Thesis: To teach the hearer more fully concerning the apostasy (falling-away) of the church in order to instill a firmer confidence in the scriptures and therefore a more fervent desire to believe and obey the Faith from the heart unto eternal life.
Text: 2 Thess 2:1-15
Introduction,
1. Today we be looking at the 2nd epistle which Paul wrote to the new congregation at Thessalonica; it was probably written from Corinth (as was the first epistle) during his 1½ year stay there (Acts 18:11) during the 2nd missionary journey in about AD 53, not long after the 1st letter was penned.
2. The purpose of the 1st epistle is very similar to the 2nd, to encourage them towards faithfulness in the face of severe persecutions, and to straighten them out concerning some more misconceptions about the Lord’s 2nd coming.
3. What we do learn in this letter, is that it appears that the reason for the misunderstandings, at least in part, was the assertions of deceivers, i.e. false teachers (2 Thess 2:2:3a), it seems that they were teaching that the Lord’s coming was just about to take place, or may have even already taken place, thus some became despondent, quit their jobs and were depending on others to feed them (3:10), and at the same time they were becoming busybodies in their times of idleness (3:11).
4. There are also a lot of misunderstandings concerning the Lord’s 2nd coming today, and it is true that these are difficult passages of scripture, but we should be able to go through this text and at least come to a better understanding of why these misconceptions still exist, therefore we will look at . . .
1) THE MISCONCEPTION (2 Thess 2:1-2)
2) THE FALLING AWAY AND THE MAN OF SIN (2 Thess 2:3-12)
3) THE MANDATE (2 Thess 2:13-15)
I. THE MISCONCEPTION (2 Thess 2:1-2)
A. (v 1)
2Th 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, touching the coming (Gr. “presence”) of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together unto him; (ASV)
2Th 2:1 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers,
Here we see Paul “beseeching” them, this basically means “begging” (NRSV) them to pay attention to the things he is about to set forth, let us always remember that all scripture is inspired of God (2 Tim 3:16-17), as men are driven by the power of the Holy Spirit (2 Pet 1:20-21), these are not Paul’s opinions, but God’s words (1 Thess 2:13), which he received by revelation from Jesus Christ (Gal 1:12).
1. What this concerned was the 2nd coming of the Lord which was discussed in the 1st chapter; there it spoke of the persecutions that they were enduring, and that the persecutions were actually signs of the Judgment to come, in which Christ would come with the mighty angels in flaming fire rendering vengeance upon them that know not God and obey not the gospel of Christ (which included those that troubled them; 2 Thess 1:6-9).
a. In other words, they were to endure the persecutions, for the score would be settled at the 2nd coming.
b. We also need to understand that it is God that repays (Rom 12:19), not us, we as Christ imitators need to understand this (turn to 1 Pet 2:21-23) . . .
1Pe 2:21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
1Pe 2:22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.
1Pe 2:23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him (the Father) who judges justly.
c. Therefore we need to faithfully endure the circumstances God brings upon us, for He is over all (Eph 4:6), and instead of rendering evil for evil, we need to overcome with good, as it is written (Rom 12:19-21) . . .
Rom 12:19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."
Rom 12:20 To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head."
Rom 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
2. Note the phrase “our gathering together unto Him” this refers to what we studied in 1 Thess 4:16-17 (turn there).
1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first;
1Th 4:17 then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be, caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
a. It’s also important to notice that the bible teaches 2 literal comings of the Lord (yet many figurative ones in judgment against peoples and nations), concerning the literal, the first one when He became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14), and was that perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world, and a second time He will come apart from the matter concerning the forgiveness of sins, but rather in the Final Judgment (look at Heb 9:27-28).
Heb 9:27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,
Heb 9:28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
b. Multiple literal comings of the Lord are just not taught in the bible, these are things concocted by men in an attempt to force their doctrines into the biblical text.
c. The teaching in the bible is a lot simpler than most people make it out to be, yet in an attempt to make it seem to uphold their false beliefs many have concocted mazes of theories which would make an average person’s head swim with dizziness, we need to heed the inspired words of Paul in 2 Cor 11:3 . . .
2Co 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness, your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity and the purity that is (in; YLT) toward Christ.
B. (v 2)
2Th 2:2 to the end that ye be not quickly shaken from your mind, nor yet be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by epistle as from us, as that the day of the Lord is just at hand; (ASV)
2Th 2:2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.
It seems that some were teaching that the 2nd coming of the Lord was “just at hand” “has come” or “had come”
1. This is one of the places that brings forth difficulties in this passage, there are differing translations for this word “enistemi” which is translated “just at hand” in the ASV “has come” ESV
a. KJV – “at hand”
b. ASV – “just at hand”
c. NKJV – “had come”
d. YLT – “hath arrived”
e. ESV, NASB, LITV, - “has come”
f. RV – “now present”
2. To me these versions seem to give three basic ideas, the NKJV renders it “had come” which seems to be looking backward, while the more recent translations (ESV, NASB, LITV) are looking at the present time, the ASV and the KJV slightly forward, and this is a pivotal section of this passage, in other words whatever direction we choose, a differing interpretation comes forth. This is a “perfect active indicative verb” which is a little complex to properly translate, especially considering that this is an active verb, it represents a perfected action, yet it is still active, I believe , “was here” or “is upon us” are pretty good renderings.
