2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 - Don't let anyone deceive you

2:1,2

In the Olivet discourse Jesus told His disciples to “not be alarmed” (Mark 13:7). Here Paul tells his readers not to “become easily unsettled or alarmed”. In Jesus’ case it was not to be alarmed by events, here it is not to be alarmed by reports of some teaching or other supposedly given by Paul. The “last things” are notorious for people talking utter rubbish. Events will be wildly misinterpreted, there will be all sorts of ridiculous teaching. But look back to verse 1 here, Jesus Christ will return and we will be gathered to Him. By the way, this is not referring to any re-tribulation rapture.

2:3

“Do not let anyone deceive you”. We need a solid Biblical understanding. Before Christ returns the “man of lawlessness” will be revealed. “The man doomed to destruction”. This could refer to the antichrist as an individual though John speaks of many antichrists, so we do need to be careful about harping on too much about one man. Or it could be mankind’s evil reaching its height, and the true horror of our sinfulness becoming plain to all.