Exegesis and Exposition of Second Thessalonians 2:11

EXEGESIS AND EXPOSITION OF 2 THESSALONIANS 2:11 Pastor William E. Wenstrom Jr. WENSTROM BIBLE MINISTRIES Norwood, Massachusetts 2021 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries Exegesis and Exposition of 2 Thessalonians 2:11 God Sends on the Unregenerate a Deluding Influence 2 Thessalonians 2:11 Consequently God sends on them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false. (NET) “Consequently God sends on them a deluding influence” is composed of the following: (1) conjunction kai (καί), which is not translated (2) preposition dia (διά), “consequently” (3) accusative neuter singular form of the demonstrative pronoun houtos (οὗτος), “consequently” (4) third person singular present active indicative conjugation of the verb pempō (πέμπω), “sends” (5) dative third person masculine plural form of the intensive personal pronoun autos (αὐτός), “them” (6) articular nominative masculine singular form of the noun theos (θεός), “God” (7) accusative feminine singular form of the noun energeia (ἐνέργεια), “influence” (8) genitive feminine singular form of the noun planē (πλάνη), “deluding.” The conjunction kai is a marker of result which means that it is introducing an assertion which presents the result of the previous statement recorded in 2 Thessalonians 2:10, which asserts that the unregenerate living during the seventieth week of Daniel refuse to love the truth which is communicated in the gospel about Jesus Christ so as to be saved. The prepositional phrase dia touto (διὰ τοῦτο) is composed of the accusative neuter singular form of the demonstrative pronoun houtos which means “this” and the preposition dia, which means “because of.” The former is “anaphoric” which means that it is pointing forward to the previous statement in 2 Thessalonians 2:10,which asserts tēn agapēn tēs alētheias ouk edexanto eis to sōthēnai autous (τὴν ἀγάπην τῆς ἀληθείας οὐκ ἐδέξαντο εἰς τὸ σωθῆναι αὐτούς), “they choose for themselves to refuse to love the truth so as to be saved.” Therefore, the referent of the demonstrative pronoun houtos is the unregenerate people living during the seventieth week of Daniel who refuse to love the truth so as to be saved because they are deceived by the miracles and wonders performed by the Antichrist. The preposition dia is a marker of cause, which indicates that the referent of this word’s object, which we noted is the demonstrative pronoun houtos, is the reason why God will cause the unregenerate, who refuse to love the truth so as to be saved, to experience activity which produces deception. Now, the first statement here in 2 Thessalonians 2:11 asserts that God will as a certainty cause these unregenerate individuals to experience activity which produces deception. Therefore, the prepositional phrase dia touto (διὰ τοῦτο) means “because of this” and indicates that God will cause the unregenerate, who refused to love the truth so as to be saved, to experience activity which produces deception because they refuse to love the truth so as to be saved. 2021 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 1 The articular nominative masculine singular form of the noun theos (θεός) means “the one and only God” and is a reference to the Father. This is indicated by the word’s articular construction, which in the New Testament commonly signifies the first member of the Trinity unless otherwise indicated by the context. Furthermore, the New Testament teaches that all prayer is to be addressed to the Father (John 14:13-14; 16:23-27; Rom. 8:15; Eph. 3:14; 5:20; Col. 1:3, 12; 3:17; 1 Pet. 1:17; Rev. 1:6). The articular construction of this word also acts as a function marker which means that it signifies that the noun theos (θεός) is functioning as the nominative subject of the third person singular present active indicative conjugation of the verb pempō (πέμπω), “sends.” Therefore, this indicates that as a result of refusing to love the truth, the Father, as the subject, performs the action of causing the unregenerate living during the seventieth week of Daniel to experience activity which produces deception. The verb pempō (πέμπω) means “to send.” There are distinctions between this verb and apostello, which also means “to send.” It was used often in classical literature and the common speech of the classical period as well as Hellenism for the sending of persons as well as things. In the latter the point is the sending as such, i.e., the mere fact of sending, as in the transmission of an object or commission or the sending of a man. The verb pempō means “to send” and is a more general term than apostello which often implies an authorized messenger. It does not carry the same emphasis that the one who is sent has the same authority as the sender. Apostello expresses the fact that the sending takes place from specific and unique standpoint which does not merely link the sender and recipient but also, in virtue of the situation, unites with the sender either the person or the object sent. It emphasizes the fact of an authorization and/or commission, pempō stresses more closely the sending itself. The verb pempō appears 22 times in the Septuagint. The Septuagint usage further confirms this distinction between the meaning of these 2 words-apostello and pempo. Apostello and its cognate exapostello occur over 700 times as a translation of the Hebrew shalach, “to send.” The Hebrew does not stress as much the sending as it does the authorization or commissioning to perform a certain duty. Consequently, shalach is translated only 5 times in the Septuagint as pempo. The following Hebrew terms are translated in the Septuagint with pempo: (1) kathav, “write; niphal: “be written” (Est. 8:5). (2) shalach, Qal: “to send for someone, send” (Gn. 27:42, Neh. 2:5); piel: “shoot” (1 Sm. 20:20-Codex Alexandrinus only). (3) shelach, “send” (Ezr. 4:14, 5:17-Aramaic). The verb pempō occurs 79 times in the Greek New Testament. It appears 15 times in the Pauline corpus. He uses the word 10 times for the sending of pastorteachers such as Timothy, Epaphroditus, Epaphras, Artemus, and Tychicus to the 2021 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 2 local churches scattered throughout the various provinces in the Roman Empire (1 Cor. 4:17; Eph. 6:22; Phlp. 2:19, 23, 25, 28; Col. 4:8; 1 Th. 3:2, 5; Tit. 3:2). The gospel of John uses the word frequently for the sending of God the Son into the world by the Father. Paul employs the word in this manner only once in Romans 8:3. Louw and Nida list the following meanings: (1) to cause someone to depart for a particular purpose - ‘to send’ 1 (2) to cause someone to carry something to some destination - ‘to send something, to send by someone’ 2 (3) to send a message, presumably by someone - ‘to send a message, to send word’ 3 (4) to cause someone to experience an event or state from outside the area of normal influences - ‘to cause to experience, to send upon’ 4 BDAG list the following meanings for this verb: (1) to dispatch someone, whether human or transcendent being, usually for purposes of communication, send (2) to dispatch someth. through an intermediary, send τινί τι someth. to someone. 5 Now, in 2 Thessalonians 2:11, the verb pempō pertains to causing someone to experience an event or state from outside the area of normal influences. 6 Some manuscripts have the third person singular future active indicative πέμψει, “he will send” (‫א‬2 D2 Ψ 𝔐𝔐 it vgcl samss bo; Ambst) instead of the third person singular present active indicative πέμπει, which we will note means “he will send” rather than “he sends” (‫ *א‬A B D* F G 6 33 1739 1881 pc b vgst sams; Tert). Jeffery Weima writes “The manuscripts that support πέμψει are all either secondhand or decidedly late, and also likely due to scribes who changed the text to match the preceding references to the two eschatological comings—one by the lawless one and the other by the Lord Jesus Christ (2:8–9).” 7 Michael Martin writes “The variant probably was a scribal attempt to clarify the sentence by applying the delusion unambiguously to the end times. It is clear from the context that the coming of the lawless one was in the future, and if the delusion refers to this event, ‘sends’ is a dramatic present intended to add realism to the reading of the passage. If Paul thought of the delusion as a separate event prior to the coming of the lawless one and if Paul were convinced that the parousia would 7F 1 2 A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament Based upon Semantic Domains volume 2, page 191 A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament Based upon Semantic Domains volume 2, page 206 3 A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament Based upon Semantic Domains volume 2, page 191 4 A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament Based upon Semantic Domains volume 2, page 810 . through an intermediary, send someth. someth. = something . . . to someone. someth. someth. = something 5 Arndt, W., Danker, F. W., & Bauer, W. (2000). A Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament and other early Christian literature. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. 6 Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 809). New York: United Bible Societies. 7 Weima, J. A. D. (2014). Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: 1–2 Thessalonians. (R. W. Yarbrough & R. H. Stein, Eds.) (p. 566). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic. 2021 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 3 occur soon, he might have used the present tense of those who were deluded by the spirit of lawlessness already at work.” 8 The accusative feminine singular form of the noun energeia (ἐνέργεια) is referring to the activity of Satan. The noun planē functions as a genitive of product, which means that this word is the product of the noun to which it stands related, which we noted is the noun energeia, “activity.” Therefore, this is expressing the idea that this activity “produces” deception. The noun energeia functions as an accusative direct object which means that it is receiving the action of the verb pempō. Therefore, this would indicate that this activity which produces deception will receive the action of being experienced by those unregenerate individuals who refuse to love the truth so as to be saved in exchange for the various forms of deception performed by the Antichrist during the seventieth week of Daniel. The dative third person masculine plural form of the intensive personal pronoun autos (αὐτός) means “them” and is a reference to unregenerate living during the seventieth week of Daniel who will be deceived by the miracles and wonders performed by the Antichrist. They refuse to love the truth communicated in the gospel about Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection in exchange for the various types of deception, which the Antichrist will perform during the seventieth week of Daniel, which will be in the form of these miracles and wonders which produce a lie. This word autos functions as a dative of disadvantage, which means that it indicates to whose disadvantage it will be that God the Father will cause activity which produces deception to be experienced. Therefore, this would express the idea that “to the detriment of” these unregenerate individuals who refuse to love the truth so as to be saved, God the Father will cause them to experience activity which produces deception. The present tense of the verb pempō is is a futuristic present, which is used to describe a future event but the added connotation of immediacy and certainty. There are two types of futuristic presents. One is completely futuristic in that it describes an event that is wholly subsequent to the time of speaking, although as if it were present. The second is ingressive in that it describe an event begun in the present but completed in the future. Now, the present tense of pempō is completely futuristic in that it describes an event that is wholly subsequent to the time of speaking, although as if it were present. This event is that of the unregenerate living during the seventieth week of Daniel, who refuse to love the truth of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection which 8 Martin, D. M. (1995). 1, 2 Thessalonians (Vol. 33). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. 