SECOND THESSALONIANS TWO WITH COMMENTS

[1] Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him (the Rapture - Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 1:7-8; 5:5; 15:51-52; 2 Cor. 1:14; Phil. 1:6, 10; 1 Thes. 4:13-18; 5:2; Rev. 3:10), [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 (two aspects of His Second Coming: in the air at the Rapture - 1 Thes. 4:17; and to establish His earthly Millennial Kingdom - (Zech. 14:4; Acts 1:11; Matt. 24:29-30; Rev. 19:11-16), is at hand. [3] Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first (based on context and known sequence of events, this use of the Greek "apostasia" here means "catching away" as in the Rapture - see an excellent explanation at www.dbts.edu/journals/1998/combs.pdf), and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition (Antichrist - the first Beast of Rev. 13:1 - 19:20); [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 (the Abomination of Desolation - Dan. 9:27; Matt. 24:15). [5] Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? [6] And now ye know what (notice it says "what," not "who") withholdeth (the Church - as preserving salt - Matt. 5:13 - and as illuminating light - Matt. 5:14) that he might be revealed in his time (after the Rapture - he is revealed by the seven-year covenant with Israel - Dan. 9:27). [7] For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only He who now letteth will let, until He be taken out of the way (notice it says "He" - the Holy Spirit sent by the Father for the Church - Jn. 14:26 - "letteth" indicates limited permission - only God limits Satan and his Antichrist). [8] And then shall that Wicked (Antichrist) be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming (Rev. 19:20): [9] Even him (Antichrist), whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders (Dan. 11:21-24; Matt. 24:4-5; Rev. 13:1-8), [10] And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish (those who worship him - Rev. 13:4, 8, 12, 15; 16:2; 19:20); because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. [11] And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie (similar to Ex. 7:13; Rom. 1:28; 11:25): [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 (Jn. 1:29, 36; Rom. 8:29; Eph. 1:4; Rev. 13:8) through sanctification (set apart, sealed - Eph. 1:13; 4:30; 5:25-26; Heb. 10:14) of the Spirit and belief of the truth (Jesus - Jn. 14:6): [14] Whereunto He called you by our Gospel (Rom. 10:9-10; 1 Cor. 15:3-4; Eph. 2:8-9), 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, [17] Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work. AMEN!