Well this evening we are continuing our series of studies in Paul's two epistles to the Thessalonians. We've already considered the whole of the first epistle and today will be our second study in to Thessalonians. We have seen from our previous studies that the city of Thessalonica was the capital city of Macedonia, an area that we would now equate to northern Greece. And we know that Paul and some of his companions spent a relatively short time in Thessalonica preaching the gospel of God's grace, and there were some who had trusted in Christ and were going on in the faith despite some very stiff Jewish opposition. And not only had they trusted in Christ, but their witness had been such that their faith was spoken of throughout Greece and even beyond. Now it was probably whilst Paul was in Corinth that he received tidings from Timothy that prompted him to write his first epistle to the Thessalonians, addressing the problems which had reportedly arisen in that church. And later, receiving reports of further or continuing problems, Paul was led, after just a brief interlude, to write this second epistle to the church, part of which we're studying tonight. And it appears that the main problem that had arisen among the saints at Thessalonica was all to do with the Lord's return, namely, when it would be. and also how to prepare for it. In our last study we saw how the Saviour's return would be a joyous time for all those in every generation who had obeyed the Gospel, but a terrifying time for those who knew not God, all those who had not obeyed the Gospel. Those who knew not God, all those who had not obeyed the Gospel. This evening we shall be considering the whole of 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 which tells us more about things that must happen before the return of the Saviour. Although I have to warn you and confess at the outset that there is no unanimity amongst all believers in respect of the things that we're going to be looking at this evening. Now because of this and before we commence our study of this evening's passage of scripture, I want us to spend just a few moments to note what the Bible tells us about the Antichrist or Antichrists. And to do this we have to look at the first and second epistles of John, which are the only places in the scriptures where the word Antichrist appears. So turn if you will with me to 1 John chapter 2 and verses 18 to 22. 1 John chapter 2 verses 18 to 22 which read as follows. Little children, it is the last time and as ye have heard that Antichrist shall come, Even now there are many antichrists whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us but they were not of us. If they had been of us they would no doubt have continued with us. But they went out that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. But ye have an unction from the Holy One and know all things. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is Antichrist that denieth the Father and the Son. And now let us consider 1 John 4 verses 1 to 3. 1 John 4 verses 1 to 3. And those verses read thus. Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits, whether they are of God. Because many false prophets have gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God. Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God. And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God. And this is that spirit of Antichrist. whereof ye have heard that it should come, and even now already is it in the world. And then finally verse 7 of 2 John. 2 John verse 7 which reads thus. For many deceivers are entered into the world who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Well, we can see three things very clearly from those verses from John's letters. Firstly, we see that in John's day there were already many who merited the title of Antichrist. Secondly, we see that every spirit that, and I quote, confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is not of God. And this is that spirit of Antichrist. And thirdly, because of those first two points, I think it's safe to assume that there have been those having the spirit of Antichrist down through the ages, and also that there are those yet to appear. Now we've looked at those scriptures where the word Antichrist is specifically mentioned, but that doesn't necessarily mean that there are no other scriptures where characters are mentioned who could be said to merit that title. Well, having said all that, we're now ready to move on to our consideration of this evening's study passage. And as I've said already, it seems that the main problem that had arisen amongst the saints at Thessalonica was to do with the law's return, when it would be, how to prepare for it. And it appears that some people mistakenly felt that it was very imminent. So we begin with verses 1 and 2 of our passage which reads thus. Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 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 is at hand. Now the word translated as by in verse 1 and repeated for clarification is a word which could also be translated as in relation to. And thus the verse could read like this. Now we beseech you brethren in relation or with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and in relation to or with regard to our gathering together unto him. And this seems to me to give better the sense of what Paul was writing to the saints at Thessalonica about. He was saying, in the light of what I've just been explaining about the second advent of the Saviour and how we will all be gathered together with him in the air, you shouldn't continue to look at things in the wrong way. You shouldn't continue to be troubled. Paul besought them with these words, 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 is at hand. Now notice that Paul addressed the Thessalonian saints as brethren, they were true believers, but they needed to be put right about the Lord's second advent, to understand that there were some things that had to happen before the Lord's return. It was not as imminent as some were assuming. And