2 Thessalonians 1-3 | The Mystery of Lawlessness

"For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work..." 2 Thessalonians 2:7

An end is coming to this world as we know it. We often forget this. In this passage, Paul is clearing up some confusion that the Thessalonians had about the end of time. He reminds them that the end has not come and then lays out a few things that must happen before the end.

THE MAN OF LAWLESSNESS

One of those is the coming of the ultimate Antichrist, the "man of lawlessness." There are many antichrists (John would later say), but this is the ultimate—the one who stands above all others and is the supreme opposer of God's work in human form. He is not Satan but is filled with Satan's spirit and carries out his will.

But then, Paul makes a clear statement referring to the fact that the "mystery of lawlessness" i.e., this strange, perverse law is already at work among us. The word "lawlessness" can be used interchangeably with the word "sin," but it has the clear idea of someone or something that opposes the law of God. That goes against. That is adversarial.

AN IMPORTANT PERSPECTIVE

This helps us understand the world. The devoted Christian must put the world in proper context and the textbook that gives us all we need to know is the Bible.

What is the explanation for what is happening all around us? It is not the government or the economy or whatever. All of those are symptoms. It is that the "mystery of lawlessness is already at work." Men are rebelling against God and His perfect, wonderful leadership and laws and that is why there is such darkness and destruction in the world.

Paul reminds us in Romans 6 not to turn over the members of our body (our eyes, brain, hands, feet, ears, etc.) to be used as "weapons of unrighteousness" in this battle, but to give them to God so they can become "weapons of righteousness."

If we long to see God's kingdom come and will be done on earth as it is in heaven, we must give our life, our time, our attention to being instruments in God's hand that oppose the mystery of lawlessness. Our churches and families must become an example of lawful living, living under the authority and leadership of our great King.

Father, thank You for the Divine Order you have developed, an order that leads to life, joy, and godliness. Help us to live under Your directives from Your Word and in the power of the Spirit so we can oppose the spirit of lawlessness at every turn.