Events Before the Return of Christ

As Paul opens Chapter 2 he addresses some false teaching that the Thessalonians had been exposed to regarding the return of Jesus. Someone had been teaching that Christ had already returned, and as a result the believers were troubled about the fact that they had been left behind.

Notice...

2 Thessalonians 2:1–2 NKJV

Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.

The Greek word that is translated “soon” in the KJV and NKJV literally means “quickly, easily, hastily.” He doesn’t want this false teaching to sway them from the truth—don’t be “soon shaken”!

The idea of “shaken” means that he did not want them to “waver” and “be upset” by this false teaching.

As a result Paul writes these words in Chapter 2, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to address this false teaching and address the problem.

He wants the news about Christ coming to be optimistic for God’s children! Remember what he said in 1 Thessalonians 4:18

1 Thessalonians 4:18 NKJV

Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Unfortunately it seems they had been “emotionally disturbed” by this false news.

As a result, Paul gave the church at Thessalonica, and us, some events that will take place before the return of Christ...

Before Christ Comes There Will Be:

A Great Falling Away (v. 3a)

While there are numerous interpretations regarding this “falling away” I think Scripture is pretty clear of the meaning. The Greek word used for “falling away” is the word where we get our English word Apostasy.

Apostasy means “FORSAKING THE LORD.” In other words there will be a widespread abandonment by professing Christians who will depart from the faith.

Jesus mentions this in His teaching from Matthew 24:11-14

Matthew 24:11–14 NKJV

Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

There will be a rise in false prophets before the return of Christ and MANY WILL BE DECEIVED!

Those who are deceived will be RIPE PICKING for the Antichrist…the “MAN OF SIN.” That’s another event that will take place before the ultimate return of Christ...

The Man of Sin Will be Revealed (vv. 3b-4, 9-10)

Note first of all 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4

2 Thessalonians 2:3–4 NKJV

Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

Let’s take a closer look at him.

First he is referred to as

The Man of Sin (vv. 3, 8)

He is characterized by sin and wickedness. He is wicked through and through. Why? Because HE IS DOMINATED BY SATAN!

He is referred to as the LAWLESS ONE in verse 8.

The Son of Perdition (v. 3)

This is the same name Jesus gave to Judas in...

John 17:12 NKJV

While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.

Dr. Picirilli says this indicates that the Antichrist is DOMINATED by HELL and DESTINED for HELL!

He is known as...

One Who Opposes God (v. 4)

The Greek word for “opposes” literally means to be SET AGAINST God. He sees himself as God’s adversary.

He also sees himself as...

One Who Exalts Himself Above God (v. 4)

He will seek to “lift himself over God.”

In seeking to convince people that he is God, the Bible says that he will “sit as God in the temple” and “show himself that he is God.”

In other words it will appear to the masses that he is taking God’s seat and demonstrating to the world that he is God.

Depending on how one interprets this verse leads to much speculation about the end times. If this verse is to be taken literally, and that’s the way I lean, it means at some point the Temple will need to be rebuilt.

I find it interesting that in 1987 and organization was formed called the TEMPLE INSTITUTE (picture of temple recreation in their visitors center). Their goal is to rebuild the temple and make preparations for a return to worship there.

Since their inception they have been busy making the priestly robes, molds for bread, incense burners and musical instruments.

Recently another group called “Building Israel” imported FIVE RED HEIFERS to Jerusalem to eventually sacrifice to purify everyone before their ascent to the third temple.

I didn’t read this from some conspiracy theory website. I read this from a trusted news organization. Whether this is going to be the actual temple that the Antichrist sits in or not, the truth is there are some in Israel preparing to rebuild the temple that was destroyed in AD 70.

He is also referred to as

One Who Has Miraculous Powers to Deceive (vv. 9-10)

He will be empowered by Satan and will have the ability to demonstrate powers, signs, and lying wonders. We can be sure he will use this power to seek to deceive people into thinking that he truly is the Messiah.

Jesus warned of this in Matthew 24:24

Matthew 24:24 NKJV

For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

Notice those who will be ripe for deception

2 Thessalonians 2:10 NKJV

and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

Those who are already perishing will be easy pickings for the Antichrist because they have already rejected the “love of the truth.” They have despised the truth, so they will be ripe to believe a LIE!

