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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>S E C O N D<BR>T H E S S A L O N I A N S.</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. II.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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The apostle is very careful to hinder the spreading of an error into
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which some among them had fallen concerning the coming of Christ, as
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being very near,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+2:1-3">ver. 1-3</A>.
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Then he proceeds to confute the error he cautioned them against, by
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telling them of two great events that were antecedent to the coming of
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Christ--a general apostasy, and the revelation of antichrist, concerning
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whom the apostle tells them many remarkable things, about his name, his
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character, his rise, his fall, his reign, and the sin and ruin of his
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subjects,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+2:4-12">ver. 4-12</A>.
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He then comforts them against the terror of this apostasy, and exhorts
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them to stedfastness,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+2:13-15">ver. 13-15</A>.
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And concludes with a prayer for them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+2:16,17">ver. 16, 17</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="2Th2_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Th2_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Th2_3a"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Cautions against False Alarm.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 52.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus
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Christ, and <I>by</I> our gathering together unto him,
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2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither
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by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day
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of Christ is at hand.
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3 Let no man deceive you by any means--
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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From these words it appears that some among the Thessalonians had
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mistaken the apostle's meaning, in what he had written in his former
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epistle about the coming of Christ, by thinking that it was near at
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hand,--that Christ was just ready to appear and come to judgment. Or, it
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may be, some among them pretended that they had the knowledge of this
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by particular revelation from the Spirit, or from some words they had
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heard from the apostle, when he was with them, or some letter he had
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written or they pretended he had written to them or some other person:
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and hereupon the apostle is careful to rectify this mistake, and to
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prevent the spreading of this error. Observe, If errors and mistakes
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arise among Christians, we should take the first opportunity to rectify
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them, and hinder the spreading thereof; and good men will be especially
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careful to suppress errors that may arise from a mistake of their words
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and actions, though that which was spoken or done was ever so innocent
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or well. We have a subtle adversary, who watches all opportunities to
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do mischief, and will sometimes promote errors even by means of the
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words of scripture. Observe,</P>
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<P>
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I. How very earnest and solicitous this apostle was to prevent
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mistakes: <I>We beseech you, brethren,</I> &c.,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+2:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
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He entreats them as brethren who might have charged them as a father
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charges his children: he shows great kindness and condescension, and
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insinuates himself into their affections. And this is the best way to
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deal with men when we would preserve or recover them from errors, to
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deal gently and affectionately with them: rough and rigorous treatment
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will but exasperate their spirits, and prejudice them against the
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reasons we may offer. He obtests and even conjures them in the most
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solemn manner: <I>By the coming of Christ,</I> &c. The words are in the
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form of an oath; and his meaning is that if they believed Christ would
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come, and if they desired he would come, and rejoiced in the hope of
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his coming, they should be careful to avoid the error, and the evil
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consequences of it, against which he was now cautioning them. From this
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form of obtestation used by the apostle, we may observe,</P>
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<P>
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1. It is most certain that the Lord Jesus Christ will come to judge the
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world, that he will come in all the pomp and power of the upper world
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in the last day, to execute judgment upon all. Whatever uncertainty we
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are at, or whatever mistakes may arise about the time of his coming,
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his coming itself is certain. This has been the faith and hope of all
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Christians in all ages of the church; nay, it was the faith and hope of
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the Old-Testament saints, ever since Enoch the seventh from Adam, who
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said, <I>Behold, the Lord cometh,</I> &c.,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jude+1:14">Jude 14</A>.</P>
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<P>
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2. At the second coming of Christ all the saints will be gathered
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together to him; and this mention of the gathering of the saints
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together unto Christ at his coming shows that the apostle speaks of
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Christ's coming to judgment day, and not of his coming to destroy
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Jerusalem. He speaks of a proper, and not a metaphorical advent: and,
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as it will be part of Christ's honour in that day, so it will be the
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completing of the happiness of his saints.
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(1.) That they all shall be gathered together. There will then be a
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general meeting of all the saints, and none but saints; all the
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Old-Testament saints, who got acquaintance with Christ by the dark
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shadows of the law, and saw this day at a distance; and all the
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New-Testament saints, to whom life and immortality were brought to
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light by the gospel; they will all be gathered together. There will
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then come from the four winds of heaven all that are, or ever were, or
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ever shall be, from the beginning to the end of time. All shall be
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gathered together.
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(2.) That they shall be gathered <I>together to Christ.</I> He will be
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the great centre of their unity. They shall be gathered together to
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him, to be attendants on him, to be assessors with him, to be presented
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by him to the Father, to be with him for ever, and altogether happy in
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his presence to all eternity.
