2 Thessalonians 2

2 Thessalonians Chapter 2

2 Thessalonians chapter 2 has been a controversial chapter among pastors, theologians, as well as Christian laypeople, concerning the timing of the rapture of the church. As was covered in chapter one, the Second Coming of Christ was acknowledged by Paul in order to assure the persecuted Thessalonians that Jesus will recompense (repay) their persecutors in due time. In chapter 2, Paul addressed an issue of wrongful discernment concerning the “day of the Lord.” Paul, having fled quickly, most likely heard some of them concerned that the day was “at hand” already. The context of the expression “at hand” should be interpreted to mean “present.” The only scriptures that the people had access to were from the prophets of the Old Testament.  “Hold your peace at the presence of the Lord God: because the day of the Lord is at hand: because the Lord has prepared a sacrifice, he has bid his guests.” (Zeph. 1:7) Specifically, the “day of the Lord” is addressed to be “at hand” in Joel 1:15; 2:1, Isaiah 13:7, Zephaniah 1:7, and Ezekiel 12:23. Misguided Gentile believers could have very easily read the Old Testament prophets and began to spread word that the day was “at hand” already. I can search the internet today and find many false prophets that insinuate that the “day of the Lord” was in the past, or even “at hand” right now even as I write this book.

The “day of the Lord” is referred to within the Book of Joel five different times. Because it is referenced so often, one must associate certain passages as events of that time to come. The “day of the Lord” is a common theme among the Old Testament prophets (Isaiah 2:12, 13:6, 9, Jer. 46:10, Ezek. 13:5, 30:3, Amos 5:18, 20, Joel 1:15, 2:1, 11, 31, 3:14, Obad. 1:15, Zeph. 1:7, 14, Zech. 14:1, Mal. 4:5); it can be understood to be a time when God will vindicate His people and bless their endeavors, but the prophets also imply it to be a time of great judgment, which would bring destruction and terror.[1] The expression “day of the Lord” does not consist of one twenty-four hour day, but as many as seven years of judgment. There are, however, some references to the day of the Lord that can possibly be pointing to an occurrence which happens on a single day. One can find the expression “in that day” many times in the Book of Isaiah, which points to a timeframe similar to the expression “day of the Lord.” It is much different to say “on that day” rather than “in that day;” an event that will happen “on that day” is more specific to a single day, while “in that day” refers to an undetermined timeframe, which could be of an upcoming time period, or in the last days of the present Earth.[2]

Paul left in a hurry and could not properly address his concerns to all of the misguided Thessalonians concerning the timing of the “day of the Lord.” It seems that he did address it with many of them (2 Thess. 2:5), because he reminded them that he had already disclosed to them the key reason they should know that it is not possible for the “day of the Lord” to be “at hand,” which would be because the rapture of the church had to occur first. Paul provided key information to the church, concerning the timing of the harpazo (rapture) within this epistle, which has comforted the church now for nearly two millenniums.  

2 Thessalonians 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, Notice once again, Paul included Silas and Timothy within the following declarations with the pronoun “we.” He addressed the believers of Thessalonica as brethren. Though Post-Tribulation Rapture believers want to grasp onto verse 1 to connect the Second Coming of Jesus Christ with the rapture of the church together, we must remember that Paul is attempting to address the timing between the two events. The Greek word “kai” is translated as “and,” which is to be interpreted as “also,” or “in addition to;” thus, we have an introduction to his teaching, while drawing a reader’s interest. Obviously, “our gathering together unto Him” refers to the catching away (harpazo) of the church to the Lord in the air.  

2 Thessalonians 2:2 That you 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. The translators used the noun “mind” for the Greek noun “nous,” which can be understood to mean: “the power of considering and judging soberly, calmly and impartially.” Paul was addressing their sober and impartial judgment concerning the doctrine that he was teaching concerning the expression “the day of the Lord (Christ) is at hand.” He was insisting that they think logically about the timing of the “day of the Lord,” rather than listening to false doctrines from two different possible sources, while the third was concerning misunderstanding even letters from them. The logic was to be understood, so to know that is was not possible for the “day of the Lord” to be “at hand,” because one event having not happened yet proved it was not “at hand.”

 We should understand that the term “spirit” pertains to false prophecies; this manner of speaking was and is common among pious individuals, who apply the term “spirit” in their prophesying, with the intent of putting honor in their declarations. The term “word” pertains to oral speech, which proclaims many false doctrines and heresies. Paul, then included even his own writings, or any other writings, that could cause them to be troubled in thinking the “day of Christ is at hand.” With this position, Paul then provided them with the absolute logic, which would eliminate any ideas that anyone was living in the seven years known as the “day of the Lord.”

