The Son of Destruction
NOW we ask you, brothers, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together to him;
2 That you not be quickly shaken in mind, nor be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by epistle as from us: like the day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except the rebellion come first; and the man of sin be revealed, the son of destruction:
4 Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he, as God sits down in the temple of God; proclaiming himself, that he is God.
5 Do you not remember, that, when I was still with you, I told you these things?
The Mystery of Lawlessness
6 ¶ And you know whom now retrains; that he might be revealed in his proper time.
7 Because the mystery of lawlessness is already at work: only the restrainer, now restrains, until taken out of the midst.
8 And then shall the lawless one be revealed; whom the Lord will consume with the spirit of his mouth, and destroy at the intervening of his coming:
9 Even him, whose coming is according to the working of Satan, in all power and lying signs and wonders,
10 And with every deception of unrighteousness, in those who perish; because they accepted not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 ¶ And because of this, God shall send them a working of deceit, that they should believe the lie:
12 That they all might be condemned who believed not the truth, but took pleasure in unrighteousness.
Stand Fast
13 ¶ But, we owe God thanks always for you brothers, beloved by the Lord, because God has from the beginning, chosen you for salvation, in being made holy, by the Spirit and faith in the truth:
14 Into which he called you through our gospel, into the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 Therefore brothers, stand fast, and hold to the traditions which you have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
16 ¶ Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, whom loves us, and has given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
17 Encourage your hearts, and establish you in every good word and work.