The Sovereign Unveiling of The Man of Lawlessness

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The Sovereign Unveiling of The Man of Lawlessness

2 Thessalonians 2:6-12

October 20, 2024 • Richard Caldwell Jr. • 2 Thessalonians 2:6–12

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Introduction:

What Paul and the other apostles taught the infant churches about the antichrist was not new.

The Lord Jesus had spoken about these things in the Olivet discourse.

And what Jesus spoke about it in the Olivet discourse, was spoken of long ago in the book of Daniel.

What Daniel, during the Babylonian captivity, wrote about was still in the future when our Lord spoke of it.

ESV Matthew 24:15 "So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, 18 and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. 19 And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! 20 Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. 22 And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.

What Daniel wrote about, and what our Lord spoke of, was still future as Paul and the other apostles wrote about it.

Where did Daniel speak of it?

Our Lord talked about the abomination of desolation (Matthew 24:15) and said that Daniel spoke of it.

ESV Daniel 9:27 And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator."

Paul describes what any Jew would consider a desecration of the temple in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4.

It seems clear that Paul has the same man, and the same activity in mind.

What was previewed by the actions of Antiochus IV (Epiphanes — god manifest; king of Syria, desecrated the temple in 167 BC, led to the Maccabean Revolt), and described in Daniel 11, finds a GREATER EVIL EXPRESSION in someone GREATER who is coming.

ESV Daniel 11:31 Forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering. And they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate.

John MacArthur — “Antiochus’ soldiers, no doubt working with apostate Jews, guarded the temple, halting all worship, while others attacked the city on the Sabbath slaughtering men, women, and children. Soldiers desecrated Israel’s temple, banned circumcision and daily sacrifices (1 Macc. 1:44–54), and sacrificed a pig on the altar. The Syrians on Chislev (Dec. 15, 167 b.c.), even imposed an idol statue in honor of the Olympian god Zeus into the temple. Jews called it “the abomination of desolation,” i.e., emptying or ruining for Jewish worship. abomination of desolation. Antiochus’ soldiers profaned God’s temple by spreading sow’s broth on the altar and banning daily sacrifices (cf. 8:14 and see note there) as described in 1 Macc. 1:44–54. Both Daniel and Jesus said this atrocity was only a preview of the abomination that would happen later under the final Antichrist (9:27; Mt 24:15).”[1]

This man of sin whom Jesus said was coming — that Paul and the apostles said was coming — Paul ALSO SAYS WILL BE ALIVE WHEN JESUS COMES AGAIN.

SO, HE REMAINS FUTURE UNTIL THE TIME WHEN JESUS WILL RETURN FROM HEAVEN.

The man that Daniel wrote about remains future until the Day of the Lord. He will be alive on the earth when Jesus returns from Heaven and destroys him.

ESV 2 Thessalonians 2:8 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.

His destruction in described in Revelation chapter 19.

ESV Revelation 19:11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. 17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, "Come, gather for the great supper of God, 18 to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great." 19 And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. 20 And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. 21 And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh.

[1] John F. MacArthur Jr., The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006), Da 11:31.