2 Thessalonians 2:3 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; Paul commanded the brethren of Thessalonica to not be deceived by anyone, because the day of the Lord cannot come before this certain condition does first. The church has misunderstood this verse in its proper context. If Paul was addressing the timing of the “day of the Lord” concerning the rapture of the church, then why would he confuse things by adding an additional prerequisite? Clearly, verses 6-7 concern the rapture, then the “Wicked” be revealed in verse 8. If the man of sin in verse 3 is Antichrist, then so is the “Wicked” in verse 8. Paul added here that he will also be the son of perdition (apōleia), or destruction. By believing in this man of sin, a person will be led to their own destruction.

Since the church has allowed the English translators to insert the term “falling away” into verse 3 for the Greek word apostasia, it can be ascertained that the sovereignty of God is at work. Verse 3 implies to a second prerequisite that must first occur, before the “day of the Lord.” Many Lexicons will exclude the additional English definition for the Greek word apostasia, which can also mean “departure.” Though the word “departure” can point to the rapture of the church, it doesn’t really mean that it is what Paul intended. In 2 Timothy 4:6, Paul used the Greek word “analysis,” which was translated as “departure” by the translators. “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.” (2 Timothy 4:6) Paul was clearly writing Timothy concerning his future death and departure to be with the Lord. With this, I conclude that Paul would have used the Greek word “analysis” here in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, if he truly meant the departure of the church. 

 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (2 Tim. 4:3-4)

As we Christians have endured in the last days on Earth, we can witness apostasies and false doctrines being administered in the churches that were once biblically sound. Paul had warned Timothy of these times within both of his letters to him. So, obviously, Paul had meant for this additional prerequisite to be recognized by the church, before the day of the Lord was actually at hand. In 1 Timothy 4:1, Paul expressed that in the latter times (last days) some will “depart” from the faith.

1Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. (1 Timothy 4:1-3)

Apostasies have occurred throughout the history of the church, therefore, this first prerequisite is not very comforting to those who are being victimized by false prophesies, false declarations, as well as misinterpretations of Paul’s doctrines. The second prerequisite is much more precise and applicable to one specific event. Please refer to my explanation in verse 6, concerning the revealing of the Antichrist (man of sin). 

2 Thessalonians 2:4 Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. This verse begins with the pronoun “who,” which reflects back to the noun “man” in the previous verse; in this case, it is the “man of sin,” realized to be the Antichrist. Paul confirms details known about this “man of sin,” reflecting upon writings of Antichrist who will commit the Abomination of Desolation on the 1,261st day of the 2,520 day seven year Seventieth Week of Daniel (Dan. 9:27; 11:36; Matt 24:15; Mark 13:14; Rev. 13:6).[3]

36 And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done. (Dan. 11:36)

The declaration of himself being God, can be realized from what Revelation 13:3, 12, and 14 has declared, which was because he will be raised from the dead in view of the world on internet media. This satanic copy-cat event, will deceive the world to think that he is the Christ.

“And he exercises all the power of the first beast before him, and causes the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.” (Rev. 13:12) Because this second beast has the two horns (two authorities), he exercises the power of the first beast (Antichrist). Because he has authority over religion/spiritual matters, he will be able to command the people of the Earth to worship the first beast.[4] 

The deadly wound will be healed, which will make it look as though the first beast is a god (whose deadly wound was healed). The second beast will cause the people of the Earth to worship the first beast (Antichrist), because it will look as though he was resurrected from the dead, as Jesus Christ was (satanic copycat).[5]

 2 Thessalonians 2:5 Remember you not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? Having to flee from Thessalonica so quickly, Paul took with him the realization that there were still people believing the false prophets, who were declaring that the “day of the Lord” was “at hand.” He had been setting people straight, while he was there, by informing them of the two prerequisites that had to occur first, before the seven year “day of the Lord” could begin. Here is verse 5, Paul reminded them that he was there recently and correcting them in their false beliefs, concerning the timing of the two events described in verse 1. 

2 Thessalonians 2:6 And now you know what withholds that he might be revealed in his time. While Paul reminded the Thessalonians of what he was teaching them before he fled, he acknowledged that they “now” know what “withholds” the world from the revealing of that person (he) in his time on Earth. The pronoun “he” reflects back to the noun spoken of in verse 3 (man of sin), reflected additionally in verse 4 with the pronoun “who.” The translators used the verb “withholds” for the Greek verb katechō, which is defined as “to restrain, hinder.” The form of the Greek word is used in the accusative singular neuter form (κατ?χον), so a gender was not yet used in the translation. From this declaration, Paul reminded the Thessalonians that there was something, which they had already been told about, that would restrain the “man of sin” (Antichrist) from being revealed.

