Do You Value the Truth in 2 Thessalonians 2:3?

A Logical Analysis - John Michael Friedrich

Introduction

There is much debate in the Christian community on this biblical passage. There is no doubt however, that the inspired Word of Jehovah, must be true. He is the Great Logician, and He is TRUTH. He does not produce false logical statements, nor make faulty implications. I would like for you to consider a logical truth-value analysis of this wonderful passage. I will break down the logical syntax to bring into perspective a valuable fundamental truth that has made 2 Thessalonians 2:3 perplexingly controversial. Should it be?

Semantics

Before looking at the logical syntax of the passage I would like to qualify the semantics of the ‘titles’ or names in the passage. The ‘Day of Christ’ is the mysterious catching away of the Body or Bride of Christ. It is referred to as ‘the rapture’.

2 Thessalonians 2:2 (KJV) “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.”

It is referred to as ‘that day’ in

2 Thessalonians 2:3 (KJV) “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;”

The ‘man of sin’ and the ‘son of perdition’ refer to the lawless one (Antichrist/in replacement of Christ). ?These two names are given to the same individual who appears in a timeline; this is very important to understand. Therefore, one title appears before the other title appears in a sequence over a period of years. The ‘son of perdition’ in the passage is ‘by logical implication’ a future title for the ‘man of sin’.

This 'basic tense' logical implication qualifies that he does not hold both titles simultaneously, but rather one title or name first [time tense 1], and then another title some years later [time tense 2]. This implication is particularized in the subsequent passage 2 Thessalonians 2:4, as a futuristic explanation and verification of the son of perdition’s coming exploits. It is important to realize that the ‘son of perdition’ in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, is future tense; thus, the events referred to in 2 Thessalonians 2:4 are not relevant, logically speaking, in obtaining the truth-value of the logical conjunctive statement in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 that indicates, or points to the ‘Day of Christ’, which I will now expand upon.

2 Thessalonians 2:4 (KJV) “[son of perdition] 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.” (Future tense)

In E-Sword (Strong tab) the word ‘except’ is defined ‘Logically’ as ‘not before’.

This implies the proposition's logical nature, that both propositions of the logical conjunctive statement, MUST become true before the Day of Christ! Let no man deceive you by any means Paul says resolutely. That day is not before the falling away and the man of sin being revealed. These two propositions combined by conjunction make up the truth-value of the logical conjunctive statement in 2 Thessalonians 2:3.

Conjunction Truth Table - Deductive Logic ^ Syntax

The Day of Christ Shall not come before > {firstly}, ({A} – Conjunct 1) a defection from truth [departure from faith, the state of departing from the truth] G646 - apostasia and > {secondly}, ({B} – Conjunct 2) that man of sin be revealed. Both the first and second propositions or conjuncts of this logical conjunctive sentence must be kept together; moreover, MUST be TRUE, by necessity, to give the logical conjunctive statement a true TRUTH VALUE. There are no other options for assessing the truth of a logical conjunctive statement; all other combinations produce false truths or statements. God is not the author of false truths!

(A and B) is true, if and only if, A is true, and B is true.

If, A is True and B is False, then (A and B) is False

If, A is False and B is True, then (A and B) is False

If A is False and B is False, then (A and B) is False

What we can deduce from this logical conjunctive statement in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 for the truth-value qualifications required for the conditions for ‘The Day of Christ’ to occur is that BOTH a falling away AND that man of sin be revealed, must be made true for the statement to be true. You cannot remove the conjunction and misrepresent it with a logical conditional statement for instance, as conditionals use a different logical truth table to obtain truth-value, or use either conjunct or proposition of the conjunctive statement on its own. Some have suggested that a falling away is a departure of the Body of Christ in the rapture; however, this would make the second proposition [Conjunct 2] false, as it is required to be true 'before' the Day of Christ. Remember the truth of the logical conjunctive statement is what is required for the event of the Day of Christ to take place [the ‘AND’ in the conjunctive statement holds the final truth-value, not each conjunct or proposition alone].

More opposition comes from those failing to consider the logical future tense of the title and description within 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 regarding the 'son of perdition' or 'that Wicked' as referred to later in 2 Thessalonians 2:8 [another future tense of the 'son of perdition']. This future tense reference has no bearing on the truth-value of the conjunctive statement in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 deductively.

2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV) "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

I felt it necessary to bring an awareness to the deductive reasoning behind 2 Thessalonians 2:3 as it has been a passage of much conjecture. I enjoy reading and studying God’s word and continue to marvel at His teachings and truth. He is my only hope and guidance. Many blessings in protection, health, and love to all the readers.

– John Michael Friedrich

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