An Orderly Church

November 17, 2024 • Richard Caldwell Jr. • 2 Thessalonians 2:6–12

Introduction: Healthy churches are orderly churches. Disorder is the fruit of sin, and it is the work of Satan. His work twists, distorts, disrupts, and DEFIES everything that God put in place. The Bible declares that God is NOT a God of disorder. His wisdom produces order and peace. When Paul was addressing the chaotic worship practices of the Corinthian church, he makes this point in the middle of his instruction. NAS 1 Corinthians 14:33 for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. The word translated “confusion” is a word that means disorder. NET 1 Corinthians 14:33 for God is not characterized by disorder but by peace. As in all the churches of the saints, When Paul is forced to defend himself and his ministry to them, in his second letter, he voices his concern about what he might find when he comes to them. ESV 2 Corinthians 12:20 For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish-- that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. ALL OF THIS REPRESENTS TWO KINDS OF WISDOM IN THE WORLD — DEMONIC WISDOM AND GODLY WISDOM AS THE BOOK OF JAMES TELLS US. James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? mBy his good conduct let him show his works nin the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter ojealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not pthe wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, qdemonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But rthe wisdom from above is first pure, then speaceable, gentle, open to reason, tfull of mercy and good fruits, uimpartial and vsincere. 18 And wa harvest of righteousness xis sown in peace by those who make peace. NOTICE THE PROGRESSION. Where there is natural wisdom there are self-driven desires. Where there are self-driven desires there is disorder. And where there is disorder there is an absence of righteousness and peace. What you can be certain of, then, is that the Spirit of God is pleased with orderly churches. CHURCHES THAT REFLECT SUBMISSION TO GOD’S WORD. CHURCHES THAT REFLECT SUBMISSION TO GOD ORDAINED AUTHORITY IN THE CHURCH. CHURCHES THAT REFLECT SUBMISSION TO THE NEEDFUL APPLICATIONS OF TRUTH AND ENFORCEMENT OF TRUTH IN THE LIFE OF A CONGREGATION. What that also means is that faithful shepherding aims at that order. Disorder should concern faithful shepherds. Disorder must be addressed by faithful shepherds. Disorder must not be allowed to continue in faithful churches. FAITHFUL CHURCHES ARE CHARACTERIZED BY SHEPHERDS WHO INSIST ON ORDER, AND BELIEVERS WHO FOLLOW THOSE SHEPHERDS. We see a great example of that in our verses today. Paul is thankful for all the good fruit that he has seen in the Thessalonian church. He has praised this church consistently. And when he considers this church, as a whole, he sees them as healthy. But he is aware of disorderly members. He must address that disorder, and the Thessalonians must prove his confidence in them to be accurate by helping him address that disorder. REMEMBER WHAT PAUL HAS JUST SAID ABOUT THEM. ESV 2 Thessalonians 3:4 And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command.

Mutuality & Confidence In Ministry

October 20, 2024 • Richard Caldwell Jr. • 2 Thessalonians 2:6–12

Introduction: Wherever you find a spiritually healthy family, you find mutual love and care. And, in such a family, that mutuality extends from one generation to the next. This is something that the Scriptures clearly teach for family life. Children honor their parents. Parents do not exasperate their children. Husbands and wives love and care for one another. Parents care for their children materially as they grow up. Children care for their parents materially and physically in their old age. What is true in the natural family is also to be true in the family of God. And that is what we see in our verses today. We see the beauty of salvation in the mutuality of ministry. We see the apostle Paul seeking prayer support from those whom they had evangelized — the Thessalonians. But in the very same context where he is seeking their help, he continues to provide spiritual guidance and shepherding. It is a beautiful, God produced and God pleasing, mutuality in ministry. Mutual love and care between spiritual shepherds and those being shepherded. A mutuality that speaks of the love and care and support that exists in the family of God. IT IS A MUTUAL LOVE AND CARE THAT IS FOUND IN ANY HEALTHY CHURCH. But there is something additional here. While there is an appeal for, and a demonstration of, mutuality in ministry, there is also Paul’s knowledge about ministry that includes an unshakable confidence about the things that we ask for. I. PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO BROUGHT YOU THE WORD (vs.1-2) This is why I mentioned mutuality in ministry. Paul’s appeal for prayer is given to those who never knew what true prayer was until he had come to them with the gospel. They have been reached through his ministry, and now they are being asked to contribute to the REACH of his ministry through prayer. His appeal is based on their mutual love as brethren (brothers). His appeal is based on their knowledge of his ministry TO THEM. A. PRAY FOR THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD OF GOD (vs.1) “Pray for us” he says. In what ways do we pray for you and those who labor with you Paul? Pray for the ministry of the Word of God. 1. PRAY FOR ITS ADVANCEMENT The word means “to run.” The idea being, as the various translations recognize, that the Word of God would run in the sense of ADVANCEMENT. LSB – “spread rapidly” ESV – “speed ahead” May the ministry of the Word of God spread all around, may it find wide open opportunities so that it advances speedily. PAUL UNDERSTOOD, AND ALWAYS WANTED THEM TO UNDERSTAND, THAT THOUGH THE WORD IS CARRIED BY HUMAN MESSENGERS, ITS ADVANCEMENT IS EXPLAINED BY DIVINE PROVIDENCE AND POWER. All the human activity in the world will never explain the successful spread of the Word of God. The word RUNS when God opens the pathway in front of it. ESV 2 Corinthians 2:12 When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, 13 my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia.