thus the saints at Thessalonica were not to be taken up with it as much as they were. They were not to conduct themselves as though the day of Christ was at hand. And this raises an important point as to how much we in our generation should be taken up with the Lord's return. Now there are those who are preoccupied with this subject. spending a great deal of time debating what will happen and when, and no doubt there are some of us who do not think enough about these things, but of this one thing we can all be assured, the Lord is coming again and we are to be ready for his coming at any time. And so what were the things that the saints at Thessalonica were told had to happen before the Lord's return? Well, verses 3 and 4 of our study passages tell us. Let no man deceive you by any means, for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition, 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, showing himself that he is God. Well that day refers to the great day of the Saviour's second advent. But we see, do we not, that it will be preceded by a falling away. Now the Greek word translated here in verse 3 as a falling away is the word apostasia, from which we get our word apostasy. And we have to consider if this is something that has already happened, is happening now, or is yet to happen. The state of Christianity in our country at the present time is such that it is understandable if there are those who are convinced that we must be living in the very last days. However, we know that it has pleased the Lord in times past to send revival. And so I'm not sure that we can yet say with confidence that we have seen or are participating in the final falling away. The Lord may yet be pleased to send revival to our land. Now after the falling away, or perhaps concurrent with the falling away, the man of sin will be revealed. the son of perdition, who opposeth and exhorteth himself above all that is called God, all that is worshipped, so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. I suppose that we might think of this man of sin as the very embodiment of sin. Someone whose sin is so great that it's almost unimaginable. And these questions arise. Is this man yet to make an appearance? Or has he already appeared on the world stage? And is it possible that this man of sin is a one-off? Or is it possible that he is in the line of men of sin? I mentioned this last point as some have believed that the papacy is referred to here and that successive popes deserve the title of the man of sin. The well-known commentator John Gill held this view and it's been held by many others also. And one of the reasons for this view is that the Roman Catholic Church claims that each and every Pope is the representative of Christ on earth, someone who speaks on behalf of God, and infallible whenever making pronouncements from the papal chair. Another well-known commentator, Matthew Henry, as well as John Gill, held the Pope and his successors to be the man of sin. And so do the Westminster and Baptist confessions of faith. Well, views have changed over the years and although my own church in Exeter subscribes to the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith, our constitution has a specific clause which says that it's not necessary for members to hold that view. My own view is that the man of sin or final man of sin is yet to make his appearance on the earth But you may disagree. Now you may have noticed that this man is also described as the son of perdition, a term that we also come across in John's Gospel in chapter 17 of John and verse 12 which is used to describe Judas Iscariot. It's exactly the same description. And from this it's apparent that there can be more than one person who merits that description, just as we have seen that there can be many antichrists and possibly many who could be described as men of sin. I tend to feel that just one particular person is alluded to here in two Thessalonians, a one-off as it were yet to appear, but I don't think that this is something that we can be dogmatic about. With regard to the description of someone who, and I quote, as God, sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God, does this mean that at some time in the future there will be an actual temple of God? Or could this be just a figurative description of a particular place of worship? Now, there may be some people who will claim to be able to give you a precise understanding of these things. But I have to confess that I'm not one of them. I believe we are yet to see these things, whether in our own lifetimes or in many years to come. We mustn't ever ignore anything in the scriptures because all scripture is profitable. But we mustn't spend too much time in consideration of any one thing. Now in the short time that Paul and his party spent at Thessalonica, it appears that Paul spoke to those there about things yet to take place before the Saviour's return. For did he not write these words? Remember ye not that when I was yet with you, I told you these things? Here we have Paul gently chiding the Thessalonian converts. He had received reports of their concerns about the Lord's second coming. But when he was with them, he had possibly given them guidance as to what happened to take place, what needed to take place, rather, before that second coming. so that they wouldn't be overly concerned and distracted from their usual way of life. Well, we shall see before we finish our studies in Thessalonians that this is what had happened. People had been distracted from their normal way of life, but we shall come to that in our next and final study. Paul himself didn't know exactly what the future held. It seems from what he next wrote that he had his suspicions. And we need to understand that although Paul may have been wrong in his thoughts as to who the final man of sin would be, he was accurate nonetheless in his description of him. You know, we have examples in the Old Testament of prophecies which were twofold. inasmuch as they were relevant to the times in which they were made, but