1

2

2 Thessalonians 2:1-17

Write out Hebrews 10:23: ______________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Write this verse(s) on your index cards… keep one with you and post the other one in a prominent place.

This week’s Memory verse is Hebrews 10:23. Begin memorizing the verse(s) today.

Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help you memorize this passage and for opportunities to apply it…

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;”

Hebrews 10:23

�Looking Back: Paul is “keeping tabs” on the new believers in Thessalonica, in a good way. Shortly after the first letter was sent, he had been informed that some false teaching had come in and caused the Thessalonians to be a little off balance, so to speak. Since they had been experiencing persecution, they were told that the day of the Lord and the events of the Tribulation period had already begun. Paul will bring clarity regarding this in this second letter.

Remember the encouraging words of Paul in chapter one? Out of love and concern for their faith, he wanted them to know what a blessing they had been and continued to be to him and the apostles. He commended them for their perseverance even in the midst of many persecutions and afflictions. Paul encouraged their hearts by informing them that the day will come when those afflicted will know relief, while those doing the afflicting will face the “penalty of eternal destruction”. Come quickly, Lord Jesus.

�Looking Ahead:

Chapter two focuses on correct teaching concerning the day of the Lord. Paul will clearly and lovingly give detailed facts to the Thessalonians as to what this time period will look like as well as the order in which it will take place. This priceless and much need information will bring clarity to these new believers. The events described is also for our benefit, as we find ourselves in the last days…still looking forward to the day when Jesus will call His bride out of here and unleash a time of great tribulation upon this earth.

In this chapter, we will learn about the apostasy and the man of lawlessness that will appear on the scene with the purpose of receiving worship and exalting himself above every other god. Even though this man has not yet been revealed, “the mystery of lawlessness” is already in the world doing damage. Eek!! Even though this “son of destruction” sounds powerful and frightening, be encouraged! When Jesus comes back to the earth, He will blow him away…literally!!

Worth the Wait!

1st & 2

nd Thessalonians

He is so

The New American Standard Bible (NASB) has been used to prepare this Bible Study.

When a question instructs you to use your “study tools/helps”,

this means to use your personal concordance, dictionary or other resource.

Calvary Chapel WestGrove 2015-2016 Women’s Bible Study

2

DAY ONE

Pray, and read 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2

1. According to v.1b, what will Paul now address with the brethren?

** the _________________________________________________

** and ________________________________________________

“Concerning the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and our fathering together to Him, Paul clearly wrote of the return of Jesus, but the wording here implies a difference between the coming and our gathering. This strongly suggest that there are essentially two comings of Jesus. One is coming for His church (as described clearly in I Thess. 4:16-18), and the other coming is with His church, to judge the rebellious world.” David Guzik

A. Paul will now confront the spirit of error, and give explanation as to how the believers would also be able to recognize the spirit of truth AND the spirit of error (1 John 4:6). Record what Philippians 1:9-10 says will enable us to “approve those things that are excellent”? _______________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

“If errors and mistakes arise among Christians, we should take the first opportunity to rectify them, and hinder the spreading thereof; and good men will be especially careful to suppress errors that may arise from a mistake of their words and actions, though that which was spoken or done was ever so innocent or well. We have a subtle adversary, who watches all opportunities to do mischief, and will sometimes promote errors even by means of the words of scripture.” Matthew Henry

2. List the specific things Paul exhorts the Thessalonians NOT TO BE: (v.2a)

** quickly _____________________________________________________

** or be ____________ either by a __________ or a __________ or a ___________________________, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.”

�Using your “study tools/helps” (or you may read Wuest’s NT Translation below), share how error may be

“delivered” to the saints? _______________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

“…neither be thrown into confusion, either by a spirit [a believer in the Christian assembly claiming the authority of divine revelation and claiming to give the saints a word from God], or through a word [received personally] as from us or through a letter falsely alleged to be written by us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come and is now present.” Kenneth S. Wuest’s NT Translation

3. As believers, what are we commanded to “do” until the Lord comes… or until we “fall asleep”? Write out Hebrews 10:23-25? ___________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

A. What are we to do when we assemble together? (v.25b) _________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

�”…not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the HABIT of some.” How can we encourage one another if we make a “habit” out of watching church via livestream? Praise God for livestream when we are unable to attend (sickness, etc.), but it was never intended to take the place of physically assembling together! David said in Psalm 122:1, “I was glad when they said to me, let us go to the house of the Lord”. Awesome!!