Many will ask: “What does the revealing of the Antichrist have to do with the beginning of the seven year “day of the Lord?” There is a passage in the Old Testament that precisely determines the beginning of the seven years.

And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (Dan. 9:27)

Daniel 9:27 is full of information to break down, but for determining the beginning of the seven years, please look at the first clause: “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week.” The seventieth week of the seventy-weeks of years prophecy has yet to begin. But a person can see that this person (he) will confirm, or administrate a seven year covenant. Hopefully, the understanding of the seventy week prophecy can be understood to be seventy weeks of years, or 70 x 7 years, which is equal to 490 years.

And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. (Dan. 9:26)

Daniel was given this prophecy six centuries before Daniel 9:26 came to pass. “Messiah be cut off, but not for himself;” one should look to the past and see, the Messiah was cut-off and was crucified for all believers to atone for their sins. He was crucified in the most brutal of ways and not for anything that He had done, but He did it for His beloved children, of whom He will spend eternity with.[6]

The next statement, in Daniel 9:26, is one that declares the origin of the Antichrist of the seventieth week of this prophecy. The people of the prince would be the ones that shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The prince that shall come will be of the same people that destroy the city and the sanctuary. In other words, the city and the sanctuary was to be destroyed by the same people that later will bring a descendent to be that Antichrist. In the future, one will know this to be that Antichrist, because he can be identified by verse 27; he will be the one who successfully negotiates a covenant between Israel and her enemies, which will start the last week or seven years of the seventy week prophecy. One should realize that this prophecy, of the destruction of the city and the sanctuary, has already been fulfilled. This happened in A.D. 70 by the Romans, which was 37 years after Jesus Christ had been crucified. The people of the prince were the Romans, so therefore the prince, or Antichrist, will be a Roman.[7]

 With knowing that the seven year covenant will begin the seven year “day of the Lord,” we can conclude that the person who administrates this seven year covenant is the man of sin (Antichrist); this then is the revealing of the “man of sin” that Paul knows has to occur before the seven years begins.

2 Thessalonians 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity does already work: only he who now lets will let, until he be taken out of the way. The conjunction “for” is interchangeable for the conjunction “because.” This verse is one of the most debated verses of the Bible. It provides the reason for the previous statement by Paul. The focus that Paul is reminding the Thessalonians is “what withholds” (restrains) the revealing of the man of sin (Antichrist).

Satan and his dominion know the Bible and anticipate the removal of this restrainer, ever since it had been written of. The evil realm preserves their candidates through the centuries, ready to jump in and be this man of sin. The Apostle John revealed this same doctrine, within his first epistle, that Paul had here in verse 7 concerning the “mystery of iniquity.”

Little children, it is the last days: and as you have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last days. (1 Jn. 2:18)

The second sentence of verse 7 is the controversial verse, which is debated between Pre-Tribulation, Mid-Tribulation, and Post-Tribulation Rapture believers. “only he who now lets will let, until he be taken out of the way.” In breaking down the Greek, the translators used the verb "lets" for the Greek verb katechō (κατ?χων) in the nominative singular masculine, which then has indicated that this is a male gendered person, who is performing this action. The pronoun “he” is then to be used as the one who is performing the action of restraining. The definition of the verb katechō is “restrains,” due to the tense being used within the sentence. The tense of this verse is determined by the word “now” being translated from the Greek adverb nyn meaning present, or now. Paul first states that “only” he is now letting (restraining), so it should be understood that there is no other thing, or person performing this action.

The identity is verified as a male gender restraining the revealing of the man of sin (Antichrist) in the current age. Since we know this to have been occurring over the last two millenniums, the single person should be realized to be God. Can this be understood to be God the Father, or even God the Son? Yes, it is them, but the true Person that should be realized is God the Holy Spirit. “But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” (Rom. 8:9)

Everywhere in the world are Holy Spirit filled Christians, who prevent the world from becoming totally overwhelmed in darkness and decay. Jesus had told his disciples that we are the salt and the light of the world (Matt. 5:13-16). Salt, being the preservative used to prevent spoilage, while our light is keeping the darkness at bay. Those, who do not have the Holy Spirit, do not understand this. Paul implied here in verse 7 that the Holy Spirit (He) “who now lets will let, until he be taken out of the way.” Post-Trib. and Mid-Trib. Rapture believers twist this when they argue that it cannot be the Holy Spirit filled church; they have a hard time wrapping their minds around the removal of the Holy Spirit from the Earth. If a person were to understand that the iniquity becomes so dominant in the world during the seven year “day of the Lord,” they should also realize that God the Holy Spirit still is everywhere because He is omnipresent. He will not be indwelt within a multitude of believers, who until the rapture, has been influencing and restraining the world from utter darkness and the extreme decay of morality. “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever.” (Jn. 14:16) The objections to this is because they do not understand how involved the Holy Spirit will be, when the church has been removed from the planet.