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(3.) The doctrine of Christ's coming and our gathering together to him
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is of a great moment and importance to Christians; otherwise it would
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not be the proper matter of the apostle's obtestation. We ought
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therefore not only to believe these things, but highly to account of
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them also, and look upon them as things we are greatly concerned in and
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should be much affected with.</P>
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<P>
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II. The thing itself against which the apostle cautions the
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Thessalonians is that they should not be deceived about the time of
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Christ's coming, and so <I>be shaken in mind, or be troubled.</I> Note,
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Errors in the mind tend greatly to weaken our faith, and cause us
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trouble; and such as are weak in faith and of troubled minds are
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oftentimes apt to be deceived, and fall a prey to seducers.
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1. The apostle would not have them be deceived: <I>Let no man deceive
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you by any means,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+2:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
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There are many who lie in wait to deceive, and they have many ways of
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deceiving; we have reason therefore to be cautious and stand upon our
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guard. Some deceivers will pretend new revelations, others misinterpret
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scripture, and others will be guilty of gross forgeries; divers means
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and artifices of deceit men will use; but we must be careful that no
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man deceive us by any means. The particular matter in which the apostle
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cautions them not to be deceived is about the near approach of Christ's
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coming, as if it was to have been in the apostle's days; and harmless
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as this error might seem to many, yet, because it was indeed an error,
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it would have proved of bad consequences to many persons. Therefore,
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2. He gives them warning, and would not have them be soon shaken in
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mind, nor be troubled.
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(1.) He would not have their faith weakened. We should firmly believe
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the second coming of Christ, and be settled and established in the
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faith of this; but there was danger lest the Thessalonians, if they
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apprehended the coming of Christ was just at hand, upon finding that
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they, or others whom they too much regarded, were mistaken as to the
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time, should thereupon question the truth or certainty of the thing
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itself; whereas they ought not to waver in their minds as to this great
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thing, which is the faith and hope of all the saints. False doctrines
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are like winds, that toss the water to and fro, and they are apt to
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unsettle the minds of men, who are sometimes as unstable as water.
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Then,
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(2.) He would not have their comforts lessened, that they should not be
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troubled nor affrighted with false alarms. It is probable that the
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coming of Christ was represented in so much terror as to trouble many
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serious Christians among them, though in itself it should be matter of
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the believer's hope and joy; or else many might be troubled with the
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thought how surprising this day would be, or with the fear of their
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unpreparedness, or upon the reflection on their mistake about the time
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of Christ's coming: we should always watch and pray, but must not be
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discouraged nor uncomfortable at the thought of Christ's coming.</P>
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<A NAME="2Th2_3b"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Th2_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Th2_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Th2_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Th2_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Th2_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Th2_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Th2_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Th2_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Th2_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Apostasy Foretold.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 52.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>3 --For <I>that day shall not come,</I> except there come a
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falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
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4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called
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God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the
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temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
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5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you
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these things?
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6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in
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his time.
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7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who
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now letteth <I>will let,</I> until he be taken out of the way.
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8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall
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consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the
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brightness of his coming:
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9 <I>Even him,</I> whose coming is after the working of Satan with
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all power and signs and lying wonders,
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10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that
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perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that
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they might be saved.
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11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that
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they should believe a lie:
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12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth,
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but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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In these words the apostle confutes the error against which he had
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cautioned them, and gives the reasons why they should not expect the
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coming of Christ as just at hand. There were several events previous to
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the second coming of Christ; in particular, he tells them there would
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be,</P>
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<P>
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I. A general apostasy, <I>there would come a falling away first,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+2:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
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By this apostasy we are not to understand a defection in the state, or
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from civil government, but in spiritual or religious matters, from
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sound doctrine, instituted worship and church government, and a holy
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life. The apostle speaks of some very great apostasy, not only of some
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converted Jews or Gentiles, but such as should be very general, though
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gradual, and should give occasion to the revelation of rise of
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<I>antichrist,</I> that <I>man of sin.</I> This, he says
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+2:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>),
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he had told them of when he was with them, with design, no doubt, that
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they should not take offence nor be stumbled at it. And let us observe
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that no sooner was Christianity planted and rooted in the world than
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there began to be a defection in the Christian church. It was so in the
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Old-Testament church; presently after any considerable advance made in
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religion there followed a defection: soon after the promise there was
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revolting; for example, soon after men began to call upon the name of
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the Lord all flesh corrupted their way,--soon after the covenant with
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Noah the Babel-builders bade defiance to heaven,--soon after the
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covenant with Abraham his seed degenerated in Egypt,--soon after the
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Israelites were planted in Canaan, when the first generation was worn
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off, they forsook God and served Baal,--soon after God's covenant with
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David his seed revolted, and served other gods,--soon after the return
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out of captivity there was a general decay of piety, as appears by the
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story of Ezra and Nehemiah; and therefore it was no strange thing that
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after the planting of Christianity there should come a falling
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away.</P>
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<P>
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II. A revelation of that man of sin, that is
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+2:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>),
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antichrist would take his rise from this general apostasy. The apostle
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afterwards speaks of the revelation of that wicked one
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+2:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>),
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intimating the discovery which should be made of his wickedness, in
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order to his ruin: here he seems to speak of his rise, which should be
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occasioned by the general apostasy he had mentioned, and to intimate
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that all sorts of false doctrines and corruptions should centre in him.
