2 Thessalonians 2

Paul addresses the alarm caused by a false report that “the day of the Lord has come,” whether by a spirit, a word, or a forged letter. He urges them not to be “quickly shaken,” for that day will not come “unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,” who exalts himself above every so-called god and takes his seat in the temple of God, “proclaiming himself to be God.” Something now restrains him, but when he is revealed, “the Lord Jesus will kill [him] with the breath of his mouth and bring [him] to nothing by the appearance of his coming.” This lawless one will deceive those who refuse to love the truth and so perish, but Paul gives thanks that God chose the Thessalonians “as the firstfruits to be saved,” and calls them to “stand firm and hold to the traditions” they were taught, praying that God would comfort and establish their hearts.