Series: Continued Encouragement [#4]
THE LAWLESS ONE OVERTHROWN
2 Thessalonians 2:4-12
Introduction:
Before humans were created, Lucifer and a 3rd of the angels in Heaven tried to overthrow God. God casted them out of Heaven. Since that point, Satan and the fallen angels have worked hard at destroying mankind. The enemy knows that he is defeated; but he will inflict as much turmoil on the people on this earth as possible. In our text today, we see how the enemy is going to use the Antichrist to try to fool people.
2 Thessalonians 2:4-5 (NIV)
4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God. 5 Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things?
The enemy…
1. Wants to be God.
Since the beginning, Satan has wanted to be the one in charge, the one who is worshiped. At the midpoint of the Tribulation, the Antichrist will set himself up as God. He will be indwelt by the Devil. Once again, Satan will try to be God.
Paul indicated to the Thessalonians that he had spoken to them about this many times. Things are not different today. The enemy is always working to hurt God. He knows what his ending will be; but he also knows how to hurt God- That is by keeping humans from following God and by influencing Christians to not live like Christ.
2 Thessalonians 2:6-8 (NIV)
6 And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. 7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.
The enemy…
2. Will be destroyed by God.
A mistake that many Christians make is we give the enemy more power than he really has. Satan is not all knowing, all present, or all powerful- He is not God. Satan does not know what you are thinking unless you tell him. Satan can do nothing without God’s permission. Our text reminds us that all of this is in God’s timing.
The Antichrist, Satan, and all fallen angels are going to be destroyed by Jesus. Jesus will destroy the enemy with the Sword from His mouth, which is the Word of God. Here we are told that the Antichrist will be overthrown with the breath of His mouth, (the Holy Spirit) and the fact that Jesus will return in all of His glory.
2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 (NIV)
9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, 10 and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.
The enemy…
3. Wants people to perish.
The only way that the enemy can hurt God is by keeping people from being saved. God will allow the Antichrist to perform miracles and he will fool many people. It will all be a part of the enemy’s lies. There will be many who are not saved and they will spend eternity in punishment.
Conclusion:
We cannot forget that God and His children are victorious. The enemy will be forever destroyed. Christians, do not forget who you belong to. Through Christ, we have victory.