2021 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 4 is communicated in the gospel, experiencing deception because of the miracles and wonders performed by the Antichrist, which produce a lie. The futuristic present indicates this event is wholly subsequent to the time Paul wrote this statement. The active voice of this verb is a stative active voice which indicates the subject exists in the state indicated by the verb. Therefore, this would express the idea of these unregenerate people living during the seventieth week of Daniel who refuse to love the truth “existing in the state of” experiencing activity, i.e. the miracles and wonders performed by the Antichrist, which result in them being deceived by him. The indicative mood of the verb pempō is declarative presenting this assertion as a non-contingent statement. The Unregenerate Will Believe What is a Lie 2 Thessalonians 2:11 Consequently God sends on them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false. (NET) “So that they will believe what is false” is composed of the following: (1) preposition eis (εἰς), “so that” (2) articular aorist active infinitive conjugation of the verb pisteuō (πιστεύω), “will believe” (3) accusative third person masculine plural form of the intensive personal pronoun autos (αὐτός), “they” (4) articular dative neuter singular form of the noun pseudos (ψεῦδος), “what false” (5) The verb pisteuō (πιστεύω) pertains to believing something or someone to the extent of complete truth and reliance. Once again, we have the intensive personal pronoun autos (αὐτός). However, this time we have the accusative third person masculine plural form of this word. Yet, they both have the same referent, which as we noted is the unregenerate people living during the seventieth week of Daniel who will be deceived by the miracles and wonders performed by the Antichrist. They refuse to love the truth communicated in the gospel about Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection in exchange for the various types of deception, which the Antichrist will perform during the seventieth week of Daniel. This deception will be in the form of various types of miracles and wonders which produce a lie. This word autos functions semantically as the subject of the infinitive form of the verb pisteuō. Normally the subject of the infinitive is the same as the subject of the main verb and thus is in the nominative case. However, when the infinitive requires a different agent, it is almost always put in the accusative case. Such is the case here in 2 Thessalonians 2:11 where the intensive personal pronoun autos is the subject of the verb pisteuō. This is indicating that the unregenerate people living during the seventieth week of Daniel, who refuse to love the truth communicated in the gospel because they are deceived by the miracles and 2021 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 5 wonders performed by the Antichrist, as the subject perform the action of believing that which is characterized as the greatest lie, namely the Antichrist is God in the flesh. The aorist tense of this verb pisteuō is a culminative or consummative aorist tense, which is used to emphasize the cessation of an act or state. Therefore, this indicates the cessation of the act of the unregenerate people living during the seventieth week of Daniel who refuse to love the truth believing that which is characterized as the greatest lie, namely the Antichrist is God in the flesh. The articular infinitive conjugation of this verb pisteuō is the object of the preposition eis (εἰς) which governs the word. This type of construction is used in the Greek New Testament to express purpose, result and some cases an epexegetical statement. Here we have an infinitive of result which indicates the outcome produced by the controlling verb, which in our context is the verb pempō. Therefore, this is expressing the idea that God the Father will cause the unregenerate people living during the seventieth week of Daniel, who refuse to love the truth, i.e., the gospel, to experience activity which produces deception “with the result that” they believe that which is characterized as the greatest lie, namely, the Antichrist is God in the flesh. As was the case in 2 Thessalonians 2:9, the noun pseudos here in 2 Thessalonians 2:11 means “a lie, falsehood, deception” since the word pertains to that which deviates from or perverts the truth. Here it refers to the lie that the Antichrist is God in the flesh. This word pseudos is in the dative case and functions as a dative direct object which means that it is receiving the action of the verb pisteuō. Therefore, this is indicating that the lie of the Antichrist being God in the flesh receives the action of being believed by the unregenerate people living during the seventieth week of Daniel who refuse to love the truth about Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection, which is communicated in the gospel. Translation of 2 Thessalonians 2:1-11 2 Thessalonians 2:1 Now, concerning our Lord Jesus Christ’s arrival resulting in our gathering before Him, each of us is requesting each and every one of you brothers and sisters, 2 that each one of you would not be easily shaken from your composure, nor be alarmed by either a spirit, or by a message, or by a letter allegedly from us to the effect that the Lord’s day is taking place. 3 Do not let anyone deceive any one of you in any way. For, if the rebellion does not take place first, namely the unique person characterized by a distinguishable lawlessness has been revealed, that is, the unique son characterized by a distinguishable destruction, then the Lord’s day is 2021 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 6 absolutely not taking place. 4 The one who for his own benefit opposes, yes even, for his own benefit exalts himself against each and every so-called god or object of worship. Consequently, he himself sits down inside the one and only God’s temple in order to present himself as God. 5 Do you not remember that while I still living among each one of you, I was regularly communicating these things to each one of you? 6 So now each and every one of you possess an accurate comprehensive knowledge of that which is preventing this in order that he himself has been revealed during his own distinct period of time. 7 For the mystery which is characterized by a distinguishable lawlessness for its own benefit is already at work only until the one who now prevents it from being revealed causes Himself to depart from the midst of the world. 8 Consequently, then the one who is characterized by a distinguishable lawlessness will be revealed, whom the Lord will execute as a criminal with the breath from His mouth. Specifically, whom He will cause to come to an end by the unique manifestation produced by His arrival. 9 The one whose appearance will as a certainty be in accordance with activity produced by Satan with the manifestation of all types of supernatural power, specifically with all types of miracles, yes with all types of wonders, which are a lie. 10 Specifically, with every type of deception, which produces unrighteousness to the detriment of those who choose for themselves to perish. In exchange for which things, they choose for themselves to refuse to love the truth so as to be saved. 11 Therefore, because of this, the one and only God will as a certainty to their detriment cause them to experience activity which produces deception so that they believe that which is characterized as the greatest lie. (Author’s translation) Expanded translation of 2 Thessalonians 2:1-11 2 Thessalonians 2:1 Now, concerning the arrival of our Lord, who is Jesus, who is the Christ resulting in our gathering before Him, each of us is requesting each and every one of you brothers and sisters, 2 that each one of you would not be shaken from your composure, nor exist in the state of being alarmed by either a spirit, or by a message, or by a letter allegedly from us to the effect that the Lord’s day existing in the state of taking place. 3 Do not let anyone deceive any one of you in accordance with any means. For, if the rebellion does not take place first, namely the unique person characterized by a distinguishable lawlessness has been revealed, that is, the unique son characterized by a distinguishable destruction, then the Lord’s day is absolutely not taking place. 4 The one who for his own benefit exists in the state of opposing, yes even, for his own benefit exists in the state of exalting 2021 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 7 himself against each and every so-called god or object of worship. Consequently, he himself sits down inside the one and only God’s temple in order to present himself as possessing inherently the attributes of God. 5 Do you not remember that while I existed in the state of still living among each one of you, I was regularly communicating these things to each one of you? 6 So now each and every one of you exists in the state of possessing an accurate comprehensive knowledge of that which exists in the state of preventing this in order that he himself has been revealed during his own distinct period of time. 7 For the mystery which is characterized by a distinguishable lawlessness for its own benefit exists in the state of already being at work only until the one who now exists in the state of preventing it from being revealed causes Himself to depart from the midst of the cosmic world system. 8 Consequently, then the one who is characterized by a distinguishable lawlessness will as a certainty be revealed, whom the one and only Lord will as a certainty as execute as a criminal with the breath from His mouth. Specifically, whom He will as a certainty cause to come to an end by the unique manifestation produced by His arrival. 9 The one whose appearance will as a certainty exists in the state of possessing the characteristic of being in accordance with activity produced by Satan with the manifestation of all types of supernatural power, specifically with all types of miracles, yes with all types of wonders, which are a lie. 10 Specifically, with every type of deception, which produces unrighteousness to the detriment of those who choose for themselves to exist in the state of perishing. In exchange for which things, they choose for themselves to refuse to love the truth so as to be saved. 11 Therefore, because of this, the one and only God will as a certainty to their detriment cause them to exist in the state of experiencing activity which produces deception so that they believe that which is characterized as the greatest lie. (Author’s translation) Exposition of 2 Thessalonians 2:11 2 Thessalonians 2:11 continues a section which began in 2 Thessalonians 2:1 and ends in 2 Thessalonians 2:12. In this section, Paul attempts to correct and reassure the Thessalonians that the eschatological day of the Lord does not precede the rapture or resurrection of the church. He teaches that the Spirit, who indwells each member of the church and prevents the appearance of Antichrist and thus the seventieth week of Daniel from beginning, must be removed from earth before the Antichrist can manifest himself. Thus, the Spirit and the church must be removed before the seventieth week can take place since Daniel 9:27 teaches that the seventieth week begins with Antichrist establishing a treaty with the nation of 2021 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 8 Israel. Therefore, Paul is addressing in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 the relationship between the church as well as the rapture and the eschatological day of the Lord, i.e., the seventieth week of Daniel and the Second Advent of Jesus Christ. Now, in 2 Thessalonians 2:1, Paul, Silvanus and Timothy in this verse present a polite request to each member of the Thessalonian Christian community. 2 Thessalonians 2:1 Now, concerning our Lord Jesus Christ’s arrival resulting in our gathering before Him, each of us is requesting each and every one of you brothers and sisters. (Author’s translation) The contents of this verse reveals that Paul, Silvanus and Timothy are politely presenting a request to each member of the Thessalonian Christian community which is in relation to the Lord Jesus Christ’s arrival which will result in the church gathering in the Lord’s presence. This arrival is again speaking of the rapture or resurrection of the church. Therefore, the contents of this verse reveal that this request is with regards to the arrival of the Lord Jesus Christ which will result in the dead in Christ and those alive in Christ on the earth gathering in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ at the rapture or resurrection of the church. 2 Thessalonians 2:2 presents the content of the request since it identifies for the Thessalonians what Paul, Silvanus and Timothy are concerned about in relation to the rapture or resurrection of the church when they will receive their resurrection bodies and their sanctification and salvation are thus perfected. 2 Thessalonians 2:2 that each one of you would not be easily shaken from your composure, nor be alarmed by either a spirit, or by a message, or by a letter allegedly from us to the effect that the Lord’s day is taking place. (Author’s translation) The contents of this verse reveal that Paul, Silvanus and Timothy were politely requesting that the Thessalonians would not be easily shaken from their composure or alarmed by a spirit or by a message or by a letter allegedly from them, which taught that the day of the Lord was taking place when these three men wrote this epistle. Therefore, this request is in the form of three prohibitions. The first was that the Thessalonians would not be easily shaken from their composure or alarmed by a spirit which taught that the day of the Lord was taking place when these three men wrote this epistle. The second is that they would not be easily shaken from their composure or alarmed by a message which taught that the day of the Lord was taking place when these three men wrote this epistle. The third is that they would not be easily shaken from their composure or alarmed by a letter allegedly from Paul, Silvanus and Timothy which taught that the day of the Lord was taking place when these three men wrote this epistle. Thus, these three prohibitions are related to the three sources from which this false doctrine was being propagated in the Roman province of Macedonia where Thessalonica was located. 