And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. (Rev. 11:3)

In this Revelation 11:3, the Lord declared that He will give power to His two witnesses. Because the church had just been raptured to heaven, the Earth would have no one to spread the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. There had to be someone to teach the 144,000 of Israel, so that they could evangelize. The timing of the two witnesses’ evangelism coincides with their timely deaths within the 2,520 day timeline. The two witnesses are to evangelize 1,260 days, which is exactly half of the seven years (2,520 days).[8]

If they were to evangelize at the second half of the seven years, they would be killed the day after the Second Coming of Christ. They would begin on day 1,261, and evangelize 1,260 days. They would be killed on their 1,261st day, which would be day 2,521, which would be the day after Christ’s return. Even more ridiculous, would be that they will be raised up after 3 ? days to heaven, after 3 ? days of people celebrating that they were dead; all this occurring while Christ had already arrived and Armageddon would be in the past. Therefore, the first day, of the two witnesses’ 1,260 day mission, will be on day one of the 2,520 days. They will be killed by the beast from the pit (Rev. 11:7) on day 1,261, which will be right after the Abomination of Desolation.[9]

2 Thessalonians 2:8 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: The conjunction “and” connects this clause with the previous verse. Once the second prerequisite has come to pass, then shall that Wicked one be revealed. In other words, once the Holy Spirit filled church has been removed from the entire Earth, then the man of sin (Wicked) shall be revealed. Paul’s intent was to remove any doubt from the Thessalonians that the seven year day of the Lord could not be at hand, because the Christian church is still on the planet. In the modern world, non-Christians will know when the rapture of the church will be, because hundreds of millions of Christians will disappear at the blink of an eye. The world media will fill the internet and news broadcasts with the mysterious disappearance and catastrophic events that will transpire, as a result of them suddenly vanishing. Planes, trains, and automobiles will crash violently when their operators will have left them out of control. Many catastrophic deaths will transpire throughout the Earth, sending the survivors into utter panic. Loved ones will have vanished, or died, or be seriously injured. It will be an obvious occurrence, while the non-believers search for answers to why this will have happened.

The world will be in turmoil, while wars will have been transpiring to bring the rapture of the church, which will bring a need for peace.

The Wars That Will Lead to Tribulation

The city of Damascus has existed since first noted in the Bible in Genesis 14:15, which was during the time of Abraham. Since that region was settled by Noah’s grandson Aram, son of Shem, it is possible that Aram may have settled in Damascus; his initial location could have been named by him as the city of Damascus. Damascus is a name derived from the Hebrew word Dammeseq, which means “silent is the sackcloth weaver.”[10]

The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap. (Is. 17:1)

 The city of Damascus has been attacked, conquered, and taken captive many times, since it came into existence. Never has Damascus ever been completely destroyed from being a city; never has it been a ruinous heap. Even after the Assyrian invasion of Damascus, the city was still there; it was still a city; it never ceased from being the city of Damascus. One hundred years after Isaiah’s ministry (740 B.C – 680 B.C.), and after the Assyrian invasion, Jeremiah (ministry 626 B.C–587 B.C.) proclaimed a similar destruction to Damascus as Isaiah had in 17:1. Notice that Jeremiah proclaimed his astonishment of how “the city of praise is not left…it is no more a city” (Jer. 49:25). Notice also the fire in the wall of Damascus, which will consume the palaces (Jer. 49:27). Fire does not consume palaces, unless the heat is of an enhanced temperature; however, nuclear fire will do this. Amos 1:4 is nearly identical to Jeremiah 49:27, while Amos’ prophecy was fulfilled during the Assyrian captivity of 720 B.C. Amos was a prophet between 760 B.C and 755 B.C., which was before Isaiah’s time. If Jeremiah is still prophesying verse 49:27, after it had come to pass once (which Amos prophesied about), then it will happen again.[11] 

23 Concerning Damascus. Hamath is confounded, and Arpad: for they have heard evil tidings: they are fainthearted; there is sorrow on the sea; it cannot be quiet.

24 Damascus is waxed feeble, and turneth herself to flee, and fear hath seized on her: anguish and sorrows have taken her, as a woman in travail.

25 How is the city of praise not left, the city of my joy!

26 Therefore her young men shall fall in her streets, and all the men of war shall be cut off in that day, saith the Lord of hosts.

