Daily Bread 2010 - 2 Thessalonians 2
The Man of Lawlessness
1Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, 2not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. 3Don'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. 4He 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.
5Don't you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? 6And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. 7For 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. 8And 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.
As Paul continues to instruct this young church regarding the second coming of the Lord Jesus, he warns them not to get caught up in undue speculation, prophecies and predictions. At that time since it was very near Jesus’ actual resurrection (20 years), there were lots of people thinking that Jesus was returning soon.
As Paul instructs the believers, he warns them of the “lawless one” who will come and will be a prelude to the end times. We learn in other bible passages that this is none other than Satan himself. Then, in verse 7, he says something important for us today. He says, “The secret power of lawlessness is already at work.”
It is interesting that lawlessness is the condition described as a precursor to the end times. And when we look at today’s culture, we see its influence at work too. Lawlessness is when the culture says there is no right and wrong. Or, when it says, “Well as long as you believe it is okay, than if it is okay for you, don’t worry about what anybody else says.” Or when it says “right” and “wrong” is relative and based on sincerity of belief. In all these ways, we have become a culture where we have begin to see secret power of “lawlessness” at work.
Of course, it is important to say that we all break the law every day in relationship to God’s laws. And when we do this, we need to confess our sins to God who is faithful and just and turn from them. The bible promises as we confess our sins, he will forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
The subtle difference between what we believe as Christians and lawlessness that is at work in the world is when one breaks the law and says I don’t care, this law doesn’t apply to me anyways. That is the type of lawlessness this passage is talking about, and it is a condition the bible says helps to create an environment where the Lawless One (the Antichrist, Satan) will one day come and set himself over against even God himself.
Many Christians have tried to identify such a person, but I don’t believe this person has come yet. But it is good for us to be aware of the lawlessness we do see at work in our world, and fight against it with the truth that sets people free. This is why it is important to stay in God’s Word and know it. God’s Word is truth and the more we fall in love with it, memorize it, and hide it deep in our hearts, the more likely we will be able to discern the power of evil at work in our world and expose it. Of course, we know this Word, is Jesus Christ, who was the Word made incarnate. The Living Word, Jesus, lives in us as we believe in Him by Faith and by the power of the Holy Spirit He protects from the power of the evil one.
Let us pray, dear Jesus help us to be wise and discerning as to the times we live in. Help us to abide in you so that we will bear much fruit. Help us to expose the lies we see in our culture that promote lawlessness. Help us to teach our children the difference between right and wrong so they too may walk in your ways. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
1Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, 2not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. 3Don'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. 4He 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.
5Don't you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? 6And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. 7For 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. 8And 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.
As Paul continues to instruct this young church regarding the second coming of the Lord Jesus, he warns them not to get caught up in undue speculation, prophecies and predictions. At that time since it was very near Jesus’ actual resurrection (20 years), there were lots of people thinking that Jesus was returning soon.
As Paul instructs the believers, he warns them of the “lawless one” who will come and will be a prelude to the end times. We learn in other bible passages that this is none other than Satan himself. Then, in verse 7, he says something important for us today. He says, “The secret power of lawlessness is already at work.”
It is interesting that lawlessness is the condition described as a precursor to the end times. And when we look at today’s culture, we see its influence at work too. Lawlessness is when the culture says there is no right and wrong. Or, when it says, “Well as long as you believe it is okay, than if it is okay for you, don’t worry about what anybody else says.” Or when it says “right” and “wrong” is relative and based on sincerity of belief. In all these ways, we have become a culture where we have begin to see secret power of “lawlessness” at work.
Of course, it is important to say that we all break the law every day in relationship to God’s laws. And when we do this, we need to confess our sins to God who is faithful and just and turn from them. The bible promises as we confess our sins, he will forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
The subtle difference between what we believe as Christians and lawlessness that is at work in the world is when one breaks the law and says I don’t care, this law doesn’t apply to me anyways. That is the type of lawlessness this passage is talking about, and it is a condition the bible says helps to create an environment where the Lawless One (the Antichrist, Satan) will one day come and set himself over against even God himself.
Many Christians have tried to identify such a person, but I don’t believe this person has come yet. But it is good for us to be aware of the lawlessness we do see at work in our world, and fight against it with the truth that sets people free. This is why it is important to stay in God’s Word and know it. God’s Word is truth and the more we fall in love with it, memorize it, and hide it deep in our hearts, the more likely we will be able to discern the power of evil at work in our world and expose it. Of course, we know this Word, is Jesus Christ, who was the Word made incarnate. The Living Word, Jesus, lives in us as we believe in Him by Faith and by the power of the Holy Spirit He protects from the power of the evil one.
Let us pray, dear Jesus help us to be wise and discerning as to the times we live in. Help us to abide in you so that we will bear much fruit. Help us to expose the lies we see in our culture that promote lawlessness. Help us to teach our children the difference between right and wrong so they too may walk in your ways. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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