a. There are 6 other times that this word occurs in the NT, 1 time it is translated “shall come” (looking slightly forward) and the other 5 times (Rom 8:38; 1 Cor 3:22; 7:26; Gal 1:4; Heb 9:9) it is translated “present”, therefore considering it is an active verb (it is continuing) “was here” is again about the best rendering, or “is upon us”.
b. Also let us keep in mind as we go through this very early epistle (AD 51-52), that they couldn’t look at 2 Peter chapter 3 and see what is says there, or the Book of Revelation chapters 20-21, or even the Matthew’s or Luke’s gospel accounts of the olivet discourse, most of these weren’t even penned yet, and if they were, they likely were not yet copied and circulated, maybe they thought the coming of the Lord was like what is seen in the OT, merely a judgment upon a particular nation or people, this letter and 1Thess shows us that their understanding of this event was incorrect at best, but we ought to be thankful that we have the once for all time delivered faith in its entirety (Jude 3), through which we can grow through that pure milk of the word (1 Pet 2:2) in the grace and knowledge of Christ (2 Pet 3:18)
3. Paul warns them not to be troubled “by spirit” (this would refer to those that would falsely assert that they were speaking by the power of the Holy Spirit as seen in 1 John 4:1).
1Jn 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
a. “Or by word,” this refers to normal teaching (in which they wouldn’t claim that they were speaking by the power of the Holy Spirit). We today are able to check up on the validity of someone’s teaching as did the Bereans, with the word of God (Acts 17:11)
Act 17:11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
b. “Or by epistle as from us” this implies that there may have been false epistles circulated back then that were claimed to be from the apostle Paul, but were not, this helps us to better understand why he personally signed each epistle and makes the statement that his signature was a sign of the epistles genuineness (2 Thess 3:17-18) . . .
2Th 3:17 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write.
2Th 3:18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
c. If it didn’t have his signature, and was claimed to be his, it wasn’t, in other words it wasn’t the word of God through Christ from him.
d. There are a lot of bible versions out today that claim to be the word of God, yet they say contrary things, therefore we know that they can’t all be the word of God, therefore we must get as literal a bible version as we can possibly use, and then we still need to be wary in some cases, for many false doctrines are being taught through these so called modern versions, this is what I would consider the order of versions in accuracy.
Older versions -
i. YLT
ii. ASV
iii. RV
iv. KJV
Newer versions
i. NASB
ii. ESV
iii. LITV
iv. NKJV
e. I wouldn’t recommend using any bible as one’s “main bible” that is not on this list (other than for verse reference), and I would be careful with some of them that are on it (because there are no perfect versions).
4. It seems that some were troubled concerning these false reports that the coming of the Lord was here, and had quit working (look at 2 Thess 3:10-11).
2Th 3:10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.
2Th 3:11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.
a. Maybe they became despondent when they heard false teachers teaching that the Lord’s coming wasn’t really literal (that it already happened or was in the process of happening), seeing that they gave up everything for nothing (at least according to their understanding), this can also seen in 2 Tim 2:16-18 (turn there) . . .
2Ti 2:16 But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,
2Ti 2:17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
2Ti 2:18 who have swerved from the truth (erred), saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some.
b. Or if the Lord’s coming is literal and about to take place, why worry about the things of this world since they are about to be burnt up (according to 2 Pet 3:10),
2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
c. Yet they did worry when chow time came, they heeded food to sustain them, thus they became an unnecessary burden to others.
d. And they were becoming gossips seeing that all they had was idle time “waiting” for the Lord. Or perhaps their gossip was the spreading of the false doctrine that they were taught (that the day of the Lord was here or had already come), which in turn, if believed, would overthrow the faith of those who heard, their mouths needed to be stopped.
e. Whatever the case may be, we need to wait for the Lord also, whether it be the Final Judgment, or to bring us individually to our home in the heavenly places, and we need to be waiting in a manner approved of God, living a life directed by God, being Holy as God is holy (1 Pet 1:15-16) according to the gospel of Jesus Christ, speaking as the oracles of God (1 Pet 4:11), not the doctrines of men, abounding in the work of the Lord (1 Cor 15:58), always being watchful and ready, being set apart “from” the ways of the world, and set apart “to” the Way of God, the Lord Himself said (Mt 24:42, 44) . . .
Mat 24:42 Therefore, (watch) stay awake (spiritually), for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.
Mat 24:44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
II. THE FALLING AWAY AND THE MAN OF SIN (2 Thess 2:3-12)
A. (v 3a)
2Th 2:3a Let no one in any way deceive you. For it will not come, unless the apostasy comes first, (NASB)
2Th 2:3a Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the (falling away; ASV) rebellion comes first,
The warning concerning being deceived concerning the 2nd coming of the Lord is now broadened from false prophets, false teachers and false epistles to any person; no matter whatever anyone says or does, the Lord is not coming at this time. There are some that assert today (full preterists; AD 70 doctrine) that Paul taught that he expected the Lord to come during his lifetime, this passage directly refutes this.
1. The “falling away” (ASV; NKJV), “apostasy” (NASB), “rebellion” (ESV) here is the word “apostasia” this means “a defection from the truth”; in John 17:17 we learn that God’s word is “Truth”, thus a clearer meaning would be “a defection from God’s word.” This apostasy has been prophesied of abundantly in the NT (Mt 7:15-20; Acts 20:29-30; 1 Tim 4:1-3; 2 Tim 3:1-8, 2 Tim 3:3-4; 2 Pet 2:1-3; 3:1-7; Jude).