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Great disputes have been as to who or what is intended by this man of
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sin and son of perdition: and, if it be not certain that the papal
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power and tyranny are principally or only intended, yet this is plain,
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What is here said does very exactly agree thereto. For observe,</P>
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<P>
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1. The names of this person, or rather the state and power here spoken
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of. He is called the man of sin, to denote his egregious wickedness;
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not only is he addicted to, and practises, wickedness himself, but he
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also promotes, countenances, and commands sin and wickedness in others;
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and he is the son of perdition, because he himself is devoted to
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certain destruction, and is the instrument of destroying many others
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both in soul and body. These names may properly be applied, for these
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reasons, to the papal state; and thereto agree also,</P>
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<P>
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2. The characters here given,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+2:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
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(1.) That he <I>opposes and exalts himself above all that is called
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God, or is worshipped;</I> and thus have the bishops of Rome not only
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opposed God's authority, and that of the civil magistrates, who are
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called gods, but have exalted themselves above God and earthly
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governors, in demanding greater regard to their commands than to the
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commands of God or the magistrate.
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(2.) <I>As God, he sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he
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is God.</I> As God was in the temple of old, and worshipped there, and
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is in and with his church now, so the antichrist here mentioned is some
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usurper of God's authority in the Christian church, who claims divine
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honours; and to whom can this better apply than to the bishops of Rome,
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to whom the most blasphemous titles have been given, as <I>Dominus Deus
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noster papa--Our Lord God the pope; Deus alter in terrâ--Another
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God on earth; Idem est dominium Dei et papæ--The dominion of God
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and the pope is the same?</I></P>
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<P>
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3. His rise is mentioned,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+2:6,7"><I>v.</I> 6, 7</A>.
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Concerning this we are to observe two things:--
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(1.) There was something that hindered or withheld, or <I>let, until it
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was taken away.</I> This is supposed to be the power of the Roman
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empire, which the apostle did not think fit to mention more plainly at
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that time; and it is notorious that, while this power continued, it
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prevented the advances of the bishops of Rome to that height of tyranny
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to which soon afterwards they arrived.
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(2.) This mystery of iniquity was gradually to arrive at its height;
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and so it was in effect that the universal corruption of doctrine and
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worship in the Romish church came in by degrees, and the usurpation of
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the bishops of Rome was gradual, not all at once; and thus the mystery
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of iniquity did the more easily, and almost insensibly, prevail. The
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apostle justly calls it a <I>mystery of iniquity,</I> because wicked
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designs and actions were concealed under false shows and pretences, at
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least they were concealed from the common view and observation. By
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pretended devotion, superstition and idolatry were advanced; and, by a
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pretended zeal for God and his glory, bigotry and persecution were
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promoted. And he tells us that this mystery of iniquity did even then
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begin, or did <I>already work.</I> While the apostles were yet living,
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<I>the enemy came, and sowed tares;</I> there were then the <I>deeds of
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the Nicolaitans,</I> persons who pretended zeal for Christ, but really
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opposed him. Pride, ambition, and worldly interest of church-pastors
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and church-rulers, as in Diotrephes and others, were the early working
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of the mystery of iniquity, which, by degrees, came to that prodigious
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height which has been visible in the church of Rome.</P>
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<P>
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4. The fall or ruin of the antichristian state is declared,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+2:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
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The head of this antichristian kingdom is called <I>that wicked
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one,</I> or that lawless person who sets up a human power in
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competition with, and contradiction to, the divine dominion and power
|
|
of the Lord Jesus Christ; but, as he would thus manifest himself to be
|
|
the man of sin, so the revelation or discovery of this to the world
|
|
would be the sure presage and the means of his ruin. The apostle
|
|
assures the Thessalonians that the Lord would consume and destroy him;
|
|
the consuming of him precedes his final destruction, and that is by the
|
|
<I>Spirit of his mouth,</I> by his word of command; the pure word of
|
|
God, accompanied with the Spirit of God, will discover this mystery of
|
|
iniquity, and make the power of antichrist to consume and waste away;
