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There is no question of the thought conveyed to the church at Thessalonica by Paul. He gave them a double emphasis on the second coming. He called it, “the coming” (parousia, rapture). Then to seal his intent he added “and our gathering together unto Him.” 2 Thess. 2:1 Both of which are keys to the statements that he is about to make concerning the rapture and the events preceding that day. Contrary to what some teach, he did not anticipate the return of the Lord Jesus in his life time. He urged them to be calm and not upset, in mind or spirit, because of some sort of communication reportedly from him, by word, or letter, that the day of Christ was at hand. We have seen the havoc wrought by deceived individuals who have predicted that the day of Christ was at hand and have led groups of people astray, some even to committing suicide. 2 Thess. 2:2.
Hear it, do not be deceived. “THAT DAY SHALL NOT COME,” except, then he lists actions, by the antichrist, which will take place PRIOR to the second coming of the Lord Jesus. There is and will be even a greater era of apostasy seen in the Christian world. It is like the tides of the sea, there are times and areas where they flow in opposite directions at the same time. We will see revival and at the same time the formation of the religious harlot church. Which is the amalgamation of all the religions of the world into one, whose leader and object of worship will be the antichrist. Rev. 17:5.
The man, who is the opposite to the Son of man, the man who opposes all that is good and pure will be manifest and come into power, by means of revelation. An imitation of the revelation of the Lord Jesus. The second coming of Christ is to be the moment of His revelation from heaven. Luke 17:30 There is no question but what it will be a most magnificent moment of time. The antichrist, in order to deceive and convince the peoples of the earth that he is the Christ must be revealed in a spectacular manner. He has the full authority of Satan to commit all manner of lying signs and wonders. 2 Thess. 2:9 He is given the title of the son of perdition, the man who is the very epitome of the totally lost. He is without redemption or hope a salvation. Completely evil and wicked. Judas was a type of this extremely deceptive individual and illustrates to us that the antichrist will be an apostate, who like Judas, will be a part of the leadership of the last day church. John 17:12 The most hurtful, the most damaging opposition has always come from those who were a part of or close to those who were chosen by the Lord to guide His people.