2 Thessalonians 2:3 | Pastor Burns' Study Notes

Paul gives a direct warning: “Let no man deceive you.” Satan’s greatest weapon has always been deception. Before Christ returns visibly to this earth, two major events will occur.

First, there will be “a falling away.” The Greek word apostasia speaks of apostasy-a departure from truth. There will be a widespread rejection of biblical doctrine and godliness. We are already seeing the seeds of that today as people abandon Scripture for human reasoning, pleasure, and self-centered beliefs.

Second, the “man of sin” will be revealed. This is the Antichrist, called the “son of perdition.” Only two individuals in Scripture are given the title “son of perdition”: Judas and the Antichrist. In John’s Gospel, Judas was possessed and influenced by Satan to carry out his betrayal of Christ, and likewise the Antichrist will be energized and empowered by Satan in the last days to accomplish his evil work.