Read & explore together
The Man of Lawlessness
This passage addresses people unsettled by claims that the day of Christ had already come. It tells them not to panic or be deceived, and it outlines what the letter says comes before that day.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
The writer speaks to “brothers” about the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and “our gathering together to him”. Some message, whether spiritual, spoken, or written, had troubled them by saying the day of Christ had already arrived. The passage also recalls teaching they had previously received.
2 Thessalonians 2:1–12Main takeaway
This passage calls readers to resist deception about the day of Christ and to hold to the truth named here.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Do not be shakenThe opening concern is “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” and “our gathering together to him”.
Explanation
The opening concern is “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” and “our gathering together to him”. The readers are asked not to be quickly shaken or troubled by any claim that the day of Christ has already come, even if it seems spiritual, spoken, or written.
02What must come firstThe letter warns against deception. It says that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first and the “man of sin” is revealed.
Explanation
The letter warns against deception. It says that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first and the “man of sin” is revealed. He is also called “the son of destruction” and is described as opposing God and setting himself up as God.
03Lawlessness already at workThe writer reminds them that he had already spoken about these matters. He says they know what is restraining this figure for now.
Explanation
The writer reminds them that he had already spoken about these matters. He says they know what is restraining this figure for now. At the same time, “the mystery of lawlessness” is already working, though its full revealing waits for the appointed time.
04False wonders and final judgementThe lawless one will be revealed, yet the Lord will destroy him by his coming. His activity is linked with Satan, power, signs, and lying wonders.
Explanation
The lawless one will be revealed, yet the Lord will destroy him by his coming. His activity is linked with Satan, power, signs, and lying wonders. The deception reaches those who did not receive the love of the truth, believed a lie, and took pleasure in unrighteousness.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What sources of troubling messages are named here?
List the kinds of message mentioned and the claim they were making about the day of Christ.
02How is the “man of sin” described?
Notice both his titles and what he does in relation to God and worship.
03Why does the passage say some are deceived?
Look for the connection between truth, believing a lie, and pleasure in unrighteousness.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
2 Thessalonians 2:1–12
1Now, brothers, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to him, we ask you
2not to be quickly shaken in your mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter as if from us, saying that the day of Christ has already come.
3Let no one deceive you in any way. For it will not be unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of destruction.
4He opposes and exalts himself against all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, setting himself up as God.
5Don’t you remember that when I was still with you, I told you these things?
6Now you know what is restraining him, to the end that he may be revealed in his own season.
7For the mystery of lawlessness already works. Only there is one who restrains now, until he is taken out of the way.
8Then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will kill with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the manifestation of his coming;
9even he whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10and with all deception of wickedness for those who are being lost, because they didn’t receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11Because of this, God sends them a powerful delusion, that they should believe a lie,
12that they all might be judged who didn’t believe the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.