Sermon by Pastor Troy Redmond.<\/p>\n
II Thess. 2: 1-17<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n V.1 <\/b><\/span>Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,<\/span><\/p>\n The truth of Jesus\u2019 return and of believers being gathered to Him.<\/p>\n This will be a separation. (Sheep from goats, tares from wheat, chaff from the grain.)<\/p>\n It is important that we know and proclaim that Jesus is the only way of salvation.<\/p>\n John 3:16<\/b><\/span> For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.<\/span><\/p>\n 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.<\/span><\/p>\n Matthew 13:41<\/b><\/span> The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.<\/span><\/p>\n And as for the truth that Jesus is returning, let us look at His promise.<\/p>\n John 14:2<\/b><\/span> In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.<\/span><\/p>\n V.2a Paul<\/b><\/span> tells them not to be \u201ctroubled or shaken\u201d about Christ\u2019s return.<\/p>\n There were other false stories going around about Jesus\u2019 returning.<\/p>\n Paul, here, is going to address some of the things that must take place before this event.<\/p>\n V.2b<\/b><\/span><\/span> \u201c\u2026is at hand\u2026\u201d\u00a0\u2014\u00a0rather, “is <\/span>immediately imminent,<\/i><\/span>” literally, “is <\/span>present<\/i><\/span>“;” is <\/span>instantly<\/i><\/span> coming.” Christ and His apostles always taught that the day of the Lord\u2019s coming <\/span>is at hand; <\/i><\/span> and it is not likely that Paul would imply anything contrary here; what he denies is, that it is so <\/span>immediately imminent, instant,<\/i><\/span> or <\/span>present,<\/i><\/span> as to justify the neglect of everyday worldly duties. <\/span><\/p>\n V.3a \u201c\u2026<\/b><\/span>by any means…\u201d Do not be deceived by anything the enemy brings up.<\/span><\/p>\n Jesus gave the same warning about deception in <\/span>Matt. 24:4.<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n V.3b <\/b><\/span><\/span>There will be a \u201cfalling away and the \u201cson of perdition\u201d must be revealed.<\/span><\/p>\n In verse 5, Paul reminds them that he had already told them about this.<\/p>\n Jesus also, mentioned this \u201cfalling away.\u201d<\/p>\n Matthew 24:12<\/b><\/span><\/span> And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n II Thess.2:<\/b><\/span>3c <\/b><\/span><\/span>The<\/span><\/span> man of sin (son of perdition) must be revealed; made known.)<\/span><\/p>\n The description of this person in verse 4 is in line with what Daniel wrote about him.<\/p>\n The <\/span>Greek<\/i><\/span> order is, “And there have been revealed the man of sin.” As Christ was first in <\/span>mystery,<\/i><\/span> and afterwards <\/span>revealed<\/i><\/span> (1Ti 3:16), so Antichrist (the term used 1Jo 2:18 4:3) is first in mystery, and afterwards shall be developed and revealed. (JFB). <\/span><\/p>\n As righteousness found its embodiment in Christ, “the Lord our righteousness,” so “sin” shall have its embodiment in “the man of sin.” (JFB)<\/p>\n This imposter cannot take his place, or make his move until he is allowed to.<\/p>\n The hindering<\/i><\/span> power meanwhile restrains its manifestation; when that shall be removed, then this manifestation shall take place.<\/span><\/p>\n There are differing opinions on whom or what the restrainer is.<\/p>\n Some say the Holy Ghost is the one; some say it is the church.<\/p>\n Some teach that it is a particular angel.<\/p>\n Paul had already told the Thessalonians who or what it was, so he didn\u2019t mention it again in his letter.<\/p>\n V.v. 5-6<\/b><\/span><\/span> Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Since, the Lord inspires all scripture, and since the Holy Ghost didn\u2019t move Paul to repeat his teaching here, we should not get dogmatic on the issue.<\/p>\n The truth we should grasp is that evil is being kept in check now, but will one day be released.<\/p>\n The evil we see around the world today is nothing compared to what is coming.<\/p>\n Let us take notice of what Jesus said concerning His false trial and His impending death.<\/p>\n Luke 23:27<\/b><\/span> A large crowd of people followed Him, including women who were mourning and lamenting Him. 28 But turning to them, Jesus said, \u201cDaughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and your children. 29 Look, the days are coming when they will say, \u2018The women without children, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed, are fortunate!\u2019 30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, \u2018Fall on us!\u2019 and to the hills, \u2018Cover us!\u2019 31 For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?<\/span>\u201d<\/p>\n Getting back to Thessalonians, Paul says that iniquity is already working. (We can see that)<\/p>\n In verse 8 though, he reminds them (and us) that Jesus will destroy him when He returns.<\/p>\n V.v. 9-10 <\/b><\/span>Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.<\/span><\/p>\n Paul makes it very clear as to the power behind the Antichrist.<\/p>\n He also makes it plain that this false messiah will have some success.<\/p>\n We can see evidence today of the success of false prophets.<\/p>\n He also explains whom he will have success among.<\/p>\n 10b.<\/b><\/span> \u201c\u2026in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n V.v. 11-12 <\/b><\/span>And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.<\/span><\/p>\n This is a difficult teaching buy still true; God will give up on the deliberately rebellious.<\/p>\n It is not God\u2019s plan or desire to destroy; people perish because of their choices.<\/p>\n V.v. 13-14 <\/b><\/span>But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.<\/span><\/p>\n How do we come to the truth?<\/p>\n John 8:31<\/b><\/span> Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.<\/span><\/p>\n Jesus claimed to be \u201c\u2026the Way, the Truth, and the Life\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He referred to the Holy Ghost as the \u201cSpirit of Truth.\u201d<\/p>\n Jesus reminds us that the Word of God is truth.<\/p>\n John 17:17<\/b><\/span> Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.<\/span><\/p>\n Knowing and practicing what the Bible teaches will keep us in the truth.<\/p>\n We will not only be free from condemnation; we will be free from deception.<\/p>\n V.v. 15-17 <\/b><\/span>Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, 17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.<\/span><\/p>\n Paul<\/span> returns to the topic of verse one about not getting shaken or disturbed.<\/p>\n We should stand fast in the knowledge that Jesus is in control, and that we should encourage each other.<\/p>\n