanded that “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat” (v.10). Note the emphasis on willingness, not ability. 

Not everyone is able to work, for one reason or another. But most people can work, in whatever quantity or nature that work takes. If you have the ability but not the desire, you are relying on others’ goodwill to support you. And that is sloth. Perhaps, Paul felt, hunger might serve as sufficient motivation.

The command to work is doubly important because idleness often leads to the wrong type of busyness – getting involved in other people’s affairs (v.11). Gossip and meddling is like acid on the stone of relationships, and relationships are vitally important to fellowship in the church. Perhaps, some commentators suggest, these busybodies were so busy being “rapture ready” (as we might say today) that they were constantly annoying their fellow believers with new and novel teachings they had concocted from the Scriptures.

Such persons had a Paul clearly commanded and encouraged “in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living” (v.12). Leave your fellow believers alone, and pay your own way until the Lord returns in other words.

For everyone in the Thessalonian church, the command was simple; “do not grow weary in doing good” (v.13). There were so many opportunities at home, at work, in the church, in the public space, to do good.

For those who were not willing, the message was starker. “If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother” (vv.14-15).

Those who still refused to listen to Paul were to face discipline, and distancing by others in the church. Ultimately the goal was their restoration to fellowship, and to the tradition of work that they received from Paul.

While work sometimes gets in the way of things we would like to do, it is also in itself a blessing and ordinance from God. In the beginning, God put Adam “in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it” (Genesis 2:15). It is a fundamental part of being human. While the curse means work brings toil and frustration (Gen. 3:17-19), work is not fundamentally wrong. It brings blessing to the world (Galatians 6:10).

Ultimately, our work is not just for our employer, our household, our children, or our community. It is for God. One day, when our work is done, if we are faithful in our labours God will say “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21). It is a witness to unbelievers as well, when they understand that we labour for God as well.

Finally, while this passage emphasises the good of work and commands us to work as we are able, we must remember our best works are like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). But Jesus’ work was accepted by God and is counted to us as our righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:14-21).

Read 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5

Confidence is an important part of doing things which may have an element of uncertainty or challenge about them. A child with confidence on a bike will attempt far more than one who lacks confidence. Sometimes confidence comes with experience, and sometimes there is an element of trust in someone more experienced that is the kicker to try.

Paul’s letter encourages the Thessalonian church to pray with confidence. Despite Paul’s exciting life, and the ups and downs the Thessalonians faced, Paul was still confident that God answered prayer, and so he asked the Thessalonians to pray for his gospel ministry. He did so because he was confident in God’s faithfulness, God’s work in their lives, and God’s work to mature them spiritually.

As Paul began to close out the body of his second letter to the Thessalonians, he asked “finally, brothers, pray for us” (v.1). While the logical assumption might be that Paul wanted prayer for some personal need or difficulty, Paul was actually focused on something different, “that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honoured, as happened among you” (v.1).

Paul at the time of writing was in Corinth and having a rough time. But Paul was less concerned about himself, and more concerned that the gospel would flourish there and receive the honour it deserves, bringing glory to God, as had happened in his stay in Thessalonica. By doing this, Paul was not only teaching that prayer partners gospel ministry, but that prayer is important to the success of gospel ministry.

The second reason that Paul desired the Thessalonians to pray for his ministry was opposition to it – “that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith” (v.2). Paul faced not only resistance to the gospel message, but outright hostility from some that he called wicked and evil. This opposition arose because “not all have faith”. Some rejected the message, and not having hearts awakened by the Holy Spirit, set themselves against Paul as God’s messenger.

Yet despite this opposition, Paul was confident in God to answer prayer. Why? “The Lord is faithful” (v.3). Paul was confident in prayer because of the character of the recipient. Faithless men might be wicked, but God is faithful. God is faithful to his promises, and has kept them by Jesus coming to save Paul, the Thessalonians, and us from our sins.

