Thoughts From the Word – with Pastor Stephen Fleming
Journey of Insight – Bible Teachings with Alan Lachapelle
When Shall These Things Be? by Alan Lachapelle
2 Thes 2:1 Now we beseech (implore, beg) you, brethren (brothers and sisters in the Lord) by (concerning) the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together unto him.
When Paul says coming of the Lord what exactly is he referring to? Look at verse 8, And then shall that wicked be revealed, whom the Lord (Jesus) shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
Paul’s reference is to the destruction of Jesus enemies, the beginning of his reign on the earth.
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2 Thes 2:1 Now we beseech (implore, beg) you, brethren (brothers and sisters in the Lord) by (concerning) the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together unto him.
2:2 that you be not soon shaken (waver) in mind, or troubled, (to
wail with fear) neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand (here or near).
Why would Paul say not to waver in their faith, nor wail with fear, if Jesus is here or near. Isn’t the coming of the Lord a good thing? Context, context, context. Always read what is before and what is after a scripture so you get the full understanding.
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2 Thes 2:3a Let no man deceive you by any means:(by spirit, by word or by letter) for that day (the coming of the Lord) shall not come, except there comes a falling away first, (apostacy, falling away from your former beliefs). First and foremost before Jesus comes there must be another event that precedes the main event (the coming of the Lord). Now there have been people falling away from the faith since the early church, but this is not that. This is an event with large numbers involving all positions of authority, both great and small.
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2 Thes 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: (by spirit, by word or by letter) for that day (the coming of the Lord) shall not come, except there comes a falling away first, (apostacy, or falling away from your former beliefs) and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (the son of ruin). Which reveal is he speaking of? Revelation 6:2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. In this reveal of the man of sin, he is revealed as a night in shining armor gaining victory. Verse 4 gives us the answer to the reveal that Paul is speaking of. 2 Thes 2:4 Who opposes and exalts himself all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God (the man of sin) sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. This is the great reveal of the son of ruins, true motivation, and source of his power. The son of ruin exalts himself as the God of salvation, whose power comes from the God of this world, Satan.
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2 Thes 2:5 Remember you (to exercise your memory) not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? Paul had already taught them these things; they had let them slip from their thought life. What have they forgotten? The coming of the Lord, the greatest event is preceded by two other events. First the falling away from the faith by many. Second the reveal of the son of ruin showing his true colors, these two events must precede before the coming of the Lord is fulfilled.
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2 Thes 2:6 And now you know what withholds (to hold down fast) that he (the man of sin) might be revealed in his time. There is a proper order. First the falling away, then the son of ruin is revealed.
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2 Thes 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity does already work:… iniquity is not just sin but it is the source of sin. It is unrighteousness, which does not recognize the righteousness of God. It rejects the gift of righteousness. Righteousness is our position in God, through Jesus, which is revealed to us by the Holy Spirit. This position necessitated an adoption, that allows us to become sons and daughters to God the Father, hence the first step, spiritual adoption. …only he who now letteth (to hold down fast) will let, until he be taken out of the way. Again, the primary event, the coming of the Lord will not happen until the other two events, the falling away and the revealing of the man of sin take place.
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2 Thes 2:8 And then shall the wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming There will be no confusion that this is Jesus the Savior of the world, Lord, and King over the millennial reign.
v9 Even him, who’s coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders. Remember verse two the wavering and wailing in fear, they are not wavering in their faith and wailing in fear because Jesus shows up, but because the wicked one is working with Satan with signs and wonders. Consider this the mystery of iniquity (unrighteousness), it is already here and it is progressive.
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2 Thes 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. Where does the deceit originate from? Unrighteousness.
God provides a way out, accept and receive the gospel of Jesus Christ and God will give you the gift of righteousness.
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2 Thes 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
v12 That they might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure (to think well of) in unrighteousness. Check out Romans chapter one verse 16-32. In these passages Paul describes those who choose darkness over light, unrighteousness over righteousness. Gods response to them, He surrenders them over to the darkness that they have chosen.
Morning Coffee and a Thought
Coming Soon – Faithline with Steve and Al