3

� PERFECT segue to practice our memory verse: “_____ us hold fast the ______________ of our ________

without ______________, for He who ______________ is ______________;” ____________ ___: ___

DAY TWO

Pray, and read 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4

1. Paul declares: “Let no one in any way deceive you… What does Paul list as the “first” thing that MUST take place before the day of the Lord comes? (v.3b) ____________________________________________________

Define APOSTASY _____________________________________________________________________________

A. What more can we learn about the “apostasy” from the following verses?

** I Timothy 4:1-3 ____________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

** II Timothy 3:1-5 ___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

II Timothy 4:3-4 _____________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

2. Who will then be revealed? (v.3c) ______________________________________________________________

A. He is also referred to as the Son of Perdition. Define: PERDTION __________________________

B. How do the following prophesies give more clarity/confirmation in regard to this man?

* Daniel 7:25 ______________________________________________________________________

* Daniel 8:23-25____________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

* Daniel 11:36-37 __________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

“While it was true that the forces of lawlessness were at work in Paul’s time and are at work today, the man of lawlessness is an individual in the future who will come to power during the tribulation days. John recognized the presence of many antichrists in his time (1 John 2:18) as well as the coming of the one great Antichrist in the future (Revelation 11:7; 13:1-10)” Ryrie Study Bible Notes

3. According to v.4, what will this man “do”? ______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

A. This man of sin will demand worship for himself that belongs to God. Record what Jesus said in

Luke 4:8. ___________________________________________________________________________

1. Challenge: Read Revelation 13:1-6 over a few times. Share a few interesting facts

from this passage. __________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

“takes his seat in the temple of God. At the midpoint of the tribulation period the Antichrist will desecrate the rebuilt Jewish temple in Jerusalem by placing himself there to be worshipped. This will be the climax of man’s great sin of self-deification, in open rebellion against God.” Ryrie Study Bible Notes

�Time to practice Hebrews 10:23: ____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

4

DAY THREE

Pray, and read 2 Thessalonians 2:5-9

1. Paul had previously taught these believers about this man of lawlessness, what did they “know”? (v.6)

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Define RESTRAIN ______________________________________________________________________________

A. The LORD God is perfect in His timing. What do the following verses teach us about this?

** Psalm 75: 2 ____________________________________________________________________

** Ecclesiastes 3: 17________________________________________________________________

** Habakkuk 2: 3 __________________________________________________________________

** John 7: 6 ______________________________________________________________________

** 1 Timothy 2: 5-6 ________________________________________________________________

� Which Scripture ministered to your heart, and why? _______________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

2. V.7 says, “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work…” Give some examples as to how the “mystery of lawlessness is already at work” although for the time being is being restrained? ________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

A. What else can we learn about the spirit of Anti-Christ from I John 4:3? _____________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

“We see a principle of lawlessness, iniquity and sin in the world today. Dishonesty, licentiousness, murders, immorality and crime of every sort seem to plague all nations. Thoughtful persons are disturbed, wondering how people can be so wild, perverted and lawless… There are many mysteries about it all, but God has revealed to us that sin is a transgression of the law and a “missing of the mark.” We are told what sin is. We are warned about its terrible and tragic consequences. We are told to flee the wrath of God. We are told to repent of sin before it is too late. Great is the mystery of lawlessness. However, there is another mystery that is even greater. It is called in the Bible, “the mystery of godliness”- the secret unseen, unmeasured power that lies in the inspiration, guidance and comfort of the Holy Spirit, who is within all those who have trusted Jesus Christ as Savior.” Evangelist Billy Graham (Full Article provided on pages 7-8 for you enjoyment~)

�Using your “study tools/helps” (or you may read David Guzik’s comment below), who is the one that

“restrains” lawlessness, for now? _________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

“until he is taken out of the way: We should not think that the Holy Spirit would leave the earth during the Great Tribulation. He will be present on the earth during the Great Tribulation because many are saved, sealed, and serve God during this period (Revelation 7:3-14 and 14:1-5), and this can't happen without the ministry of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is taken out of the way, not removed.” David Guzik

3. In God’s perfect timing the Lord Jesus Christ will do what? (v.8a) ____________________________________

A. By what means will the lawless ones “reign” come to an end? (v.8b) ________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

1. This was prophesied in Isaiah 11:4. How will Jesus “slay the wicked”? ____________

__________________________________________________________________________

�Perfect segue to practice Hebrews 10:23. Speak it as you write it: _________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

5

DAY FOUR

Pray, and read 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

1. Who, and what will the one coming be in accord with? (v.9a) _______________________________________

Define ACCORD ______________________________________________________________________________