This faithfulness could be seen by the Thessalonians in the way God acted in their midst already. God was faithful to “establish you and guard you against the evil one” (v.3). God did not just leave them swinging in the wind, but established them in the faith and stopped the evil one from snatching them out of his hand (John 6:39).

Secondly, God’s faithfulness could be seen in their obedience to God’s word. Paul stated “we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command” (v.4). Their life of growing obedience to God’s commands, as Christ’s disciples, was evidence of their faith and the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

Thirdly, Paul expressed confidence that this would continue and bring the Thessalonians to spiritual maturity. Expressed in the form of a wish, Paul stated “may the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ” (v.5). By growing in their knowledge of God’s love, they grow in their love for God. Trusting in Christ’s steadfastness, they would become more steadfast in their faith too. In this way, they would grow in spiritual maturity.

If Paul was not confident in God’s character, or in God’s work in the lives of the Thessalonians, he would not have directed them to him. But Paul did, and so we too can benefit from Paul’s confidence in God to answer prayer.

Paul’s words remind us of the importance of soaking gospel ministry in prayer. The preaching of the Gospel, the outreach of us as individuals, and the ways in which we as a congregation connect individuals with Christ’s gospel are all things God invites us to pray about. Whatever our part, it is all our privilege to pray that the gospel speedily advances and brings glory to God.

Paul’s words also remind us that we can pray with confidence because of who God is, and the evidence of God’s work in our lives. God is faithful, even when we are not. All of Scripture shows how God has been faithful and merciful to us. Even our own increase over time in obedience to God’s commands is evidence of his work in us, and that he is working in us to grow us in maturity.

As we reflect on these examples of God’s works in our lives, and God’s character, it encourages us to come to God in prayer as Paul desires.

So pray with confidence. Pray because God listens. Pray because God is faithful. Pray because God is at work in our lives. Pray because the Gospel is advancing.

Read 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

If you think back on your life about who has made the most positive impact on you, the chances are you will remember people who comforted and encouraged you through difficult times or to embrace your gifts. We remember them fondly because they saw through our faults, and saw through our own troubles, to see what we could achieve through persevering.

Paul also wanted to see the Thessalonian church comforted and encouraged. Therefore, after all Paul’s discussion of end time drama, Paul prayed for the Thessalonians that they would be comforted and established in God. In doing so, Paul importantly demonstrates the divinity of Jesus, God’s saving love which ensures that blessing, and his wish that they were comforted and encouraged to stand firm because of these realities.

Firstly, note who Paul prays to in this passage. “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father” (v.16). Praying to God our Father is not terribly scandalous. But Paul places “our Lord Jesus Christ” in first place in this prayer.

While some pop-fiction and nonsense scholarship suggests that the idea of Jesus being God with us was a later invention of the church, Paul’s emphasis on Jesus as both an object of prayer along with God the Father, and Jesus’ particular emphasis as first listed in the prayer say otherwise. 

Further, the use of the term “Lord” with Jesus is a direct reference to the Greek translation of the Old Testament, which Paul frequently quoted in his letters, and used the same word in place of God’s covenantal name. Paul’s use of “Lord” in relation to Jesus made clear that he viewed Jesus as divine, within twenty years of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Also, Paul spoke of “God our Father” not just “God the Father”. So while Paul was speaking of two of the three persons of the Triune God, he was also making a point. The Thessalonian believers were adopted sons and daughters of God the Father, and so he was their heavenly father too.

Secondly, notice the foundation that Paul places for his comfort and confidence expressed towards the Thessalonians. He prayed for God’s future help on the basis of God’s past help: “who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace” (v.16).

Paul reminded the Thessalonian church of God’s character and past dealings. Rather than solely emphasising God’s potential to help in the present and future, Paul pointed to God’s saving love expressed to them in the past. If God fulfilled his promises in the past, he will keep them in the present and future too.

