Scripture to Read: 2 Thessalonians 2:3
God continues to confirm for us that certain things must happen before Christ returns. God lets us know that the apostasy (the great rebellion, the abandonment of the faith by professed Christians) comes first. Does this mean that Christians can lose their faith? The answer is, “No.” These professed Christians are people who claim to be Christians but have never surrendered to our Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord. God’s Word has several references to those who profess with their lips that they are Christians, but the Holy Spirit has never transformed their hearts. Therefore these people who only give Christ lip service are still lost (see Matthew 13:18-23; Matthew 13:24-30; Matthew 18:23-35; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 2 Timothy 4:3-4; 2 Peter 1:20-22). Many people have fallen away over the centuries. The falling away that God led Paul to mention in 2 Thessalonians 2 is the final rebellion of mankind. This final rebellion will be greater than any rebellion since the days of Noah. Through Paul, God also makes it clear that “The man of lawlessness” has to be revealed before the day of the Lord will come. God uses Daniel to describe this person in Daniel 11:36-45. The man or son of lawlessness will be so evil that he will be like the very representation of sin. He is also called “the son of destruction,” which is the exact opposite of salvation, which is found in Christ alone.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about “The man of lawlessness” and the “final rebellion?”
2. Who will you share Christ with this week so that they have an opportunity to respond to Christ?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!