2021 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 9 Therefore, a comparison of these two verses reveal that Paul, Silvanus and Timothy were concerned that each member of the Thessalonian Christian community would understand completely the relationship between the rapture, i.e., resurrection of the church and the eschatological day of the Lord. The reference to the day of the Lord or “the Lord’s day” refers to the eschatological day of the Lord, which is composed the seventieth week of Daniel and the Second Advent of Jesus Christ. It takes place sometime after the rapture or resurrection of the church and begins when Antichrist establishes a seven-year treaty with the nation of Israel. It ends with the Second Advent of Jesus Christ. During this period, Jesus Christ will exercise His righteous indignation against every unrepentant, unregenerate human being on the earth at that time. He will do this through the seven seal, trumpet and bowl judgments recorded in Revelation 618. Now, Paul’s polite request in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 was a reminder of what Paul asserts in 1 Thessalonians 5:21 that the Thessalonian Christian community must test those who claim to be communicating prophecy or Christian doctrine. They were test all prophecy and doctrine by comparing it to Paul’s apostolic teaching and if a prophecy or a doctrine contradicted Paul’s apostolic teaching, then the Thessalonians were to reject it. Therefore, they were to reject this false doctrine that the day of the Lord was already taking place in their day and age since it did not adhere to Paul’s apostolic teaching regarding the day of the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 5:20 Each and every one of you must continue to make it your habit of not treating prophecies with contempt. 21 Instead, each one of you must continue to make it your habit of testing each one of these things. Each one of you must continue to make it your habit of holding on to those which are good. (Author’s translation) 2 Thessalonians 2:3 contains a solemn prohibition followed by a hoti causal clause which presents the reason for the prohibition and contains a third class conditional statement which presents evidence which identifies that the day of the Lord is taking place. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Do not let anyone deceive any one of you in any way. For, if the rebellion does not take place first, namely the unique person characterized by a distinguishable lawlessness has been revealed, that is, the unique son characterized by a distinguishable destruction, then the Lord’s day is absolutely not taking place. (Author’s translation) So, verse 3 begins by Paul, Silvanus and Timothy solemnly prohibiting any person to deceive any member of the Thessalonian Christian community in any way. These three were concerned about false teachers who were proclaiming that the eschatological day of the Lord was taking place in their day and age. This interpretation is indicated by the contents of 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2. These verses 2021 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 10 record Paul, Silvanus and Timothy presenting a solemn request of each member of the Thessalonian Christian community that none of them would be easily shaken from their composure, nor alarmed by either a spirit, or by a message or by a letter allegedly from them to the effect that the eschatological day of the Lord was taking place in their day and age. Therefore, 2 Thessalonians 2:3 begins with Paul forbidding each member of the Thessalonian Christian community from allowing anyone to deceive them into believing that the eschatological day of the Lord was taking place in their day and age in accordance with any means such as a spirit, message or a letter allegedly from Paul, Silvanus and Timothy. Then, as we noted, this prohibition is followed by a hoti causal clause, which presents the reason for it and contains an elliptical third class conditional statement. It is elliptical because the statement ouk enestēken hē hēmera tou kyriou (οὐκ ἐνέστηκεν ἡ ἡμέρα τοῦ κυρίου), “the Lord’s day is absolutely not taking place” at the end of 2 Thessalonians 2:2 is implied with the addition of the emphatic negative adverb ouk (οὐκ). It forms the apodosis of the third class conditional clause would follow hoti in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 if it were not omitted. The protasis of this third class condition is “if the rebellion does not take place first, specifically, the man of lawlessness is revealed, that is, the son of destruction.” The relationship between the protasis and the apodosis is “evidence-inference.” This means that the apodosis is inferring something from the protasis. He Paul infers something in the apodosis from some evidence he presented in the protasis. The evidence presented in the protasis is that if the rebellion led by Antichrist has “not” taken place, specifically, the man of lawlessness is revealed, that is, the son of destruction. In the protasis, he infers that the day of the Lord is absolutely not taking place. Here in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, the context would indicate that the third class condition is expressing no indication of fulfillment. This means that if the rebellion led by Antichrist against Jesus Christ during the last three and a half years of the seventieth week does not take place first, then the day of the Lord is absolutely not taking place. In other words, the day of the Lord is certainly not taking place if the rebellion led by Antichrist against Jesus Christ has not come first. Or we can say, there is no indication that the day of the Lord is taking place if the rebellion led by Antichrist has not taken place. The referent of the noun apostasia (ἀποστασία), “rebellion” refers to the great rebellion led by the Antichrist during the seventieth week of Daniel. This is indicated by the fact that this noun apostasia is ambiguous and begs to be defined. Paul defines this by employing the statement kai apokalyphthē ho anthrōpos tēs anomias, ho huios tēs apōleias (καὶ ἀποκαλυφθῇ ὁ ἄνθρωπος τῆς ⸀ἀνομίας, ὁ υἱὸς τῆς ἀπωλείας), “and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction.” 2021 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 11 (NET) He further defines the word in 2 Thessalonians 2:4 with the statement ho antikeimenos kai hyperairomenos epi panta legomenon theon ē sebasma, hōste auton eis ton naon tou theou kathisai apodeiknynta heauton hoti estin theos (ὁ ἀντικείμενος καὶ ὑπεραιρόμενος ἐπὶ πάντα λεγόμενον θεὸν ἢ σέβασμα, ὥστε αὐτὸν εἰς τὸν ναὸν τοῦ θεοῦ καθίσαι ἀποδεικνύντα ἑαυτὸν ὅτι ἐστὶν θεός), “He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, and as a result he takes his seat in God’s temple, displaying himself as God.” (NET) The reader can see that these statements clearly can be used to define the meaning of the noun apostasia. Paul is asserting that the apostasia, “the rebellion” is the Antichrist leading a rebellion of the human race against Jesus Christ during the seventieth week of Daniel. Therefore, since the noun apostasia is ambiguous and begs to be defined, the apostle Paul explains what he means by his use of the word. Thus, this “rebellion” is Antichrist opposing God by demanding the human race worship him rather than God. Of course, Satan is behind the Antichrist since Isaiah 14:12-14 teaches that he desires the world to worship him and not God. So therefore, to summarize our findings in 2 Thessalonians 2:3. The apostle Paul solemnly forbids any false teacher to deceive any member of the Thessalonian Christian community that the eschatological day of the Lord was taking place in their day and age. They were not to receive such false doctrine through a spirit, or by a message or by a letter allegedly from Paul, Silvanus and Timothy. The reason why they were not to accept this false teaching is that the Antichrist, whose lawlessness and whose destruction will distinguish him from the rest of the human race, must be revealed publicly to the world first and then the day of the Lord can take place. 2 Thessalonians 2:4 The one who for his own benefit opposes, yes even, for his own benefit exalts himself against each and every so-called god or object of worship. Consequently, he himself sits down inside the one and only God’s temple in order to present himself as God. (Author’s translation) 2 Thessalonians 2:4 is composed of a participial clause which describe the actions of the Antichrist during the seventieth week of Daniel. This participial clause is followed by a result clause which presents the result of the former, which asserts that for his own benefit, the Antichrist opposes, yes even exalts himself against each and every so-called god or object of worship. The result clause emphatically asserts that the Antichrist will sit down inside the one and only God’s temple in order to present himself as God. There are actually two participles in this participial clause which are connected by a definite article. One intensifies the other and advances upon the other because of the figure of hendiadys as we noted earlier. These two participial clauses modify the expressions ho anthrōpos tēs anomias (ἄνθρωπος τῆς ἀνομίας), “the unique person characterized by a distinguishable lawlessness” and ho huios tēs 2021 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 12 apōleias (ὁ υἱὸς τῆς ἀπωλείας), “the unique son characterized by a distinguishable destruction,” which both appear in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 and refer to the Antichrist. Therefore, we can see that 2 Thessalonians 2:3 describes the character of the person of the Antichrist while 2 Thessalonians 2:4 describes his actions during the last three and a half years of the seventieth week of Daniel. Paul’s description of this person in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 corresponds with the description of the little horn in Daniel 7:8, 11, 24-25 and 9:27, the first beast in Revelation chapter thirteen. In 1 John 2:18, the apostle John calls this person “the Antichrist.” John uses this term in 1 John 2:22, 4:3 and 2 John 7 to describe those who reject the human nature of Jesus Christ and are involved in Docetic Gnosticism. So therefore, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 are describing a person who John calls “the Antichrist.” The prepositional phrase epi panta legomenon theon ē sebasma (ἐπὶ πάντα λεγόμενον θεὸν ἢ σέβασμα), “against each and every so-called god or object of worship” identifies what the Antichrist will oppose and exalt himself against. We noted in our exegesis that the accusative masculine singular form of the noun theos (θεός), “god” pertains to the gods which unregenerate men will worship during the seventieth week of Daniel and which gods are promoted by Satan and his angels. Deuteronomy 32:17 and 1 Corinthians 10:20 teach that the worship of the gods of the unregenerate world are connected to the worship of demons since the sacrificing to idols is in reality sacrificing to demons who promote the worship of idols. We also noted that this noun is modified by the accusative masculine singular present passive participle conjugation of the verb legō (λέγω), which means “socalled” and is of course used with reference to the idols people will worship during the seventieth week of Daniel and speaks of these deities as being called a god with the implication that they are not. We also noted that the noun theos (θεός), “god” is also modified by the adjective pas (πᾶς), “each and every” since the word not only denotes totality of a collective but is also used in a distributive sense emphasizing no exceptions. We also noted in our exegesis that the noun sebasma (σέβασμα), “object of worship” pertains to any artifact that is utilized for religious and devotional purposes. Therefore, while the noun theos (θεός), “god” speaks of a being worshipped by people during the seventieth week of Daniel, the noun sebasma (σέβασμα) speaks of the artifacts which represent these beings who the Bible identifies as being fallen angels led by Satan. Thus, the latter speaks of an idol as a representation of these gods. As we noted earlier, 2 Thessalonians 2:4 also contains a result clause which presents the result of the previous participial clause, which asserts that the Antichrist will oppose, yes even exalt himself against each and every so-called god 2021 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 13 or object of worship. This result clause emphatically asserts that the Antichrist will sit down inside the one and only God’s temple in order to present himself as