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MAN OF LAWLESSNESS – The "man of lawlessness" here, is
probably a reference to the more common term, "antichrist" which appears in the
Johannine epistles, Revelation, and Thessalonian letters. Behind such language is the
Jewish/Christian notion that while many lesser antichrists will lead the devout astray,
they will also pave the way for the final "Antichrist" to lead an apostasy on a
global scale that will culminate in a military finale, a conflagration between the
Antichrist and his army and God and God’s heavenly hosts, a time which is captured in
the phase, "The Day of the Lord." Such eschatology was common stock in early
Christian and Jewish literature. [1]
WHAT COMMENTATORS ARE SAYING ABOUT THIS PASSAGE . . .
How, then, can we guard against falling prey to
false claims that often appear as the truth—as a word, spirit, or letter "as
though from us"? The answer is not to cave in to loveless logic or hateful science.
Nor should we acquiesce to the fleecing of the faithful whether it emanates from the
pulpit or pew. And certainly we should not concede to a facile friendship with others who
have not earned our trust through the tests of time. In all of these cases, rather, what
is needed is an attitude of discernment, careful study, and relentless sifting of thought
. . .
. . . Christianity does not call us to be timid or gullible. It calls us, rather,
to weigh every word, spirit, or letter carefully. Second Thessalonians shows us the great
need for trained clergy and laity, for churches to make learning an everyday quest and a
lifetime goal, and for all believers to take on that perennial pursuit first penned with
precision in the Middle Ages by the great Anselm of Canterbury: "faith seeking
understanding." [2]
connections
Sometimes we talk glibly speak of salvation that suggests that
our acceptance of Christ suddenly initiated God’s presence into our lives. This
lesson alters that image: God chose the Thessalonians—and chooses us—to benefit
from the good news. This is called prevenient grace—God’s gifts "coming to
us before" we even thought or even knew what to ask for.
Try making a list of examples of prevenient grace in your life. Where can you see God
going before you, drawing you nearer in ways that at the time you didn’t recognize as
God’s grace at work in your life? Close the list with thanks to God.
gambits
WHAT’S ALL THE TALK ABOUT THE SECOND COMING? –
Isn’t such talk about the second coming of Christ and its concomitant issues
irrelevant in our new millennium? Unbelievably, Americans seem more interested in the End
than ever before; such books continue to stack high on the bestseller lists: [3] It began
in 1995—the year the "Left Behind" series began rolling off the press and
into bookstores. In the past seven years, Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins have produced
nine novels about the end times—over 3,700 pages, a series that has erupted into a
booming end times industry that now produces in addition to yearly novels, end times
calendars, at least eighteen end times novels for children as well as thousands of audio
tapes and CDs. (And we thought Harry Potter was a phenomenon!)
Left Behind: A Novel of the Earth’s Last
Days
Tribulation Force: The Continuing Drama of Those Left Behind
Nicolae: The Rise of the Antichrist
Soul Harvest: The World Takes Sides
Apollyon: The Destroyer is Unleashed
Assassin: Assignment: Jerusalem, Target: Antichrist
The Indwelling: The Beast Takes Possession
The Mark: The Beast Rules the World
Desecration: Antichrist Takes the Throne.
While the purpose of LaHaye and Jenkins maybe to drum up business in eschatology, in
general and personal salvation through belief in Christ, in particular, the writer of 2nd
Thessalonians pens the words about the end times for a different reason. The
words of our lesson suggest (including 2:1-5 and 13-17) an attempt to offer comfort to
anxious minds. The writer encourages confidence in what they had earlier received. Such
teaching provides stability in uncertain times of persecution and deception making the
rounds. [4]
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[1] Word Biblical Commentary: 1 & 2 Thessalonians, F. F. Bruce, commentator
(Waco, Texas: Word Books, Publisher, 1982), page 179.
[2] The New Interpreter’s Bible XI (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2000), page
756.
[3] Currently, for example, Tim LaHaye’s latest in his nine-volume Left Behind
series has climbed to the ninth spot on Amazon’s bestseller list. Other of his
books have claimed top spot upon their release.
[4] The Interpreter’s Bible XI (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1955), page 325.
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