Summary: 1-2 This is Paul talking about the 2nd coming. He was telling not to be deceived by anyone (word, spirit, letter) - cz they thought His coming was then- but this wasn’t the case- (Matthew 24:4-6). 3-4 don’t be deceived by ppl or whoever preaches Christ’s return now, cz these 2 things must happen first b4 returns: the falling away (departure from truth and abandoning the faith- 1 Tim 4:1-2) & the man of sin/ son of perdition is revealed. This man of sin will oppose God, exalt himself, deceive ppl and claim divine authority or to be god - as shown in the following table Prophetic Characteristic Daniel 2 Thessalonians Revelation Other Supporting Scriptures A great apostasy (falling away from truth) Daniel 8:12 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Revelation 13:3–4; 17:1–5 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 4:3–4 A religious-political power arises Daniel 7:8 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Revelation 13:1–2 — Opposes God Daniel 7:25 2 Thessalonians 2:4 Revelation 13:6 Isaiah 14:13–14 (principle of self-exaltation) Exalts itself above God Daniel 8:11, 8:25 2 Thessalonians 2:4 Revelation 13:5–6 — Speaks proud/blasphemous words Daniel 7:8, 7:20, 7:25 2 Thessalonians 2:4 Revelation 13:5–6 — Claims authority that belongs to God Daniel 8:11 2 Thessalonians 2:4 Revelation 13:4, 13:8 John 10:33 (biblical definition of blasphemy) Associated with lawlessness / attacks God’s law Daniel 7:25 (“intend to change times and law”) 2 Thessalonians 2:7–8 (“mystery of lawlessness,” “lawless one”) Revelation 12:17; 14:12 (contrast with commandment keepers) 1 John 3:4 Persecutes God’s saints Daniel 7:21, 7:25 (Implied) Revelation 13:7; 17:6 Matthew 24:9 Rules for a prophetic 1,260 years Daniel 7:25 (“time, times and half a time”) — Revelation 12:6, 12:14; 13:5 (42 months) — Casts truth down / rejects truth Daniel 8:12 2 Thessalonians 2:10–12 Revelation 12:17; 14:12 (contrast) John 17:17 Uses deception Daniel 8:25 2 Thessalonians 2:9–10 Revelation 13:14; 18:23 Matthew 24:24 Performs counterfeit miracles (Implied in successful deception, Daniel 8:25) 2 Thessalonians 2:9 Revelation 13:13–14; 16:13–14 Matthew 24:24 Empowered by Satan Daniel 8:24 2 Thessalonians 2:9 Revelation 13:2, 13:4 Revelation 12:9 Deceives the whole world Daniel 8:25 2 Thessalonians 2:10–12 Revelation 13:3, 13:8, 13:14 Matthew 24:24 God’s faithful remnant remain obedient Daniel 7:22, 7:27 2 Thessalonians 2:13–15 Revelation 12:17; 14:12 Jude 3 Judged by the heavenly court Daniel 7:9–10, 7:26 — Revelation 14:6–7; 20:11–12 Ecclesiastes 12:13–14 Destroyed by Christ Daniel 7:26; 8:25 2 Thessalonians 2:8 Revelation 19:20; 20:10 Isaiah 11:4 Christ receives the everlasting kingdom Daniel 7:13–14, 7:27 2 Thessalonians 2:8 (by implication at His coming) Revelation 11:15; 21:1–4 1 Corinthians 15:24–28 5-7 he’s reminding them that when he was with them, he told them about these things 3&4. The son of perdition is being restrained from these until the proper time. This power is already in action, just a mystery (not clearly revealed yet). Once this restraining power is removed, the son of perdition will be revealed, who God will consume with breath of His mouth (word) and brightness- Jesus is gonna destroy him 9-10 Satan is the power behind this power/son of perdition, Satan will also come with great deception- power, signs and lying wonders. (1 Tim 4:1-2 & 2 tim 4:3-4)- people that have rejected the truth (God) are the ones who will be deceived by these things. God will allow for these super convincing deceptions/delusions/signs- like in 1 kings 19-23 - God allowed the spirit to go and be a deceiving spirit. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;” II Timothy 4:3 NKJV - cz they repeatedly rejected truth, He allowed them tl follow falsehood that they may face consequences from their choices. 13-14 Paul now encourages the Thessalonians, reminding them that they are chosen, to hold to God’s word and hold fast, then he blesses them wanting them to stay firm in their faith and for God’s work in them to be complete- transformation in every good word and work- transformed completely.