A. How much power is he given? (v.9b) Explain ___________________________________________

B. What level of deception is he given, specifically for whom? (v.10a) _________________________

1. According to v.10b, WHY will these people perish? _____________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

“Signs and wonders, visions and miracles, are pretended; but they are false signs to support false doctrines; and lying wonders, or only pretended miracles, to cheat the people; and the diabolical deceits with which the antichristian state has been supported, are notorious. The persons are described, who are his willing subjects. Their sin is this; They did not love the truth, and therefore did not believe it; and they were pleased with false notions. God leaves them to themselves, then sin will follow of course, and spiritual judgments here, and eternal punishments hereafter.” Matthew Henry

C. Read the following verses and share what/who they teach believers to be in accord with.

** Acts 1:12-14 (esp. v.14a) ___________________________________________________________

** Philippians 2:1-2 __________________________________________________________________

1. For what purpose are we called to be of one accord? (Romans 15:5-6) __________

__________________________________________________________________________

2. According to v.11-12, what will be the result of NOT receiving the truth? Fill in the blanks: “For this _______

_____ will send upon them a __________ ___________ so they will __________ what is ________, in order that they ____ may be ___________who did not __________ the __________, but took ______________ in

_________________.”

“He who refuses to receive the truth will at last believe lies. It is the law of human nature. God sends the delusion by natural laws." B. W. Johnson

� Perhaps the Lord has brought someone to mind. Take a couple of minutes to pray for her/him. Be sure to praise and thank God that it is not His will for anyone to perish, period. Write out John 3:16: ______________

____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________

�Time to practice Hebrews 10:23: ____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

DAY FIVE

Pray, and read 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

In closing Chapter 2, we are going to totally personalize the final five verses… Be Blessed!

*(v.13a) I, _______________, will choose do my best to always give thanks to God for the believers that He has placed around me and within my life... because they are all loved by the Lord... just like me.

** Notice Paul says, “But we should always give thanks…” Sometimes, perhaps, due to “immaturity”, “arrogance” or “disobedience”, etc. we are thankful for other believers only because they are sort of like me… and/or easy to get along with. But toward other believers, I am not thankful. In fact, I am irritated, critical, judgmental, annoyed… or even jealous of them. � Did the Holy Spirit POP someone, or a number of someone’s into your mind? If so, today is the day that you must confess this sin(s) to the Lord and to the Lord ALONE! You must admit this as sin, and stop it. No need to write their name(s) down… simply purpose in your heart to love them beginning right now, because they are all loved by the Lord... and for that reason alone.

6

*(v.13b-14) I, _______________, will choose to remember that the believers God has placed around me and within my life are being sanctified by the Spirit of God and faith in the truth. � I will do my best to no longer expect others to “walk like I walk” but instead, I will thank the Lord for them, and pray for them and assist them in whatever way the Holy Spirit may prompt me, remembering that the same Gospel that saved me, has saved them. We have each been redeemed for the glory of God because of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

*(v.15) I, _______________, will choose to continue to stand firm and hold fast to the traditions (teachings & instruction) which are written in the Bible. The Scripture will be my standard to which ALL teaching, opinion, counsel etc. I receive, from today forward, will be measured by the Written Word of God... period.

� “The conclusion: it remains then that we continue in the doctrine which was delivered to us by the mouth and writings of the apostles, through the free good will of God, who comforts us with an invincible hope, and that we also continue in all godliness our whole life long.” The Geneva Study Bible

� At this time, go someplace alone (completely away from any and all distractions) for a few minutes… consider yourself, your current circumstances, situations, trial, joy, sorrow etc. And now take a moment to consider your church family, perhaps a specific person(s)… in regard to the same things mentioned above. Re-read v.16-17. Now…write it here, personalizing it._________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Though we are MANY MEMBERS… We are ONE BODY… the Body of Christ!

�Time to practice & write out your memory verse: _______________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Also if anyone competes as an athlete,

he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.

