Wednesday 13th November 2019 Prayer Devotion
Scripture Reading:- 2 Thessalonians 2:3-10
Topic:- The Man Of Lawlessness [6]
Text:- 2 Thessalonians 2:10
J. Remember Jesus’s Warning:
1. Empowered by Satan, the lawless one will arrive accompanied by false wonders and signs, thus deceiving unbelievers; but even this is under God’s sovereign control. See 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12.
2. Paul again applies to the lawless one and Satan terms typically reserved for God’s activity in Christ. The “coming” (Gk. parousia) of the lawless one in verse 9 is placed immediately alongside the parousia of Jesus. See 2 Thessalonians 2:8.
3. Paul also comment on Satan’s “activity” uses a term often employed for God’s work energeia. Satan mimics God’s work by causing a lawless one to appear, though ultimately Satan’s designs will fail. See 2 Thessalonians 2:1, 7, 8.
4. Paul lists two sets of means through which Satan deceives the masses. The first set constitutes “all power,” along with “false signs and wonders”; the second set consists of “all wicked deception.” Concerning the first set, “power” and “signs and wonders” often serve as evidence of God’s work in the gospel of Christ for “power,” for “signs and wonders.” See Romans 15:19; 1 Corinthians 2:4-5; 2 Corinthians 12:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:5; 2 Thessalonians 1:11.
5. So, Satan continues mimicking the gospel and God’s work. We are again reminded of Jesus’ Olivet Discourse, in which he warns of coming false messiahs and prophets who perform “signs and wonders” in order to lead others astray. See Matthew 24:23-125; Mark 13:21–23).
6. Jesus’ teaching has set the pattern for apostolic discussions of eschatology. In this regard, this passage is linked with the portrayal of the beasts and the false prophet in the book of Revelation. See Revelation 13:11-18; 16:13-14; 19:19-20.
7. The man of lawlessness is so convincing to the masses that Paul emphasizes that he appears with “all wicked deception.” However, even amid such deception, Paul carefully records that only “those who are perishing” will be fooled. See Revelation 13:8.
8. This word for “perishing” (Gk. apollymi ) refers to those whose destruction awaits them. Paul uses apollymi elsewhere to depict those who reject the gospel of Christ. See 1 Corinthians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 2:15; 4:3.
9. Because these followers of lawlessness have failed to love the truth of Christ’s gospel, they are perishing. The Thessalonians need not worry that they may be numbered among those who will be deceived by the man of lawlessness, since they already know and love the truth.
Prayer Point:- I rebuke every form of lawlessness and man of lawlessness that are working against my spiritual life and success henceforth by fire, die, in the name of Jesus Christ.
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