“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3
In Paul’s day, there was a great deal of confusion in the church concerning the “day of Christ,” or the “coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.” Both terms refer to the same event, specfically designated in Scripture as that return of Christ to the earth to deal with the anti-christ, and Satan, destroying his works and judging him for a thousand years. Again, there were those in Paul’s day who taught that Christ had already come, or was “at hand,” this second coming being imminent. Because of the confusion, a good many christians were confused as to how they should live. To address this confusion, the Apostle writes the believers in Thessalonica, to bring clarity to the situation, so that the believers could go forward in full assurance of faith, serving Christ.
The first thing that we need to see, and understand, is that Paul refers to an aspect of the “coming of the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:15) as being that moment when all believers are “gathered together unto Him.” (2 Thess. 2:1) In his first letter to the Thessalonians, he refers to those who have fallen asleep in Christ, those who have died in Christ, who will be the first group of believers to be gathered unto the Lord. Those who will be alive at that time will then be gathered unto Him, “…caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.” (1 Thess.4:17) Please note that Scripture does not say that the Lord will come and set up His kingdom on the earth at this time, deal with the anti-christ, and Satan. On the contrary, it seems that with the removal of the church from the earth, and the blessed influence of the “salt of the earth,” and the “light of the world,” that the great Restrainer, the Holy Spirit will no longer exercise in the same way His ministry to massively hold back the effects of sin. The Holy Spirit will still be working on earth to save men, and bring about God’s perfect will, but the lack of His saving ministry will result more in judgement than in mercy. He will not be revealing the glory of God through the church on earth, as the church will be with in heaven.
What happens then on earth at this point? When the period of the “outpouring of the Spirit” has ended, then the anti-christ will be revealed. A great part of the earth will be decieved into believeing that he is God. When the anti-christ is finally revealed, the period of judgment, and the manifestation of God’s wrath will be released upon the earth. Humanity will enter the period of the tribulation, culminating in the great tribulation. When Christ comes again in His glory, He will come with His saints, (His church), His holy angels, for the purpose of setting things right, bringing about justice and righteousness for all on earth. Christ’s reign of peace will be by His supreme power.
So, what does the knowledge of the Lord’s coming mean to the believer today? What does this event called the “rapture,” or that catching away from the earth to be forever with the Lord, mean for us on earth? With regard to the rapture, and the last days in which it will occur, we know that the days will be difficult. Though we could very well see great movements of the Spirit before the church is taken away, there will certainly be the prelude to the “falling away” of mankind from Christ. Paul tells us that matters will go from being bad to worse, as Satan will seek to usurp the total control of earth, bringing about its total destruction. Paul tells us that the rapture is a subject of great comfort and certainty. Nothing that Satan can do, can stop, hinder, or deter it.
Dear Father, Comfort our hearts, establishing us in every good word and work. In Jesus’ name, Amen.