27 And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it shall consume the palaces of Benhadad. (Jeremiah 49:23-27)

There are various references in the Scriptures, which resemble the consuming results of a nuclear strike. It is frightening to most to think of the world and the devastation that could occur, if these nuclear warheads were to get into the hands of evil people, with a desire for the destruction of others. Clearly, the Arab nations have demonstrated this evil desire to destroy the people of Israel. Many will ignore the various Scriptures, which show these destructive results, and will even try to rationalize them into being just the results of devastating conventional warfare. Many will imply that there is no reason to believe that the Bible has shown any prophecy of nuclear war.[12]

No conventional military strikes, upon such a largely populated city as Damascus, has ever decimated a city in one day. There have been, unfortunately, two such decimations, which have occurred due to nuclear strikes (Hiroshima and Nagasaki, 1945). With this summation, many have concluded that this prophecy will be fulfilled from a nuclear strike in the future.[13]

Woe to the multitude of many people, which make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of nations, that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters! (Is. 17:12)

 Because Israel will defend themselves, by sending a nuclear strike against Damascus (Is. 17:1), the multitude of the surrounding nations shall seek revenge against them. This tumultuous attack against Israel is prophesied from before Isaiah’s time of the writing of this passage. The seer, Asaph, wrote of this tumultuous attack within Psalm 83. All of the surrounding nations of Israel are mentioned in Psalm 83, except those who will be involved in the Ezekiel 38-39 attack on Israel.[14]

These many Muslim nations will rush towards Israel (rushing like the rushing of mighty waters), while leaving their land behind deserted. God will seduce them into madness, as they seek to destroy God’s people, whom they believe inhabit the land of their god, Alah. “Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession.” (Psalm 83:12)[15]

The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind. (Is. 17:13)

Psalm 83:9-11 presents Asaph asking the Lord to do unto these rushing nations as He had unto the Midianites in Judges 7:19-25. God will destroy the attacking nations, just as He had in Judges 7, when He reduced Gideon’s army down to 300 men (Judges 7:2-7). Israel will be outnumbered by a tremendous ratio and God will be glorified by the defeat over the multitude of the Muslims nations (and the host fled to Bethshittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abelmeholah, unto Tabbath [Judges 7:22b]). Just as the Midianites had fled, so shall the people of these tumultuous nations flee. These people were at one time, provided with the truth of the gospel and knowledge of salvation, but have turned their backs from the true living God. “Grievous punishment is for him who forsakes the way; He who hates reproof will die.” (Prov. 15:10) In Proverbs 15:10, those who forget the “way” to eternal life, will hate their rebuke. While hating their rebuke, they may flee from the wrath being conveyed against them.[16]

And behold at eveningtide trouble; and before the morning he is not. This is the portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us. (Is. 17:14)

To close out the prophecy concerning the destruction of Damascus, Isaiah presents the suddenness of this destruction described in 17:1. There will be trouble concerning Israel and Damascus at eveningtide (beginning of evening). With the turmoil of the events, the nuclear missile will fly and sudden destruction will prevail. Those who had spoiled and stolen from Israel will be destroyed (and before the morning he is not) by the morning. “He” will be all of the young men and fighting men, who will be cut off in that day. “Therefore her young men shall fall in her streets, and all the men of war shall be cut off in that day, saith the Lord of hosts.” (Jeremiah 49:26)[17]

The rapture of the church will occur, before, or in the midst of the Psalm 83 War. One can see that it will take just one person to begin the first domino to start falling; one person to push the button, and the missile will fly. The Psalm 83 Muslim militaries will be destroyed; meanwhile, there will be some very angry Islamic countries still remaining. After approximately 400 million born again Christians are removed from the planet, the world will be in such pain, as many mourn after the unexplained loss of so many people. The middle-east will need an event to stop the attack on Israel; a major battle would be stewing, after the annihilation of so many Muslim brothers. The covenant of Daniel 9:27 will occur, as the prince (Antichrist) will step in and bring peace.

 The Apostle Paul confirmed who this Wicked one would be within verse 2:8 with an identifier following his disclosure stating that he shall then be revealed. He disclosed that the Wicked will be whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming. Christians, who study the Bible as they should, recognize the fate described for this Wicked one. The Apostle John had been given visions of this event described here by Paul within Revelation 19:15-20.

And out of his mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. (Rev. 19:15)

The wrath of God is from His mouth, because His words are sharper than any double edged sword. “Because the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12) When Jesus speaks, He will cause supernatural events to occur, while all evil will be subjected to His wrath. His voice will be heard and His power will emanate into catastrophic results against those whom He wills (with it He should smite the nations).

And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. (Rev. 19:20)

The Second Coming of Jesus Christ will put an end to the Antichrist and his false prophet. He will destroy them with the spirit (sword) of His mouth, when He will cast them into the lake of fire for eternity.