Because while we were still sinners, God showed his love for us through Jesus dying for us (Romans 5:8) we now receive God’s eternal comfort. We do not enjoy forgiveness for our past sin but not our current sins; but forgiveness, comfort, welcome, and embrace for all our sins. Past, present and future.

This forgiveness is not based on anything that the Thessalonians could or had done, but on God’s eternal undeserved favour. Where once, they had no hope of salvation and peace with God, now they experienced the loving comfort of God, and hope of eternal blessings through Jesus. 

It was on this basis that Paul prayed that their Lord Jesus Christ and God their Father would “comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word” (v.17). He wanted the external encouragements and comforts he had spoken of in verse sixteen applied in their inner lives.

Paul desired that God would encourage them through whatever difficulties they faced at that time, especially on the basis of God’s previous goodness to them expressed in their salvation. He also desired that God would encourage them in every work they did and word they spoke, in both good times and bad times.

This comfort and encouragement is available to us as believers today as well. God does not change, and nor does his goodness towards his people. As adopted children of God the Father, we too can call on God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who is just as much God as he is also man, in good times and bad.

God’s goodness to us is the outpouring of his covenant love, his love which saves us. It is a love which is always shown to us, no matter how much we continue to sin. A love which God showed us by sending Jesus to pay the penalty for our sins, while we were still sinners. A love for us that never changes, but is always present, with the accompanying hope for the future.

That love is a comfort for us, because it is a constant no matter what change goes on around us, good or bad. We can rest in God’s salvation, which promises us that no matter how tough things get, things will get better. It gives us a basis to stand firm and continue in good works and good deeds, living for Christ in the face of trouble and uncertainty.

Because God’s love ensures we are comforted and established.

Read 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15

Adults who have spent time in Wellington know the discussion of trampolines and their security. Strong gusts lift insecure trampolines and send them on unwanted trips across backyard and street, and too often into the side of buildings, street lamps, or power poles. Only those trampolines safely secured against the elements, either through pegging or weight, survive the stormy gales.

The buffeting winds of life and of the culture similarly play their part in human lives. Those which are not anchored in the truth are tossed about, will one day succumb to strong delusion, and face destruction. But for those of us who trust in Jesus, our salvation is secure, founded in the ultimate grounding peg of the truth. In that truth, we can stand firm against the stormy gales of life.

Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians introduced discussion of the Antichrist, who will appear to deceive and draw away any who do not believe in the truth of Jesus immediately before Christ’s return. The passage is sobering and frightening reading for anyone, no matter what our views about “the end times”.

Thankfully, while God sends a strong delusion to seduce the unbeliever into revealing their true colours, we have a stronger Saviour. Our secure salvation, and that encouragement, is the focus of the immediately following verses.

Paul clearly states he did not include the Thessalonians in the previous verses because he states “but we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth” (v.13). The “but” is a give-away that the negatives of verses prior do not apply to believers.

Paul’s ground for thanks in the Thessalonian believers, who are “beloved by the Lord” is firstly because “God chose you … to be saved”. Here, Paul is referring to God’s election, which the Bible teaches elsewhere such as in Romans 8:30, Ephesians 1, John 6, and onwards. He also refers to God’s everlasting, never-failing love, expressed to us through Jesus Christ.

Secondly, Paul’s ground for thanks describes the Thessalonians “as the firstfruits” (v.13). By this reading, the Thessalonians are the start of a great harvest that continues. An alternate translation “from the beginning” speaks of God’s eternal choice occurring before Creation. Since God’s will cannot be defeated, their salvation is secure.

Thirdly, Paul refers to the application of salvation to us in “real time” noting we are saved “through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth” (v.13). Sanctification is the process where the Holy Spirit makes us holy and set apart for God’s service, so we become what, in Christ, we are.

Finally, Paul also refers to the end-goal of our eternal calling and “real time” sanctification – our glorification. “To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (v.14). The Thessalonians were effectually called to salvation through the Gospel, with the end goal of eternal glory.