|
|
and in due time it will be totally and finally destroyed, and this will
|
|
be by the brightness of Christ's coming. Note, The coming of Christ to
|
|
destroy the wicked will be with peculiar glory and eminent lustre and
|
|
brightness.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
5. The apostle further describes the reign and rule of this man of sin.
|
|
Here we are to observe,
|
|
|
|
(1.) The manner of his coming, or ruling, and working: in general, that
|
|
it is after the example of Satan, the grand enemy of souls, the great
|
|
adversary of God and man. He is the great patron of error and lies, the
|
|
sworn enemy of the truth as it is in Jesus and all the faithful
|
|
followers of Jesus. More particularly, it is with Satanical power and
|
|
deceit. A divine power is pretended for the support of this kingdom,
|
|
but it is only after the working of Satan. Signs and wonders, visions
|
|
and miracles, are pretended; by these the papal kingdom was first set
|
|
up, and has all along been kept up, but they have false signs to
|
|
support false doctrines; and lying wonders, or only pretended miracles
|
|
that have served their cause, things false in fact, or fraudulently
|
|
managed, to impose upon the people: and the diabolical deceits with
|
|
which the antichristian state has been supported are notorious. The
|
|
apostle calls it <I>all deceivableness of unrighteousness,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+2:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
Others may call them pious frauds, but the apostle called them
|
|
unrighteous and wicked frauds; and, indeed, all fraud (which is
|
|
contrary to truth) is an impious thing. Many are the subtle artifices
|
|
the man of sin has used, and various are the plausible pretences by
|
|
which he had beguiled unwary and unstable souls to embrace false
|
|
doctrines, and submit to his usurped dominion.
|
|
|
|
(2.) The persons are described who are his willing subjects, or most
|
|
likely to become such,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+2:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
They are such as <I>love not the truth that they may be saved.</I> They
|
|
heard the truth (it may be), but they did not love it; they could not
|
|
bear sound doctrine, and therefore easily imbibed false doctrines; they
|
|
had some notional knowledge of what was true, but they indulged some
|
|
powerful prejudices, and so became a prey to seducers. Had they loved
|
|
the truth, they would have persevered in it, and been preserved by it;
|
|
but no wonder if they easily parted with what they never had any love
|
|
to. And of these persons it is said that they perish or are lost; they
|
|
are in a lost condition, and in danger to be lost for ever. For,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
6. We have the <I>sin and ruin of the subjects</I> of antichrist's
|
|
kingdom declared,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+2:11,12"><I>v.</I> 11, 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
(1.) Their sin is this: <I>They believed not the truth, but had
|
|
pleasure in unrighteousness:</I> they did not love the truth, and
|
|
therefore they did not believe it; and, because they did not believe
|
|
the truth, therefore they had pleasure in unrighteousness, or in wicked
|
|
actions, and were pleased with false notions. Note, An erroneous mind
|
|
and vicious life often go together and help forward one another.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Their ruin is thus expressed: <I>God shall send them strong
|
|
delusions, to believe a lie.</I> Thus he will punish men for their
|
|
unbelief, and for their dislike of the truth and love to sin and
|
|
wickedness; not that God is the author of sin, but in righteousness he
|
|
sometimes withdraws his grace from such sinners as are here mentioned;
|
|
he gives them over to Satan, or leaves them to be deluded by his
|
|
instruments; he gives them up to their own hearts' lusts, and leaves
|
|
them to themselves, and then sin will follow of course, yea, the worst
|
|
of wickedness, that shall end at last in eternal damnation. God is just
|
|
when he inflicts spiritual judgments here, and eternal punishments
|
|
hereafter, upon those who have no love to the truths of the gospel, who
|
|
will not believe them, nor live suitably to them, but indulge false
|
|
doctrines in their minds, and wicked practices in their lives and
|
|
conversations.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="2Th2_13"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Th2_14"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Th2_15"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Apostasy Foretold.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 52.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you,
|
|
brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning
|
|
chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and
|
|
belief of the truth:
|
|
14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of
|
|
the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
|
|
15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions
|
|
which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Here observe,
|
|
|
|
I. The consolation the Thessalonians might take against the terrors of
|
|
this apostasy,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+2:13,14"><I>v.</I> 13, 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
For they were chosen to salvation, and called to the obtaining of
|
|
glory. Note, When we hear of the apostasy of many, it is matter of
|
|
great comfort and joy that there is a remnant according to the election
|
|
of grace which does and shall persevere; and especially we should
|
|
rejoice if we have reason to hope that we are of that number. The
|
|
apostle reckoned himself bound in duty to be thankful to God on this
|
|
account: <I>We are bound to give thanks to God always for you.</I> He
|
|
had often given thanks on their behalf, and he is still abounding in
|
|
thanksgiving for them; and there was good reason, because they were
|
|
beloved by the Lord, as appeared in this matter--their security from
|
|
apostatizing. This preservation of the saints is owing,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. To the stability of the election of grace,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+2:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
Therefore were they beloved of the Lord, because God had chosen them
|
|
from the beginning. He had loved them with an everlasting love.