Confident Petitions

November 3, 2024 • Richard Caldwell Jr. • 2 Thessalonians 2:16–17

Introduction: Prayer is not just the expression of praise; it is also petition. We SEEK the Lord for every kind of help, and we bring our needs to the throne of God — knowing that, in Christ, God’s throne has become for us a throne of gracious help. ESV Hebrews 4:16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. THAT VERSE REMINDS US THAT THE BELIEVER’S PRAYERS ARE ALSO ABLE TO BE CONFIDENT PRAYERS. Believers must be taught this. Believers must be reminded of this. That when we pray rightly, we can pray knowing that we have the things we are seeking from God. PRAYER IS NOT CHANGING THE MIND OF GOD; IT IS AGREEING WITH THE MIND OF GOD. ESV John 14:13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. We have just finished a brief section of great celebration. We saw a contrast worthy of praise. We saw a conversion worthy of praise We saw a conclusion worthy of praise. We saw a conviction fitting for praise (in response to the things for which we give God praise). But now, Paul ends this section with PETITION. SHEPHERD’S DON’T JUST EXHORT TO FAITHFULNESS; THEY PRAY FOR FAITHFULNESS. GOD’S GREAT GIFTS TO US HAVE NOT ENDED OUR NEED FOR GOD. GOD’S GREAT GIFTS TO US GO ON BENEFITING US IN A WAY THAT STILL MEANS OUR DEPENDENCE UPON GOD. Both the confidence of prayer, and the seeking nature of prayer, are on display in these two verses. This morning, we think about confident petitions. I. THE BELIEVER’S HELPER (vs.16a) When we think about confidence in prayer, and dependence (or humility) in prayer, both are explained by the one who hears our prayers and answers them. WE SEEK THE FACE OF GOD. THE GOD WHOM WE HAVE TO COME TO KNOW IN OUR SAVIOR — HIS SON. THE GOD WHO HAS REVEALED HIMSELF TO US IN SCRIPTURE. PRAYER ALWAYS BEGINS WITH GOD. Before we ever utter a word. Before we ever voice a request. We begin by acknowledging God Himself. It is the knowledge of God that rightly informs our prayers. It is the knowledge of God that rightly regulates our requests. WE ASK ACCORDING TO GOD’S WILL. WE ASK IN THE NAME OF GOD’S SON. WE ASK IN ACCORDANCE WITH GOD’S NATURE AND CHARACTER AND REVEALED WILL. BUT WE ARE ALSO ASKING IN A WAY THAT REPRESENTS COMMUNION WITH GOD. We are not simply voicing words. We are not merely vocalizing our thoughts and desires. PRAYER IS NOT SELF-TALK. WE ARE APPROACHING GOD PERSONALLY, WORSHIPFULLY, AND COMMUNICATING WHAT IS ON OUR MINDS. Martyn Lloyd-Jones — “But now prayer means that you and I can go into the presence of God and that we have communion with God. We do not just go on our knees and offer up some pious hopes and fears and aspirations and our own thoughts. No, we are going to have communion with the living God! We are entering into His very presence. The first thing about prayer is that we realize that. Furthermore, as those New Testament prayers that I quoted to you illustrate so plainly, when we pray we do not immediately start with our problem or what we want or need. No; we start by worshiping God and by adoring Him. Take the Lord’s Prayer—how perfectly that puts it: “Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” This is adoration! This is worship! This is praise! Watch our Lord, the Son of God, praying, and listen to Him. This is how He prays: “Holy Father” (John 17:11)! This is not “saying a prayer,” not just “offering a prayer.” No, no! “Holy Father”! This is what prayer means.”#_ftn1 #_ftnref1 Martyn Lloyd-Jones, https://ref.ly/logosres/authchrnty?ref=bible.ac2.41-42&off=116037&ctx=se+god+dwelt+there.%0a~but+now+prayer+means in Authentic Christianity, 1st U.S. ed., vol. 1, Studies in the Book of Acts (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2000), 165.