Because of this certain and secure salvation, established before Creation, experienced in the current time, and destined for eternal glory, the Thessalonians could respond with endurance. “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter” (v.15).

In the face of a terrible coming evil, and the restrained foretaste of it already lashing their lives even then, it could be tempting to give up and give in. Instead, Paul encouraged them to stand firm and to continue to hold to the teaching which Paul had given them, both when he was with them in person and in his letters to them.

These truths are unchanging. They are as sure for us today, as they were for the Thessalonian believers nearly two thousand years ago. They are as sure and unchanging because God is sure and unchanging, and God’s mercy and compassion never fail.

Because of that, despite the buffeting winds and gales of this life, despite the temptations from within us and outside us to sin, our salvation is secure. Nothing can take it from us. It does not depend on us. It is a work of our Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

We have received the teaching of the Apostles through the Scriptures, and so we have them as an encouragement to us and a guy rope of truth against the lies of the world around us, and the deceitful whispers of the devil. We can stand firm in the truth, and even if all the world lines up against us to call us a liar, we will not be like those deceived.

We do not need to give in to temptation. We do not need to fear that we will be picked up and thrown against a streetlamp of destruction by the stormy winds of life and culture. We are securely pegged into the ground, not by our own labours, but by God’s salvation work. Our salvation is secure.

Read 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

In the thick of trouble or temptation we often feel that we are outmatched, like a child taking on a professional boxer. The strength of opposition causes us to fear we will fail and fall short. But as strong as any temptation or trouble is, our saviour is stronger. In Christ, we will prevail.

Reading of a great apostasy immediately preceding Christ’s return can place us in the same mental place as feeling outmatched by trouble or temptation. If God will send a strong delusion that will draw unbelievers to the Antichrist, how will Christians stand? But as strong as this delusion is, this passage in 2 Thessalonians assures us that this is all in God’s control, and directed at those who have rejected the truth, not embraced their Saviour.

In previous verses, Paul has revealed that the Antichrist or Man of Lawlessness, who is currently restrained in some way, will one day be unloosed only to be swept aside by the Lord Jesus with an effortless flick of the wrist on the day of Christ’s return.

The unloosing of the Man of Lawlessness will ramp up the rebellion (or apostasy) of this present evil age against God to a fever pitch. It will seem like a dam has broken, and even a great many who claim to be Christians and attend church will flock away after the Man of Lawlessness and his false claims and teaching as he “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” (v.4).

All this at the “coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan” (v.9) to deceive anyone who he can. It will be accompanied by “all power and false signs and wonders” (v.9) to make the lie particularly convincing. It will deceive those who do not test the spirits to see if they are from God (1 John 4:1), just as Jesus himself predicted (Matt. 24:24). Great signs and miracles will cause the unwary to follow the Antichrist and worship him as God.

These signs are directed “with all wicked deception for those who are perishing” (v.10). The foolish and unwary will think they are following a wonder worker, only to find themselves deceived. How often has this played out throughout history, with false healers and religious leaders or political figures claiming to usher in new glorious ages? Satan has been busy practicing his technique to finally unleash it fully one last time.

But the deceived are deceived “because they refused to love the truth and so be saved” (v.10). Like Pharaoh who brought the judgement of God upon himself and Egypt because of his hard heart, the deceived bring their deception on themselves because they refuse to embrace the good news of forgiveness from our sins through Jesus Christ. Since they have rejected the truth, they cannot do anything except be deceived into following the lie to their own final destruction.

All this is to accomplish God’s will, which is to bring judgement on those who reject his mercy. “Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (vv.11-12). 

Satan is not God’s equal, like some yin and yang. Satan does God’s bidding, leading the deluded into strong delusion to believe what is untrue, and by their acts proving they truly are unrepentant and deserving of punishment. This event is like a police sting, revealing the true intent hidden behind clever words and acts to fool the general public.