2. It’s important to keep in mind, that “the one Faith” (Eph 4:5) that system of faith, the gospel of Christ, the new covenant (Heb 8:8), was once and for all time delivered in the 1st century (Jude 3), there is no different gospel that was going to delivered then or ever since then (Gal 1:6-9).
a. It was fully revealed, confirmed and recorded in the 1st century, yet we see people promoting and partaking in all types of things not seen the NT and calling them part of the Christian Faith.
b. We see people making reference to what is described in the NT as the infant church, as though there was going to be a different church, one that was fully grown, compared to that one; these people are just attempting to justify their unauthorized practices, Jesus is the only Head of His church (Eph 1:22-23; 5:23), and the entire and completely sufficient and simple commands for it are in the NT and nowhere else! (Mt 28:18; Col 3:17).
3. Let us take a closer look at some of the examples of this apostasy as it is brought forth in the bible . . .
a. It would come about from within the eldership, in other words, its leadership (look at Acts 20:29-30),
Act 20:29 I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock;
Act 20:30 and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.
b. History teaches us that by AD 150 distinctions were being made in the eldership, in other words one elder was put in a higher position than the others and given the title “bishop.” History also bears out that these changes continued to take place and grow into an elaborate system of hierarchy (arch bishops, cardinals; patriarchs, etc.), of which we can find nothing of in the NT, which ultimately resulted in a supreme head of the church on earth when Boniface III was given the title of universal bishop or pope in AD 606.
c. The NT plan for the church is autonomous (self-ruled) house congregations (Rom 16:5; 1 Cor 16:19; Col 4:15; Phile 2), whose only head is Christ (Eph 1:22-23), Who exercises His authority (Mt 28:18; Col 3:17) through the word revealed in the NT (Acts 20:32), this is the only standard that will bring all His followers together as one (John 17:8, 20-21)
Act 20:32 And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you the inheritance among all them that are sanctified.
Joh 17:8 For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me.
Joh 17:20 "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,
Joh 17:21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
d. And another mark of this apostasy would be a forbidding to marry (turn to 1 Tim 4:1-3a),
1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves (giving heed) to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,
1Ti 4:2 through the insincerity (hypocrisy) of liars whose consciences are seared,
1Ti 4:3a who forbid marriage,
e. It is no secret that the Roman catholic church has commanded a separate and celibate priesthood, this was one of the points that brought about the split between the east and west church in AD 1054, while the NT teaches us that all the apostles except Paul were married (1 Cor 9:5), and marriage is to be had in honor among all (Heb 13:4), and this includes church elders (i.e. bishops; presbyters; pastors), in fact they are to be husbands of one wife (1 Tim 3:2), thus they cannot be unmarried/celibate.
f. Also there would be a commanding to abstain from certain meats (1 Tim 4:3b),
1Ti 4:3b and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
g. Also the Roman catholic church commands its followers to eat only fish (for meat) on Fridays. Also we can attribute this commanding to abstain from foods to any religious body that commands fasting and fast days, fasting according to NT teachings is to be individual, as each one purposes in their own heart, which is led by the Holy Spirit (Rom 14) not as commanded by men.
g. There would also be leading of Christians into all sorts of fornications (i.e. allowing divorce and multiple marriages, sodomy lesbianism, etc.; Jude 4-8) . . .
Jud 1:4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Jud 1:5 Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.
Jud 1:6 And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day—
Jud 1:7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.
Jud 1:8 Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones.
B. (v 3b)
2Th 2:3b and the man of (sin; ASV) lawlessness is revealed, the son of (perdition; ASV) destruction,
Note that the man of sin is a result of the apostasy, not the man of sin resulting in the apostasy, this will help your understanding of this matter, the church fell away from the New Covenant teachings which resulted in “the man of sin”.
1. Some manuscripts read “the man of lawlessness”; “lawlessness” is basically something that someone does contrary to law, the law of Christ (Gal 6:2) that perfect law of liberty (Ja 1:25), the bible plainly teaches that the Faith contains law in some sense (Rom 3:27; 8:2, 4, 7; 1 Cor 9:21; Gal 6:2; Heb 8:10; 10:16; Ja 1:25; 2:8, 12; Isa 2:3), even though we are not under it (Rom 6:14), yet we will embrace it (Heb 8:10), if we are truly God's children (1 Jn 3:4-10), those that don’t, aren’t, and can’t (Rom 8:7), those that don’t believe such ought to read the 1st epistle of John, it was purposed to refute the claims of Antinomian (against law) Gnostics (know it alls), this epistle is meant for you, read it, believe it, and obey, it from the heart. The OT and the NT both contain law and faith is differing degrees, the OT was a law system that required faith, the NT is a faith system that contains law, the fact that the word “lawlessness” (anomia) occurs 17 times in the NT attests to this, Jesus specifically states “depart from Me I never knew you, you who practice lawlessness!” (Mt 7:23) on the Day of Judgment to NT Christians.
a. When God says through His apostles and prophets that a woman in not permitted to have dominion over a man in areas of religion (1 Tim 2:12) and you practice otherwise, you are committing “lawlessness.”