also had further and more relevant fulfilments later in time. And I think that this was the case in what Paul wrote next. He wrote this, And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work. Only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. Must be something I said. Paul felt that at that time there was something restraining or constraining an evil character until the appointed time of his being made manifest, something withholding him. And to my mind, this can only refer to God's constraining hand. It is God alone who is in control of all things. Nothing in this world can ever happen without his express permission. And this is a key truth that we must ever take to heart to enable us to be assured that, and I quote, all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. As I mentioned earlier in this message, there is no unanimity amongst believers in respect of the meanings of some of the verses in this evening's study passage. And we know that many of those known as the church fathers all those centuries ago admitted this. They were perplexed and felt that there were things going on in the world that would have been known to those living at that time under Roman rule. but which may not be obvious to us in our generation. For example, verse 6 of our study passage contains the words, and now ye know, suggesting that what Paul was referring to was then quite common knowledge, albeit not to us now. There was something evil going on at that time. The mystery of iniquity doth already work. But we're not given to know exactly what it was. But as I've already mentioned, and I no doubt will do so again before I close, we have examples in the Old Testament of prophecies which were twofold inasmuch as they were relevant to the times in which they were made. but also had further more relevant fulfillments later in time. And I think that this was the case in what Paul wrote to the saints in Thessalonica. And I believe we see this continuing in verses 8 and 9 of the passage we're looking at. Those verses read as follows. And then shall that wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming, even him whose coming is after the working of Satan, with all power and signs and lying wonders. Now this may well have been true of someone who arose in New Testament times, but it seems to me that it will be even truer of one who will arise in the end times. In the book of Revelation we have characters, evil characters, who could fit the bill, though personally I'm not confident enough to say which of them it might be. Suffice it to say that whoever it is, its coming will be after the working of Satan, accompanied by lion wonders, and that we can be assured that it will be overcome and destroyed at the coming again of the Lord Jesus, destroyed with the brightness of his coming. And I think that this confirms, at least to some degree, what I've been suggesting. Namely that Paul may have had someone of his own day in mind when he wrote what he did, but was writing under the Holy Spirit's influence equally or more about an end-time character. For was he not writing about someone who would be destroyed when the Lord Jesus came again? someone who would be, and I quote, destroyed with the brightness of his coming. Now if we hold this view, which I do, then verses 10 to 11 of the passage we're considering this evening can be deemed to apply to those living in the end end times prior to the Lord's second advent. And those verses read thus. and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish, because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion that they should believe a lie, that they all might be damned who believed not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness." And we see here in these three verses both the responsibility of man and the sovereignty of God. Are we not living in times when so many people will not receive the love of the truth that they might be saved? Are we not living in times when so many people have pleasure in unrighteousness? So many people are perishing because they are being deceived and I believe that this will get worse when that character arises of whom it is written, and I quote, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and science and lie and wonders. Now we see man's responsibility in people not receiving the love of the truth and then God's sovereignty when he then sends such people strong delusion that they should then believe a lie. Now we mustn't move on in our study without noting that we are told that all those who believe not the truth of the Gospel will be judged and condemned for their unbelief. That they all might be damned who believe not the truth but have pleasure in unrighteousness. When we preach the Gospel we must declare both the positive and the negative aspects of the Gospel. It's only right and proper that we tell of the love of God for sinners and the home in heaven to which repentant sinners can look forward to when they are called home or when the Lord comes again. But it's also only right that we must warn sinners of the dreadful end that awaits them if they refuse to obey the gospel, namely an eternity of punishment in hell. Now this question arises, are we living in the last days? Perhaps in what might be termed the last last days. And I mention this because some of us believe that when the Bible refers to the last days, it is in fact referring to the whole of the period between the ascension of the Lord Jesus to heaven, his departure from this earth, and when he comes again. Now not everyone believes this, but I do favour that view. And though we are already living in desperately wicked days, I believe that there is still worse to come, indicated by those verses that we have been considering this evening. The saints at Thessalonica were troubled about the details of the Lord's return. And some of us may be wondering as to how far in the future this may be. And, you know, we need to realize that other people before us have asked the same question. Not necessarily just believers. Just take a look, if you will, at 2 Peter chapter 3 and the first 12 verses. 