The day of the Lord is not to come till the man of sin be revealed. The apostles' teachings are to be observed.
1 And we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of our gathering together unto him: 2 That you be not easily moved from your sense, nor be terrified, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by epistle, as sent from us, as if the day of the Lord were at hand. 3 Let no man deceive you by any means, for unless there come a revolt first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition, 4 Who opposeth, and is lifted up above all that is called God, or that is worshipped, so that he sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself as if he were God. 5 Remember you not, that when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
3 "A revolt"... This revolt, or falling off, is generally understood, by the ancient fathers, of a revolt from the faith, which was first to be destroyed in the Church, before the coming of Antichrist.
3 "The man of sin"... Here must be meant some particular man, as is evident from the frequent repetition of the Greek article: 'the man of sin, 'the son of perdition, 'the adversary or opposer. It agrees to the wicked and great Antichrist, who will come before the end of the world.
4 "In the temple"... That of Jerusalem which he will rebuild; or in some Christian church[es], which he will pervert to his own worship.
6 And now you know what withholdeth, that he may be revealed in his time.
6 “And now you know what ‘withholdeth’ that he [the Antichrist] may be revealed in his time.” According to
7 For the mystery of iniquity already worketh; only that he who now holdeth, do hold, until he be taken out of the way. 8 And then that wicked one shall be revealed whom the Lord Jesus shall kill with the spirit of his mouth; and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming, him, 9 Whose coming is according to the working of Satan, in all power, and signs, and lying wonders, 10 And in all seduction of iniquity to them that perish; because they receive not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. Therefore God shall send them the operation of error, to believe lying:
10 "God shall send"... That is God shall suffer them to be deceived by lying wonders, and false miracles, in punishment of their not entertaining the love of truth. Even though Christ Himself has offered the love of truth and the faithful have prayed that they will accept it. They are self condemned, as St. Jude tells us: Jude vs. 4, 5 “…denying the only sovereign-ruler and Lord of us, Jesus Christ. 5 I will therefore admonish you, though ye once knew all things, that Jesus, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, did afterwards destroy them that believed not:” That happened when they worshipped the golden calf.
11 That all may be judged who have not believed the truth, but have consented to iniquity. 12 But we ought to give thanks to God always for you, brethren, beloved of God, for that God hath chosen you firstfruits unto salvation, in sanctification of the spirit, and faith of the truth: 13 Whereunto also he hath called you by our gospel, unto the purchasing of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 14 Therefore, brethren, stand fast; and hold the traditions which you have learned, whether by word, or by our epistle. 15 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God and our Father, who hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation, and good hope in grace,
16 Exhort your hearts, and confirm you in every good work and word.
14 "...hold the traditions which you have learned, whether by word, or by our epistle." See Exhortation to pray as we ought to and Ante-Nicene Fathers, below - St. Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Book V. Chapter XXII
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