Those who are deceived are those who do not believe the truth, but prefer to live in unrighteousness. For them, a strong delusion will come to flush them out into the open, and reveal their inner unrighteousness, because God wants it so.

The strong delusion that accompanies the unloosing of the Man of Lawlessness, and the corruption and apostasy of the Church which accompanies it, raises a legitimate question about the fate of Christians. But the way in which Paul talks should encourage us, not concern us.

Those who embrace the lie are those who have rejected the truth. They are those who prefer the pleasures of sin to worshiping God and delighting in him. They are deceived by Satan’s power and false signs, but only because God allows it to happen, for God’s own purposes.

Strong delusion yes, but Jesus is a stronger Saviour. Those who have embraced the truth are not deceived. Those whom Jesus saves are not perishing, but have eternal life (John 3:16). Those who believe the truth are in Christ Jesus, and are no longer under condemnation (Romans 8:1).

The coming of the Antichrist will bring a strong delusion, seducing away those who reject the truth. But Jesus is more powerful. For all of us who embrace the truth, we need not fear the strong delusion; we have a stronger saviour.

Read 2 Thessalonians 2:5-8

When looking at texts that speak of things that will happen before Christ’s return, it can be tempting to fall into one of two errors. Either to think that it will happen so far in the future that it has no relevance for us now, or to think that it must be relevant for us only today, and has no relevance for anyone in any other time or place.

Paul’s teaching on the Man of Lawlessness, otherwise known as the Antichrist, is exactly the type of teaching where this error can occur. But Paul wrote his letter to emphasise both the future and the present reality. The mystery of lawlessness is that it is present today but restrained, will one day be loosed, but will also be finally and effortlessly brought to heel at Christ’s return. This revelation of what was hidden but now unveiled encourages us to persevere and resist today, and also offers the promise of order restored in the future.

While rebellion against God has existed among humans since the Fall, rebellion will find a final focus immediately before Christ returns in the Man of Lawlessness. This was not written for the Thessalonians (or our) worry, but to forewarn and forearm, and to encourage that we have not missed Christ’s return and there is still better to come.

The difficulty for us, today, is that Paul was reminding the Thessalonians of teachings he had given in person, but has not been written down by Paul elsewhere. As a result, there is plenty of room for interpretation and speculation while we await the playing out of history to fill in the gaps.

This is why Paul in verse five states “do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?” The Thessalonians were there. They had the benefit of the full fleshing out of the teaching, not the summary in Thessalonians. However, if we needed that information to function, we can be sure that God would have revealed it to us in the Bible.

One of those uncertain pieces of information is the identity of the restrainer, who stops Satan from unleashing the Man of Lawlessness. “And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time” (v.6).

Apparently the Thessalonians knew the identity of the person or thing restraining the Man of Lawlessness. We do not. There is plenty of speculation on this identity, and it is a fair question to ask. Unfortunately, the passage does not make it clear.

We do know that verse six refers to the identity of the restrainer as neuter (“what is restraining him”) while verse seven speaks of a person. “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.”

There are seven different theories about the restrainer. Three more plausible ones are that the restrainer is the Holy Spirit, the government (in Paul’s day, the Roman Empire), or the third option being the Gospel. People that hold to the popular modern views about Revelation (found in your local bookstore) favour the first. The government has a certain appeal (cf. Romans 13), although governments are also instruments of rebellion against God. The preaching of the Gospel is attractive since it must be preached to all the nations before Christ returns, so effectively God is the restrainer.

I lean to the last view, but agree with anyone who takes the view of Augustine: “I frankly confess I do not know what he means.”

What is clear is that the restrainer is at work today, restraining lawlessness. Lawlessness is already at work in our world today, even if not fully unleashed.

And most importantly, lawlessness will be brought to heel. “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” (v.8). There is no great struggle, but the casual swipe of Christ as he gloriously appears to restore order and bring to an end the world’s rebellion against their Creator, Lord, and King.

