READING: 2 Thessalonians 2
In view of some prophecy or a report falsely attributed to Paul, the church was being disturbed by the deception that the day of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 5:1–11) had come. Paul shows that this cannot be so until the man of lawlessness is revealed and the one who holds him back is taken out of the way (2:1–12). Paul adds a word of encouragement, exhorts his readers to stand firm, and prays for them (2:13–17).
The first two chapters of 2 Thessalonians focus on the return of Christ and teach that when He is “revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire” (1:7), those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus will be judged (1:6–10). But Christ will not judge the earth until the “apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed” (2:3; see also 2:6–12). Thus, Paul’s teaching on the second coming is a comfort for believers and a warning to unbelievers.
Prayer
Lord, may Jesus Christ Himself and You our Father, who have loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen our hearts in every good work and word.
Meditation passage: verses 13–14, 16–17