God. Now, as we noted in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 contains a reference to the rebellion led by the Antichrist against Jesus Christ during the last three and a half years of the seventieth week. The contents of 2 Thessalonians 2:4 describe this rebellion in detail. In fact, it defines for the reader what Paul means by this rebellion. First, the rebellion of unregenerate unrepentant humanity led by Antichrist against Jesus Christ will have the Antichrist opposing, yes even exalting himself against each and every so-called god or place of worship. Thus, he will oppose and exalt himself against the God of Israel, who the New Testament identifies as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He will also oppose and exalt himself against the place in which they will be worshipped during the seventieth week, namely the temple in Jerusalem which will be rebuilt during that period or prior to this period after the rapture of the church. Undoubtedly, the Jews who build this temple will not be believers in Jesus Christ. However, they will be building a temple for the God of Israel, which the New Testament again identifies as being the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. Thus, these Jews will build this temple ignorant of this fact. However, this does not change that God considers this temple to be His since Paul asserts here in 2 Thessalonians 2:4 that this temple is the possession of the one and only God. Secondly, the rebellion of unregenerate unrepentant humanity led by Antichrist against Jesus Christ will have the Antichrist sitting down in the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem during the midway point of the seventieth week of Daniel while displaying himself to the public as possessing the attributes of God. This action on the part of the Antichrist during the seventieth week of Daniel is not only prophesied about in Daniel 9:27 but also Daniel 11:36. This action desecrates the temple and is described by Daniel as an abomination. Now, as we noted this author is of the conviction that what will cause the Antichrist to display himself to the world as possessing the attributes of God is that he will die as a result of being assassinated but will recover, thus causing the world and the Antichrist to believe that he is indeed God. This is indicated by the contents of Revelation chapter thirteen. Revelation 13:3 asserts that one of the beast’s heads had been slain and his fatal would be healed and the whole earth worshipped this beast. Is this Rome or a person? Revelation 13:12 indicates that this is a person since it asserts that the false prophet who is the second beast in this passage makes the citizens of earth worship the first beast whose fatal would was healed. Then, Revelation 13:14 asserts that the second beast, i.e., the false prophet who promotes the worship of the first beast tells the world to make an image to this first beast whose fatal wound of the sword but has come to life. Revelation 13:12 and 14 indicate that this the beast whose fatal wound had been healed and had 2021 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 14 come to life after being dead is a person rather than the Roman Empire. This person of course would be the Antichrist. 2 Thessalonians 2:5 Do you not remember that while I still living among each one of you, I was regularly communicating these things to each one of you? (Author’s translation) Now, in 2 Thessalonians 2:5, the apostle Paul poses a rhetorical question to the Thessalonian Christian community which asks, “Do you not remember what when I was living with you that I repeatedly communicated these things to you?” It is not a genuine question seeking an answer but rather a rhetorical question which is making an emphatic assertion. Thus, Paul is saying to the Thessalonians that they should have remembered that the eschatological day of the Lord is absolutely not taking place unless the Antichrist has first rebelled against God by presenting himself in the rebuilt Jewish temple as God. Therefore, they should not have been easily shaken from their composure or alarmed by either a spirit, or by a message or by a letter allegedly from Paul, Silvanus and Timothy which asserts that the day of the Lord is taking place. Therefore, Paul is emphatically saying in this rhetorical question that the Thessalonians should have remembered that he communicated to them that the eschatological day of the Lord is absolutely not taking place unless the Antichrist has first rebelled against God by presenting himself in the rebuilt Jewish temple as God. Thus, Paul is not asking a genuine question that seeks an answer but rather he is posing a rhetorical question that is making an emphatic assertion. Consequently, they should not have been easily shaken from their composure or alarmed by either a spirit, or by a message or by a letter allegedly from Paul, Silvanus and Timothy which asserts that the day of the Lord is taking place. The fact that Paul has to remind the Thessalonians of these things as he does in 2 Thessalonians 2:5 indicates that the Thessalonians were in fact shaken from their composure and alarmed by this false doctrine. This does not mean they were out of fellowship with the Lord. This interpretation is supported by the fact that Paul, Silvanus and Timothy in chapter one of Second Thessalonians commends the Thessalonians because their post-justification faith in the gospel was growing to an extraordinary degree and because their divine-love for each other was growing to a considerable degree (2 Thess. 1:3) despite the fact that they were being persecuted by the unregenerate citizens of Thessalonica (2 Thess. 1:4). Consequently, Paul, Silvanus and Timothy boasted about the Thessalonians to other congregations in the Roman provinces of Macedonia and Achaia (2 Thess. 1:4). Therefore, it appears that the Thessalonian Christian community was simply confused with or unsure of the timing of the day of the Lord in relation to the rapture and the church. This is true of many in the Christian community today in the twenty-first century. This confusion caused some if not all in the Thessalonian 2021 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 15 Christian community to be shaken from their composure and alarmed by this false doctrine that the day of the Lord was taking place in their day and age. 2 Thessalonians 2:6 So now each and every one of you possess an accurate comprehensive knowledge of that which is preventing this in order that he himself has been revealed during his own distinct period of time. (Author’s translation) The apostle Paul asserts in this verse that now the Thessalonian Christian community possessed an accurate comprehensive knowledge of that which prevents the eschatological day of the Lord from taking place in order that the Antichrist will be revealed in his own distinct period of time. As noted, what is stopping the manifestation of the Antichrist from taking place is the omnipotence of the Holy Spirit, who indwells every church age believer, and which omnipotence is manifesting itself in the lives of individual church age believers who obey the Spirit’s teaching in the Word of God. Then, in 2 Thessalonians 2:7, Paul asserts that the hidden power of lawlessness is already at work in the world in their day and age. However, he says that the one who is holding the manifestation of the Antichrist back, namely the Holy Spirit will continue hold back this manifestation until, he, the Holy Spirit is taken out of the way, which will take place at the rapture of the church. The Holy Spirit is localized in the church today. However, when the church is raptured, then the Holy Spirit will be removed from the earth as well. Thus, enabling the Antichrist to be manifested to the world. Now, Paul’s statement in 2 Thessalonians 2:6 presents the logical result of his teaching in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 with 2 Thessalonians 2:5 functioning as a parenthetical remark about this teaching. Therefore, this would indicate that the eschatological day of the Lord is not taking place when the Antichrist will be revealed through his rebellion against God as a result of the omnipotence of the Holy Spirit manifesting itself in the lives of individual church age believers, whom He indwells, obeying His teaching in the Word of God. The referent of the neuter singular form of the verb katechō in 2 Thessalonians 2:6 is the omnipotence of the Holy Spirit, who indwells every church age believer, working through the individual members of the church who are in fellowship with Him through obedience to His teaching in the Word of God. This interpretation is indicated by several factors. First, only the omnipotence of God can restrain evil and the manifestation of the Antichrist by Satan. Secondly, the neuter gender of the participle conjugation of this verb katechō conforms to the gender of the pneuma (πνεῦμα), “Spirit.” In 2 Thessalonians 2:7, Paul switches from the neuter of this verb to the masculine (ὁ κατέχων), which confirms to the personality of the Holy Spirit by ad sensum agreement. In 2 Thessalonians 2:6, the neuter gender emphasizes the manifestation of the 2021 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 16 omnipotence of the Spirit through the church while the masculine gender in 2 Thessalonians 2:7 emphasizes the personality of the Holy Spirit. Thirdly, the gospel is the power of God for salvation and the Spirit speaks to the unregenerate regarding the Father’s will for them to trust in His one and only Son Jesus Christ as Savior in order to be reconciled to Him, who is holy (cf. Rom. 1:1617). The fourth reason for this interpretation is that 1 Corinthians 1:18 says that the word of the cross is the power of God and Hebrews 4:12 asserts that the word of God is alive and powerful and Ephesians 6:17 asserts that the word of God is the sword of the Spirit. Matthew 4:1-11 reveals that Satan is defeated by the application of the word of God, which appropriates the omnipotence of the Spirit. Thus, the sword of the Spirit was employed by the Lord Jesus to defeat Satan. The fifth reason is that John 14:17, Romans 8:11, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19 and 1 John 2:20 and 27 teach that the Holy Spirit indwells each church age believer. The sixth reason is that the removal of the ho katechōn (ὁ κατέχων), “the one who holds back,” which is mentioned in 2 Thessalonians 2:7 results in the manifestation of the Antichrist. The seventh reason is that the rapture will result in the removal of the Holy Spirit manifesting His omnipotence through church age believers because it will remove the church from the earth which again is indwelt by the Spirit. This seventh reason is supported by the fact that 1 Thessalonians 1:10 Paul taught the Thessalonians that they were delivered from the wrath to come and in 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 he develops this doctrine addressing in this passage the Thessalonians relationship to the eschatological day of the Lord. He asserts in 1 Thessalonians 5:9 that the Thessalonians were not destined for wrath but rather God appointed them to experience the acquisition of salvation as a permanent possession through the Lord Jesus Christ. Also, supporting this author’s seventh reason is that the rapture is mentioned in 2 Thessalonians 2:1. In fact, a comparison of 2 Thessalonians 2:1 with 2:2 reveals that that Paul, Silvanus and Timothy were concerned that each member of the Thessalonian Christian community would understand completely the relationship between the rapture, i.e., resurrection of the church and the eschatological day of the Lord. The fact that the church, which is indwelt by the Spirit, is removed along with the Spirit at the rapture would serve as a comfort that the Thessalonians would not experience the eschatological day of the Lord. Therefore, the verb katechō here in 2 Thessalonians 2:6 is expressing the idea that the omnipotence of the Holy Spirit manifesting itself through church age believers, who obey His teaching in the Word of God, is preventing the eschatological day of the Lord from taking place. This interpretation is indicated by the fact that the word is used in relation to Paul explaining to the Thessalonians 2021 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 17 in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 what must take place first before the eschatological day of the Lord can take place. Namely, when the Antichrist is manifesting to the world His rebellion against God during the last three and a half years of the seventieth week of Daniel. Now, the verb oida here in 2 Thessalonians 2:6 is expressing the idea that each member of the Thessalonian Christian community possessed an accurate comprehensive knowledge that the omnipotence of the Holy Spirit manifesting itself through church is preventing the eschatological day of the Lord from taking place. Thus, it is expressing the idea that each member of the Thessalonian Christian community possessed an accurate comprehensive knowledge of the church’s relation to the eschatological day of the Lord. They received this accurate comprehensive