THE MAN OF LAWLESSNESS AND THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS (2 Thessalonians 2)
Introduction: Paul reminds the Christians in Thessalonica of what he has already taught them about the second coming of Jesus. He agrees with them that the day is near. «The man of lawlessness" must, however, appear before the Day of the Lord, the one whom John calls «Antichrist» in his letter (1 John 2:18-22).
Verses 1-2
• Why is it that when the return of Jesus is discussed, many fear the whole topic, while others become agitated about it?
• What caused the Christians in Thessalonica to be alarmed when this theme was brought up?
• What does Paul mean when saying that Christians will be "gathered" to Jesus? Why use such a verb?
• What did some of Christians mean when they said that the day of the Lord had already come?
Verses 3-5. Rebellion against God is «apostasia» in Greek.
• Imagine what «a man of lawlessness» would be like as a ruler.
• What will happen in the world once God’s law (i.e., the Ten Commandments) and the order of creation (marriage, family, state etc.) are completely abolished?
• The term "son of destruction" is used in the Bible only for Judas Iskariot and the Antichrist. Why such a designation for these two?
• In verse 4, Paul calls the Antichrist somebody who "opposes" many things. The term «opponent» is also one of Satan’s names. What do Satan and the Antichrist oppose?
• How is the Antichrist able to exalt himself above all religions, including Christianity? (What must have happened within the religions of the world before this can take place?)
• According to Paul, the Christian church is the present temple of God (1 Cor. 3:16). What causes the majority of churches to submit before the Antichrist?
• Where do you think the Antichrist will appear: in the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem or in the worldwide, apostate church? Give your reasons.
• What does the apostle John mean when he says that many antichrists have already come (1 John 2:18)? (Who, in your opinion, have been the precursors of the actual Antichrist over the past 2000 years?)
• Where can we find the church that the gates of hell will not prevail against (Matt. 16:18)?
• Look at verse 5. Why did Paul speak so much about the end times to his new converts?
Verses 6-7. «Mystery» refers to something that cannot be understood by human reason. Only God can reveal it. In verse 6, the "restraining force» is neutri (i.e., something), but in verse 7, it is masculine (i.e., someone).
• What was restraining the coming of the Antichrist and the power of lawlessness in the Roman Empire? (What effect did the Roman laws and the emperor have on the societies in Paul’s time?)
• What has restrained the coming of the Antichrist and the power of lawlessness in the Western cultural sphere up to these days?
• What causes the restraints of lawlessness to disappear from this world?
• Consider what the "mystery of lawlessness" (ESV)/ "secret power of lawlessness" (NIV) could be?
Verses 8-9
• Why does Paul describe the end of «the man of lawlessness» before describing his actions?
• How did knowing that Jesus would destroy the Antichrist in one breath, affect the persecuted Christians?
• Look at verse 9. What kind of signs and wonders will allow the Antichrist to gain control over the whole world?
Verse 10
• Why will the majority of people regard the Antichrist as a benefactor instead of recognising him as an evil man?
• What does Paul mean by people who «refuse to love the truth and so be saved»?
• Jesus said: «I am the Truth». What light do His words shed on this verse?
Verses 11-12. "God sends a strong delusion" is in the present tense, meaning it happens continuously.
• How can Paul say that God sends a delusion to some people?
• How does it happen that the majority of people refuse to believe the truth and choose lawlessness instead?
• How can God use even sin and Satan to help bring about His plans?
Summary QUESTIONS
• Where in this chapter is the gospel of grace?
• How many returns of Jesus are there according to Paul in the Thessalonian letters?
Concluding words: From verse 8, we see that Jesus will sovereignly defeat all the powers of evil. Persecuted and oppressed Christians already know that they are on the side of the Victor. Soon, all Christians from all time will be gathered to Jesus, and the wedding of the Lamb will begin. At that wedding, we will never become tired of singing praise to the Lamb who is slain.
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