b. When the bible states that Christ is the Head over all things to His church (Eph 1:22-23; 5:23), and your religion has a human head, or a home office which heads a number of congregations, you are committing “lawlessness.”
c. When the bible states that a person is bound to their spouse as long as they are living (Rom 7:2; 1 Cor 7:39), and if someone divorces and are remarried they are actively committing adultery (Mk 10:11-12; Lk 16:18; Rom 7:3), these are practicing “lawlessness.”
d. When the bible states that certain sins will keep individuals from inheriting the kingdom of God (adultery, homosexuality, drunkenness, greediness, etc.; 1 Cor 6:9-11) and these certain sins are practiced and accepted as OK by religious bodies, these partakers and their agree-ers are practicing and condoning “lawlessness.”
e. We could apply this to any number of modern errors that are being practiced this day, but the end results are all going to be the same, if a person does not repent, believe and obey the truth, as the Lord prophecies (look at Mt 7:21-23).
Mat 7:21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does (continues to do) the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Mat 7:22 On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?'
Mat 7:23 And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness (who practice lawlessness).'
2. The phrase “the man of perdition (or destruction)” basically means the man of “damnation” this man and all those that follow him will be committed to the eternal fires of hell, the Lord taught the same about following the erroneous teachings of the Pharisees (Mt 15:12-14).
Mat 15:12 Then the disciples came and said to him, "Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?"
Mat 15:13 He answered, "Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up.
Mat 15:14 Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit."
B. (v 4a)
2Th 2:4 he that opposeth and exalteth himself against all that is called God or that is worshipped; (ASV)
2Th 2:4a who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship,
This man is opposed to God, against God, therefore we could call this man an “antigod’ or “antichrist”, even though the bible doesn’t specifically use this term
1. He “exalts himself” against God, while God says “humble yourselves” (Ja 4:10).
Jas 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall exalt you.
2. “That is worshipped”(ASV) here is literally “an object of worship” (ESV) it is no secret that the pope accepts worship from his subjects; “the kissing of the pope’s foot” the characteristic act of reverence by which many of the Faith did honor him as the Vicar of Christ, is found as early as the 8th century, while Peter, Paul and the angels rejected worship in NT times (Acts 10:25-26; 14:13-15; Rev 22:8-9).
3. And also many protestant leaders are referred to as “reverend”, this descriptive word is attached to God’s name only (Ps 111:9) . . .
Psa 111:9 He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.
a. Those that are called such are opposed to God and His glory, attempting to get a part of God’s worship and exaltation for themselves.
C. (v 4b)
2Th 2:4b so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.
We need to understand that the temple at Jerusalem was destroyed according to the prophetic word of Christ (Mt 24; Mk 13; Luke 21) in AD 70, 1st century Christians assembled in their own homes (Rom 16:5; 1 Cor 16:19; Col 4:15; Phile 2), the only building seen in the NT are Christians (1 Cor 3:9) . . .
1Co 3:9 For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building.
1. The church, those who believe and are obedient to Christ through the gospel are “God’s building” the temple of God (1 Cor 3:16)
1Co 3:16 Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?
a. Thus this is not speaking of a person that literally sets in the temple at Jerusalem (as many premillennialists may assert) but rather is speaks of one in the church that sets himself forth as God
b. The head of the Roman catholic church has at times been addressed as “the lord god pope;”( The title "Lord God the Pope" - these words appeared in the Canon Law of Rome. "To believe that our Lord God the Pope has not the power to decree as he is decreed, is to be deemed heretical." (The Gloss extravagances of Pope John XXII Cum. Inter, tit XIV Ad Callem Sexti Decretalium, Paris, 1685),
c. And when the pope sits in his special chair and speaks as what is called “ex cathedra” he claims to speak “for God” setting himself forth as “the vicar of Christ”.
d. Also repeatedly, even to this day Roman Catholics repeatedly refer to their current pope as “holy father” a title only found once in the bible in John 17:11 when Jesus was praying to God the Father . . .
Joh 17:11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.
e. This is a title reserved for God the Father alone (Mt 23:9), to take it to one’s self is to put one’s self in God’s place and attempting to take a portion of His worship and glory, we can properly apply this to roman and eastern Catholics.
2. Yet “anyone” that claims to be able to forgive sins, of which only God can do (Mk 2:7), that legislates for God, which only God can do, that attempts to usurp the authority only held by Christ, and makes laws for people that profess to follow Christ can fit into this description, in other words most of Protestantism fits into this mold also with their twisting and throwing away of the word of God.
a. For even the apostles of the 1st century only bound and loosed that which was already bound and loosed, forever settled in heaven (Mt 16:19; 18:18; Ps 119:89), that which was completely revealed, confirmed and recorded some 500 years before any such thing as the pope was known (John 16:13; Jude 3).
b. I think it is safe to say that this refers not to just one man, but rather to a succession of men or a group of individuals that would fit this mold, biblical use of language permits us to call a series or group of men by the term "man of sin."
c. For example, Peter says, "Fear God. Honor the king" (1 Pet. 2:17). Did he refer to one particular king or to any king and the whole succession of kings in any given land?
d. Jesus said, (Matt. 5:25) . . .
