The blessed hope of Christ’s coming is a doctrine with which believers are to be deeply affected that they might not be moved about with the conflicting and Satanic heresies of the last days, when there will be general religious apostasy and denial of the program of God’s Word. Let us not be deceived by the doctrine of any man or by the trend of events, to let loose of the hope of His imminent return.
II Thessalonians 2
1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
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.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
II Thessalonians 2:1 – J. Vernon McGee
II Thessalonians 2:2 – J. Vernon McGee
II Thessalonians 2:3-5 – J. Vernon McGee
II Thessalonians 2:6-8 – J. Vernon McGee
II Thessalonians 2:9-12 – J. Vernon McGee
II Thessalonians 2:13-17 – J. Vernon McGee
2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 – Untroubled by Threatening Rumors
The Apostle sets himself to correct certain erroneous impressions which had unsettled the church in Thessalonica. Notice how reverently he speaks of our Saviour. Once and again he alludes to him as the Lord Jesus Christ. He is surely coming, and as surely will his saints be gathered to him, as the drops of moisture are drawn up from ponds and oceans, to cluster in the clouds in radiant beauty around the sun.
But certain events must take place first. There must be a great apostasy and the unveiling of “the mystery of iniquity”, which even at that time was already at work. First, the man of sin; then, the Son of man. First, he that set himself forth as God; then, God manifest in the flesh. First, the revelation of sin; then, the revelation of perfect salvation. Daniel 11:36 seems to have suggested Paul’s words, which have been applied to Nero or Caligula, to Judaism or the Papal Church, and to some future manifestation of Satanic hatred toward the Church of God. But whatever form it may assume, the coming of Jesus will absolutely destroy this power of Antichrist. Let us be warned by the doom of those that are involved in this great apostasy, and ever cherish the love of the truth of Christ, that we may be saved.
2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 – Held Firm.
This closing section is full of comfort and inspiration. Believers in Christ are the beloved of God; their salvation dates from his eternal love and choice, and his purpose for us is being wrought out in our characters by the Holy Spirit, who ministers to us through the truth. Our comfort is eternal and our hope is unfailing. (Meyer)
II Thessalonians 2:13—God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation.
From the beginning! Who shall compute the contents of the vast unknown abyss, which is comprehended in that phrase? The beginning of creation was preceded by the anticipation of Redemption, and the love of God to all who were one with Christ.
God’s aim and purpose. Salvation. — Not simply our deliverance from the penalty, but from the power of all besetting sin; so that we may be delivered from the fear of our enemies, and serve Him in holiness and righteousness all our days. This He is prepared to give to us; but we must claim it by faith.
God’s choice. — Whom He did foreknow He also did predestinate. From all eternity He saw those who would be attracted to Jesus by a Divine affinity, and these were included in his gift to the Son. “Thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word” (John 17:6). We must not presume on the eternal choice; but we may be very grateful that the tendencies emanating from the fall are met, in mid-flow, by the grace and choice of the Almighty.
God’s method. Through sanctification of the Spirit. — The Holy Ghost sets us apart from sin, and consecrates us to God. “Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Our sanctification is not the property of our soul, but its possession of the Holy One; not an attribute, but a Person. And belief of the truth. Let the Word of God dwell in you richly. Hide it in your heart, that you may be kept from sin. We are sanctified by the truth in so far as we expose our hearts to its entrance and rule. We are cleansed by the washing of water through the Word. (Meyer)