I was just thinking about how God’s Word is so informative regarding many various situations while humans dwell on this earth. He has informed us about creation, the great flood, Israel’s continued waxing and waning of faith and the promise of a Savior who would redeem fallen mankind. He also informed us about what is yet to come — the Day of Jacob’s Trouble, which is seven years of trouble on earth due to the Man of Lawlessness deceiving the world.
The Concern
“Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying the day of the Lord has already come. Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doom to destruction” (II Thess. 2:1-3 NIV1984).
This man of lawlessness is also called the Antichrist, the Beast, the Son of Perdition and the Man of Sin. Shortly after the rapture (gathering) of the saints, this individual will become the world leader, and his emphasis to deceive Israel will come in the form of a false peace. After three and a half years, that will become a world war like never before.
The Caution
Paul cautioned the early believers not to fall for the deception that had been around for centuries, that the Day of the Lord had already come. It has not! Such is the way Satan has tried to thwart the plan of God. The rebellion that has been foretold will not take place until the Antichrist is revealed. Note these things about the Antichrist:
• He is doomed!
• He opposes anything God is for and against those who worship God.
• He even proclaims that he is God!
The Coming
This awful world leader, the Man of Lawlessness, will be part of an unholy trinity — Satan, the Antichrist and the False Prophet. This is another way in which the devil attempts to counterfeit the Trinity of God — the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This unholy trinity will do their utmost to keep people in the Tribulation from believing in Christ. “He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God” (II Thess. 2:4). How is this to be accomplished? “The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved” (II Thess. 2:9-10).
The Calling
Paul issued a call to steadfastness by believers. “But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter” (II Thess. 2:13-15).
In 2025, we have been called not only to salvation but also to stand steadfastly for the truth. We have a responsibility to lead others to salvation — before it is too late!