knowledge when Paul and Silvanus taught them about the eschatological day of the Lord when they were living with the Thessalonian Christian community prior to their abrupt departure from them due to persecution. Following this assertion that the Thessalonians possessed an accurate comprehensive knowledge of that which prevents the eschatological day of the Lord from taking place is a purpose clause, which indicates that the purpose of the omnipotence of the Spirit manifesting itself through obedient members of the church, which prevents the eschatological day of the Lord from taking place, is so that the Antichrist will be revealed during the period of time ordained for him by God. The implication is that if the omnipotence of the Spirit was not manifesting itself through obedient members of the church whom He indwells, then the Antichrist would be manifested to the world. This interpretation of the infinitive conjugation of this verb is supported by the prepositional phrase en tō heautou kairō (ἐν τῷ ἑαυτοῦ καιρῷ), “during his own distinct period of time,” which modifies it. This prepositional phrase refers to the extent of time within which the Antichrist will be revealed to the human race. It refers to the seventieth week of Daniel when the Antichrist will manifest his rebellion against God. It is distinguished from the church age when the omnipotence of the Holy Spirit manifesting itself through the church prevents this rebellion from taking place. It is distinguishing the manifestation of the Antichrist’s rebellion against God during the seventieth week from the omnipotence of the Holy Spirit manifesting itself during the church age through the body of Christ, which prevents this rebellion from taking place. It also emphasizes the Antichrist’s participation in the action of being revealed to the world since this will take place when he displays himself as God inside the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem during the midway point of the seventieth week of Daniel according to 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4. Therefore, this prepositional phrase en tō heautou kairō (ἐν τῷ ἑαυτοῦ καιρῷ), “during his own distinct period of time” is making a point in distinguishing the 2021 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 18 period of history in which the Antichrist will take center stage. The fact that the Spirit’s work in the church is hindering his manifestation indicates that this prepositional phrase is emphasizing the fact that God is controlling the Antichrist’s manifestation to the world this work of the Spirit in the church. He cannot appear until God removes the church, which is indwelt by the Spirit, at the rapture. Therefore, this prepositional phrase implies that God is the one who ordains the period of time in which the Antichrist will manifest himself to the world by his rebellion against Him. It is thus God who ordains when the eschatological day of the Lord will take place. Therefore, the emphasis here with the infinitive conjugation of the verb apokalyptō is upon God’s “intention” of having the omnipotence of the Spirit manifesting itself through the church to prevent the eschatological day of the Lord from taking place. In other words, the infinitive of purpose would express the idea that God was in sovereign control of events. God was manifesting His sovereign control over human events and His control over the manifestation of the Antichrist and thus His control over when the eschatological day of the Lord will take place through the work of the Holy Spirit manifesting His omnipotence through the church. Thus, the infinitive of purpose would serve as a great encouragement to the Thessalonian Christian community because it would communicate to them that God was in control of events. Specifically, it would encourage them because it would communicate to them that the eschatological day of the Lord and the manifestation of the Antichrist cannot take place because God determines when these events take place. God employs the omnipotence of the Spirit working through obedient members of the church to prevent these events from taking place in order that they will take place during the period of human history which He has ordained for them. This interpretation fits with the context of 2 Thessalonians 2:112 since Paul is attempting in this passage to calm the fears of the Thessalonians that the eschatological day of the Lord was absolutely not taking place in their day and age. 2 Thessalonians 2:7 For the mystery which is characterized by a distinguishable lawlessness for its own benefit is already at work only until the one who now prevents it from being revealed causes Himself to depart from the midst of the world. (Author’s translation) This verse contains an epexegetical or explanatory clause followed by an elliptical participial clause which in turn is followed by an elliptical indefinite temporal clause. Altogether, they assert that the mystery which is characterized by a distinguishable lawlessness for its own benefit is already at work only until the one who now prevents it from being revealed causes Himself to depart out from the midst of the cosmic world system ruled by Satan. 2021 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 19 The epexegetical or explanatory clause asserts that the mystery which is characterized by a distinguishable lawlessness for its own benefit is already at work. It serves to explain in greater detail the previous statement in 2 Thessalonians 2:6. It is explaining how the manifestation of the man of lawlessness, who we noted is the Antichrist relates chronologically to the mystery of lawlessness that was presently at work in the world when Paul wrote Second Thessalonians. The contents of 2 Thessalonians 2:7 makes clear that the mystery of lawlessness precedes the manifestation of the man of lawlessness, who is mentioned in 2 Thessalonians 2:6. The former also makes clear that the departure of the Holy Spirit with the church at the rapture will enable the mystery of lawlessness to be fully manifested to the world along with the man of lawlessness. The mystery of lawlessness and consequently the man of lawlessness will be revealed publicly during the seventieth week of Daniel when the Antichrist desecrates the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem and presents himself as God. This explanatory or epexegetical clause also develops further the work of the Holy Spirit through the church preventing the manifestation of the Antichrist. It teaches that the Holy Spirit through the church prevents the mystery of lawlessness from being revealed to the world, which we will note is a reference to Satan’s rebellion against God. Thus, 2 Thessalonians 2:7 is teaching that Satan will be the power behind the Antichrist and is presently working in the world to oppose God. The omnipotence of the Holy Spirit working through the individual members of the church who are obedient to His teaching in the gospel, i.e., the Word of God is preventing both the manifestation of the Antichrist and more importantly the manifestation of Satan’s rebellion against God who is the power behind the Antichrist. The mystery of lawlessness, i.e., Satan’s rebellion is behind the man of lawlessness, i.e., the Antichrist. The noun mustērion (μυστήριον), “the mystery” is used to describe the secret nature of Satan’s rebellion against God in relation to unregenerate humanity which is enslaved not only to him but also sin. This rebellion will manifest itself openly to the human race through the Antichrist when he exalts himself against God by seating himself in the rebuilt Jewish temple during the middle of the seventieth week of Daniel in order to present himself as God. This noun mustērion, “mystery” does not mean that this rebellion against God by the Antichrist was not known to Old Testament saints it was revealed to God’s people in Old Testament Israel as recorded in Daniel 7:8, 11, 20-28, 9:27 and 11:36-45. During the church age, those who have been declared justified through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone receive the gift of the Holy Spirit who teaches them about this Satanic rebellion against God through the Scriptures which He has inspired. Those justified through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone are the initiated whereas the unregenerate are not initiated. The former are aware of this Satanic 2021 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 20 rebellion whereas the latter are not but rather are deceived into taking part in this rebellion. Therefore, this word mustērion, “mystery” describes Satan’s rebellion against God in relation to those who do not exercise faith in Him as Savior in order to be declared justified by the Father, and who are thus the uninitiated in relation to God’s plan for planet earth. This rebellion is a mystery or a secret to unregenerate humanity who are not initiated in regard to God’s will, purpose and plan for the human race, which is revealed by the Holy Spirit in the Word of God, which He inspired. Then, following this explanatory or epexegetical clause here in 2 Thessalonians 2:7 we have an elliptical participial clause, which like 2 Thessalonians 2:6 contains the participle conjugation of the verb katechō (κατέχω). In both instances, the verb means “to hold back, to restrain” since the word pertains to preventing someone from doing something by restraining or hindering. 9However, in 2 Thessalonians 2:6, we noted that this word was in the neuter singular form of this verb and its referent was the omnipotence of the Holy Spirit, who indwells every church age believer, manifesting itself through the individual members of the church who are in fellowship with Him through obedience to His teaching in the Word of God. This time in 2 Thessalonians 2:7, we do not have the neuter singular form of the participle conjugation of this verb but rather the masculine singular. This time the referent of this participle is the person of the Holy Spirit, who indwells every church age believer, manifesting itself through the individual members of the church who are in fellowship with Him through obedience to His teaching in the Word of God. Therefore, the verb katechō here in 2 Thessalonians 2:7 is expressing the idea that the person of the Holy Spirit manifesting His omnipotence through church age believers, who obey His teaching in the Word of God, is preventing the mystery of lawlessness from being revealed. We also noted in our exegesis of 2 Thessalonians 2:7 that the verb katechō is modified by the temporal adverb arti which pertains to a point of time simultaneous with the event of the discourse itself. Therefore, this word indicates that when Paul wrote First Thessalonians, simultaneously the Holy Spirit manifesting His omnipotence through church age believers, who obey His teaching in the Word of God, is preventing the mystery of lawlessness from being revealed. We also noted that the verb katechō is also modified by the adverb monos (μόνος), which pertains to the only entity in a class. Therefore, this verb is expressing the idea that “only” the Holy Spirit manifesting His omnipotence through obedient members of the church is preventing the mystery of lawlessness from being revealed openly to the world. Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 164). New York: United Bible Societies. 