Ralph Porter

© 2002

    How would we respond if we were facing severe persecution-possibly even death-because of our faith in Christ?

    During our missions conference we heard about thousands in Africa who were slaughtered because of their faith in Christ. Many in Sudan, in Indonesia, and other places have suffered severe persecution because of their walk in God.

    Reliable sources have affirmed repeatedly that more people died for their faith in the twentieth century, than in all the previous centuries of church history combined! We find that hard to believe, because we're so comfortable here! The most we suffer is public embarrassment, or limited restrictions on the expression of our faith. However, it's likely that during the twenty-first century, if the Lord doesn't come first, we will pay a price for our faith.

    Paul affirmed that all who would live godly lives will suffer persecution! Paul is writing to the Thessalonian church in the midst of persecution. They are suffering because of their faith in Christ and their walk with God

    This letter was written shortly after 1 Thessalonians, in about A.D. 51. They continue to suffer because of their faith in Christ. The persecution has created further theological problems that need to be dealt with.

    Paul writes them in order to accomplish three purposes:

         To comfort these suffering people.

         To correct the doctrinal confusion concerning the Day of the Lord.

         To encourage us to stand firm and hold onto sound doctrine.

    The main idea of his letter: comfort in the midst of their suffering. He comforts us by demonstrating that suffering produces praise. He reminds us that those who are faithful triumph in the end. In chapter 2, Paul presents instruction concerning the Day of the Lord (2:1-17).

    In recent years I have been frustrated with the de-emphasis on what God has said concerning His plans for His church in the future. Young people desiring credentials for ministry respond to questions concerning the time of the rapture by saying, in essence, "I don't know and I don't care!" It seems apparent from Scripture that God does know and He does care! God has spoken about the future. If God has gone to the effort of telling us what He plans to do in the future, then we need to know what He has said about it! We may disagree on how we interpret those passages, but we need to invest the energy to determine what God has said.

    Paul acknowledges the affliction the church is enduring. Their faith and love is growing (1:3). Gene Getz has pointed out how the mature church gives evidence of three primary characteristics: faith, hope and love (1 Cor. 13:13). Paul's letters to the churches indicate the presence or absence of these traits. In this case, they are demonstrating an increase in faith and love, but they seem to be struggling concerning their hope, because they are enduring persecution (1:4).

    Paul comforts them by assuring them that as a result of their faithfulness in the midst of affliction, they will be declared worthy of the kingdom (1:5). God will repay those who afflict His people in His time (1:6-7).

    The affliction they are going through has caused them to wonder whether this time of suffering could be the great tribulation. Apparently a false "representative" has come, claiming to have been sent by Paul. He is affirming that they are in the day of the Lord. That would be the same as saying that they are in the tribulation. His message would have been: "This tribulation we're going through was promised in the Day of the Lord" (2:2). The subject he's dealing with isn't imminency that He would come soon. The subject is the day of the Lord.

    This view requires a post-tribulational understanding of Scripture. Their concept-what Paul wants to correct-is post-tribulational! If we're in the tribulation, and Christ hasn't come for His people yet, then His coming must be after the tribulation!

    Paul responds to this point of view by teaching about two subjects (2:1):

         1.    Our Lord's coming.

         2.    Our gathering together with Him (that is, the Rapture)

    He corrects their mistaken idea by teaching about rapture! He warns us of the danger of being deceived concerning this issue (2:2-3a).

    Paul's basic answer to their question is that we can't be in day of the Lord because two notable events must occur before its arrival (2:3). These two prerequisites are considered to be clearly visible and definitive. Paul's argument is based on the fact that these two events are missing. We can watch for them as indicators of the day of the Lord. If these haven't happened, the day hasn't come! Since they haven't happened, we can't be in the Great Tribulation!

1.    "APOSTASY"   2:3a

    The first of these clearly visible, definitive events that Paul affirms had not yet occurred is "the apostasy." Our English word "apostasy" is an anglicized transliteration of the Greek word Paul uses. The word only appears twice in the New Testament. Because of the popular modern use of the word in English, we assume we know what it means. The common view of "apostasy" is that it refers to a doctrinal deviation from truth.

    The problem with this view is that this kind of apostasy isn't an objectively verifiable, definitive event as Paul uses it here; it's a state. When does this state appear? The New Testament affirms that the spirit of apostasy already existed when Paul wrote. John makes clear that the Spirit of apostasy was already prevalent (1 John 2:18-19 ff.). Paul likewise affirms, in this same letter, that this spirit is already present (2:7).

