A Study in 2 Thessalonians : Lesson #4 What you do with the truth is crucial

(2 Thessalonians 2:5-17) 

In our previous lesson we saw how the man of sin and the son of perdition were both connected to the anti-christ but were not exactly the same. In this lesson we will continue with the passage and look at things from the tribulation. At the end we will make a spiritual application in regards to receiving and believing the truth.

Verses 5-9 :

In these verses we learn more about what happens in the tribulation. In verse 6 we see that there is a set time for the son of perdition to be revealed.

Paul says that the mystery of iniquity was working in his day (verse 7). Throughout history many have been a type of the anti-christ who were working to set up a one world government that the anti-christ could eventually rule over. This is done through the leadership of Satan as the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4) using the spirit of anti-christ (1 John 4:1-4).

Also in verse 7 we see that there is one who seems to be preventing the son of perdition from being revealed. Most teach that this is the Holy Spirit and when the rapture of the church takes place the Holy Spirit is taken of the earth and then the son of perdition can be revealed. There are a couple of problems with this teaching. The first one is that the Holy Spirit is not in the context. The second one is that the Holy Spirit does work in the tribulation just not the way he works right now (example, Revelation 11:11).

In our previous lesson we saw how the man of sin was connected with the physical man who was the anti-christ and that the son of perdition was connected with the beast out of the bottomless pit. Therefore the man of sin is the one who is keeping the son of perdition from being revealed.

At the beginning of the tribulation the anti-christ comes forth and conquers with peace, but half way through the tribulation things change drastically (see previous lesson). It seems that the man the anti-christ will be killed. Then his body is resurrected by Satan and the son of perdition from the bottomless pit enters that body. This is when the change happens and he will declare that he is god and everyone must worship him and take his mark (Revelation 13:1-18).

In verse 9 we see that Satan gives him his power and he does miracles that help him deceive the multitudes.

Verses 10-12 : 

In this passage we see a great truth concerning the tribulation and the people who follow the anti-christ. In verse 11 we see that God sends them a strong delusion that they should believe the lie.

Many people have said that they will recognize the mark of the beast or the events described in the bible and will not follow the anti-christ. But here we have the reason that they will it is because of a strong delusion. Some might say that God sending a strong delusion doesn’t seem fair or right. But the reason that he does this is found in verses 10 and 12. God sends the strong delusion to these people for three reasons.

1)  They received not the love of the truth (Verse 10)

2)  They believed not the truth (Verse 12)

3)  They had pleasure in unrighteousness (Verse 12)

You could also say that these three things are what keep people from getting saved today, but they will be the reason that God sends a strong delusion that the people should believe a lie.

Verses 13-17 :

In these verses Paul goes back to encouraging the Thessalonians in their salvation and their work for the Lord. Note how he contrast the Thessalonians who have received the truth (verse 13) with those who he said rejected the truth in verses 10-12.

This gives us a great spiritual lesson in regards to the truth. We must receive the word of truth today for salvation so we do not have to worry about the tribulation, the man of sin and son of perdition. But we must also continue to follow the word of truth because it is what works within us (1 Thessalonians 2:13) so that we can accomplish the purpose God has for us.

A Study in 2 Thessalonians : Lesson #4 What you do with the truth is crucial (2 Thessalonians 2:5-17)

Handout

1)  Explain what is happening in verses 5-9 concerning the man of sin, son of perdition, and the tribulation.

2)  What happens to those who follow the anti-christ?

3)  What are three things said about those people?

4)  What is the spiritual lesson that we can take from this passage?