We will look into this in more detail next week. Just remember,

“All that glitters is not gold!

Let’s notice a THIRD thing that will happen before the Return of Christ and before the Antichrist completely takes over...

The Restraint Will be Removed (vv. 5-7)

Notice 2 Thessalonians 2:5-7

2 Thessalonians 2:5–7 NKJV

Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.

Paul says that “HE who now restrains will do so until HE is taken out of the way.”

So we have to try to figure out who the “HE” is.

See vv. 6-7 on the screen

The “HE” in verse 7 is MASCULINE, whereas the “WHAT” in verse 6 is NEUTER. I believe verse 6 refers to the GREAT FALLING AWAY (the APOSTASY) and the REVELATION OF THE MAN OF SIN (ANTICHRIST).

But WHO is the “HE” in verse 7. Dr. Picirilli notes in his commentary that the RESTRAINT/RESTRAINER MUST BE AN “ENTITY” THAT CAN BE THOUGHT OF AS A FORCE OR AS A PERSON.

My personal understanding is that the RESTRAINER is a PERSON …THE PERSON OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!

Look again at 2 Thessalonians 2:7-8

2 Thessalonians 2:7–8 NKJV

For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.

Some think the “HE” is a reference to the church…the body of Christ.

Whatever HE may be, when HIS INFLUENCE is removed, it will be the LAST DOMINO to fall before the Antichrist takes full control and sets the stage for the RETURN OF JESUS!

When the RESTRAINT is REMOVED pervasive lawlessness and the Antichrist rule will come in and HELL ON EARTH will be soon to follow.

If we go back to verse 7 again we find the “mystery of lawlessness (iniquity)” is already at work!

We have seen in our lifetimes an INCREASE in LAWLESSNESS in our own country. That is with the RESTRAINER still in place.

JUST IMAGINE WHAT THINGS WILL LOOK LIKE WHEN HIS RESTRAINT IS REMOVED!

The depravity of mankind will be MAGNIFIED during this time...

You think

Self-infatuation is bad now, just wait until all restraints are removed

Greed is bad now, “ “

Rebellion is bad now, “ “

Brutality is bad now, “ “

Pleasure-seeking is bad now, “ “

Mockery is bad now, “ “

Sexual immorality & unnatural desires are bad now, “ “

Sorcery & witchcraft are bad now, “ “

Things are difficult now, “ “

Ungodly passions are bad now, “ “

As we close today I want us to be reminded that as powerful as the Antichrist will be, in comparison to God is power is nothing!

Do not forget 2 Thessalonians 2:8

2 Thessalonians 2:8 NKJV

And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.

Don’t forget Revelation 19:20

Revelation 19:20 NKJV

Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.

We have have HOPE in the midst of all that is to come because we know and serve the King of kings, and Lord of lords.

But if you do not know Him

Trust Jesus TODAY!

There will come a day, for those who continually say “NO” to Jesus that they will find it will be TOO LATE.

In the last days, notice what will happen:

Notice 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

2 Thessalonians 2:9–12 NKJV

The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

As I said earlier the those who are PERISHING, those who have yet to turn to Jesus for the forgiveness of their sin and salvation, will be RIPE pickings for the Antichrist.

Why? Because they have suppressed the TRUTH over and over again, TIME AND TIME AGAIN, that God will turn them over to exactly what they want.

The REFUSED TO RECEIVE THE LOVE OF THE TRUTH repeatedly, so God is going to send them a DELUSION that they will believe a lie.

Dr. Picirilli puts it this way:

1 Thessalonians through Philemon 5. Delusion as Judgment (vv. 11, 12)

Rejectors of truth ultimately become, if they persist in that rejection, objects of a divinely willed judgment that serves to produce further deception and alienation from Him, thus sealing their condemnation

I want to close with these final thoughts:

If you Don’t Make Friends with the TRUTH it will Become Your Greatest Enemy

Rejecting the TRUTH Leads to Seeking Pleasure in Sin

Rejecting the TRUTH will Lead to Believing a Lie and Further Deception

A Continuing Rejection of the TRUTH will Lead to Final Damnation

Romans 1:21–22 NKJV

because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools,

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