1.
Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2.
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.
day of
(See Scofield "") .
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;
for that day
The order of events is:
(1) The working of the mystery of lawlessness under divine restraint which had already begun in the apostle's time 2 Thessalonians 2:7
(2) the apostasy of the professing church 2 Thessalonians 1:3; Luke 18:8; 2 Timothy 3:1-8.
(3) the removal of that which restrains the mystery of lawlessness 2 Thessalonians 2:6; 2 Thessalonians 2:7. The restrainer is a person--"he," and since a "mystery" always implies a supernatural element (See Scofield "2 Thessalonians 2:7") this Person can be none other than the Holy Spirit in the church, to be "taken out of the way" ; 2 Thessalonians 2:7; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17.
(4) the manifestation of the lawless one 2 Thessalonians 2:8-10; Daniel 7:8; Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15; Revelation 13:2-10
(5) the coming of Christ in glory and the destruction of the lawless one 2 Thessalonians 2:8; Revelation 19:11-21
(6) the day of Jehovah 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12; Isaiah 2:12
4.
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.
5.
Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
6.
And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
7.
For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
mystery
(See Scofield "") .
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:
9.
Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
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.
saved
(See Scofield "") .
11.
And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12.
That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
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:
salvation
(See Scofield "") .
14.
Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15.
Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
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,
through grace
Grace (in salvation). vs. 1 Timothy 1:14; 1 Timothy 1:15; Romans 3:24. (See Scofield "Romans 3:24") .
17.
Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.