Paul, having not ever the opportunity to read The Revelation of Jesus Christ, because John had been given this revelation some twenty years after Paul had been beheaded, was most likely recalling what Isaiah had written in 11:4. “But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth: with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.”  The works yet to be fulfilled are still within Isaiah 61:2, as Jesus did not say that it was fulfilled on that day. Isaiah 11:4 reveals the same wrath that Revelation 19:15 reveals. He will smite the nations with the sword (rod) of His mouth. The “day of vengeance” is to comfort those who mourn, which has yet to come (Isaiah 61:2b). Upon the completion of His vengeance, He will rule with a rod of iron (Rev. 19:15). God’s power is not waving a magic wand, nor even His hand, it is simply spoken from the breath of his mouth. “And God said,” is all that He had to do in the beginning to create the entire universe (Gen. 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26, 29) (with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked).

2 Thessalonians 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, The translation for the inflected Greek pronoun hos (ο?) is a genitive singular masculine form used, which is translated into the English “even him, whose.” The noun “coming” is translated from the Greek noun parousia. The preposition “after” is translated from the Greek preposition kata, which is defined as “according to, toward, along.” The noun “working” is translated from the Greek word energeia, which refers to supernatural power. The pronoun “Even him, whose” refers back to the noun “Wicked” from the previous verse. As we have been concluding from verse 8, the “Wicked” one is the Antichrist referenced by Paul to be the one, who Christ will “consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his (Christ’s) coming.” Here, Paul provided additional and useful information concerning this Wicked man that will declare himself to be God. Paul declared that he will be according to the supernatural power of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders. The word “all” is not inclusive to all power available in the universe, because he will not be omnipotent as God is. He will be given “all” of the supernatural power of Satan, all of the ability to produce signs to deceive the many, and all of the craftiness of Satan in lying to deceive the entire Earth.

 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. (Rev. 13:2)

John had been given a vision of Antichrist in Revelation 13 as the first of two beasts. Antichrist (first beast) will have the resemblance of a leopard, bear, and lion. Some want to tie this in to three of the four beasts of Daniel 7, which is absolutely ridiculous. The lion of Babylon was Nebuchadnezzar, who became a believer in our same God, while King Cyrus was the first Persian king (bear). Two kings, who served the Lord, cannot possibly be representative towards Antichrist.

6 According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.

7 Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them:

8 I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps, and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them. (Hos. 13:6-8)

Because the children of Israel had forgotten their God, He prophesied a curse against them, which led to the Assyrian Captivity. We should use Hosea 13:6-8 to understand what God means by this allegory in Revelation 13:2. This first beast (Antichrist) will observe the people of the world like a leopard by the way (Hos. 13:7). He will also pursue those who deny him as their god, like a bear bereaved of her whelps (the feet of a bear). When Antichrist catches them, he will devour them like the mouth of a lion. They will be put to death for not wearing the number of the beast and worshipping him.

The dragon (Satan) will give the first beast (Antichrist) great supernatural power, his position (his seat) as world leader, and great backing from the powerful positions of the world, which will provide him with the authority to change laws and times (Dan. 7:25) (all power and signs and lying wonders).

2 Thessalonians 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. The conjunction “and” connects this verse with the previous verse. Paul was disclosing the horrific attributes of Antichrist and continued here in verse 10. Antichrist will use deceitfulness (apatē) to inflict injustice upon the world who are non-believers of Christ. The noun “unrighteousness” is translated from the Greek word adikia, which is best defined as “injustice, of a judge.”

Since Jesus had spoken the words to the Pharisees that included them into the family of Satan, because they were liars as Satan is, we can connect that statement here with Antichrist. Antichrist will be given the power by Satan to deceive people and will impute injustice upon the world. The non-believing world will face evil injustices, “because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” The Lord Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and no one can come to the Father in heaven, but by belief in Christ. (Jn. 14:6) Therefore, the non-believing world will not be saved from the final judgment from God and will perish.  

You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (Jn. 8:44)

Paul made sure that the Thessalonians knew of this man that will be coming, whom they would be aware of, if the “day of the Lord” was “at hand.” The difference between the believing Thessalonians and the non-believing would be that the non-believing could fall into the deceptions of Antichrist and perish. 

2 Thessalonians 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: The conjunction “and” connects this verse to the previous. “This cause” should be understood to be the reason those being deceived will perish; the “cause” is “because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” 

Those who do not have the “love of the truth,” who do not love the Truth who is Jesus Christ, will perish. Because of this, God will send them a “strong delusion.” The Greek word translated as delusion is “plane” (πλ?νη?), which is a genitive singular feminine noun. This statement refers to one specific delusion. The interesting variable written by Paul is the use of the noun in the Greek energeia, which the translators have chosen the adjective “strong,” rather than a noun. In every passage that this word has been used in the New Testament, it has referred to a supernatural power (Eph. 1:9; 3:7; 4:16, Phil. 3:21, Col. 1:19; 2:12, 2 Thess. 2:9 and 11). To say this correctly, God shall send them a supernatural working as a delusion. Those who do not love the Truth of the gospel of Christ will believe a lie, once this “supernatural working” has deceived them.

