Don't be swept away by the title target
2 Thessalonians (5) Do not be swayed by signs (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12)
< The Apostasy and the Rise of the Antichrist >
After receiving 1 Thessalonians and a false eschatological craze among the church members, the Apostle Paul gives a brief talk about the end times so that they are not deceived. Look at verse 3 of the text. “Do not let anyone deceive you by any means, for that day will not come until the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of perdition.” The Apostle Paul tells us that there are two signs before the Second Coming of the Lord. One is ‘the emergence of an apostate force with Christian roots’ and the second is ‘the appearance of the Antichrist, who is described as the man of lawlessness, the son of perdition’.
Then the Antichrist sits in the temple of God and proclaims himself to be a God higher than any other gods (verse 4). There is an opinion that the ‘temple of God’ in verse 4 is ‘the church where the supreme head of the Christian church resides’, and there is another view that it is ‘the temple of Jerusalem to be restored again’. It is most likely the temple in Jerusalem that will be restored.
When Israel gained independence in 1948, Jerusalem was part of the Arab world. However, in the <Six Day War> that took place on June 6, 1967, Israel occupied Jerusalem on June 7, the day after the outbreak of the war, and made it its own territory. However, there is still the Omar Temple of Muslims on the site of the Temple in Jerusalem. One day, if there is a historical upheaval and the Temple of Omar is destroyed and the Temple of Jerusalem is restored there, or a building symbolizing the Temple of Jerusalem is built somewhere else, the Antichrist will appear in earnest.
How does the antichrist succeed in deifying himself in that temple? When the Antichrist suffered a fatal head wound in the early days of his activity, nearly died, and then came to life dramatically, people will say, “It is a miracle!” and deify the Antichrist (Rev. 13:3).
The Apostle Paul, speaking of such signs of the end, warns us not to be too shaken by false eschatology deceived (verse 5). It also says that there is something preventing the antichrist from appearing until the time comes (v. 6). What is that 'blocking'? There are various views, but it can be roughly regarded as ‘the work of the gospel’ or ‘the work of the Holy Spirit’. In other words, Satan's full-fledged activity is blocked by the work of the Holy Spirit, and finally, at the time of the great apostasy, his identity will be revealed and active (verse 7). But when Jesus returns, he will kill the antichrist with the breath of his mouth (verse 8).
<Do not be swept away by the target>
After mentioning these signs of the end, the apostle Paul exhorts us to realize how the wicked will appear and prepare for the end times. How does the wicked appear? According to Satan's work, it will appear with powers, signs, and false miracles (verse 9). Even when Satan comes with such mysterious power, those who are saved are not deceived by it, but those who do not love the truth and are not saved are continually deceived by Satan's power (verse 10).
Why do people believe lies? Because they do not believe in the truth and pursue the power of Satan, God allows them to believe falsehoods by showing them deceitful things to judge them (verses 11-12). These words clearly show how dangerous the faith that pursues powers, signs, and miracles is.
Wherever you go, people flock to the fort for miraculous healing. However, many of these miracles are given by Satan. Even in pagan religions, there is healing, but no salvation. Therefore, when people come to see a miracle, the true shepherd should say: "Everyone! Miracles are not important. Look to the Lord. If a miracle precedes the Lord, it must never be. Don't come looking for a miracle.” At the same time, only when we reject people who come with wrong minds and thoughts and exhort them to believe, we can receive true healing and save our souls.
Unsaved people find such a right message uninteresting and look around for other signs. As such, some church members today are ignoring 'faithful faith' and only want 'healing itself'. If we have such calculated and false beliefs, even if healing appears, it is Satan's healing. In the last days, Satan uses many offensive methods to disturb the essence of faith by showing healing, power, and miracles. That is why the Apostle Paul exhorted us to beware of the false miracles that Satan gives us.
Pursuing the wrong sign while using the name of the Lord as a tool is ultimately an unrighteous form of not believing the truth, and such a person will not be saved and will be judged. So, do not be deceived by Satan's miracles and do not be swayed by signs-centered faith. Of course, true faith comes with signs. However, the sign should not be the main source of faith. God will give you real signs when you do not sell your soul to the splendor of the signs and faithfully pursue the Lord.
People want to be a gold vessel rather than a wooden vessel, but the important thing is to use any vessel as a clean vessel (2 Timothy 2:20-21). Now, don't just chase after signs, work hard to become a clean vessel first, and then pray and leave it to God. Then God will respond to that faithful faith in the best possible way. Be blessed spirits who prepare wisely for the end times with faithful faith and prepare for the work of grace.