Lawlessness Takes Its Last Stand

Normal Christianity in Extreme Times – 2 Thessalonians Series – Part 5
(2 Thessalonians 2:5-8, Preaching: Pastor Nathan Snyder, January 26, 2014)

[5] Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?

Paul had explained certain things when he was with the Thessalonians regarding the return of Christ.  He had explained that Christ’s return will not come until the final great apostasy when many turn away from God, being led by the man of lawlessness, who will proclaim himself to be God.  Yet rumors were now spreading among the Thessalonian Christians that the return of Christ had come, even though none of these final events had taken place, and Paul is reminding them of what he had already taught them.

[6] And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time.  [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.  [8] And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.

Paul reminds the Thessalonians that they knew based on his prior teaching what it was that was holding back the appearing of the man of lawlessness.  Even now lawlessness is at work, but it is, we might say, working undercover.  It has not yet fully revealed itself.  This is, I think, the meaning of the word “mystery” here.  There is someone who is holding back lawlessness.  He will one day be taken out of the way and lawlessness will burst forth in all its hatred of God and his sovereign rule.  It will be embodied in the man of lawlessness who will lead the final great rebellion against God.  So for now, something and someone are holding back lawlessness and the lawless one.  Apparently the Thessalonians knew what something and someone Paul was talking about.  I’m afraid I do not know what he meant.  But what is clear is that this great rising of lawlessness will be its last stand.  God is over all and opposition to him cannot win.  He is sovereign over when the lawless one is revealed.  He has determined when it will be time to pull back the restraints.  And he will send his Christ back to this world in blazing power and glory to win the final victory.  Christ’s breath will be enough to slay the man of lawlessness.  His mere appearing will bring this foe to nothing.  There is opposition to God everywhere now.  One day it will burst forth in full strength.  But it will not prevail.  God and his Christ will prevail.

Put the Word to Work:  We must stand against lawlessness, first and foremost by submitting ourselves and our church to Christ and his Word, knowing that Christ will have the final victory.

Singing Psalm 27:6 from Trinity Psalter (Tune: St. John, 66.66.88)
My head shall lifted be / Above my enemies. / Within His tent with glee / I’ll offer sacrifice. / With shouts of joy my song I’ll bring; / There praises to the LORD I’ll sing.

A Second Thessalonians Hymn – Verse 5 (Louisville, S.M.)

The man of lawlessness
Will die by Jesus’ voice.
All lawlessness will be removed.
God’s people shall rejoice – God’s people shall rejoice!