The day of the Lord is not to come till the man of sin be revealed. The
apostle's traditions are to be observed.
2:1. And we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ and of our gathering together unto him:
2:2. That you be not easily moved from your sense nor be terrified,
neither by spirit nor by word nor by epistle. as sent from us, as if
the day of the Lord were at hand.
2:3. Let no man deceive you by any means: for unless there come a
revolt first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition
A revolt. . .This revolt, or falling off, is generally understood, by
the ancient fathers, of a revolt from the Roman empire, which was first
to be destroyed, before the coming of Antichrist. It may, perhaps, be
understood also of a revolt of many nations from the Catholic Church;
which has, in part, happened already, by means of Mahomet, Luther, &c.,
and it may be supposed, will be more general in the days of the
Antichrist. The man of sin. . .Here must be meant some particular man,
as is evident from the frequent repetition of the Greek article: o`,
'the' man of sin, 'the' son of perdition, 'the' adversary or opposer.
It agrees to the wicked and great Antichrist, who will come before the
end of the world.
2:4. Who opposeth and is lifted up above all that is called God or that
is worshipped, so that he sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself
as if he were God.
In the temple. . .Either that of Jerusalem which some think he will
rebuild; or in some Christian church, which he will pervert to his own
worship: as Mahomet has done by the churches of the east.
2:5. Remember you not that, when I was yet with you, I told you these
things?
2:6. And now you know what withholdeth, that he may be revealed in his
time.
2:7. For the mystery of iniquity already worketh: only that he who now
holdeth do hold, until he be taken out of the way.
2:8. And then that wicked one shall be revealed: whom the Lord Jesus
shall kill with the spirit of his mouth and shall destroy with the
brightness of his coming: him
2:9. Whose coming is according to the working of Satan, in all power
and signs and lying wonders:
2:10. And in all seduction of iniquity to them that perish: because
they receive not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
Therefore God shall send them the operation of error, to believe lying:
God shall send. . .That is God shall suffer them to be deceived by lying
wonders, and false miracles, in punishment of their not entertaining
the love of truth.
2:11. That all may be judged who have not believed the truth but have
consented to iniquity.
2:12. But we ought to give thanks to God always for you, brethren,
beloved of God, for that God hath chosen you firstfruits unto
salvation, in sanctification of the spirit and faith of the truth:
2:13. Whereunto also he hath called you by our gospel, unto the
purchasing of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2:14. Therefore, brethren, stand fast: and hold the traditions, which
you have learned, whether by word or by our epistle.
Traditions. . .See here that the unwritten traditions are no less to be
received than their epistles.
2:15. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God and our Father, who
hath loved us and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope
in grace,
2:16. Exhort your hearts and confirm you in every good work and word.