BIG IDEA:
HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU HAVEN’T BEEN LEFT BEHIND?
THE REVEALING OF THE ANTICHRIST MUST PRECEDE THE DAY OF THE LORD.
INTRODUCTION:
Have we missed the boat? Are we as believers somehow already in the Day of the Lord and experiencing that special time of intensified wrath of God? Certainly we are experiencing a high level of suffering and persecution (in the early church). What are we to make of these difficult times?
I. (:1-3a) DON’T BE DECEIVED ABOUT THE ORDER OF EVENTS
A. Subject Under Discussion
“Now we request you, brethren, with regard to”:
1. Second Coming (general designation of whole series of events kicked off by the rapture)
“the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ”
2. Rapture (subset isolating one event that initiates the Second Coming)
“and our gathering together to Him”
B. Need to Stay Level-Headed
1. “that you may not be quickly shaken from your composure”
2. “or be disturbed”
C. Error to Watch out for
“to the effect that the day of the Lord has come”
Refers to that aspect of the Second Coming that is characterized by divine wrath and judgment
D. Possible Delivery Methods
1. “either by a spirit”
Someone claiming to be passing along a prophetic word from the spirit
2. “or a message”
3. “or a letter as if from us”
E. Summary Warning
“Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first …”
1. “It” = “day of the Lord” will not come
2. unless the “departure” / “apostasy” comes first – 2 possibilities:
a. Reference to the rapture as discussed in 1 Thess 4
b. Reference to a general falling away from the faith – Preferred view
II. (:3b-4) THE REVELATION OF THE ANTICHRIST WILL BE A BLATANT DISPLAY OF APOSTASY – IMPOSSIBLE TO MISS IT
A. Rebellious Character of the Apostasy Will Be Blatantly Obvious
1. “the apostasy”
2. “the man of lawlessness is revealed”
3. “the son of destruction”
MacArthur: Human history has had its share of evil leaders … But one is coming who will surpass them all, both in the extent of his power and the evil of his person. He will be the most fiendish, wicked, powerful man ever to walk the earth. He is known in Scripture by many names; he is “Gog of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Mesheck and Tubal” (Ezek. 38:2); the little horn of Daniel 7:8, 24; 8:9; the “prince who is to come” (Dan. 9:26); the king who does as he pleases (Dan. 1:36); the foolish, worthless shepherd (Zech. 11:15-17); the beast (Rev. 11:7; 13:1; 14:9; 19:20; etc.).
B. Sacrilegious Actions of the Antichrist Will Be Blatantly Obvious
1. General Description of Usurption of Worship
“who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship”
2. Ultimate Display of Sacrilegious Blasphemy
“so that he takes his seat in the temple of God”
3. Primary Objective
“displaying himself as being God”
III. (:5) DON’T BE FORGETFUL ABOUT YOUR FORMER COURSE IN ESCHATOLOGY
“Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things?”