As we saw yesterday, today we are again exhorted to not panic but to keep on trusting the Lord in the face of testing times, especially at the coming of the Lord. Paul tries to jog the memory of the Thessalonians asking them if they remember how he was telling them these things when he was there in person with them. However, he still feels the need to clarify these things about the end times, specifically here about the man of lawlessness.

Before Christ comes, this person is going to be revealed but at the moment he is being held back. In the meantime, some of this power of darkness is at work. It’s almost like a dam that is being held by the wall but some water is leaching out. We are told that he will be released by the authority God. When he is released however, he will be quickly defeated and overthrown by Jesus. It’s no struggle, there is no epic battle, but Jesus is victorious. His power is so mighty that all he needs to do is speak a word and this person is crushed. His splendour is so great that all he needs to do is stand in the room and the darkness and evil is lightened and destroyed. But this won’t be before this person has had some leeway. People will be deluded, deceived, and condemned as a result of his work similar to the work of Satan and God will hand them over to their wickedness because they have rejected the love and grace that he has offered them.

Our purpose and our warning is to not be deceived by such lies. All that we hear, all that we learn we must test and see if it is inline with God’s word no matter what source we hear it from. We aren’t to do things out of panic but as a measure to avoid the traps of the evil one. Satan will do all he can to divert our eyes and attention from the truth, but we can resist him because we are God’s chosen people, we have his Spirit dwelling within us, and we have his word to us. Let us keep on holding onto and contending for the truth of the Gospel. MC

Questions

How are we to react when we come across teaching that is deceptive?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank you that you will have the final word on evil. Help us to resist and flee from Satan’s schemes and to hold onto your truth. Amen.