Deception About Christ’s Coming
Category: Failure of discernment
Could endure: Stand firm in apostolic teaching.
“So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you.” (2 Thessalonians 2:15)
Cross-Refs: 1 Corinthians 15:58; Jude 3.
Chose wrongly: Believed false reports that the day of the Lord had already come.
“Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed.” (2 Thessalonians 2:3)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 24:4–5; 1 John 2:18.
Endured (negatively): Confusion and fear.
“Don’t become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us.” (2 Thessalonians 2:2)
Cross-Refs: Galatians 1:6–7; Ephesians 4:14.
Why (wrong motive): Lack of grounding in truth.
“They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.” (2 Thessalonians 2:10)
Cross-Refs: Hosea 4:6; John 8:44.
Result: Left vulnerable to deception.
“For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie.” (2 Thessalonians 2:11)
Cross-Refs: Isaiah 66:4; Romans 1:24–25.
The Man of Lawlessness and His Followers
Category: Failure of obedience
Could endure: Submit to God’s authority and truth.
“The secret power of lawlessness is already at work.” (2 Thessalonians 2:7)
Cross-Refs: Romans 13:1–2; 1 John 3:4.
Chose wrongly: Exalted himself, opposed God.
“He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped.” (2 Thessalonians 2:4)
Cross-Refs: Daniel 7:25; Revelation 13:6.
Endured (negatively): Deceived those who rejected truth.
“…in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing.” (2 Thessalonians 2:10)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 24:24; 2 Timothy 3:13.
Why (wrong motive): Pride, rebellion, delight in wickedness.
“They perish because they refused to love the truth.” (2 Thessalonians 2:10)
Cross-Refs: John 3:19; Romans 1:28.
Result: Condemned at Christ’s coming.
“The Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.” (2 Thessalonians 2:8)
Cross-Refs: Isaiah 11:4; Revelation 19:15.
Idleness and Disobedience
Category: Failure of diligence
Could endure: Work quietly and responsibly.
“We gave you this rule: ‘The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.’” (2 Thessalonians 3:10)
Cross-Refs: Proverbs 6:6–8; Ephesians 4:28.
Chose wrongly: Became idle, disruptive busybodies.
“We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies.” (2 Thessalonians 3:11)
Cross-Refs: 1 Timothy 5:13; Titus 1:10.
Endured (negatively): Shamed and excluded from fellowship.
“Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them.” (2 Thessalonians 3:14)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 18:17; Romans 16:17.
Why (wrong motive): Misuse of eschatology, laziness.
“Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:12)
Cross-Refs: Proverbs 19:15; Hebrews 6:12.
Result: Rebuked, urged to repentance.
“Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer.” (2 Thessalonians 3:15)
Cross-Refs: Galatians 6:1; James 5:19–20.