2 Timothy 2:5

7

Article on 2 Thessalonians 2 – by Evangelist, Billy Graham

People have always been bewildered and confused by things that are beyond their understanding. Primitive man, like modern man, probed the universe for its secrets and looked up at the night sky in awe and wonder at the mystery of the black space with its myriad inexplicable lights. It was the mystery of gravitation that challenged Sir Isaac Newton in 1685 to explore the reasons why objects heavier than air were attracted to the center of the earth. It was the mystery of the shape of the world that inspired Columbus to set sail over an uncharted sea in an attempt to see what was beyond the far horizons. It was the mystery of lightning that prompted Benjamin Franklin to attach a key to the tail of a kite during a thunderstorm, to prove the identity of lightning and electricity. It was the mystery of the latent power of the atom that challenged Einstein, Fermi and others to probe into the dormant energy in matter. Some mysteries have been fathomed by science. Others still bewilder mankind. This fact remains: All of the garnered wisdom of the ages is only a scratch on the surface of humanity’s search for the knowledge of the universe. For the most part, God retains His secrets, and man standing on his intellectual tiptoes can comprehend only a small fraction of the Lord’s doings. As the Bible says, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33). This inability to fully comprehend the mysteries of God does not in any way curtail the Christian faith. On the contrary, it enhances our belief. We do not understand the intricate pattern of the stars in their courses, but we know that He who created them does, and that just as surely as He guides them, He is charting a safe course for us. We do not understand what processes combine to create life, but we know that He who ordained physical life can amply fulfill His promise to give us eternal life. Logical people do not reject that which they cannot comprehend. One need not be an electronics wizard to enjoy radio and television. One need not be an astronomer to enjoy the beauty of the night sky. One need not be a dietitian to enjoy a sumptuous meal. But the most fascinating and intriguing of all mysteries are those in the spiritual realm. The word mystery is used many times in Scripture. A mystery in Scripture is a previously hidden truth now divinely revealed, but in which there is still a supernatural element that remains unknown despite the revelation. The Bible talks about the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven; the mystery of the New Testament church as one body composed of Jew and Gentile alike; the mystery of the church as the bride of Christ; the mystery of the indwelling Christ; the mystery of the incarnation; the mystery of the processes by which God-likeness is restored to man. But there is another mystery that is more sinister than all the rest. The Apostle Paul calls it “the mystery of lawlessness.” He writes, “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way” (2 Thessalonians 2:7). In this passage Paul is dealing with scenes surrounding the second coming of Jesus Christ. The personal return of Christ to this earth has always been the inspiring and purifying hope of the Christian church. In this same passage, Paul describes the man of sin (or “the man of lawlessness,” as he is called in many ancient manuscripts) as “the son of perdition,” meaning one who is lost and ruined and destined to destruction. This character, who has been known in theology as the antichrist, is the one “who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God” (2 Thessalonians 2:4). The Bible actually predicts that he will supersede all forms of religion and demand worship for himself alone. Paul indicated that this antichrist would not appear on the scene until someone “who now restrains” lawlessness and iniquity is removed. This person who is restraining iniquity in the world today is the Holy Spirit. Isaiah said long ago, “When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him” (Isaiah 59:19). The Holy Spirit is in the world, working in and through the church. He indwells every believer individually and the church collectively. The Bible teaches that the principle of lawlessness that is already at work in the world has a “mystery,” or a secret, and is being restrained or held back. When the restraint is removed, the man of sin will appear. Have you ever wondered about the tumultuous tide of evil in the world? How it overwhelms society, how it engulfs nations, how it infiltrates all races, how it devastates the individual, how it ruins the family and destroys the home? To read of the crime, injustice, intolerance, greed, deception and lust that plagues humanity is bewildering and perplexing. Our hearts are made heavy when we hear of broken homes, wasted lives and shattered hopes and dreams that are the product of evil in the world.

8

We see a principle of lawlessness, iniquity and sin in the world today. Dishonesty, licentiousness, murders, immorality and crime of every sort seem to plague all nations. Thoughtful persons are disturbed, wondering how people can be so wild, perverted and lawless. The mystery of lawlessness is the power unseen, unknown except by its effects, that is ever working in the world for evil. It is working against the law and will of God, corrupting what has been well done and well begun, causing misery in the natural world and in all that people do. We try to trace evil back to its origin, and we soon see that there is indeed a mysterious element to it. The Bible teaches that God did not create evil and sin, that somewhere in the past it began with “Lucifer, son of the morning” (Isaiah 14:12), rebelling against God. People are born to evil as surely as sparks fly upward. The seeds of evil are propagated from parent to child, each little one bringing into the world as his spiritual inheritance a propensity to evil that mingles with all his propensities to good. Each new life seems to bring a fresh contribution to the already abundant growth of evil. It is a mere germ at first. But unfolding speedily, it grows with the growth of the child. What are its consequences? The Bible tells us that all who are guilty of sin will be judged and eventually banished from the Kingdom of God. How mysterious are the chastisements and judgments that fall upon us in this life and in the life to come. The Bible teaches that our sins will find us out, “for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7). In this life, our sins will find us out in ruined character, broken homes, confused minds, disillusioned hearts and empty souls. There are many mysteries about it all, but God has revealed to us that sin is a transgression of the law and a “missing of the mark.” We are told what sin is. We are warned about its terrible and tragic consequences. We are told to flee the wrath of God. We are told to repent of sin before it is too late. Great is the mystery of lawlessness. However, there is another mystery that is even greater. It is called in the Bible “the mystery of godliness”–the secret, unseen, unmeasured power that lies in the inspiration, guidance and comfort of the Holy Spirit, who is within all those who have trusted Jesus Christ as Savior.