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The Antichrist
In the first chapter Paul gave words of ‘praise’ to the
Thessalonians. IN this way the blow is
softened. Christ did this in Revelation
2 and 3. Each church had commendations
before the reproach. So, Paul follows
this approach.
Now, IN the first letter Paul clarifies about the coming of
Jesus. But, some misinterpreted what he
said. So, Paul corrects them. Ellen
White says,
The instruction that Paul sent the
Thessalonians in his first epistle regarding the second coming of Christ, was
in perfect harmony with his former teaching. Yet his words were misapprehended
by some of the Thessalonian brethren. They understood him to express the hope
that he himself would live to witness the Saviour's advent. This belief served
to increase their enthusiasm and excitement. Those who had previously neglected
their responsibilities and duties, now became more persistent in urging their
erroneous views. {AA 264.1}
In his second letter Paul sought to correct their misunderstanding of
his teaching and to set before them his true position. He again expressed his
confidence in their integrity, and his gratitude that their faith was strong,
and that their love abounded for one another and for the cause of their Master.
He told them that he presented them to other churches as an example of the
patient, persevering faith that bravely withstands persecution and tribulation,
and he carried their minds forward to the time of the second coming of Christ,
when the people of God shall rest from all their cares and perplexities. {AA 264.2}
The language Paul uses lets us know that Paul is referring
to the previous letter. He uses similar
phrases. Although Paul establish that no
one knew the day and the hour of Jesus return in the previous letter, Paul spoke
in such a way that many thought that they would see Jesus returning in their
day. But, Paul had to clarify this
misinterpretation.
Again from Ellen White,
Paul's words were not to be
misinterpreted. It was not to be taught that he, by special revelation, had
warned the Thessalonians of the immediate coming of Christ. Such a position
would cause confusion of faith; for disappointment often leads to unbelief. The
apostle therefore cautioned the brethren to receive no such message as coming
from him,
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and he proceeded to emphasize the
fact that the papal power, so clearly described by the prophet Daniel, was yet
to rise and wage war against God's people. Until this power should have
performed its deadly and blasphemous work, it would be in vain for the church
to look for the coming of their Lord. "Remember ye not," Paul
inquired, "that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?" {AA 265.2}
Paul wanted to make sure they stood fast in the truth. He wanted to make sure that there faith
remained strong. Ellen White says,
Thus Paul outlined the baleful work
of that power of evil which was to continue through long centuries of darkness
and persecution before the second coming of Christ. The Thessalonian believers
had hoped for immediate deliverance;
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now they were admonished to take up
bravely and in the fear of God the work before them. The apostle charged them
not to neglect their duties or resign themselves to idle waiting. After their
glowing anticipations of immediate deliverance the round of daily life and the
opposition that they must meet would appear doubly forbidding. He therefore exhorted
them to steadfastness in the faith: {AA
266.3}
Paul had commended the Thessalonians for their endurance
during trials. Their belief that Christ
would come in their day, had some believing that deliverance was nigh. This would disappoint and discourage many
when Christ return took longer then they were expecting. Paul needed to make sure that they remained
strong. Christ would not come as soon as
they thought, so deliverance from this world would not be quick. But, the promise of “I will not forsake you,
I will be with you until the end,” still stood.
Christ would still give them what they needed to endure; therefore God
would still be glorified.
The Thessalonians also needed to be warned that this work of
the man of Sin and the falling away had begun.
They were already false teachers in those days teaching heresy. John identified this heresy as the belief
that Christ sinned not because He did not come in the likeness of Sinful flesh
(fallen flesh), that Christ was not tempted as we are, therefore He could not
be touched with our infirmities, therefore He could not conquer Sin in the
flesh ((Romans 8: 3; Hebrews 4: 15). This is the opposite of what Paul
taught. John called these antichrists (1
John 4: 3; 2 John 1:7).
Although, the man of sin and the falling away have been
revealed, many still hide in the shadows preaching this heresy. So, it would behoove us and take heed that we
let no man deceive us by any means (2 Thessalonians 2: 3). In other words, although the man of Sin and
his organization have been revealed, what they teach is believed by others in
all other denominations. These men are
also antichrists. We should stay away
from these.