There has been much speculation, as to what possibly God has in store to fulfill this prophecy of supernatural work (strong delusion) performed, in order to deceive the non-believers of the Truth (Jesus). Because of this supernatural work, the non-believers will believe a lie. What lie could this be? Theologians want to suggest that the delusion of an alien invasion may be the supernatural work performed that causes them to believe in the lie. This potential alien invasion is a possibility, but not likely, because it doesn’t fit in with what Jesus had disclosed to John in Revelation 12-13. However, Revelation 12:11-13 does disclose that Satan and his angels are cast to the Earth on the same day that the first beast (Antichrist) is struck down and then resurrected.  

And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. (Rev. 12:10)

Upon his loss of the war in heaven, Satan and his angels will have been cast to the Earth. The loud voice of Revelation 12:10 has not been identified, but the one who will be victorious may be the One who will make the announcement.[18]

This event will still occur on day 1,261, after the war. Because of the understanding that we have, concerning the Seventh Trumpet Judgment of Revelation 11:15, the judgments will progress and lead on to the final victory in the Valley of Jehoshaphat and the confrontation of Armageddon. The Lord had conveyed this in His statement to His Father in Revelation 10:6-7. God can see the end, before the 1,259 remaining days have elapsed, and knows that it is a done deal. Salvation, strength, the kingdom of God, and the power of Christ over the nations, is all to come to fruition; this is because (for) the accuser (Satan) has been cast out of heaven; He had been accusing the brethren day and night in front of the throne of God the Father, while Christ has been testifying of their worthiness of His forgiveness (1 Timothy 2:5, Hebrews 8:6, 9:15 and 12:24). As of that day 1,261, of the 2,520 days of the seven years, there will be no more accusations made against the saints at God’s throne.[19]

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” (Rev. 12:11) Those being accused (the brethren), both those over the last two thousand years and those accused during the seven years, will have overcome the accuser (Satan); they have overcome him by the Blood of the Lamb of God (Jesus Christ); their testimonies of Christ will be a blessing, even unto their own deaths.

Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabit0rs of the earth and of the sea! For the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knows that he hath but a short time. (Rev. 12:12)

Because Satan and his evil angels will have been cast out of heaven, all who dwell in heaven will be rejoicing. Because Satan and his evil angels will be adding to the spiritual warfare on Earth, the inhabitants receive this warning (woe). These last six verses of Revelation 12 do not indicate that there will be any type of thunder, or signal given, the warning is simply written right here in Revelation 12:12. Therefore, on day 1,261 through the 2,520th day, Satan and his evil angels will be on the planet (For the devil is come down unto you).[20] 

Satan’s wrath can be understood, by what Antichrist and the false prophet will have inflicted on day 1,261. From that day on, until the Second Coming of Christ, the evil realm will be much darker and many will suffer. Satan will know that he will have 1,259 days left to inflict his evil wrath upon mankind and the creation (he knows that he hath but a short time).[21] 

And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. (Rev. 13:3)

Though the Greek text In Revelation 13:3 implies that one of the first beast’s seven heads will be wounded to death, the clause to follow implies that it will be the beast’s (his) deadly wound, and not one of the allegorical seven heads. This text had brought to me much frustration attempting to work into the mix the seven heads, but when looking to the rest of the passages, I am certain that this wound of the first beast is a personal wound; the Lord then revealed to me that the seven heads and ten horns are interlinked as the satanic trinity only, between Revelation 12:3, 13:1, and 17:3 (see verse 13:1) (which had the wound by a sword, and did live [Rev. 13:14]). “Woe to the idol shepherd that leaves the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.”(Zech. 11:17)[22]

Because it will be the first beast, who will have the second beast deceiving those to think that he (Antichrist) is a god, the miraculous will look as though the first beast is a supernatural god (and all the world wondered after the beast). 

And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? (Rev. 13:4)

As I have concluded from Revelation 12:3, the dragon is Satan; Because the supernatural is determined to be the reason the first beast is healed, the world population will worship Satan (dragon). The people will have the impression that Antichrist (first beast) is a god, because the second beast will deceive them to think that the Antichrist has been resurrected from the dead (like Jesus Christ had) (Who is like unto the beast?). The people of the world will wonder if anyone is more powerful than he (who is able to make war with him?).[23] (they should believe a lie)

2 Thessalonians 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. The conjunction “that” begins this clause, which connects it to the previous statement of verse 11. Those that will believe the lie, all (pas) might be judged, who believe not the Truth of Christ, but will have pleasure in their beliefs and deeds of unrighteousness.