This passage reminds us that there are some parts of God’s salvation plan that are simply not necessary for us to know. We have a culturally inbuilt desire for religious certainty which exceeds the limits of revelation that God has given us (cf. Deut. 29:29). Passages where the meaning is unclear right now reminds us that it is okay to live in faith with questions, trusting that God will answer them in time.

In the meantime, we do know certain facts. Lawlessness against God continues today, even if restrained. As citizens of God’s Kingdom, we should devote ourselves to persevering through the world’s rebellion, and resisting by acts of obedience to God’s Law and mercy to all.

But best of all, we know that Jesus is returning to put an end to all lawlessness. In the midst of lawlessness and rebellion, this is a promise to rest our hopes in.

Read 2 Thessalonians 2:3-5

Christians of all ages have speculated about the identity of the Antichrist, or Man of Lawlessness which Paul speaks of in his second letter to the Thessalonian Church. From figures as varied as Roman Emperors, Attila the Hun, Napoleon, Hitler or Stalin, or your favourite politician you love to hate. If there is one thing we can all agree on, it is that we cannot agree on who the Antichrist is or will be.

While time will reveal who Paul was speaking about, we are left with plenty that explains the Antichrist’s purposes. And while we might disagree about who the Antichrist will be, we can see the same devilish purposes at play in a restrained way today since many antichrists are busy today (1 John 2:18). Being forewarned is being forearmed, to resist the devil’s work today and the Man of Lawlessness’ work in the future, before Christ returns to put those schemes to an end.

It seems that Paul had already taught the Thessalonians about the Man of Lawlessness (v.5), so he only reminds them of important facts they need to remember which encourages them that Jesus had not yet returned. Unfortunately, that in-person detail has not survived.

Jesus’ return will not happen until “the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction” (v.3). This man, who we call the Antichrist (1 John 2:18), will rise up as the banner-waver for Satan by promoting disobedience against God’s righteous law. He is also the son of destruction, who like Judas Iscariot is doomed to hell (John 17:12).

As if rebellion was not enough, he also “opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, … proclaiming himself to be God” (v.4). He demands that people worship him, opposing the only true faith in the True and Living God.

He will do this by “tak[ing] his seat in the temple of God” (v.4). This statement is clearly full of speculation. Is this referring to a rebuilt Jewish temple, following the historic example of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, Pompey, and Caligula (Matt. 24:15-16)? Or figurative language? 

Or, as I believe, a reference to the Antichrist seeking to corrupt the Church, which Paul elsewhere describes as the Temple of God (Eph 2:20-21), into worshiping him? Time will tell (unless you affirm the original WCF 25.6 as written, which is often qualified by denominations in our stream of Christianity today).

If he does as I believe he will, and attempts to subvert the Church for satanic purposes, then this involves corrupting church teaching and church office to point to him as the object of worship. There is plenty of this lawlessness at work today.

These pictures have parallels in the imagery of the Bible’s apocalyptic texts. For instance, Daniel 7 refers to a “little horn” (Dan. 7:8) which is the final scene in a vision of the empires of world history that would eventually succumb to Christ’s kingdom (Dan 7:9-15). In Revelation, a series of images portray the conflict between the devil and God through history. This includes imagery of a beast who reprises and combines the beasts of Daniel, and an accompanying beast who deceives and leads the world into worship of this beast (and behind it all, the devil).

This imagery is terrifying if you seriously dwell on it, until you remember that in the end Jesus Wins. The passages in Daniel, Revelation, or here in 2 Thessalonians were not written to scare us, but to reveal what is otherwise hidden. Like a road sign that warns of caution ahead, these passages are written to forewarn us, so we are prepared.

While we (probably!) have not seen the arrival of the Man of Lawlessness today, that does not mean the spirit of lawlessness is not busy at work today.

The description in these verses appear so relevant to every age, because they are present in every age, just not in final form. So while we may not see the man himself, we can see the work of the devil in our day and resist it.

