Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:. 2 Thessalonians 2:5-8

 As we continue to look at Paul’s teaching on the AntiChrist, the first thing we see is Paul states “Now you know what withholdeth or restrain that He (AntiChrist) might be revealed”. The great debate in Christianity has been, who is the restrainer? Who is withholding or restraining the AntiChrist, so that he is revealed at the proper time? Some would says its the Holy Spirit, others will say it’s the Church. The fact is , God is still and always in complete control. God may allow Satan and the AntiChrist to commit evil for a limited amount of time, but the ultimate purpose will be for God’s glory and his eternal kingdom to be established

Paul then reveals , Satan and the AntiChrist are already at work, however they are currently being restrained by God. Now think about all the evil that is already in this world, now imagine how its going to be when God allows Satan to have his way? This will be the great tribulation. 

Now before you get all upset and anxious about this great wave of evil to come, read Pauls words “Whom The Lord shall consume” It is written, Satan is already defeated. We already know this from the cross, when Christ said “It Is Finished” (John 19:30) Jesus crushed the head of Satan (Genesis 3:15) defeating sin and death forever. However for the rest of the unsaved world, it will be “Hell” on Earth, there is victory in Jesus Christ!

Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11

When the AntiChrist comes there will be a great deception upon those who don’t have the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. The AntiChirst will come will all power , signs, and lying wonders. Remember the First Horseman (Revealtion 6), the AntiChrist will try to mimic Jesus Christ, those who don’t know the real Christ will fall for the AntiChrist. Because of people’s hardened hearts, God will send them strong delusion and they will believe the lies of the AntiChrist. Time is running out, stop hardening your hearts and worship The Lord Jesus Christ!

Paul says “they received not or refused the love of the truth” Those who reject the true gospel of Jesus Christ, will fall under control of the AntiChrist and will be condemned to Hell. Time is running out, call out to The Lord Jesus Christ before its too late, Amen!

Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4

The topic of the AntiChrist is again one of the most debated and popular topics in Christianity today. There have been many books written, many commentaries given, however I believe Paul here, inspired by the Holy Spirit, gives us a very clear and easy explanation of the AntiChrist. 

Now many have the idea that the AntiChrist is not just one specific person but a group of people. The Apostle John says this “Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.” (1 John 2:18) Now notice what John says “You have heard that antichrist shall come” This implies the Church has been taught by Christ that an AntiChrist will come, and the Church is expecting him (Revelation 6:2), the First Horseman. John goes on to say “even now are many antichrists” and this is true. Anyone who rejects Christ is an antiChrist, anyone doing the works of Satan is an antiChrist, many antiChrists have come into the world, but the First Horseman will be coming in the end

Paul says “That day (Return of Christ) will not come unless the falling away comes first, and man of sin is revealed” This destroys the Preterist view who believe the book of Revelation is completely fulfilled. Christ will not return until the AntiChrist is revealed first. Some will claim Christ already came and the AntiChrist is Nero or Antiochus, if one of these men were the AntiChrist, we would have already been raptured to God

It’s clear by Paul’s description of the Antichrist that it’s a single person, man of lawlessness and son of perdition. Some might ask why does it matter? Well as Paul was teaching the Church “let no one deceive you by any means” Many false prophets claiming this person is the AntiChrist or that person is the AntiChrist, is confusing and dividing the body of Christ. (Matthew 24:5) Listen to the Word of God, not the doctrine of man

The AntiChrist opposes God and exalts himself above God, and will try to decieve the world that He is God, how? It’s clearly explained in Revelation 6, the First Horseman. Many will believe the AntiChrist is the actual Christ, and will deceive many into worshiping him. This is why Jesus said “don’t be deceived” this is why Paul said “don’t be deceived” Be ready for the Man of Lawlessness is coming!