    How then can Paul be so definitive in stating that it hasn't yet occurred? A gradual intensification of that state to a new climax doesn't satisfy Paul's definitive use of this term as a notable sign to demonstrate that they can't yet be in the tribulation. When is enough enough? How do we know when it's bad enough? Apostasy isn't a notable event you could use at any time to determine if the day of the Lord has begun, as Paul uses it.

    If that's not what Paul has in mind, then how should we understand it? It would be preferable to interpret the word on the basis of its non-technical, root idea, normally expressed by the verb form of the root: "to depart from," "to draw away," "to fall away," "to refrain from." The verb is used fifteen times in fourteen New Testament passages:

    Lk. 2:37     "And she [Anna] never left the temple, serving night and day"

    Lk. 4:13     "And when the devil finished every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time."

    Lk. 13:27   "And He will say, 'I tell you, I do not know where you are from; depart from me all you evildoers.'"

    Acts 12:10  "And they went out and went along one street; and immediately the angel departed from him."

    Acts 15:38  "But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia."

    Acts 19:9    "But when some were becoming hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the multitude, he

                            [Paul] withdrew from them and took away the disciples . . . ."

    Acts 22:29  "Therefore those who were about to examine him immediately let go of [withdrew from] him;"

    2 Cor. 12:8 "Concerning this I entreated the Lord three times that it might depart from me."

    1 Tim. 4:1    "But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith . . . ." [depart from it; they'll leave!]

    2 Tim. 2:19  "Let every one who names the name of the Lord abstain from wickedness. [depart from; leave it]

    Heb. 3:12    "Take care, brethren, lest there should be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart, in falling away from the

                            living God." [departing from; leaving Him]

    Acts 5:37-38 "After this man Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away some people after him [got

                            them to leave] , . . . .  And so in the present case, I say to you, stay away from [depart from] these men and

                            leave them alone, . . . ."

    Luke 8:13     "Those on rocky soil . . . believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away [depart; they leave!]."

    1 Tim. 6:5     ". . . men of depraved mind . . . [alternate reading adds: "from such turn away [depart]].

    One noun form derived from that verbal root form refers to a certificate of divorce which Moses ordered a man to give to his wife when he wanted to separate from her. That noun is used three times in the New Testament (Matt. 5:31; 19:7; Mk. 10:4). The other noun form derived from this verbal root is the word "apostasy" which is used only twice in the New Testament:

    Acts 21:21     "You are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses." [They're teaching the Jews to

                             leave Moses!]

    2 Thess. 2:3 "It will not come unless the apostasy [departure] comes first ...."

    "Apostasy" is a departure! The verb normally describes a separation or departure, though it may occasionally be used in a figurative way. The noun, in non-biblical usage, was first related to the idea of the root verb, with no religious connotation. The idea of doctrinal apostasy is a derived meaning.-it came later! In extra-biblical use it was found at the dock-to list ship departures, much like our airport signs indicating "arrivals" and "departures." The context indicates the type of departure that the speaker had in mind.

    What is there in this context to clarify the meaning of the word here?

        • It's a clearly definable, notable sign.

        • Verse 1 is clearly referring to a departure.

        • This departure is again mentioned in verse 3.

                "The departure," with a definite article, indicates something well known by the

                    readers, or, something mentioned in the preceding context.

        • It's also closely tied to the previous letter (1 Thess. 4:13-18).

    If Paul is saying that "the departure" must occur first, it seems most logical to assume that this statement is a clear reference to the rapture, which he previously identified with the day of the Lord in his other letter to them. The rapture would certainly be a definite, objectively verifiable event; in particular for the church.

    The rapture is a notable departure-people will know it happened! Until this "departure" occurs (whether he is talking about a physical departure or a doctrinal "departure"), we can't be in the day of the Lord. Therefore, they can't possibly be in the tribulation [and neither can we]!

2.    REVELATION OF MAN OF LAWLESSNESS   2:3b-12

    The second notable prerequisite which must happen before the tribulation is also a notable, clearly identifiable sign: the revelation of the man of lawlessness. He is the central character in the day of the Lord. The one who brings it on hasn't shown up yet! Therefore this persecution can't be the day of the Lord because the real persecution doesn't start until half way through the week (Dan. 9:26-27). He comes at the start of the week-to sign the treaty.