2 Peter chapter 3 and the first 12 verses which read thus. This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you, in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance, that ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour. knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of. that by the word of God the heavens were of old and the earth standing out of the water and in the water, whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished. But the heavens and the earth which are now, by the same word, are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness, but is longsuffering to us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat. The earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up, seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved. What manner of persons ought ye to be? in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat. We can be assured that our Saviour will not come again until every one, every single one of God's elect have been saved. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men cannot slackness, but is longsuffering to us, but not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Just as God could not, would not, send the flood until Noah and all his family were safely in the ark, so this world will not end until all of God's elect are safely brought into his kingdom. But now we move on to verses 13 and 14, which speak of how the Thessalonian saints were part of God's elect. And those verses read thus. But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the spirit and belief of the truth, whereunto he called you by our gospel to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Now, earlier in this epistle, in verse 3 of the previous chapter, Paul wrote something similar to what he wrote in verse 13 of the passage we're studying this evening, namely this. We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is me. In the previous chapter, Paul was thanking God for the growth of the faith of the Thessalonian saints and for their great love for one another. And here in chapter 2 he thanks God for his choosing of those saints to salvation. From the beginning, meaning as is stated elsewhere in the scriptures, before the foundation of the world. And in due time they were sanctified by the spirit and granted belief in the truth of the gospel. And it was the preaching of the gospel of God's grace that God used to call the saints at Thessalonica. Paul wrote this, whereunto he called you by our gospel to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of their response to the call to repent and be converted, the converts at Thessalonica would now share in the glory of their Savior on that great day to come. We consider this in our last study in verse 10 of 2 Thessalonians chapter 1. And in the light of this certain hope of glory, Paul exalted the converts to whom he was writing to stand fast, to stand firm. and not in any way to waver in their faith. He wrote these words, therefore brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which we have been taught, whether by word or our epistle. Now, traditions can be both good and bad. We know that the traditions of the Jews were often adhered to in defiance of what the Word of God said. So we need to be very wary of traditions. However, such traditions as are not contrary to the Word of God are to be embraced and esteemed. And it was these which Paul was referring here. The customs or traditions that the Thessalonian saints had been taught by Paul and by his missionary partners, whether relayed by word of mouth or by letter, were to be honoured. And now we see that the Apostle concludes this part of his letter with the following words. 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, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work." Now, as we've been time and time again reminded in our studies in these two epistles to the saints at Thessalonica, problems had arisen in respect of those saints' understanding. of what to expect regarding the second coming of the Saviour. And so Paul was hoping that what he had written to them would, with God's help, comfort and stabilise them. What they all needed to do now was to concentrate on living the Christian life, to be established in every good word and work. Rather than being overly distracted regarding the Lord's Second Advent, they should be living in the here and now. And this is something that we all need to take to heart. As I've mentioned previously, some people have been so taken up with details of the Saviour's second advent that they have perhaps neglected present duties. But it may also be true to say that perhaps some of us haven't given sufficient attention to what the scriptures have to tell us about future events. It's all a question of balance, is it not, and of getting that balance right. Well, some of the verses that we've been considering this evening are amongst the most difficult to fully understand. The church fathers struggled to understand them and many commentators have had their difficulties also. And so we shouldn't be overly dismayed if we have had difficulties as well. The Lord Jesus hasn't yet returned And none of us can say with any certainty when it will be. However, if we have learnt nothing else this evening, we have seen that two things must happen before the second advent. Verse 3 of the passage we are studying this evening told us this. Let no man deceive you by any means, for that day shall not come. except their comer falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition. And so, are we witnessing these things in our own day, or are they yet to come? Well, may the Lord give us greater understanding in these things, and may we be not ashamed at our Saviour's coming, whenever that may be. Amen. Feel free to contact us at Sovereign Grace Church in Tiverton. Email us at grace2seekers at gmail.com. That's grace2seekers at gmail.com. Alternatively, you can visit our website at www.sovereigngracereformedchurch.co.uk. you