2Th 2 | ISV | STEP | The Lawless One Now we ask you, brothers, regarding the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to him,

2 Thessalonians 2

1 The Lawless OneNow we ask you, brothers, regarding the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to him,Matt 24:31; Mark 13:27; 1Thes 4:16-17 2 not to be so quickly upset ^{▼▼Lit. shaken in mind} or alarmed when someone claims that we said ^{▼▼Lit. as though by us} either by some spirit, conversation, or letter that the Day of the Lord has already come.Matt 24:4; Eph 5:6; 1John 4:1 3 Do not let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day cannot come ^{▼▼The Gk. lacks that day cannot come} unless the rebellion ^{▼▼Or apostasy} takes place first and the man of sin, ^{▼▼Other mss. read man of lawlessness} who is destined for destruction, ^{▼▼Lit. the son of destruction} is revealed.Dan 7:25; Matt 24:4; John 17:12; Eph 5:6; 1Tim 4:1; 1John 2:18; Rev 13:11 4 He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god and object of worship. As a result, he seats himself in the sanctuary of God and declares himself to be God.Isa 14:13; Ezek 28:2, 6, 9; Dan 7:25; 11:36; 1Cor 8:5; Rev 13:6

5 Don't you remember that I repeatedly told you about these things when I was still with you? 6 You know what it is that is now holding him back, so that he will be revealed when his time comes. 7 For the secret of this lawlessness is already at work, but only until the person now holding it back gets out of the way.1John 2:18; 4:3 8 Then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will destroy with the breath of his mouth, rendering him powerless by the manifestation of his coming.Job 4:9; Isa 11:4; Dan 7:10-11; Hos 6:5; 2Thes 1:8-9; Heb 10:27; Rev 2:16 9 The coming of the lawless one ^{▼▼Lit. His coming} will be accompanied by the power of Satan. He will use every kind ^{▼▼Lit. In every kind} of power, including miraculous signs, lying wonders,Deut 13:1; Matt 24:24; John 8:41; Eph 2:2; Rev 13:13; 18:23; 19:21 10 and every type of evil to deceive ^{▼▼Lit. every evil deception} those who are dying, those who refused to love the truth that would save them. ^{▼▼Lit. so that they might be saved}2Cor 2:15; 4:3 11 For this reason, God will send them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie.1Kings 22:22; Ezek 14:9; Matt 24:5, 11; Rom 1:24; 1Tim 4:1 12 Then all who have not believed the truth but have taken pleasure in unrighteousness will be condemned.Rom 1:32

13 At all times we are obligated to thank God for you, brothers who are loved by the Lord, because God chose you to be the first fruits ^{▼▼Other mss. read from the beginning} for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through faith in the truth.Luke 1:75; Eph 1:4; 1Thes 1:4; 2Thes 1:3; 1Pet 1:2 14 With this purpose in mind, he called you through our proclamation of the ^{▼▼The Gk. lacks proclamation of the} gospel so that you would obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.John 17:22; 1Thes 2:12; 1Pet 5:10 15 So then, brothers, stand firm, and cling to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth ^{▼▼Lit. by word} or by our letter.1Cor 11:2; 16:13; Phil 4:1; 2Thes 3:6

16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort ^{▼▼Or encouragement} and good hope,2Thes 1:1-2; 1Pet 1:3; 1John 4:10; Rev 1:5 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word.1Cor 1:8; 1Thes 3:13; 1Pet 5:10