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NASB | 2 Thessalonians 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, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no one in any way deceive or entrap you, for that day will not come unless the apostasy comes first [that is, the great rebellion, the abandonment of the faith by professed Christians], and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction [the Antichrist, the one who is destined to be destroyed], [Dan 7:25; 8:25; 1 Tim 4:1] |
Bible Question:
My question is, what is the difference between the falling away that has been happening ever since Adam and Eve and "the Rebellion" that is spoken of in Thessalonians? I am not sure that anyone can really answer this. I don't know. I have been wondering about it myself. Will this falling away be world-wide? Will we be able to recognize it? Has it already begun to happened? In 1 Timothy 4:1, there has already been "some" turning away from the faith. Specifically, I think about this push to allow homosexual marriages inside of the church? You know, this is a type of rebellion. Could this be the start of "The Rebellion"? Or will "The Rebellion" spoken of in Thessalonians be something big and noticeable? |
Bible Answer: Greetings My_Merritt123, 2 Thes 2:1-12 First, we must look at the entire context of this. The context of thought is from verse 1 through verse 12 and the main thought is "regarding the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" in verse 1. Commentary quote: "There is scarcely any passage of the New Testament which has given occasion to greater diversity of opinion than this. Though the reference seems to be plain, and there is scarcely any prophecy of the Bible apparently more obvious and easy in its general interpretation;..." "Most Protestant commentators have referred it to the great apostasy under the papacy, and, by the “man of sin,” they suppose there is allusion to the Roman Pontiff, the Pope. It is evident that we are in better circumstances to understand the passage than those were who immediately succeeded the apostles. Eighteen hundred years have passed (written circa 1880’s) away since the Epistle was written, and the “day of the Lord” has not yet come, and we have an opportunity of inquiring, whether in all that long tract of time any one man can be found, or any series of men have arisen, to whom the description here given is applicable. If so, it is in accordance with all the proper rules of interpreting prophecy, to make such an application. If it is fairly applicable to the papacy, and cannot be applied in its great features to anything else, it is proper to regard it as having such an original reference. Happily, the expressions which are used by the apostle are, in themselves, not difficult of interpretation, and all that the expositor has to do is, to ascertain whether in any one great apostasy all the things here mentioned have occurred. If so, it is fair to apply the prophecy to such an event; if not so, we must wait still for its fulfillment." (Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible) The rebellion, (actually 'apostasia' is the word here or apostasy) from Adam was an individual rebellion whereas the rebellion in Thessalonians is a great organized falling away from the truth through the "man of sin" who is connected with that rebellion. Who is this "man of sin", (2Th 2:4) "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." ("in the sanctuary of God" is within the church, the "man of sin" will come from within the church of God). Since Paul is talking about, "that day cannot come unless the rebellion takes place first", "that day", the Day of the Lord", so the "man of sin" does not have to do with anyone in Paul's immediate time but a future event. And "man" here does not mean one person, it is a general term such as, "man has built great cities", not meaning one man built the cities. There has been "man" that has said he was God on Earth and that he is here in the place of God and Christ, the Popes, to whom the most blasphemous titles have been given, such as Dominus Deus noster papa, meaning, 'Our Lord God the pope'; Deus alter in terrâ, meaning, 'Another God on earth'; Idem est dominium Dei et papae, meaning, 'The dominion of God and the pope is the same'; and today we hear about "The Holy Father", the Pope. The overwhelming majority of scholars relate this rebellious apostasy with the false doctrines and traditions with the Roman Catholic Church. All this must be taken with an open mind and with understanding of history and looking at events of the day. None of these Scriptures or comments are to demean the Catholic people, and I do not judge any, but to open an interest into the examining of mens doctrines compared to those of God's. I know these are hard things to say but I believe I have the Spirit of the Lord on this and no offense is given. Also, consider other passages in Scripture: 2Th 2:11 (ISV) "For this reason, God will send them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie." Mat 23:9 (ISV) "And don't call anyone on earth 'Father,' for you have only one Father, the one in heaven." Rev 17:4-6 "And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus:..." Rev 17:18 "And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth." Rev 18:4 "And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." I pray the Holy Spirit guide you, terrib |