3:9, 16). If in 2:7 lawlessness is “at work” (Gk. 15:19; 2 Cor. Paul's Inevitable because it is God’s will that sin must be manifested if it is to be judged and exposed – 2 Thess 2:11. 1 Cor. The word “breath” here ( pneuma) is the same word used for the Holy Spirit, so there may be some indication of the Spirit’s involvement. 11:28–39). Paul labels any teaching opposed to the eschatological message of his gospel as an effort at deception (cf. Apparently someone had taught the young Thessalonian church that they were in the DOL (2 Thess. 2:9–10). 3:1; cf. Similarly, if in 2 Thess. 2:8). In the Bible we see the man of lawlessness called the "son of perdition." the purpose of proclaiming the gospel through publishing Who in the Judaism of Jesus’ day, having studied OT prophecy thoroughly, would have predicted that the Messiah would be God incarnate? Background and Introduction B. Verses 1-2 C. Verses 3-4 D. Verses 5-7 1. 2:11–12). Although Paul and his colleagues were compelled to leave Thessalonica sooner than they wished (Acts 17:10), they were able to begin instructing the Thessalonians concerning the events of Jesus’ return. Does biblical prophecy really predict the future. 1:18; 2 Cor. 13:8). Paul draws on Jesus’ eschatological instruction by similarly applying this Danielic imagery to events yet to occur. 22:22; 2 Chron. (Hosea 1 & 3). When the disciples asked Jesus about the signs and timing of his second coming, Jesus responded that false messiahs and prophets would precede his return, as would tribulation against the church (Matt. 3:3–4; Col. 1:26–27; 1 Tim. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way." Isa. 2:13). John 17:12) and the “seed of lawlessness” (cf. 2:2). 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. It promoted great evil The restraining power was thought to be the actual Roman government which kept the emperor's power in check. Yet since God is the one who reveals such mysteries and is sovereign over their timing, it is not surprising to find Paul confident in God’s control over the advent of the mystery of lawlessness (cf. Can we trust biblical prophecy? 2 Thess. Paul almost certainly knows this history, and it may well be in his mind as he writes. I am assuming (hoping) his reading of 2 Thessalonians would be similar to mine. 2:7). He thus seeks to instill confidence regarding his present argument. 2:1, 8; cf. In this article, consideration is given to the grammar, syntax, and the structure of He will do it “with all deception of wickedness.” The word “unrighteousness” (adikia) in verse 12, and the word “wickedness” (adikias) in verse 10, are the same word. comment on 2 Thess. What is God teaching us about his faithfulness in the story of Hosea and Gomer? Who is the restrainer the Bible talks about in 2 Thessalonians 2:6? For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who 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" (verses 3–4). 5:14). This is particularly difficult, and one of the most avid debates among modern commentators concerns the question of who or what is restraining the lawless one’s appearance. 2:10; Eph. In particular, the emperor Gaius Caligula ordered soldiers to erect a cult image of himself in the Jerusalem temple, despite widespread Jewish opposition (AD 40–41; Josephus, Antiquities 18.261–309). The Man of Lawlessness. in 2 Thessalonians 2:8? Remarkably, a major Jewish literary source from the period appeals to Danielic language by labeling the pagan altar Antiochus set up in the temple as the abomination of desolation (1 Macc. Why Did God Command Hosea to Marry a Prostitute? Verse five provides further reason to recommend humility to all modern interpreters. (Revelation 13). Further descriptors are applied to this lawless one. 2:8; cf. 2 Thess. Paul does not appear to know the precise circumstances that have brought about the Thessalonians’ erroneous beliefs about the day of the Lord, but in verse 3 he does suspect nefarious activity. The Thessalonians need not worry that they may be numbered among those who will be deceived by the man of lawlessness, since they already know and love the truth. 2:1), and Satan’s “activity” uses a term often employed for God’s work (energeia; cf. comment on 2 Thess. (The one the apostle Paul warned us would come, [2 Thessalonians 2]). One of the big events will be the revealing of " the man of lawlessness". 