We have back stories being referenced but not elaborated on, (“some prophecy, report or letter” - vs. 2) whispers of a coming rebellion, (vs. 3A) and, perhaps most unsettlingly, a prophecy about a very dark character yet to come known only as “The Man of Lawlessness” (vs. 3B).
Digging a little deeper into Bible commentaries, it seems Paul’s words here come in the context of fast-spreading rumors and anxieties within the early church that the day of the Lord, or return of Christ, was already at hand. The rumor going around was that Paul (or one of the other apostles) had received some vision or word from God confirming that the day of the Lord was imminent, and this was causing significant alarm and fear among the people.
Paul quickly sets the record straight that this rumor did not come from him, and makes clear that at least two events must occur before the day of the Lord’s return:
1.) a great rebellion or falling away from the faith, and
2.) a “man of lawlessness” or one totally opposed to Christ—that is, an “Antichrist”—must be revealed who will usher in a time of rebellion and destruction.
Still, even Paul’s “reassurance” here is enough to keep you up at night—with coils of new questions and anxieties! But he doesn’t stop there; Paul reminds us that the power of lawlessness is already at work among us (vs. 7) but God is bigger than any coming trials and will win the day in the end (vs. 8). He’s got this one, so don’t let anyone shake your faith with doomsday details. And so it is on us to stand firm today, to hold to the solid teachings and the Word we have received by actively clinging to God’s promises.
God is love.
Perfect love drives out fear.
No one whose hope is in the Lord will ever be put to shame.
Reuben Smith (1 John 4:16, 1 John 4:18, Psalm 25:3)
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