Faithful in the Face of Deception

 

“Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.”

(2 Thessalonians 2:3-8 ESV)

 

The return of Christ is something to which we all look forward. In fact, this is a part of our celebration of Advent. As the saints of old looked forward to Jesus’ first coming, we look forward to his second.

 

We look forward to it because of the blessing it will be. We look forward to it as it marks the end of this age. And we look forward to it as it means the end of sin and death.

 

We recall, however, that his coming will be unexpected. No one knows the day nor the hour of his return. And, prior to his coming, life will seem quite ordinary. Prior to his coming, life will simply continue on as normal.

 

But one thing we know for certain is that, before he comes, the rebellion will take place. And the word from which this is translated refers to an apostasy. It refers to a departure from God, or a rebellion against God.

 

Before Jesus returns, the man of lawlessness will also be revealed. And this is the man who is referred to, elsewhere in the New Testament, as the antichrist. We’re told that he opposes and exalts himself against every god or object of worship. And we’re told that he will take his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.

 

The identity of this man has always been a source of great speculation. Luther believed him to be the pope. And throughout history, there have been many who have committed acts of great evil.

 

There has also been a great deal of speculation regarding how this will all unfold. As he sets himself up in the temple, some think of a rebuilt Jewish temple. And others say that he will set himself up in the Church.

 

This, however, is something about which we need not speculate. Knowing the Lord, and trusting the Lord, this man of lawlessness will be recognizable. His identity will be plain as he sets himself up against, or even alongside, the Lord.

 

The key for us as we await the return of Christ, the key for us as we anticipate the return of Christ, is to remain faithful. We must keep our eyes fixed upon him and him alone. We must trust in the One revealed to us in the Word. And, in this way, we will not be deceived.

 

But we must be prepared. We must know that, as the end approaches, this is going to happen. We can, therefore, expect it. We can watch for it. And we can do so with hope. We can do so knowing that, as this takes place, the Lord’s return is drawing near.