“CORRECTION CONCERNING PROPHECY”

II THESSALONIANS 2

INTRODUCTION:

A. In I Thessalonians 5:1-11 Paul discussed “the day of the Lord” which includes both

             the judgment of the Tribulation and the blessing of the Millennium.

B. The believers had become confused about the judgments at the beginning of the "day

             of the Lord" (Tribulation).

1. In I Thessalonians 5:1-11, he had tried to make it clear that Christians were not

appointed to this time of judgment (v. 9).

2. He had tried to make it clear that they would be raptured before this time begins.

3. Because of the persecutions they were experiencing, some thought that they

were already living in the Tribulation (v.2).

Note: They do not seem to regard their suffering as “The Blessed Hope”.

C. Paul’s teaching

1. The "day of the Lord" has not come.

2. The "day of the Lord" will not come until certain other things occur.

  I. THE RAPTURE - II Thessalonians 2: 3

A. Apostasy

1. Takes its meaning from a root verb meaning “to put away" or “to cause to be

removed”.

2. Means to “depart” - In Luke 8:13: I Timothy 4:1 religious defection is designated.

3. Means to “depart” where religious defection is not designated, 12 times.

         (II Corinthians 12:8; II Timothy 2:19)

4. “The departure”

a. Some one specific thing the Thessalonians were already made aware of

b. In neither epistle are they instructed regarding the apostasy as a departure

from the faith.

c. They were instructed as to the departure of the saints at the Rapture in

        I Thessalonians 4:13-18.

5. Departure-apostasy from the faith as a definite and specific act-would have

been recognizable.

a. It had already started in Paul’s day - I Timothy 4:1.

b. It has been since time began - Genesis 4:3; 6:1-5; 11:3-9.

A. Before the Tribulation can begin there has to be a "departure” (apostasy).

B. Departure from the truth

1. Already begun in Paul’s day - cf. Galatians 1:8, 9; Colossians 2:16, 18, 21

2. A departure from the deity of Christ - II Peter 2:2

3. A departure from salvation by grade - II Peter 2:2 - cf. II Timothy 3:15

C. Departure of the church from the world

1. There is possibility of the word “apostacia” being translated “departure”.

2. If so, it is conclusive that the rapture-departure must take place before the

Tribulation.

 II. THE REVELATION OF THE MAN OF SIN - v. 3

A. Who is the man of sin? Antichrist - cf. Revelation 12:1-10

B. What will be the characteristics of this man?

1. Usurps the place of God - v. 4, cf. Matthew 24:15

2. Will control world governments

3. Cf. Revelation 13:1-10

4. His power to deceive - II Thessalonians 2:9-12

III. THE RESTRAINING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND CHURCH - vs. 6, 7

A. The fact that complete chaos had not broken loose was also proof that the Tribulation

was not there.

B. There is a restraining influence in the world that even now is holding back the power

of darkness. Cf. Ephesians 6:12

C. The two restraining forces.

1. The Church - v. 6 (What restraineth) Note: NEUTER.

2. The Holy Spirit - v. 7 (He…hindereth) Note: MASCULINE.

--The fact that the Holy Spirit was resident in their lives was proof that the

Tribulation was not there. I Corinthians 6:19, 20

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