9 2021 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 21 This participial clause is elliptical because Paul deliberately omits the accusative third person neuter singular form of the intensive personal pronoun autos (αὐτός), although it is implied. The word’s referent is the articular nominative neuter singular form of the noun mustērion (μυστήριον), which we noted refers to Satan’s rebellion against God which is hidden from unregenerate humanity who are enslaved not only to sin but also Satan. This participial clause is also elliptical because Paul also deliberately omits the aorist passive infinitive conjugation of the verb apokalyptō (ἀποκαλύπτω), though it is implied from 2 Thessalonians 2:6. As was the case when the word appeared in 2 Thessalonians 2:6, the verb apokalyptō here in 2 Thessalonians 2:7 means “to be revealed” since the word pertains to someone becoming known to the public. However, unlike 2 Thessalonians 2:6 when the verb was used in relation to the manifestation of the Antichrist to the world, the verb here in 2 Thessalonians 2:7 is used in relation to the mystery of lawlessness being revealed to the public, which again we noted speaks of Satan’s rebellion against God. The intensive personal pronoun autos (αὐτός) functions as the accusative subject of the articular accusative neuter singular aorist passive infinitive conjugation of the verb apokalyptō (ἀποκαλύπτω). This construction serves to emphasize that the mystery of lawlessness receives the action of being revealed to the human race. This revelation will be the direct result of the Holy Spirit departing the cosmic world system of Satan when the rapture of the church takes place. The passive voice of this verb apokalyptō indicates that the mystery of lawlessness will receive the action of being revealed to the world when the Holy Spirit departs from the midst of planet earth at the rapture of the church. This is supported by the fact that through the church, the Spirit is preventing this mystery from being revealed to the unregenerate. As we noted, this elliptical participial clause is followed by an elliptical indefinite temporal clause, which refers to the period of history in which the Holy Spirit is no longer preventing the mystery of lawlessness from being revealed to the world through the exercise of His omnipotence through the church. Therefore, it refers to the rapture of the church which will end the church age. This indefinite temporal clause is expressing the idea that only the Holy Spirit now prevents the mystery of lawlessness from being revealed to the world “until” he departs out from the midst of Satan’s cosmic system, which enslaves and deceives the inhabitants of planet earth. This indefinite temporal clause is elliptical because Paul deliberately omits the articular genitive masculine singular form of the noun kosmos (κόσμος), though it is implied. This word means “cosmic world system” since it pertains to a vast system and arrangement of human affairs, earthly goods, godless governments, conflicts, riches, pleasures, culture, education, world religions, the cults and the 2021 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 22 occult dominated and negatively affected by Satan who is god of this satanic cosmos. The noun kosmos is not only a system but also an organization in the sense that it refers to the formation into a whole of interdependent and coordinated parts for harmonious and united action against God. It refers to the assemblage of fallen angels forming a complex whole that is under the authority of Satan. We also noted in our exegesis that the verb ginomai (γίνομαι) in this indefinite temporal clause is expressing the idea of the Holy Spirit “departing” out from the midst of Satan’s cosmic world system. The causative middle of this verb indicates that from His own sovereign will, the Holy Spirit will cause Himself to depart out from the midst of Satan’s cosmic system, which enslaves and deceives the inhabitants of planet earth. So therefore, in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-7, Paul presents two pieces of evidence which will mark the fact that the eschatological day of the Lord is taking place. First, the Antichrist must be revealed publicly to the world through his rebellion against God. Secondly, the Holy Spirit who indwells the church must be removed from the earth at the rapture in order for the Antichrist to be revealed to the world. This departure will result in the mystery of lawlessness being revealed to the world, which is Satan’s rebellion against God and which rebellion is behind the Antichrist’s rebellion. Paul’s statements recorded in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 assert that the eschatological day of the Lord is absolutely not taking place unless the Antichrist has first rebelled against God by presenting himself in the rebuilt Jewish temple as God. The apostle asserts in 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 that the Spirit who indwells each member of the church and restrains evil and the manifestation of the Antichrist as well as Satan’s rebellion against God must be removed in order for the eschatological day of the Lord to be present. So therefore, a comparison of 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 with 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 indicates that the manifestation of the Antichrist’s rebellion against God and the Holy Spirit’s removal from earth will signal that the eschatological day of the Lord is taking place. The Spirit will be removed from the earth at the rapture when the church is removed because the Spirit is localized during the church age in the individual members of the body of Christ who compose the church. Thus, the implication of Paul’s statements in 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 is that the Thessalonian Christian community will by no means be living on planet earth during the seventieth week of Daniel because they will have already been removed with the Spirit at the rapture or resurrection of the church. When Paul asserts in these verses that the Spirit will cause Himself to depart planet earth so that the mystery of lawlessness can be revealed to the world and thus the Antichrist’s rebellion against God can be revealed, he is not teaching that the Spirit will no longer be on earth but rather that He won’t be localized in a 2021 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 23 group of people as He is during the church age. We must remember that He remains omnipresent even though He will no longer be localized in a group of believers as He is today in regard to the church. In relation to the unregenerate, the Spirit will assume the same ministry He had before Pentecost and during the church age, namely, He will convict or convince them of sin, righteousness and the defeat of Satan by Jesus at the cross (cf. John 16:7-11). Many Gentiles and Jews will be saved and benefit from the ministry of the Holy Spirit. They will be regenerated by the Spirit during the seventieth week of Daniel and Second Advent of Jesus Christ, which the Spirit performed as well on behalf of church age believers at their justification. The Spirit will give insight to the believers at that time in relation to understanding the Word of God (cf. 1 Cor. 2:1-16) just as He did for church age believers. 2 Thessalonians 2:8 Consequently, then the one who is characterized by a distinguishable lawlessness will be revealed, whom the Lord will execute as a criminal with the breath from His mouth. Specifically, whom He will cause to come to an end by the unique manifestation produced by His arrival. (Author’s translation) 2 Thessalonians 2:8 begins with a result clause which is then followed by a relative pronoun clause and ends with an epexegetical clause. The result clause asserts that the lawless one will be revealed, which is a reference to the Antichrist since he is described in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 as “the unique person characterized by a distinguishable lawlessness.” Paul asserts in this verse that if the rebellion does not take place first, namely the unique person who is characterized by a distinguishable lawlessness has been revealed, that is, the unique son characterized by a distinguishable destruction, then the eschatological day of the Lord is absolutely not taking place. In other words, the eschatological day of the Lord is taking place when Antichrist is leading a rebellion of the human race against God. This result clause presents the result of the previous statement recorded in 2 Thessalonians 2:7, which asserts that the mystery which is characterized by a distinguishable lawlessness for its own benefit is already at work only until the one who now prevents it from being revealed causes Himself to depart from the midst of the world. We noted that “the mystery which is characterized by a distinguishable lawlessness” refers to Satan’s rebellion against God, which began in eternity past before the creation of mankind on the earth. We also noted that “the one who now prevents” this mystery which is characterized by a distinguishable lawlessness from being revealed is the Holy Spirit. We also noted that His departure speaks of the rapture of the church. Therefore, a comparison of this result in 2 Thessalonians 2:8 with the statements recorded in 2 Thessalonians 2:7 indicates that the Antichrist will be revealed to the world “as a direct result of” or 2021 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 24 “as a direct consequence of” the Holy Spirit causing Himself to depart from Satan’s cosmic world system on the earth at the rapture of the church. The relative pronoun clause asserts that the Lord Jesus will execute the Antichrist as a criminal with the breath of His mouth. This relative pronoun clause teaches that the breath coming from the mouth of the Lord Jesus will be the means by which He kills the Antichrist at His Second Advent. This relative pronoun clause is also picking up the language of Isaiah 11:4. This relative pronoun in 2 Thessalonians 2:8 is echoed in Revelation 19:15 and 21. Then, as we noted earlier, this relative pronoun clause in 2 Thessalonians 2:8 is followed by an epexegetical clause, which asserts the Lord Jesus will cause the life of the Antichrist to come to an end by the unique manifestation produced by His arrival at His Second Advent. He will end the biological life while the soul of the Antichrist will be cast into the eternal lake of fire. Now, as was the case in 2 Thessalonians 2:2, the apostle Paul here in 2 Thessalonians 2:8 is employing “synthetic parallelism” with these clauses. In 2 Thessalonians 2:8, the epexegetical clause in this verse provides more information regarding the previous relative pronoun clause and in fact completes it. As we noted, the previous relative pronoun asserts that the Lord Jesus will execute the Antichrist as a criminal with the breath from His mouth. As we also noted, the epexegetical clause asserts that the Lord Jesus will cause the life of the Antichrist to come to an end by the unique manifestation produced by His arrival at His Second Advent. He will end the biological life while the soul of the Antichrist will be cast into the eternal lake of fire. This clause is epexegetical because it explains in greater detail the previous statement that the Lord Jesus will execute the Antichrist as a criminal by the breath coming from His mouth. A comparison of these two statements indicates that the new information provided by this epexegetical clause is that the Antichrist will be killed by the manifestation produced by the Lord Jesus Christ’s arrival at His Second Advent. In other words, this epexegetical clause identifies “when” the Lord Jesus Christ will kill the Antichrist. It also teaches that the manifestation produced by the Lord’s arrival at His Second Advent will be the means by which He brings the life and career of the Antichrist on planet earth to an end. Therefore, the relative pronoun clause and the epexegetical clause in 2 Thessalonians 2:8 reflect “synthetic parallelism” rather than “synonymous parallelism.” In this epexegetical clause in 2 Thessalonians 2:8, we have the noun epiphaneia which refers to the Second Advent of Christ since in context, Paul is speaking of the Lord Jesus Christ killing the Antichrist. This will take place at His Second Advent which brings to an end the seventieth week of Daniel, which will be the period in which the Antichrist will publicly manifest his Satanic inspired rebellion against God. 2021 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 25 Also, in this epexegetical clause in 2 Thessalonians 2:8, the noun parousia does not refer to the Lord Jesus Christ’s arrival at the rapture or resurrection of the church to remove the church bodily from the earth prior to Daniel’s seventieth week as it does in 1 Thessalonians 2:19, 3:13; 4:15; 5:23 and 2 Thessalonians 2:1. Rather, it is referring to the Second Advent of Jesus Christ when He returns to the earth with the church. At that time, the Lord will imprison Satan and his angels for a thousand years, kill the Antichrist and the false prophet, destroy the tribulational armies and establish His millennial reign upon the earth. This interpretation is clearly indicated by the contents of 2 Thessalonians 2:3-8. As we also noted, the first prophetic statement here in 2 Thessalonians 2:8 asserts that the Antichrist will be revealed as a direct consequence of the Holy Spirit causing Himself to depart from planet earth at the rapture of the church. Paul then describes the Lord Jesus Christ killing the Antichrist with the breath of His mouth. Therefore, since the contents of 2 Thessalonians 2:3-8 describe the character and actions of the Antichrist during the seventieth week of Daniel, the noun parousia in 2 Thessalonians 2:8 is referring to the Second Advent of Jesus Christ rather than the rapture. This is indicated by the fact that the former ends the seventieth week of Daniel according to Daniel 9:27, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-8 and Revelation 19:11-20:3. Furthermore, the rapture results in the seventieth week according to 2 Thessalonians 2:7-8. Together, the seventieth week of Daniel and the Second Advent compose the eschatological day of the Lord. Lastly, all the passages related to the rapture, namely John 14:1-3, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Philippians 3:20-21 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-58, do not speak of the Lord Jesus Christ bringing the Antichrist’s rebellion against Him to an end by killing him. 2 Thessalonians 2:9 The one whose appearance will as a certainty be in accordance with activity produced by Satan with the manifestation of all types of supernatural power, specifically with all types of miracles, yes with all types of wonders, which are a lie. (Author’s translation) This verse contains a relative pronoun clause which asserts that the appearance