His character   2:3b

    As his name indicates, he is characterized by rebellion against God's laws, and any other laws anyone wants to impose on him that will restrict him from doing what he wants to do. He is also characterized by his destiny. He is called literally "the son of destruction," because that is his ultimate end.

His work   2:4-5

    The man of lawlessness opposes all other gods. He wants all worship directed to him. He sits in a temple, presenting himself as a god. Two common interpretations present themselves concerning this temple. He could be referring to the Jewish temple reconstructed. Many have pointed to developments in Israel that seem to be preparing for the reconstruction of their temple. However, a logical question presents itself concerning this view: Would the Bible refer to a temple reconstructed by rebellious Jews, out of fellowship with God, the "temple of God"? This act seems to occur before the restoration of Israel.

    Another, more likely possibility is that he will build his own temple, in which he sets himself up as god. He could establish his own temple. It would be the temple of "a god" since he presents himself as god. He reigns from his temple as a political and religious leader (Dan. 11:45).

His obstacle   2:6-8a

    Though the power of lawlessness is always present in the world, God is restraining Satan's power. Satan is ready to begin his program whenever God permits. Satan has his man ready in every generation-just waiting for his chance! But God is holding him back-until He's ready! God's in charge! He establishes His timetable!

    In verse 6 this obstacle is referred to as a neuter restraining force. Verse seven refers to Him as a person who restrains. God may choose to use the law or the influence of the church in the world to restrain sin today. However, that restraining influence will continue to work until the One who is holding it back is taken out of the way. The Holy Spirit exercises this role on the earth. Paul doesn't say that He leaves. He stops interfering.

    Taking the Holy Spirit out of the way is like taking a barricade out of the middle of a road. When we lived in Guatemala, they were working on a major improvement on the Pan American Highway. During the day they put up a barrier that forced us to take a fifteen mile detour around the project. At night they took the barriers out of the way, so we could go straight through on the more direct route. The signs were still there, they just took them out of the way.

    The Holy Spirit is omnipresent. He can't be taken out of the world. He's always present. He's the agent of regeneration in all time periods. Without His work no one would ever receive new life. Therefore, He can't be taken out of the world. He is taken out of the way-He stops blocking the road-so the man of lawlessness can proceed to carry out Satan's program on earth. He isn't taken out of the way until the church is taken out. Therefore, the rapture comes first.

His destiny   2:8b

    Paul again reveals the destiny of the man of sin. He will be destroyed by Christ at His second coming (compare Rev. 19)

His deception   2:9-10a

    The man of lawlessness leads many astray by the mighty acts he performs. God allows him to delude them into believing in him. This prophecy should serve to warn us that there is danger in pursuing a "theology of signs and wonders." The presence of mighty, supernatural signs doesn't assure us that God is at work. The devil has great power to perform mighty deeds also.

His following   2:10b-12

    Those who follow him are duped because they reject the truth. He says it twice (10b, 12)! They believe his lies. Paul makes it clear that the reason people will be deceived by his lies is that they have refused to accept the truth (Rev. 6:14-17).

    They take pleasure in wickedness. They demonstrate their true loyalty by their enjoyment of wickedness-it's fun! Therefore they will be condemned. The practical warning for people today who have not trusted Christ TRUST HIM NOW! before the great lie comes along and you are deceived by it! This is the opportunity God is giving you to receive His gift of eternal life by trusting His Son.

    Paul thanks God because we don't belong to the condemned (2:13-14). We have received the truth. We have been called to share in Christ's glory. Our destiny is secure. Our suffering is temporary. We won't be left behind to suffer in the day of the Lord. We were chosen for deliverance not for wrath (1 Thess. 5).

    Paul prays that God will give us strength to stand firm in the midst of this temporary affliction (2:15-17). Specifically, he prays:

        That we may stand firm 2:15a

        That we may hold to the doctrines taught 2:15b

        That God may encourage us 2:16-17a

        That God may strengthen us 2:17b

        That God may confirm us in every good work and word.

HOW SHOULD THIS TRUTH IMPACT OUR LIVES?-How should we then live?

    We should examine ourselves to be sure that we are trusting Christ and not ourselves so

        we are sure that we have received the gift of eternal life.

    We should stand firm in the midst of hard times, since we know we are on the winning

        side. Don't throw in the towel when the going gets rough!

    We should be ready for His coming to gather His saints.