Mat 5:25 Be reconciled with your adversary quickly, while you are still on the way with him, lest perhaps the adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you will be thrown in prison.
e. Who is that adversary, that judge, and that officer -- or, is it all the individuals who fit that description and fill that particular office (which are figures depicting the Judgment to come)? To ask it is to answer it, and for the same reasons I feel the "man of sin” (lawlessness) is parallel to “the king” "the judge," or "the officer."
f. It’s important to note that this is not a sign of which, when it took place, the Lord’s 2nd coming would occur. But rather this is a prophecy that would have to be fulfilled, and then “after it was fulfilled”, the Lord could come at any time, a time of which only the Father knows (Mt 24:36).
g. I would assert that we today are in the midst of much religious lawlessness, and of a magnitude that has never been equaled before now, one by one groups are accepting lawlessness as faithfulness, claiming that we are all sinners, and that is true, if we say we never sin, we lie and God’s truth is not in us (1 Jn 1:10), but we don’t practice sin, nor accept it, but rather we fight against it (Heb 12:4), through the power of God, the gospel (Rom 1:16), if we practice sin we are children of the devil, not children of God (1 Jn 3:4-10).
D. (v 5)
2Th 2:5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?
This teaching about the falling away and the man of sin was already taught to them by Paul in just that short period in which he was there establishing the congregation at Thessalonica before he was ran out of town (Acts 17:1-10a), yet someone had convinced some of them otherwise.
1. The same is true today, seeing that we have limited and differing mental capabilities we need to keep bringing these truths up to each other in order to keep them fresh in one’s mind, or some may fall prey to the various wolves in sheep’s clothing or false doctrines which we see today. Jesus put it this way in Mt 7:15-20 (turn there) . . .
Mat 7:15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
Mat 7:16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
Mat 7:17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.
Mat 7:18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.
Mat 7:19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Mat 7:20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
a. Do they teach that multiple marriages/adultery, sodomy, lesbianism, baby murdering is approved of God? Do they teach that there is no law whatsoever in Christ? By their fruits you will know them. Christ came to take away the practice, love, and consequences of sin, the apostle John put it this way in 1 Jn 3:7-10 (turn there) . . .
1Jn 3:7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.
1Jn 3:8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. (not allow them)
1Jn 3:9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed (the word; Lk 8:11) abides in him, and he cannot keep on (practice) sinning because he has been born of God.
1Jn 3:10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
D. (v 6)
2Th 2:6 And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time.
And they also were aware of some restraining force that kept this man of sin from being revealed.
1. Some of the major views of what specifically this restraining force are . . .
a. 1) It was the Roman Empire; when the Roman empire collapsed in AD 476, of which the apostate/catholic church took over the reins of said government including its armies, which it used to destroy any and all that would not submit to their man-made brand of Christianity, multitudes were slaughtered in the name of this so called Christianity.
b. 2) It was the Apostle Paul himself; Paul’s work in spreading the gospel and defending it as an unsubjective entity kept the workers of error in check, but after his martyrdom, their evils and errors spread more freely resulting ultimately in the apostate church.
c. 3) It was the word of God; as long as the scriptures and the knowledge of them had free run in society the apostate church was unable to deceive all, there would remain at least remain a faithful few, but when the word of God was locked up in dead languages (Latin) in the dark ages, and the bible forbidden to the common people (it was literally chained to the pulpits), the apostate church was able to run roughshod over most of the followers of Christ who were kept in their ignorance.
d. 4) Some think this refers to the working of angels (Michael specifically, the defender of the redeemed), who render service to those being saved (Heb 1:14), these encamp around those that fear the LORD (Ps 34:7), these worked and I believe still do work behind the scenes (in their realm which is basically all around us, yet in another dimension), they are mighty in power and are able to restrain Satan and the evil spirits that also work behind the scenes leading individuals into error (Eph 6:12).
Eph 6:12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
e. Some think that this refers to the Holy Spirit, Who through Christians restrain this evil, and when believers are raptured and the unbelieving remain, then the lawless one will be able to run roughshod over the human race. The problem with this interpretation is that God’s temple is the church, if the church is gone, this entity cannot sit in the temple of God, nor receive worship therein because the temple will be no longer there to do either.
f. It is likely that any or all of these were that restraining force, and all line up with this text, but for the fact it is not mentioned, might lead us to believe that it refers to the Roman Empire, who would be none too happy if they read a copy of this epistle speaking of their demise, it probably would have heighten their persecutions against the church.
E. (v 7)
2Th 2:7 For the mystery of lawlessness doth already work: only there is one that restraineth now, until he be taken out of the way. (ASV)
2Th 2:7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.
The mystery (that which was previously hidden, but had been revealed through the inspired Paul) concerning lawlessness was already working in the 1st century; we see many “antichrists” already in the world in NT times (1 John 2:18; 2 John 7), and there was the infamous Diotrephes who received not the apostle John (3 John 9), and Paul’s apostleship was constantly being called into question, it was just a matter of time, when “that” which restraineth, the “one”, the “he” would be taken out of the way, and the departure (apostasy) would be freed up to be well under way.
1. In the angel view, God is over all (Eph 4:6), even the falling away, He through the angel Michael restrains until the predetermined time is here, then according to God’s command, Michael is taken out of the way, the apostasy gets full-blown, Christ comes, the rapture, the end of the world, the new heavens and the new earth take its place, God’s plan is come to pass.
