Kingdom Disciples

Many Christians will apostatize when the “Lawless One,” the “Son of Destruction,” seats himself in the “sanctuary.”  As Paul explained to the Thessalonians, the “ Day of the Lord ” will not arrive until the “ apostasy ” and the unveiling of the “ man of lawlessness ,” the one who will take his seat “ in the sanctuary of God .” The Apostle also labeled him “ the son of destruction ,” but is there any significance in this double appellation? - [ Abandoned Church - Photo by Kristijan Arsov on Unsplash ].

Repeatedly, the New Testament warns of the coming “apostasy,” which it links to the future “man of lawlessness.”  In his letter to the Thessalonians, Paul explained that the “ Day of the Lord ” will NOT commence until the “ apostasy ” occurs and the “ man of lawlessness ” is revealed, two events that in his view are inextricably linked. In this statement, he was reiterating warnings found elsewhere in the New Testament about future apostasy that originated with Jesus - [ Photo by Thomas Grams on Unsplash ].

Two events must occur before the “Day of the Lord” - The apostasy and the unveiling of the Man of Lawlessness – 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 .  Next, Paul explained why the “ Day of the Lord ” has NOT commenced. Two key events must occur first: the “ apostasy ” and the unveiling of the “ man of lawlessness , the son of destruction .” In Thessalonica, the men who were spreading false information about the coming of Jesus were deceiving believers by raising false expectations about the nearness of that day - [ Photo by Jo Szczepanska on Unsplash ].

Disinformation about the “day of the Lord” caused alarm among many in the congregation at Thessalonica – 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 . Paul addressed claims that the “ Day of the Lord had set in ," rumors that were disrupting the congregation in Thessalonica and, apparently, spread by a “ spirit ,” a word ( logos ), or a letter, “ as if from us .” In response, Paul listed two events that must occur BEFORE the “ parousia ” of Jesus - the “ revealing of the man of lawlessness ” and the “ apostasy ” - [ Photo by Luca Onniboni on Unsplash ].

At the arrival of Jesus, the Thessalonians will be rewarded for their endurance, but their persecutors will experience everlasting loss - 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10 .  Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians was written in the months following his departure. The first epistle expressed joy at the good news that the Thessalonians were remaining faithful despite persecution. The second addresses three main issues: Persecution, believers who refuse to work, and questions about the “ arrival ” of Jesus - [ Arrival - Photo by Gran Canaria For Nomad List on Unsplash ].