The Coming of Antichrist.2 Thessalonians 2:8-12.
Dear Family,
The conditions for the coming of the Lawless One having been fulfilled – namely, the restraint and restrainer having been removed, the man of evil will be revealed. He will appear with such pomp and glory that it will be easy to lose sight of the fact that he is destined for.
Destruction (v. 8). It says here that the Lord Jesus will kill the lawless one with “the breath of his mouth.” This is probably an allusion to Isaiah 11:4 where the Lord “shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.” In Revelation 1:16; 19:15, a sword comes out of the Lord’s mouth. This is a figure of speech indicating that he has the power of judgment. We ought to note two things here:
Simplicity. It will not be difficult or complicated for the Lord to destroy the Antichrist. He will be destroyed with the ease of a breath.
Speech. The word of the Lord is all that is needed. The dramatic build-up of the power of the Antichrist will end with a word! It is interesting, isn’t it, that elsewhere Paul refers to the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17).
Deception (vv. 9-10). The lawless one will be both an enemy of Christ and a counterfeit Christ. Just as the Holy Spirit bore witness to Christ through miracles, signs, and wonders, so Satan will ensure that power and false signs and wonders accompany the Antichrist. It will be easy for him to deceive many.
Delusion (vv. 11-12). The world that is left after the rapture will have a large number of people who rejected Christ, despite having heard the gospel. Such people will be deceived by the lies of the Antichrist. That God “sends them a strong delusion” could simply mean that the Holy Spirit will not convince them by testifying Christ in their hearts. The point is simple – they chose to enjoy unrighteousness, let them reap the wages of it. The time to make things right with God is now. After the rapture – too late.
Your Loving Pastor Chris.