2. In the Holy Spirit view, individuals do not hear and believe the truth of the gospel (Gal 2:5; 14) and are not born again, born anew, born from above, but rather they hear and believe another Faith, a different gospel, one the allows all kinds of sins at differing levels, God allows this to take place (v 11-12), without the Spirit working in conjunction with His sword (the word of God; Eph 6:17) in God’s people, the apostasy grows and grows even as it is this day, notice this view does not include a rapture that leaves unbelievers, but a falling away that makes so-called Christians unbelievers.
F. (v 8)
2Th 2:8 And then shall be revealed the lawless one, whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the breath of his mouth, and bring to nought by the manifestation of his coming; (ASV)
2Th 2:8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath (Spirit) of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.
2Th 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: (KJV)
When the restraining force is gone, the man of sin, the man of perdition, the lawless one, who thinks himself to be as God, while actually being opposed to God, will be fully revealed, he will be more clearly manifested.
1. There have been numerous individuals and groups throughout the centuries that have recognized the fallacies of the catholic system and have attempted to do what is right and paid dearly for it at the hand of their armies and councils.
2. And also today those who are opposed to the man-made religions promoting sodomy, lesbianism, baby-murdering and adultery are persecuted by these religions and society in general.
a. But when the Lord does come, that person will be dealt with by the Lord, this probably implies that this is not talking about one pope or office in particular, but rather all those that held their manmade offices of error, claiming to be the head of Christ’s church, yet there may be one person alive under whom the majority of man-made religions will be led, that when the Lord does come He will make him as nothing, and he also will have to stand before the Lord and be judged according to his works.
b. It is likely that “the breath (“pneuma”; ought to be translated “Spirit”; as seen in the KJV) of His mouth” refers to the word of God (Rev 1:16; 19:15; 21), when the reformation movement/protestantism came about in the 1500’s and the NT was stripped out of dead languages, and the bible was given back to the common man, that at that time this man of sin received a head wound (the apostate leader was metaphorically slain) and was no longer able to deceive all those attempting to follow Christ, that is true even to this day, a good literal version of the bible coupled with a good and honest heart (Lk 8:15) would keep the remnant faithful till the end of time, and the final death blow (“brought to nought”) would be administered by the Lord at His 2nd coming.
G. (v 9)
2Th 2:9 even he, whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, (ASV)
2Th 2:9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders,
In the Greek, the word “lying/false” modifies “power” “signs” and “wonders” in other words all these are false, they are not true biblical miracles.
1. The man of sin operates by the power of Satan, he is led by him, just as God’s people are led by Him, yet the lawless one operates with fake miracles, there are no genuine bible miracles attached to him.
a. Catholics have long claimed that they have seen miracles, such as various appearances of Mary, images which bleed on special occasion, birds and fish congregating to hear their preaching when the people were uninterested and so on.
b. The Charismatics of today also claim to produce and see miracles which are always somewhere else or unprovable, all these are empty assertions, true bible miracles were not done in a corner somewhere, but openly in order for all to believe and obey.
c. True miracles delivered and confirmed God’s word (Mk 16:20; Acts 14:3; Heb 2:4), the Faith has been fully delivered and confirmed (John 16:13; Jude 3), therefore the confirming miracles have ceased and their purpose fulfilled (Dan 9:24; Micah 7:15; Zech 13:2; Jn 9:1-4; 1 Cor 13:8-10; Eph 4:8-14). I am not saying that God couldn’t perform a miracle today, He could, but for the most part He doesn’t, by His sovereign choice.
d. For God’s true power is not manifested in the miracles, but rather in the gospel, which is able to save and transform imperfect man into a person fitted for eternity with a most holy God (Rom 1:16; 12:2).
H. (v 10)
2Th 2:10 and with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (ASV)
2Th 2:10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
The ones involved in the great apostasy, personified as the “man of sin,” would use deceit of every kind in order to gain followers and retain authority over them.
1. Even today, as it has been throughout the ages, we see religious bodies bringing about some new thing to attract followers, whether it be family centers for Christ, children’s entertainment for Christ, role reversal days for Christ, bake sales for Christ, bingo for Christ, the latest would be beer drinking bible studies for Christ, concealed weapon classes for Christ; and I am sure we are not far from sodomy for Christ, orgy bible studies for Christ, kill your babies and be free in Christ, whatever for Christ. We need to understand, these are not God’s plans, holiness is God’s plan and goal for us, and it is the cross of Christ that attracts “all” His faithful followers, and there is none outside of “all” Jesus stated (John 12:32) . . .
Joh 12:32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."
2. In the apostate church we seen the institution of manmade religious holy days in order to attract the unconverted and their monies into their systems (Christ-mass, Easter, all-saints (hallows) eve; etc.).
a. We saw with the building of a false hierarchy, at the same time a laity system was being established, those who were not regenerated, born again (yet deceived into believing that they were), God’s Holy Spirit was not giving them life, but rather they were actually in the process of perishing, because they love not nor were obeying the truth (1 Pet1:22-23), the word of God (John 17:17), but rather the traditions of men, unto their own demise, even though they have been warned (Col 2:8).