The man of lawlessness wants two things. Rebellion, and apostasy. Rejecting God’s righteous law, and embracing the worship of anything other than God (which is worship of the devil ultimately). 

We also see the game plan of the devil revealed in this passage. The Man of Lawlessness will use all means, including coercion and deceit to ensure worship of himself. This is true in every age. We should not be surprised to see opposition to the gospel, from authorities and groups, and through false teaching and false teachers slipping into the Church.

So as believers, our response should be to hold firmer to Christ alone in affliction, to worship the Triune God alone, and to seek to please God by putting sin and rebellion to death in our own lives!

Forewarned is forearmed. The Man of Lawlessness will come. His spirit is at work today. But the good news is his arrival signals Jesus’ return.

Read 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3

I picked up my children from school this afternoon, and one was upset and concerned because he had gone to the wrong place (for some reason) and could not find me. He feared he had been left behind at school. I would never knowingly do that if it was in my power, of course, but the fear pops into a child’s head, just like the fear you have got on the wrong plane or train in an adult’s mind. Thankfully, it was nothing a good hug could not fix.

The Thessalonian church were worried that they had been left behind in a sense as well. Except it was a far greater concern than missed parents or missed transport; it was a concern that they had missed Jesus’ return. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians to calm their concerns. They had not been left behind. They had not missed the final completion of their salvation. Neither have you.

Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians had covered the topic of Christ’s return. When Christ came, both the living and dead in Christ would rise to be with him (1 Thess. 4:13-18). That actual date would come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night (1 Thess. 5:1-8). They were not destined for wrath but salvation, and this was cause for encouragement (1 Thess 5:9-11).

In his second letter, Paul taught that at Christ’s return would bring good news for believers and doom for unbelievers who rebel against God and persecute God’s faithful (2 Thess 1:5-12).

But what if they had missed it? That was what worried the Thessalonians. Somehow, they had come to believe that they had missed Christ’s return, somehow. In some way, it had already begun. But if that was the case, why were they still undergoing persecution and affliction?

Paul turned to this worry in chapter 2. The main topic Paul addressed was “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him” (v.1). Word had reached Paul that some of them had become “quickly shaken in mind or alarmed” (v.2) and he asked that they not be so.

Perhaps through ill intent, or a misunderstanding, the Thessalonians believed that Paul had taught Jesus had already returned. Paul, who had not made it there in person to find out, thought this was due to “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” (v.2).

Whether by some prophetic utterance or a claimed teaching, or a forged letter claiming to be from Paul, somehow they had the wrong end of the stick. But what mattered more to Paul than how they had been led amiss was the content of that teaching. It was certainly not apostolic teaching from Paul.

Paul proceeded to explain why they had not been left behind. “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” (v.3).

Just as you cannot put away clean clothes until they have been washed, dried, and folded, so too Jesus would not return without specific events first. Paul described those as a rebellion, and the revelation of the man of lawlessness.

As Jesus taught before he died, there would be various signs that preceded his return and the end of the age (cf. Matthew 24, Luke 22, Mark 13). Some of these involve the advance of the Gospel. Some are signs of God’s pending judgement. And some are signs of opposition to God.

Paul is speaking here of signs indicating opposition to God. Paul indicates that there will be a period of more intense rebellion against God and the revealing of a final, single Antichrist figure before Jesus returned. Since that had not happened yet, the Thessalonians could relax. Jesus had not returned and forgot about them.

Fears of Jesus’ return seem to pop up like mushrooms throughout Church history, and it is no less true today. Go to some sections of a Christian bookstore, and you can have your fill of fiction and non-fiction claiming it has happened, is happening, or will happen next week.

The truth is, we do not know for sure. No man knows the hour (Matt. 24:36). It could be next week. It could be yet a while longer. We should not get overly worried about world events, but focus on the big picture – Jesus is coming back.