Those who do not believe in the gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ (Truth), are considered to be unrighteous in the eyes of God. They will be sent to hell, upon their physical death, then judged on Judgment Day concerning their sins and non-belief in the Truth (Rev. 20:11-15).

 2 Thessalonians 2:13 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: The conjunction “but” connects this clause with the previous verse. From this point of chapter two, Paul exhorts the brethren by recognizing that every Christian is not included in the group spoken of within the previous verses. Paul used the pronoun “we” to include himself, Timothy, Silas. Paul, Timothy, and Silas were bound (opheilō), which means “to owe a debt.” Their debt was to give thanks always to God for them, being the Thessalonian brethren. Paul concluded that the reason, that they were bound to always give thanks to God, was because God had from the beginning (before the creation of all things) chosen the Christian Thessalonians to salvation through the sanctification of the Holy Spirit, as well as the belief of the truth of the gospel of Christ. If God has chosen a person, the false doctrine of free-will had nothing to do with the salvation received.

2 Thessalonians 2:14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. The preposition “whereunto” connects the phrase “he called you,” and it modifies the previous clause. Because God had chosen the Thessalonian believers to salvation (belief of the truth), He called them by the gospel that they had heard from Paul, Timothy, and Silas. Because the believing Thessalonians were called by God to hear and believe the truth of the gospel, they had obtained the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. The noun “the obtaining” is translated from the Greek word “peripoiēsis,” which is defined as “one's own property.” The glory of the Lord Jesus Christ is His possession, but His inheritance will become a believer’s inheritance throughout eternity. Paul has explained that Christians become joint heirs of God with Christ. With the resurrection of the Church (rapture) the believers will receive the same glory as Christ, which is the immortality given.

16The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Rom. 8:16)

2 Thessalonians 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now that the Thessalonian believers have been set straight on the timing of the “day of the Lord,” knowing that the rapture is to happen first, Paul commanded them to stand fast and hold to the traditions that they had been taught. The noun “traditions” is translated from the Greek noun “paradosis,” which is defined: “objectively, that which is delivered, the substance of a teaching.” He expected them to stand fast to the knowledge that he had been explaining to them, both in person (by word) and within this letter (our epistle). They had been comforted to know that because they were still walking the Earth as mortals, it was impossible for the day of the Lord to be at hand. The command from verse 2:2 has been set straight. The believing Thessalonians were to be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, by spirit, by word, nor by letter from Paul, Timothy, and Silas, because they were to have confidence in the timing of the events. If there was something written by Paul that they felt troubled over, it should not be concerning them being on Earth, because the day of the Lord could not possibly be at hand. 

2 Thessalonians 2:16 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, Now that Paul had set them straight, by giving them the certainty of knowing that they could not be living during the day of the Lord, Paul assured the Thessalonians that the Father and Son had both given them everlasting consolation. The noun “consolation” is translated from the Greek word paraklēsis, which is defined as “persuasive discourse.” The doctrine taught in chapter 2 is the persuasive discourse that they were comforted by. God the Father and His Son the Lord Jesus Christ, both have loved them and given them the good hope through their grace of forgiveness and everlasting life.

 2 Thessalonians 2:16 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work. The Thessalonians were to comfort their hearts, and no longer be shaken in mind, or be troubled. As they stand fast in what they had been taught, they were commanded to stablish themselves in every good word and work of the Holy Spirit. He expected them to establish themselves in every Holy Spirit revealed word and work. 

 1Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

2 Hereby know you the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: (1 Jn. 4:1-2)

[1] John N. Oswalt, The Book of Isaiah, Chapters 1 39 (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1986), 126.

[2] Charles R. Sabo, Joel, Zephaniah, Zechariah; Three Bible Commentaries, (Tucson: Charles R. Sabo School of Theology, 2020), 2.

[3] C. R. Sabo, The Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ: A Bible Commentary, (Tucson: Charles. R. Sabo School of Theology), 184-185.

[4] Ibid., 188. 

[5] Ibid.

[6] Ibid., xviii.

[7] Ibid.

[8] Ibid., 153.

[9] Ibid.

[10] C. R. Sabo, Isaiah: A Bible Commentary, (Tucson: Charles R. Sabo School of Theology, 2020), 123.

[11] Ibid., 124-125.

[12] Ibid.

[13]Ibid. 

[14] Ibid., 128.

[15] Ibid., 129.

[16] Ibid., 129.

[17] Ibid. 130.

[18] C. R. Sabo, The Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, 176.

[19] Ibid., 176-177

[20] Ibid., 177.

[21] Ibid.

[22] Ibid., 182-183.

[23] Ibid., 183.