Col 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
b. And today we see the same thing, people are of the world and in the world, they are world lovers, and these religions of men use these things to draw them deeper into the things of the world, instead of out of the world and towards Heaven above, as it is written (Ja 4:4; 1 Jn 2:15-17; Col 3:1-4) . . .
Jas 4:4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
1Jn 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.
1Jn 2:17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
Col 3:1 If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.
Col 3:2 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth.
Col 3:3 For you died, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall be manifested, then shall you also with him be manifested in glory.
I. (v 11)
2Th 2:11 And for this cause God sendeth them a working of error, that they should believe a lie: (ASV)
2Th 2:11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false,
If one genuinely loves the truth, he will obey its demands (1 John 5:3).
1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.
1. Yet, when one learns the Truth, but through a belief in no absoluteness of that Truth, through procrastination, or through the influence from others, and does not obey it, the Truth’s appeal to one’s heart will gradually lessen, and God will permit that person to accept a way of his own choosing, which will lead to eternal demise (v 12), there is a certain point when it is reached that God gives people over to themselves, He gives them up, we see this in the OT and the NT ( 2 Chro 30:7; Acts 7:42; 13:46; Rom 1:24, 26. 28).
2. People today have pleasure in various sins accepted by society, and therefore they follow religions that teach they are OK, instead of what God’s word states (baby-killers, fornicators; multiple-marriers with living spouses, homosexuals, lesbians, self-seeking lust seekers, greedy money-lovers, etc.).
a. They can’t believe that God wouldn’t want them to be happy in these sinful acts (Lk 13:3, 5).
b. The list goes on and on, they seem to forget Jesus’ words “not my will, but Thine be done” (Luke 22:42) we are to be subject to God (Rom 10:3; Ja 4:10), not the other way around, Jesus came to bring sinners to repentance (Lk 5:32), to destroy the works of the devil (1 Jn 3:8), not save them in these acts.
J. (v 12)
2Th 2:12 that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (ASV)
2Th 2:12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
If one desires to do the will of God, he will be able to do so, Jesus said (John 7:17).
Joh 7:17 If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.
The apostle Paul put it this way 1 Cor 10:13 . . .
1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it. (ASV)
1. The people talked about in this context, did not want to escape their sins, they did not have a desire to know the truth; they did not love nor believe it, therefore they stand condemned (Mt 7:21-23).
2. Rather than believe the truth and obey it, they had pleasure in unrighteousness; they had a greater desire to gratify their own selfish appetites, to do “their” will, rather than to do the will of the Father (Heb 11:24-25; Rom 1:32).
3. The end result will be the same for all that call Christ Lord, yet do not the Father’s will, Jesus said (Mt 7:23).
Mat 7:23 And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of (who practice) lawlessness.'
a. Let us therefore not have pleasure in lawlessness, but rather in righteousness, so we won’t be
found following “the man of sin” but rather “the Son of man” (1 Cor 11:1).
1Co 11:1 Be ye imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ.
III. THE MANDATE (2 Thess 2:13-15)
A. (v 13)
2Th 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, for that God chose you from the beginning unto salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: (ASV)
2Th 2:13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.
In contrast to those who “received not the love of the truth and took pleasure in unrighteousness” Paul turns to the faithful Thessalonian Christians, he was thankful for them, to God, not to Jesus, but through Jesus to God (Eph 5:20; 1 Pet 2:5). We also ought to be thankful for those that love the truth enough to follow it, to defend it, and to endure the hardships that go hand in hand with it.
1. He also reminds them that they are loved of the Lord, God loves the whole world (John 3:16), yet most of the world does not reciprocate that love with an active faith (1 John 4:19; John 14:15), some altogether ignore God’s word; others are hearers only deceiving their own selves; but others hear, believe and obey from the heart, and produce fruit, some thirty, sixty, some even a hundred fold, these are represented as the good ground (Luke 8:15).
2. God chose them from the beginning, before the foundation of the world God purposed a plan, that every person who was of a certain type (class), those with good and honest hearts (Luke 8:15), who would believe and respond to the gospel call, these would be holy and blameless through belief in the Truth of the gospel through which they are born of the Spirit, Who performs His separating, sanctifying work within them (look at Eph 1:3-4).
Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,
Eph 1:4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love
b. Again, the choosing here before the foundation of the world is not the individual, the “us” but rather the “that” the “type” the “class” those that would and should holy and without blemish, blameless before Him in love, through His power, the gospel. In contrast to that, those who weren’t chosen, who in our context are loving and following lawlessness instead of the Truth, are represented in “the parable of the sower” (Luke 8:4-15) as the wayside, the rocky and the thorny soil, these weren’t chosen because of various reasons of their own doing, one let Satan take the seed away from their hearts because they didn’t believe at all, others believed and were tempted with sinful desires and fell away, some fell away because of that persecutions that come about because of the word of God (Mk 4:17), others still let the cares riches and pleasures of this life lead them away from following God whole-heartedly.
c. The point is that God chose people through their belief and response to the truth of the gospel, not arbitrarily, without their will being involved (Rom 6:16; Rev 22:17).
3. And those that believed were sanctified of (by) the Spirit, they were set apart for God’s purposes by the Spirit, it doesn’t state in this text just how that takes place, yet when we go through the list of things the Spirit does, the same things are attributed to the Spirit’s sword (Eph 6:17), that Spirit revealed and confirmed word of God, His instrument of choice, Jesus taught concerning sanctification (being set apart; John 17:17).
