Gathering Together In Light of the Coming Day of the Lord 2Thessalonians 2:1-9 Presented by Bob DeWaay October,

“Gathering” Used Twice in NT 2Thessalonians 2:1 Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together to Him, Hebrews 10:25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.

The Day of the Lord Has Not Come 2Thessalonians 2:2 that you may not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.

Paul Warns Against Deception 2Thessalonians 2:3 Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,

Destruction: Apoliea Revelation 9:11 They have as king over them, the angel of the abyss; his name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in the Greek he has the name Apollyon.

Destruction: Apoliea Revelation 17:8 The beast that you saw was and is not, and is about to come up out of the abyss and to go to destruction. And those who dwell on the earth will wonder, whose name has not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast, that he was and is not and will come.

Coming Apostasy 2Thessalonians 2:3 Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,

The Apostasy Matthew 24:10-12 And at that time many will fall away and will deliver up one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise, and will mislead many. And because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold.

Antichrist’s Abomination 2Thessalonians 2:4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.

Antichrist’s Abomination Daniel 9:27 And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate.

Antichrist’s Abomination Matthew 24:15 Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),

The Restrainer or Ruler 2Thessalonians 2:5, 6 Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things? And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he may be revealed.

Restrains = katechon, katecho_n Either “a positive force restraining evil” or “an evil force currently ruling until the ultimate evil one arrives” Possible meanings: “hold down”, “hold sway”, “suppress”, “steer towards” i.e. either “hold fast” or “hold back”

The Restrainer or Ruler 2Thessalonians 2:7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way.

The Restrainer or Ruler “Mystery of lawlessness already at work” Explains either the need for restraint Or The character of the evil that already “holds sway.”

The Revelation of The Man of Sin 2Thessalonians 2:8 And then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming;

The Parousia of Antichrist 2Thessalonians 2:9 that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders,

Christ Revealed (Luke 17:30) Parousia (vs 8) Power (Matt. 24:30) Signs (Matt. 24:30) Wonders (Jn. 4:47) “The Truth” (2Thes.2:10) Resurrected (1Co. 15:20) Antichrist Revealed (2Thes2: 3, 6, 8) Parousia (vs 9) Power (vs 9) Signs (vs 9) Wonders (vs 9) “The Lie” (2Thes. 2:11) Resurrected (Rev. 13:3)

Possible Implication: Antichrist is more than a man run amok; but an “incarnation” of Spiritual Evil Revelation 17:11 And the beast which was and is not, is himself also an eighth, and is one of the seven, and he goes to destruction.

Applications Lawlessness Characterizes This Evil Age, so we must Submit to the true Lawgiver We should be faithful to “gather together” in light of our future “gathering together to Him”

Resist Lawlessness by Submitting to Christ Titus 2:11, 12 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,

Resist Lawlessness by Submitting to Christ Titus 2:13, 14 Looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

Gather Together In Christ Hebrews 10:24, 25 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.