2 THESSALONIANS 2 — THE DAY OF THE LORD, THE MAN OF LAWLESSNESS, AND STANDING FIRM

Interpreters have suggested that he is a historical figure such as Antiochus IV, Caligula, or Nero, who served as types, a future individual who will lead the final opposition to God, or a series of rulers and a principle of rebellion in every age. This commentary holds, with humility, that Paul describes a future individual, usually called the antichrist, whose rise will precede the return of Christ in glory. Believers should avoid sensational speculation and date-setting, and should focus on the main message: he will be defeated by the Lord.

Suggestions include the Roman Empire, the principle of human government, the preaching of the gospel, the angel Michael, and the Holy Spirit through the church. This commentary holds, with humility, that the restrainer is the Holy Spirit working through the church, whose removal, in the sense of the church's departure, would allow the final rebellion to be revealed. This view is part of the pre-tribulational understanding, but it is not the only reasonable reading, and Christians who hold other views are not to be dismissed.

It is a possible reading, and it has been the majority view among premillennial interpreters, since Jesus also referred to the "abomination of desolation" standing in the holy place (Matthew 24:15). Others see the temple as a symbol of the church or a spiritual reality. This commentary does not insist on one reading, and notes that Christians should be careful not to make speculative claims about political events in the Middle East.

Scripture teaches that God sometimes judges persistent rejection of the truth by giving people over to the consequences of their own choice. The delusion in this passage comes after people have refused to love the truth, and it is a judicial response. It does not suggest that people who want to be saved are prevented. The gospel invitation is open to all, and anyone who comes in repentance will be received (John 6:37).

It is a matter of debate. If certain events must precede the day of the Lord, then the day is not imminent, but the Lord's coming for His church, the gathering described in 1 Thessalonians 4, may be distinguished from the day of the Lord, and this is part of the reasoning for the pre-tribulation view. Others hold that the entire sequence, including the events here, precedes the return of Christ and that imminence is a matter of readiness and not of timing. All believers are called to live in readiness.

The "traditions" here are the apostolic teaching, which is now contained in the New Testament. This verse does not authorize later traditions that add to or contradict Scripture, and Jesus Himself criticized human traditions that nullify God's word (Mark 7:8–13). Believers value the historic creeds and the wisdom of the church, and test them by Scripture.