The End of Lawlessness
Last week, Pete shared with us the scripture about the fake news and the amazing lives of cleaner ras and their imposters, the combtooth blenny. Highlighting the difference between our Lord Jesus Christ and the antichrist. Today’s sermon is very much a continuation of that sermon as we take a look in more detail at the lawless one and his impact on earth, but even more importantly, Jesus’s response.
Scripture
2 Thessalonians 2:7-12 ESV 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. 9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, 10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, 12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Bible Study Questions
The mystery of lawlessness at work
In verse 7, Paul tells the Thessalonians that the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. We certainly can see this in this day and age. We see it in the Church, where there are so many people preaching false renditions of the Gospel. Where else do you see the mysteries of lawlessness at work?
2 Thessalonians 2:7 ESV 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 restrainer out the way
Verse 7 also says that the one who restrains the lawless one will be taken out of the way. What could this be referring to?
2 Thessalonians 2:7 ESV 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.
1 Thessalonians 4:16 ESV For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
The power of God’s breath
You can imagine that the Thessalonians were quite disturbed by the news of the coming of the lawless one. Paul moves to comfort them by telling them that Jesus will come and destroy the lawless one with His breath. God’s breath is Ruak in Hebrew… Where do we first encounter God’s Ruak in the Bible?
2 Thessalonians 2:8 ESV 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.
Genesis 1:2 ESV The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
Beginning at the end
When Paul talks about Jesus destroying the lawless one with His breath in verse 8, it seems like he is starting with the end in mind. Modern authors would be tempted to explain the detail of verses 9-12 before verse 8. Why do you think Paul does this?
2 Thessalonians 2:8 ESV 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.
False signs and wonders
In verse 9, Paul speaks about the false signs and wonders that the lawless one will perform, under the power of Satan. Do you see how this picture is mimicking the relationship between God the Father and God the Son, Christ? What false signs and wonders are we seeing in the world today?
2 Thessalonians 2:9 ESV The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders,
A strong delusion
Verses 10 and 11 can be a little hard to understand at first. Paul says that God will send the unbelievers a strong delusion so that they may believe what is false. What do you understand by this? Can you think of any other parts of scripture where God performs similar deeds?
2 Thessalonians 2:10-11 ESV and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. (11) Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false,
Exodus 9:12 ESV But the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he did not listen to them, as the LORD had spoken to Moses.
Justice reigns
In the world today, we see all sorts of injustices. When driving in our cars, when at the workplace, when at the home, watching TV, etc. It’s the mysteries of lawlessness at work that drive the terrible injustice we see all around us. With that in mind, how do you feel when you read the last verse of today’s scripture?
2 Thessalonians 2:12 ESV in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.