2 Thessalonians 2

The Man of Lawlessness

1 Now concerning a the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our b being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, 1 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or c alarmed, either d by a spirit or a e spoken word, or e a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that f the day of the Lord has come. 3 g Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, h unless the rebellion comes first, and i the man of lawlessness 2 is revealed, j the son of destruction, 3 4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, k proclaiming himself to be God. 5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. 7 For l the mystery of lawlessness m is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. 8 And then n the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus o will kill with p the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by q the appearance of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan r with all power and false signs and wonders, 10 and with all wicked deception for s those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 Therefore t God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe u what is false, 12 in order that all may be condemned v who did not believe the truth but w had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Stand Firm

13 But x we ought always to give thanks to God for you, y brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you z as the firstfruits 4 a to be saved, b through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 14 To this he called you through c our gospel, a so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers, d stand firm and hold to e the traditions that you were taught by us, either f by our spoken word or by f our letter.

16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, g who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good h hope through grace, 17 comfort your hearts and i establish them in every good work and word.

  1. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 2:19
    For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?
  2. Cross References
    Matthew 24:31
    And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
    1 Thessalonians 4:15 - 17
    For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.
  3. Cross References
    Matthew 24:6
    And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.
    Mark 13:7
    And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet.
  4. Cross References
    1 John 4:1
    Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
  5. Cross References
    2 Thessalonians 2:15
    So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.
    1 Thessalonians 5:2
    For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
  6. Cross References
    2 Thessalonians 2:15
    So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.
    1 Thessalonians 5:2
    For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
  7. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 1:8
    Who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
  8. Cross References
    Ephesians 5:6
    Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
  9. Cross References
    1 Timothy 4:1
    Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.
  10. Cross References
    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.
    Daniel 7:25
    He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time.
    Daniel 8:25
    By his cunning he shall make deceit prosper under his hand, and in his own mind he shall become great. Without warning he shall destroy many. And he shall even rise up against the Prince of princes, and he shall be broken - but by no human hand.
    Daniel 11:36
    And the king shall do as he wills. He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods. He shall prosper till the indignation is accomplished; for what is decreed shall be done.
    Revelation 13:5 - 6
    And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months.
  11. Cross References
    John 17:12
    While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
    Matthew 23:15
    Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.
  12. Cross References
    Isaiah 14:14
    I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.
    Ezekiel 28:2
    Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, Thus says the Lord God : "Because your heart is proud, and you have said, 'I am a god, I sit in the seat of the gods, in the heart of the seas,' yet you are but a man, and no god, though you make your heart like the heart of a god -
  13. Cross References
    Revelation 17:5
    And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: "Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth's abominations.
    Revelation 17:7
    But the angel said to me, "Why do you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman, and of the beast with seven heads and ten horns that carries her.
  14. Cross References
    1 John 2:18
    Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.
    1 John 4:3
    And every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.
  15. Cross References
    2 Thessalonians 2:3
    Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction.
  16. Cross References
    Daniel 7:10 - 11
    A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened.
  17. Cross References
    Isaiah 11:4
    But with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
  18. Cross References
    1 Timothy 6:14
    To keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.
    2 Timothy 1:10
    And which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
    2 Timothy 4:1
    I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:
    2 Timothy 4:8
    Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
    Titus 2:13
    Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.
  19. Cross References
    Revelation 13:14
    And by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived.
    Matthew 24:24
    For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
  20. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 1:18
    For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
  21. Cross References
    1 Kings 22:22
    And the Lord said to him, 'By what means?' And he said, 'I will go out, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.' And he said, 'You are to entice him, and you shall succeed; go out and do so.
    Ezekiel 14:9
    And if the prophet is deceived and speaks a word, I, the Lord, have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand against him and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.
    Revelation 17:17
    For God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose by being of one mind and handing over their royal power to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.
  22. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 2:3
    For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive.
    1 Timothy 4:2
    Through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared.
    Romans 1:25
    Because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
  23. Cross References
    Romans 2:8
    But for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.
  24. Cross References
    Romans 1:32
    Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.
  25. Cross References
    2 Thessalonians 1:3
    We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.
  26. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 1:4
    For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you.
    Deuteronomy 33:12
    Of Benjamin he said, "The beloved of the Lord dwells in safety. The High God surrounds him all day long, and dwells between his shoulders.
  27. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:4
    Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love
  28. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 5:9
    For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
    2 Timothy 1:9
    Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.
  29. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 4:3
    For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality.
  30. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 1:5
    Because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.
  31. Cross References
    2 Thessalonians 2:13
    But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.
  32. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 16:13
    Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
  33. Cross References
    2 Thessalonians 3:6
    Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.
    1 Corinthians 11:2
    Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you.
  34. Cross References
    2 Thessalonians 2:2
    Not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.
  35. Cross References
    2 Thessalonians 2:2
    Not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.
  36. Cross References
    John 3:16
    For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
    1 John 4:10
    In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
    Revelation 1:5
    And from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood
  37. Cross References
    1 Peter 1:3
    Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
  38. Cross References
    2 Thessalonians 3:3
    But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.
    1 Thessalonians 3:13
    So that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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