2:6 is neuter (“what is holding back”). Some have even suggested that Satan is the one restraining his own lawless agent until the proper moment (cf. 225–249. energeō; cf. I am not sure, but 2 Thessalonians 2 and Revelation 20 may be talking about the same increase in evil toward the end of time. We are again reminded of Jesus’ Olivet Discourse, in which he warns of coming false messiahs and prophets who perform “signs and wonders” in order to lead others astray (Matt. 11:31). What does the Bible say about a strong delusion in the end times (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)? In the first advent of our Lord, Jesus’ fulfillment of OT prophecy, while comprehensible and wonderful in hindsight, was not anticipated properly by even the most faithful Jewish students of Scripture. parousia) of the lawless one in verse 9 is placed immediately alongside the parousia of Jesus (2 Thess. Second, before Paul writes 2 Thessalonians, events have already presaged Roman imperial opposition to Jewish worship of God. The Danielic background is particularly striking in comparison to the man of lawlessness in verse 4. 7:24–27; 8:23–26; 11:20–45; esp. —2 Thessalonians 2:3–10. Nero was the Roman emperor from AD 54-68. Dan. Like Judas, the man of lawlessness is in the Church. Only in hindsight will we understand the full intent of the prophetic word. Paul has experienced such evil, as has the persecuted church in Thessalonica. 2:9). The idea here is that Satan is constantly working behind the scenes until he can take human form and become the man of lawlessness. Acts 17:23). A correct identification of these two conditions is critical for a proper understanding of when the day of the Lord begins. 24:12). 9:27; 11:31; 12:11). Isaiah prophesied that the messianic “shoot from the stump of Jesse” would kill the wicked “with the breath of his lips” (Isa. What Does It Mean That Women Should “Remain Quiet” in Church? This is possible, though such postulations often require a metaphorical expansion of “he who now restrains” to indicate an entire nation or a series of emperors rather than a single individual. A time would come when "because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold" (Matt. The phrase "man of lawlessness" may be drawn from Ps 88:23 LXX, while "son of perdition" may be drawn from Isa 57:4. This commentator anticipates a yet-future appearing of a human lawless one, whose manifestation amid false signs and prophecies will precede Jesus’ return and final judgment. 2:5), but we are left to infer as much as we can to the best of our abilities. This appearing of the Man of Lawlessness is one culmination of an inevitable historical process. The man of lawlessness is so convincing to the masses that Paul emphasizes that he appears with “all wicked deception.” However, even amid such deception, Paul carefully records that only “those who are perishing” will be fooled (cf. Or that he would come, be crucified, be raised, ascend, and then delay his return to establish his kingdom fully by at least two millennia? The “Man of Lawlessness” is also refereed to as the “son of destruction” at 2nd Thessalonians 2:3. 3:5). Who is the “man of lawlessness”? 2:19; Acts 21:21). 2 Thessalonians 2:3 “Let no one lead you astray in any way, because it will not come unless THE APOSTASY comes first and the man of lawlessness gets revealed, the son of destruction.” Who is holding back the "secret power of lawlessness"? (1 Timothy 2). Some have suggested that this refers to a nation-state (rather than to a particular individual), with the Roman Empire being the most likely candidate; however, the imagery itself repeatedly points to an individual rather than an entire state. 88:23 LXX [English 89:22]). Clearly the lawlessness of Satan seeks to mimic the good work of God in Christ. Paul again applies to the lawless one and Satan terms typically reserved for God’s activity in Christ. Yet, nearly two hundred years later, Jesus applies the “abomination of desolation” language to the future (Matt. The Thessalonians need not worry that they may be numbered among those who will be deceived by the man of lawlessness, since they already know and love the truth. Interpreters have considered multiple options for this “restrainer.” Many suggest that God himself restrains such evil, perhaps especially in the person of the Holy Spirit. Who exactly was Paul referring to as ?the lawless one? This would be a "falling away." Yet others would suggest a more metaphorical understanding of the lawless one’s session in the temple. The man of lawlessness is here. 3 The Bible tells of this man of lawlessness at 2 Thessalonians 2:3. Jesus cites the teaching of Daniel, who prophesied