of the Antichrist will as a certainty be in accordance with activity produced by Satan, which will manifest itself with all types of supernatural power. Specifically, this supernatural power will manifest itself with all types of miracles as well as with all types of wonders, both of which are a lie. The noun parousia (παρουσία), “appearance” appeared in 2 Thessalonians 2:1 but with regards to the arrival of the Lord Jesus Christ in the earth’s atmosphere at the rapture and in 2 Thessalonians 2:8 with regard to the arrival of the Lord on planet earth at His Second Advent. However, here in 2 Thessalonians 2:9, the context makes clear that the word is used of the arrival or appearance of the 2021 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 26 Antichrist on the pages of world history as a public figure during the seventieth week of Daniel after the departure of the Holy Spirit with the church at the rapture. The noun sēmeion, “miracles” refers to an extraordinary acts performed by the Antichrist during the seventieth week of Daniel which are a manifestation of supernatural power which is in accordance with activity produced by Satan. As we also noted, it is modified by the adjective pas which is expressing the idea of the Antichrist’s arrival or appearance on the pages of world history as a public figure will certainly possess or is going to possess the characteristic of conforming to activity produced by Satan with the manifestation of “all types of” miracles. The noun teras, “wonders” is also in the plural and refers to the extraordinary acts performed by the Antichrist during the seventieth week of Daniel which will produce astonishment among members of the human race and are a manifestation of supernatural power which is in accordance with activity produced by Satan. As we also noted in our exegesis, this word is also modified by the adjective pas which again is expressing the idea of the Antichrist’s arrival or appearance on the pages of world history as a public figure will certainly possess the characteristic of conforming to activity produced by Satan with the manifestation of “all types of” wonders. 2 Thessalonians 2:9 ends with Paul modifying these two words with the noun pseudos, “which are a lie” which pertains to that which deviates from or perverts the truth. Paul puts the adjective pseudos in the singular rather than the plural, which would conform to the plural form of these two nouns. The reason for this is that these two nouns belong together and constitute a single entity, which is indicated by the fact that these two words contain as we noted the figure of hendiadys. So therefore, this adjective pseudos is describing these miracles and wonders as deviating from or perverting the truth. The Antichrist will be characterized by miracles and wonders which are not in accordance with the gospel, i.e., the Word of God, the Word of truth since they deceive members of the human race to worship himself and consequently Satan who empowers him rather than God. The noun pseudos functions as a genitive of production would indicate that they are miracles and wonders “which produce a lie.” They produce a lie because again, they are not in accordance with the gospel, i.e., the Word of God, the Word of truth since they deceive members of the human race to worship the Antichrist and thus Satan rather than God. 2 Thessalonians 2:10 Specifically, with every type of deception, which produces unrighteousness to the detriment of those who choose for themselves to perish. In exchange for which things, they choose for themselves to refuse to love the truth so as to be saved. (Author’s translation) 2021 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 27 2 Thessalonians 2:10 contains two prepositional phrases with the second connected to a declarative statement which is then followed by an infinitive of result clause. This verse continues Paul’s thought from 2 Thessalonians 2:9 since it begins with the prepositional phrase en pasē apatē adikias (ἐν πάσῃ ἀπάτῃ ἀδικίας), “with every kind of evil deception,” which explains what Paul means by his use of the genitive neuter singular form of the noun pseudos (ψεῦδος), “which produce a lie,” which ends 2 Thessalonians 2:9. In this prepositional phrase, the noun apatē (ἀπάτη) means “deception” since the word pertains to causing someone to have misleading or erroneous views concerning the truth. The word refers to acts or practices of one who deliberately deceives another person or persons. However, the noun pseudos we noted is describing these miracles and wonders mentioned in 2 Thessalonians 2:9 as deviating from or perverting the truth. So, notice that apatē (ἀπάτη) pertains to “causing” someone to have misleading or erroneous views concerning the truth. It is also modified by the noun adikia (ἀδικία), which pertains to an act of unrighteousness directed against another human being and thus speaks of something that is morally evil, thus it can be translated “wickedness” or “evil.” So therefore, this prepositional phrase en pasē apatē adikias (ἐν πάσῃ ἀπάτῃ ἀδικίας), “with every kind of evil deception,” is explaining what Paul means by his use of the noun pseudos (ψεῦδος), “which produce a lie” in that the former is defining what he means by the latter. Thus, when Paul describes these miracles and wonders in 2 Thessalonians 2:9 as producing a lie, he means that they are unrighteous acts which cause people to turn away from the truth in the gospel. Thus, these acts turn them away from worshipping Jesus Christ and instead cause them to worship the Antichrist and ultimately the devil who is the power behind the former. As we also noted in our exegesis of 2 Thessalonians 2:10, the noun apatē (ἀπάτη) is modified by the noun adikia (ἀδικία), which pertains to an act of unrighteous directed against another human being and thus speaks of something that is morally evil, thus it can be translated “wickedness” or “evil.” Unrighteousness is not fulfilling your obligation to God to love Him with your entire being and strength and not fulfilling your obligation to your fellow human being to love them as you would yourself. We also noted that the noun adikia functions as a genitive of product which would indicate that this deception in the form of miracles and wonders performed by the Antichrist during the seventieth week of Daniel, which produce a lie, also “produce” unrighteousness since they do not fulfill one’s obligation to love God with one’s entire being and strength and neighbor as you would yourself. They are unrighteous because they deceive members of the human race to worship the Antichrist and thus Satan rather than Jesus Christ, which is course not treating your 2021 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 28 fellow human being as you would yourself and it is not loving God with your entire being and strength. We also noted in our exegesis that the noun apatē is the object of the preposition en, which is a marker of means indicating the means by which the Antichrist’s arrival or appearance on the pages of world history as a public figure possesses the characteristic of conforming with activity produced by Satan. Therefore, this prepositional phrase indicates that the Antichrist’s arrival or appearance on the pages of world history as a public figure will certainly possess the characteristic of conforming to activity produced by Satan “with every type of deception, which produces unrighteousness.” Now, in 2 Thessalonians 2:10, the verb apollumai speaks of causing someone to experience eternal condemnation in the eternal lake of fire since it pertains to an unregenerate person not possessing an eternal relationship with the Trinity as a result of not exercising faith alone in Jesus Christ alone and thus not experiencing fellowship with them. Therefore, it speaks a person being ruined spiritually in the sense that they do not fulfill the purpose for which God created them in His image and sent His one and only Son, Jesus Christ to the cross suffer His wrath in their place, which is namely, to experience an eternal relationship and fellowship with Him and to serve Him. We also noted in our exegesis that the middle voice of this verb functions as a direct middle. It emphasizes the volitional responsibility who are deceived by the miracles and wonders performed by the Antichrist since it indicates that they “cause themselves” or “choose for themselves” to exist in the sense of perishing because they refuse to trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior. In other words, they emphatically do not want to be saved from God’s wrath. They want to live their lives on their own terms. In other words, they want to live like their father, the devil, namely independently of God. Therefore, the unregenerate suffers God’s wrath in the lake of fire forever because that is what they have chosen for themselves. Ironically, that is not what God wanted for them since He desires all people to be saved (cf. 1 Tim. 2:4; 1 John 2:2; 1 Tim. 4:10; 2 Pet. 3:9). We also noted that the participle conjugation of this verb functions as a dative of disadvantage which indicates the person interested in the verbal action but with the idea of being “against” that person. Therefore, this indicates that it is “for the detriment” of the unregenerate that they cause themselves to exist in the state of perishing. The prepositional phrase anthʼ hōn (ἀνθʼ ὧν), “in exchange for which things” indicates that those who are perishing, i.e., the unregenerate refuse to love the truth communicated in the gospel so as to be saved “in exchange for” the various types of deception, which the Antichrist will perform during the seventieth week of Daniel, which will be in the form of miracles and wonders which produce a lie. 2021 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 29 In 2 Thessalonians 2:10, the articular form of the noun alētheia means “the truth” and its referent is the gospel about Jesus Christ. It refers to the truth communicated in the gospel about Jesus Christ that out of His love for sinners God provided for them deliverance from His wrath through His one and only Son, Jesus Christ’ crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection and session at the right hand of the Father and which deliverance is appropriated by faith in His Son. Now, in 2 Thessalonians 2:10, the noun agapē, “love” pertains to obedience to the gospel about Jesus Christ, which manifests itself in honoring and taking pleasure in the gospel and holding it in high esteem because this obedience delivered them from eternal condemnation in the eternal lake of fire. They also honor and take pleasure in the gospel and hold in high esteem because it provided for them the forgiveness of sins and an eternal relationship and fellowship with the Trinity. The verb dechomai and the emphatic negative adverb ou (οὔ) are expressing the idea of the unregenerate living during the seventieth week of Daniel as “refusing” to love the truth, which is communicated in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The English word “refuse” conveys the meaning of these two words since they express the idea of expressing oneself as unwilling to accept something. The unregenerate living during the seventieth week of Daniel will express themselves as unwilling to accept the truth about Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection and session at the right hand of the Father, which is communicated in the gospel. We also noted that the middle voice of this verb is a direct middle, which emphasizes the volitional responsibility of the unregenerate living during the seventieth week of Daniel since it indicates that they “cause themselves” or “choose for themselves” to not receive or accept by faith the love for the truth, which is the gospel about Jesus Christ. When Paul uses the word agapē here in 2 Thessalonians 2:10, he is using it in the same way that the apostle John did in 1 John. If you recall, John asserted throughout this epistle that the Christian community he was writing to in the Roman province of Asia was obligated to love one another (cf. 1 John 3:11, 1718). He also teaches that failure to do so constitutes hating one’s fellow believer (cf. 1 John 2:9; 3:15; 4:20). In other words, he is teaching that the absence of love is hate. If you are not practicing the command to love one another when interacting with your fellow Christian, then you are in effect hating them. Therefore, in the same way, the apostle Paul is teaching in 2 Thessalonians 2:10 that if you do not love the truth, i.e. the gospel and thus love Jesus Christ who is the subject of the gospel, then you are in effect hating the gospel and as a result Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 2:10 ends with the prepositional phrase eis to sōthēnai autous (εἰς τὸ σωθῆναι αὐτούς), “so as to be saved” which presents the result of loving the truth about Jesus Christ communicated in the gospel. The love of the truth 2021 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 30 results in being saved. This verb is used of the act of the Father delivering a sinner from personal sins, the sin nature, Satan, his cosmic system, condemnation