Instead, like the virgins of Jesus’ parable (Matt. 25), we should be ready for Christ’s imminent return. Ready to endure a period of trial if necessary, and ready to not follow false Christs that arise. And ready not to submit to the rebellion of this present age, even if it means we suffer at the hands of everyone from political and economic elites to our unbelieving neighbours, friends, and family.

The final completion of our salvation at Christ’s return awaits. They had not missed it. Neither have you.

Read 2 Thessalonians 1:10-12

Watch any award ceremony or an interview after a sporting victory, and you will likely see the winner thanking their colleagues, friends, family, and supporters for enabling their victory. They view the victory as almost a shared achievement, even though it is them individually who succeeded.

Jesus’ return will be the final victory and glorification of Jesus by everyone, everywhere. Nobody will be able to deny Jesus that victorious moment, then and forevermore. As Christians, we look forward to that day. Paul also encourages us to see it as a shared victorious moment, when we too will share in Christ’s glory. Our lives as believers centre around looking forward to, and getting ready for, that great victory ceremony.

Verses 5 to 9 have spoken of the final destination of humanity, either to salvation or to judgement. Paul’s introductory verses now progress to making clear when this final sorting will occur – at Christ’s return.

The day of Christ’s coming would grant relief from the present suffering that the Thessalonians were enduring (v.7), at which point God would also bring fiery judgement and eternal punishment on all who do not believe in the Gospel (vv.8-9).

Jesus’ return was also where he would be “be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed” (v.10). Jesus would be glorified by those he came to save. 

The exaltation of Christ, begun by the resurrection of Christ after his great humiliation at the Cross (Phil 2:4-9) will find its completion when “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil 2:10-11).

Jesus’ return will also cause believers to marvel at Jesus, the suffering servant who reigns on high, mighty and victorious over everything! We will finally see in living colour the amazing victory of Christ fully revealed for all to see.

The glorification of Christ and marvelling in him will occur “because our testimony to you was believed” (v.10). Jesus would be glorified among his saints because Paul preached the Gospel to them, and they believed.

For Paul, this glorious future was cause for continued prayer. Paul wanted the Thessalonians to mature spiritually, “that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power” (v.11). 

Spiritual maturity is a bit like dressing up for the award ceremony, except the clothes are the good works prepared beforehand for us to enter into (Eph 2:10), demonstrating that we are saved by God’s grace through faith, and not through our own works (Eph. 2:8-9). Knowing we are destined for such a glorious future event, why would the Thessalonians not want to “look their best” by pursuing sanctification? God would surely fulfil the good works they did, trusting in God to empower them to accomplish good for God’s glory despite their present troubles.

Because while the Thessalonians shared in Jesus’ troubles and afflictions in their own walk of faith, they would also share in Christ’s glory. God would bless their labours “so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ” (v.12).

It was not works that would glorify the Thessalonians. Not theirs, anyway. The Thessalonians would be glorified because they were believers and so rested in the grace of God and their Lord Jesus. The process which began with their conversion, and through the Holy Spirit working in their lives to make them holier (2 Cor. 3:18) would find its glorious completion at Christ’s return (Phil. 3:20-21).

All this, for the Thessalonians and for us the same, is the result of God’s grace. It reflects the longing of Christ that we would be united in and with him in glory (John 17:24). We should strive for the glory of Christ because it responds to the longing of our Saviour and Lord to be present with us, just as we long to be reunited with friends and loved ones.

This passage also encourages us to constantly seek Christ’s glory. Jesus is coming again soon, to be glorified in his saints. In the meantime, we have the opportunity to glorify God and Jesus through our own behaviour so that it might be said that we are worthy of the calling that God has exercised in our lives. And because it is through the Gospel we receive that glory, to share it with others that they may share in glory too.

We have a bright future ahead of us. The sufferings, troubles, afflictions, and if they come, persecutions, of today are nothing compared to the glory to come. When things are hard, it is tempting to give up. But the end is near. The final victory of Jesus is close at hand, when he will be glorified and we will share in that glory.