that this abomination would profane the Jerusalem temple (Dan. The man of lawlessness both opposes and exalts himself over every “so-called god or object of worship.” Paul elsewhere employs the Greek word for “opposes” as a title for Satan, the “adversary” (1 Tim. Only when “he who now restrains it” is removed will the lawless one arise (2:7). The Septuagint Greek translation of Isaiah 57:3–4 similarly speaks of the “sons of lawlessness” who are “children of destruction” (cf. In order to be an apostate, he must be teaching things contrary to what the bible says, claiming to … 24:4–13, 23–28; Mark 13:5–13, 21–23; Luke 21:8–19). Learn more or donate today at, ESV Expository Commentary: Ephesians–Philemon (Volume 11). The rebels even burned the stores of food, attempting to starve their moderate Jewish opponents into submission to fight the Romans, creating great hardship for … Paul here draws on OT Danielic imagery concerning a ruler opposed to God and his people (cf. gospel-centered, Bible-centered content. Before considering the options, note that verse 6 speaks of some entity (neuter gender in Gk.) 2 Thess. 2 Thessalonians 2:7. 12:7), as it likely does here. In Daniel it is this king who sets up the “abomination that makes desolate” in Jerusalem (Dan. Although the lawless one is yet to come, “the mystery of lawlessness is already at work.” This is consistent with the concept of evil elsewhere in the NT. Finally, the word “mystery” is here applied to lawlessness (for similar evil mysteries, cf. 2Th. John states simultaneously that the “antichrist is coming” and that “now many antichrists have come” (1 John 2:18; cf. 2 Thessalonians 2 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. Inspired by God’s spirit, the apostle Paul wrote: “Let no one seduce you in any manner, because [Jehovah’s day of destruction of this wicked system] will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness gets revealed.” Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.8And 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.9The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders,10and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Paul remarks, “Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?” Clearly, the original audience already knew more Pauline eschatological teaching than we presently have. If so, then many contend this would require a future rebuilding of the Jerusalem temple prior to the advent of the lawless one. This reminds us of another related debate, namely, is a specific physical temple required in order for the prophetic expectation to be satisfied? In talking about the end times, 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4 says, "Let no one deceive you in any way. apollymi ) refers to those whose destruction awaits them. This article is part of the Tough Passages series. 12:1–4).1 With this list of options, it appears most likely that God himself controls the timing and the restraint, holding back the advent of the lawless one until the proper moment. 2:11–12). This lends credence to the idea that the man of lawlessness is a betrayer in the church. Others have specifically considered his sitting in the temple (2:4) to refer to the destruction of the Jerusalem temple at the hand of Titus (AD 70), but the specifics of that event do not align with an individual’s calling himself God while seated in the temple precincts. This would be … comments on 1 Thess. Thus we live in an age when simultaneously the Spirit enables the church to proceed with its mission and lawlessness is at work. John Levi of Gischala H. Summary and Conclusion We read in Daniel of a king who “shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods,” and “shall not pay attention to any other god, for he shall magnify himself above all” (Dan. 11:36–37). Because God's love was unmerited, it is unchanging. more below). What is going to happen in the end times? that is restraining the lawless one, while verse 7 shifts to the masculine gender, implying that the restrainer is some person (“he who now restrains it”). comment on 2:3–4). So, Satan continues mimicking the gospel and God’s work. 2:1-4) and that the man of sin was being actively restrained at the time Paul wrote. The most natural inference from this text and its Danielic imagery is that a human ruler is intended. This could be metaphorical for a group of people, but it seems likely Paul has a single individual in mind. 14:12–15; Ezek. also Ps. Paul teaches elsewhere that the rise of “deceitful spirits and teachings of demons” and also “times of difficulty” will be indicative of the last days (1 Tim. The term for “object of worship” (Gk. Whether or not there will be a physical temple in Jerusalem is not yet foreseeable. 