Joh 17:17 Sanctify them in the truth: thy word is truth.
a. As one hears, or reads God’s will for the Christian and applies that will to their lives, they are being set apart for God’s holy purposes, being transformed more and more each day into the likeness of God, thinking like God thinks, acting like God acts, being fitted for one’s eternal life in Heaven (Rom 12:2; 2 Cor 4:16; Eph 4:23; Col 3:10; Tit 3:5).
B. (v 14)
2Th 2:14 whereunto he called you through our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (ASV)
2Th 2:14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The gospel has a built in call, Jesus says in this call (Mt 11:28-30). . .
Mat 11:28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am (meek) gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
1. The person that is convicted by the Holy Spirit of their sins (Jn 16:8) and realizes the just punishment due for said sins (Mt 25:46) is given a way out of that predicament, to be yoked up with Jesus through the gospel.
a. And this call originates from Heaven itself (Heb 3:1)
Heb 3:1 Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession,
a. And this calling is according to the foreknowledge of God (1 Pet 1:1-2), with the purpose of us all being like Jesus (look at Rom 8:28-30) . . .
Rom 8:28 And we know that to them that love God (Jn 3:16; 1 Jn 4:19; Rom 5:5) all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose.
Rom 8:29 For whom he foreknew (1 Pet 1:1-2), he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his Son (1 Cor 11:1), that he might be the firstborn among many brethren:
Rom 8:30 and whom he foreordained, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
b. And those that continue in the conformation, that remain faithful unto death (Rev 2:10) can look forward to their everlasting reward in glory, in the eternal phase of the kingdom of God, as did Paul (2 Tim 4:7-8).
2Ti 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
2Ti 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
a. Being faithful is depicted as a process (2 Cor 4:16; 2 Pet 1:4-11).
2Co 4:16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self (person) is wasting away (decaying), our inner self (person) is being renewed day by day.
2Pe 1:3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,
2Pe 1:4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
2Pe 1:5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,
2Pe 1:6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,
2Pe 1:7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
2Pe 1:8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2Pe 1:9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.
2Pe 1:10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to (make your calling and election sure; ASV) confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.
2Pe 1:11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
b. And here is what we can look forward to (look at Phili 3:20-21; 1 Cor 15:51-53; 1 Thess 4:16-18; 1 Jn:2) . . .
Php 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
Php 3:21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
1Co 15:51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1Co 15:52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.
1Co 15:53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.
1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first;
1Th 4:17 then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be, caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
1Jn 3:2 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.
C. (v 15)
2Th 2:15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.
Here is the conclusion of the matter, instead of falling away, likened to the coming (today present) apostasy, stand fast, and hold the traditions.
1. “Traditions” here refer to the inspired precepts of the apostle’s doctrine (Acts 2:42), the doctrine of Christ (2 John 9), which originate from the Father (John 12:49; 17:8, 14).
a. Which were transmitted orally at first, through preaching, and then were written down by the inspiration of God (2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:20-21) and they are Scripture (2 Pet 3:16).
b. We can thank God that we have His word today, life comes from life, that living and active word from the living God, which produces spiritual life, the Lord Jesus said (John 6:63) . . .
Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life.
c. And that life begins the same way it did in Paul’s day, there is but one Faith (Eph 4:5), and only one plan of salvation, which enables one to enter into that Faith, the Way.
One is to . . .
Hear (or read) the word of God, in some way a person must receive the gospel message (Acts 2:37; Rom 10:17);
Rom 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
One is to . . .
Believe that Jesus is the Divine Christ (Acts 8:37; John 8:24) Who died for our sins (1 Cor 15:3), Who was raised on the third day (1 Cor 15:4), and ascended into Heaven (Mk 16:19; Lk 24:51; Acts 1:9-11), He is our Forerunner (Heb 6:20), our Way (Jn 14:6), and has been given the Lordship over all creation by the Father (Mt 28:18). Belief (faith) is the crossover point of salvation, wherein one enters into the process of “being saved” (Lk 13:23; Acts 2:47; 1 Cot 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15), Jesus put it this way (Jn 5:24) . . .
Joh 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
But one must not stop there, a person is not saved by faith alone (Ja 2:24), which is demon like faith (Ja 2:19), but rather one must continue in the process of “being saved”
One is to . . .
Repent of sins, (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3, 5) leave that old man behind, don’t try and drag him along, godly sorrow, sorrow that acknowledges doing things contrary to God’s will, leads to repentance (2 Cor 7:10), repentance is a change in mind that results in a changed life (Lk 3:8)
One is to . . .
Confess Christ before men (Acts 8:37; Rom 10:9), showing all that you are not ashamed of Him or His words (Luke 6:46).
One is to . . .
Be baptized into Christ (Gal 3:27), into the death of Christ (Rom 6:3), unto (for) the remission of sins. (Acts 2:38; 22:16); baptism is the point wherein one is to be determined to be dead to sin and alive to God (Rom 6:1-11).
And then one is to . . .
Live a life that is holy in all aspects, (1 Pet 1:15), loving and following God’s instructions, which are righteousness (Ps 119:172), as it is written (2 John 6)
2Jn 1:6 And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.
The Lord Himself said (John 14:15) . . .
Joh 14:15 "If you love me, you will keep my commandments.