from the Law, spiritual and physical death and eternal condemnation. He delivers the sinner through faith in His Son Jesus Christ whose voluntary substitutionary spiritual and physical deaths on the cross as well as His resurrection delivered the human race from these things. The passive voice of this verb indicates that they do not receive the action of being saved from eternal condemnation by God through faith in His one and only Son, Jesus Christ. The infinitive conjugation of this verb sozo is functioning as an infinitive of result, is expressing the idea that those perishing, i.e., the unregenerate living during the seventieth week of Daniel, who refuse to accept the love for the truth, i.e., the gospel, “with the result that” they are saved from eternal condemnation by God through faith in His one and only Son, Jesus Christ. Now, we come to 2 Thessalonians 2:11, which is composed of two result clauses. The first result clause contains the prepositional phrase dia touto (διὰ τοῦτο), “because of this,” which presents the reason why God will cause the unregenerate who refuse to love the truth so as to be saved to experience activity which produces deception. The preposition dia, “because of” is a marker of cause and its object is the accusative neuter singular form of the demonstrative pronoun houtos, “this.” The referent of the latter is the previous statement in 2 Thessalonians 2:10,which asserts tēn agapēn tēs alētheias ouk edexanto eis to sōthēnai autous (τὴν ἀγάπην τῆς ἀληθείας οὐκ ἐδέξαντο εἰς τὸ σωθῆναι αὐτούς), “they choose for themselves to refuse to love the truth so as to be saved.” Now, the first result clause here in 2 Thessalonians 2:11 asserts that God will as a certainty cause these unregenerate individuals, who refuse to love the truth communicated in the gospel so as to be saved, to experience activity, which produces deception. Therefore, the prepositional phrase dia touto (διὰ τοῦτο) indicates that God will cause the unregenerate individuals, to experience activity which produces deception “because” they refuse to love the truth so as to be saved. Therefore, this first result clause asserts that because of refusing to love the truth so as to be saved the Father will as a certainty cause the unregenerate living during the seventieth week of Daniel, to experience activity which produces deception. This deception will be in the form of various miracles and wonders performed by the Antichrist according to 2 Thessalonians 2:9. Therefore, a comparison of the statement at the end of 2 Thessalonians 2:10 and the first statement here in 2 Thessalonians 2:11 indicates that God will as a certainty cause these unregenerate individuals to experience activity which produces deception so that they will believe that the Antichrist is God in the flesh “as a direct result of” refusing to love the truth about Jesus Christ, which is communicated in the gospel. 2021 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 31 Also, in this result clause we have the noun energeia, “activity,” which we noted in our exegesis is referring to the activity of Satan, as it did in 2 Thessalonians 2:9 where it pertained to being engaged in some activity or function with emphasis upon the energy or force involved. It speaks of a process or manner of functioning or operating. Specifically, it was used of the activity of Satan with emphasis upon his supernatural power. Now, here in 2 Thessalonians 2:11, the word energeia is again referring to the activity of Satan. This is indicated by the fact that the referent of the word in 2 Thessalonians 2:9 is the activity of Satan. Also, the word which modifies it here in 2 Thessalonians 2:11 is the genitive feminine singular form of the noun planē (πλάνη), which means “deception” since the word pertains to causing someone to hold a wrong view and thus be mistaken. 10 Here it speaks of causing someone to not believe the truth about Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection which is communicated in the gospel. The referent is of course the various forms of deception which the Antichrist will perform during the seventieth week of Daniel which are various types of miracles and wonders, which produce a lie. We also noted in our exegesis of 2 Thessalonians 2:11 that the noun planē functions as a genitive of product, which is expressing the idea that this activity “produces” deception. Again, this deception will be in the form of various types of miracles and wonders performed by the Antichrist during the seventieth week of Daniel according to 2 Thessalonians 2:9. The second result clause in 2 Thessalonians 2:11 asserts that the unregenerate living during the seventieth week of Daniel who refuse to love the truth, i.e. the gospel, will believe that which is characterized as the greatest lie. As we also noted in our exegesis of this verse, the noun pseudos means “a lie, falsehood, deception” as it did in 2 Thessalonians 2:9 since the word pertains to that which deviates from or perverts the truth. Here it refers to the lie that the Antichrist is God in the flesh. This interpretation is supported by the use of this word in 2 Thessalonians 2:9 where it was modified by the nouns sēmeion, “miracles” and teras, “wonders.” Paul puts the adjective pseudos in the singular rather than the plural, which would conform to the plural form of these two nouns. The reason for this is that these two nouns belong together and constitute a single entity, which is indicated by the fact that these two words contain as we noted the figure of hendiadys. So therefore, this adjective pseudos is describing these miracles and wonders as deviating from or perverting the truth. Also, the noun pseudos in 2 Thessalonians 2:9 functions as a genitive of production would indicate that they are miracles and wonders “which produce a lie.” They produce a lie because again, they are not in accordance with the gospel, i.e., the Word of God, the Word of truth since they deceive members of Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 366). New York: United Bible Societies. 10 2021 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 32 the human race to worship the Antichrist and thus Satan rather than God. They produce a lie because they deceive unregenerate humanity into believing that the Antichrist is God in the flesh. The Antichrist will be characterized by miracles and wonders which are not in accordance with the gospel, i.e., the Word of God, the Word of truth since they deceive members of the human race to worship himself and consequently Satan who empowers him rather than God. Lastly, further indicating that the noun pseudos is referring to the lie that the Antichrist is God in the flesh is Paul’s statement in 2 Thessalonians 2:4, which asserts that the Antichrist will sit down in the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem during the midway point of the seventieth week of Daniel in order to present himself as God. Now, as we also noted in our exegesis of 2 Thessalonians 2:11, the articular construction of this abstract noun pseudos particularizes the general quality of this noun and defines it more closely distinguishing it from other notions. Here it is distinguishing the lie produced by the Antichrist from the lies communicated by the rest of unregenerate humanity since he will perform various types of miracles and wonders so as to deceive the human race into believing that he is God in the flesh. This type of article falls under the “par excellence” category in that the article indicates that this lie is the greatest lie ever perpetrated by a member of the human race. So therefore, Paul is teaching a spiritual principle in 2 Thessalonians 2:11 that when a person rejects the truth of the gospel, God hands them over to the lies of Satan’s cosmic system. The spiritual principle is also taught in Romans 1:24, 26, 28, 11:8 and 2 Timothy 4:4. The greatest of these lies will be that the Antichrist is God in the flesh. God has only truth to give people and if you reject that truth, then there is nothing else for Him to do but hand that person over to the lies of the god of this world, Satan (cf. 2 Cor. 4:4). This handing a person over to a lie is God’s judgment of the individual. 2 Corinthians 4:3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing, 4 among whom the god of this age has blinded the minds of those who do not believe so they would not see the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God. (NET) Notice, this passage teaches that Satan has blinded the minds of those who do not believe so that they would not see the light of glorious gospel of Christ. Satan and his angels have a world system in which they deceive members of the human race by various types of lies, which are designed to prevent them worshipping the Creator and Savior, Jesus Christ. These individuals choose to reject the truth of the gospel in exchange for the lies of Satan’s cosmic world system. Now, in the same way, during the seventieth week of Daniel, many unregenerate people will reject the truth of the gospel in exchange for the lies propagated by the Antichrist and the greatest of these lies will be that he is God in 2021 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 33 the flesh. He will do this by performing various types of miracles and wonders. However, according to Revelation 13, the greatest deception will be that the Antichrist will be assassinated but will be revived so as to cause the world to worship Him as God in the flesh. The Antichrist will display himself to the world as possessing the attributes of God as a result of being assassinated but then recovering from his wounds. Thus, this event will cause the world to believe that he is indeed God. This is indicated by the contents of Revelation chapter thirteen. Revelation 13:1 And the dragon stood on the sand of the seashore. Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten diadems, and on his heads were blasphemous names. 2 And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority. 3 I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast. 4 They worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?” 5 There was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven. 7 It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain. 9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10 If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints. 11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb and he spoke as a dragon. 12 He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed. 13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men. 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who had the wound of the sword and has come to life. 15 And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 16 And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the 2021 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 34 slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead. 17 And he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six. (NASB95) Notice in Revelation 13:3, that John asserts that one of the beast’s heads had been slain and his fatal would be healed and the whole earth worshipped this beast. Is this Rome or a person? Revelation 13:12 indicates that this is a person since it asserts that the false prophet who is the second beast in this passage makes the citizens of earth worship the first beast whose fatal would was healed. Then, Revelation 13:14 asserts that the second beast, i.e., the false prophet who promotes the worship of the first beast tells the world to make an image to this first beast whose fatal wound of the sword but has come to life. Revelation 13:12 and 14 indicate that this the beast whose fatal wound had been healed and had come to life after being dead is a person rather than the Roman Empire. This person of course would be the Antichrist. Therefore, 2 Thessalonians 2:11 teaches that God punishes unrepentant sinners with other unrepentant sinners since it teaches that God punishes unregenerate people, who sin by refusing to love the truth communicated about Jesus Christ in the gospel so as to be saved, with the sinful actions of the Antichrist. In the same way, God in the sixth and seventh centuries B.C. judged the unrepentant, apostate citizens of the southern kingdom of Judah with another nation immersed evil, namely the Babylonian Empire. God uses evil to punish evil. During the seventieth week of Daniel, God will punish unrepentant unregenerate people who reject the gospel of Jesus Christ with the evil actions of the Antichrist who himself will be an unregenerate, unrepentant sinner. God will punish the unrepentant, unregenerate people of the world during the seventieth week of Daniel who reject the gospel by causing them to experience the various types of deception the Antichrist will perform through various types of miracles and wonders. Thus, they will believe that the Antichrist is God in the flesh and this will be their punishment for rejecting the Lord Jesus Christ who is truly God in the flesh. So therefore, their unbelief will be punished with the evil actions of the Antichrist. 2021 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 35