2:8–9. What Is the Mark of the Beast? The resulting Maccabean revolt eventually led to Jewish priests and kings again being in control in Jerusalem. 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. What can be stated clearly is that the appearance of the lawless one is entirely in keeping with God’s sovereignty (cf. 2:13; cf. The mystery of iniquity, therefore, is a scheme of error, not openly discovered, whose influence is to encourage iniquity. 2:9–10), it is helpful to remember that Jesus predicted that many false messiahs and prophets would arise over time but that the church will nevertheless endure and give witness (Matt. The Restrainer E. Verse 8 F. Verses 9-12 G. Top Two Candidates for the Man of Lawlessness 1. In any case, the OT messianic resonances are clear: the Messiah’s judgment prevails against all lawlessness. A. This man would act … Here we note that “until he is out of the way” is an English idiom for the more particular Greek phrase “until he comes from the middle.” The restrainer interposes himself between the people of this age and the fullest expression of evil represented by the lawless one. In the midst of these disturbing apocalyptic images, Paul gives the Thessalonians a substantial hope. He will be “revealed” (Gk. The central interpretive debate in these two verses concerns the identity of this man of lawlessness. 2:9). Similar objections could be made against any of the subsequent religious shrines built atop the Jerusalem Temple Mount, whether the Hadrianic Temple of Jupiter (built around AD 135) or the current Dome of the Rock (built around 691). God may then be the restrainer (perhaps specifically as the Holy Spirit) or may act through the agency of an angelic restrainer. Eph. Crossway is a not-for-profit Christian ministry that exists solely for 4:1; 15:51; Eph. Thus, though it seems best to assume that the man of lawlessness is still to be revealed, the specifics of how that might look (including what is meant by his session in the temple) will likely surprise the best of interpreters. Paul’s original audience “knew” such matters based on Paul’s prior instruction (2 Thess. He also led the Idumeans for a time. comment on 2 Thess. Paul draws on this tradition as he discusses the “man of lawlessness,” who is the “son of destruction” in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 and the “lawless one” in 2 Thess. 1:11; for “signs and wonders,” cf. He is referred to as the “son of destruction” because Daniel says he is the one who sets up the “abomination of desolation” starting the “Great Tribulation.” First, Daniel’s prophetic imagery points to Antiochus IV of Seleucia, who styled himself Epiphanes (“god manifest”), invaded Jerusalem, despoiled the temple, commanded the burning of the Scriptures, forbade the covenant rite of circumcision, put to death many faithful Jews, and ultimately instituted pagan sacrifices in the Jerusalem temple (167 BC). 12:12). Various views on this restrainer’s identity were discussed in the preceding verse. 2:6, 8), employing terminology Paul reserves most often for the activity of God in making known something hidden (e.g., Rom. Beyond that, the man of lawlessness exalts himself over the very worship of God Almighty. 1. Copyright 2011-2021 Got Questions Ministries - All Rights Reserved. Empowered by Satan, the lawless one will arrive accompanied by false wonders and signs, thus deceiving unbelievers; but even this is under God’s sovereign control (2 Thess. Notes: Colin R. Nicholl, From Hope to Despair in Thessalonica: Situating 1 and 2 Thessalonians, SNTSMS 126 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004), esp. The verbs Paul applies here to lawlessness is the same as language he uses elsewhere of God and Christ. 1:11, 20; 3:20; Phil. In talking about the end times, 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4 says, "Let no one deceive you in any way. It seems that some personal entity must cease his restraining action in order for the one. To appear, though ultimately Satan ’ s providence, however, is a scheme of error not. And kings again being in control in Jerusalem as he writes of error, not able to pursue intents. Of it, is a not-for-profit Christian ministry that exists solely for the purpose of proclaiming the (! 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