The Son of Destruction Is Coming
2 1 Brothers, we ask you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to him, 2 not to be quickly shaken in your mind or alarmed—by a spirit, a message, or a letter claiming to be from us—saying the day of our Lord has already come. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way; that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first and the man of lawlessness — doomed to destruction — is revealed, 4 who opposes, exalts himself over every so-called god or object of worship, so he sits in our Father's temple, proclaiming himself God. a a v4 Here 'God' is left plain because it is the lawless one's false, self-exalting claim — a counterfeit of the Father he sets himself against. 5 Do you not remember that while I was still with you I told you these things? 6 Now you know what restrains him now, so he may be revealed in his own time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only the current restrainer will continue until removed. 8 Then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with his mouth's breath and destroy by the brilliance of his arrival. 9 The lawless one comes by Satan's work, with all power, false signs, and wonders. 10 and with every wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 Because of this our Father sends them a powerful delusion, so that they believe what is false, 12 so all who didn't believe the truth but delighted in wickedness are condemned
Stand Firm in the Father's Calling
13 We must always thank our Father for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because our Father chose you as firstfruits for salvation through the Holy Spirit's sanctifying work and belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, to gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions we taught you, whether by our word or letter.
16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, 17 comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.