|
|
Concerning this election of God we may observe,
|
|
|
|
(1.) The eternal date of it--it is from the beginning; not the
|
|
beginning of the gospel, but the beginning of the world, before the
|
|
foundation of the world,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+1:4">Eph. i. 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
Then,
|
|
|
|
(2.) The end to which they were chosen--salvation, complete and eternal
|
|
salvation from sin and misery, and the full fruition of all good.
|
|
|
|
(3.) The means in order to obtaining this end--<I>sanctification of the
|
|
spirit and belief of the truth.</I> The decree of election therefore
|
|
connects the end and the means, and these must not be separated. We are
|
|
not the elected of God because we were holy, but that we might be holy.
|
|
Being chosen of God, we must not live as we list; but, if we are chosen
|
|
to salvation as the end, we must be prepared for it by sanctification
|
|
as the necessary means to obtain that end, which sanctification is by
|
|
the operation of the Holy Spirit as the author and by faith on our
|
|
part. There must be the belief of the truth, without which there can
|
|
be by true sanctification, nor perseverance in grace, nor obtaining of
|
|
salvation. Faith and holiness must be joined together, as well as
|
|
holiness and happiness; therefore our Saviour prayed for Peter that his
|
|
faith might not fail
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+22:32">Luke xxii. 32</A>),
|
|
|
|
and for his disciples
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+17:17">John xvii. 17</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>Sanctify them by thy truth; thy word is truth.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. To the efficacy of the gospel call,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+2:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
As they were chosen to salvation, so they were called thereunto by the
|
|
gospel. Whom he did predestinate those he also called,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+8:30">Rom. viii. 30</A>.
|
|
|
|
The outward call of God is by the gospel; and this is rendered
|
|
effectual by the inward operation of the Spirit. Note, Wherever the
|
|
gospel comes it calls and invites men to the obtaining of glory; it is
|
|
a call to honour and happiness, even the <I>glory of our Lord Jesus
|
|
Christ,</I> the glory he has purchased, and the glory he is possessed
|
|
of, to be communicated unto those who believe in him and obey his
|
|
gospel; such shall be with Christ, to behold his glory, and they shall
|
|
be glorified with Christ and partake of his glory. Hereupon there
|
|
follows,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. An exhortation to stedfastness and perseverance: <I>Therefore,
|
|
brethren, stand fast,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+2:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
Observe, He does not say, "You are chosen to salvation, and therefore
|
|
you may be careless and secure;" but <I>therefore stand fast.</I> God's
|
|
grace in our election and vocation is so far from superseding our
|
|
diligent care and endeavour that it should quicken and engage us to the
|
|
greatest resolution and diligence. So the apostle John having told
|
|
those to whom he wrote that they had received the anointing which
|
|
should abide in them, and that they should abide in him (in Christ),
|
|
subjoins this exhortation, <I>Now abide in him,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Jo+2:27,28">
|
|
1 John ii. 27, 28</A>.
|
|
|
|
The Thessalonians are exhorted to stedfastness in their Christian
|
|
profession, to <I>hold fast the traditions which they had been
|
|
taught,</I> or the doctrine of the gospel, which had been delivered by
|
|
the apostle, by word or epistle. As yet the canon of scripture was not
|
|
complete, and therefore some things were delivered by the apostles in
|
|
their preaching, under the guidance of the infallible Spirit, which
|
|
Christians were bound to observe as coming from God; other things were
|
|
afterwards by them committed to writing, as the apostle had written a
|
|
former epistle to these Thessalonians; and these epistles were written
|
|
as the writers were moved by the Holy Ghost. Note, There is no
|
|
argument hence for regarding oral traditions in our days, now that the
|
|
canon of scripture is complete, as of equal authority with the sacred
|
|
writings. Such doctrines and duties as were taught by the inspired
|
|
apostles we must stedfastly adhere to; but we have no certain evidence
|
|
of any thing delivered by them more than what we find contained in the
|
|
holy scriptures.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="2Th2_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Th2_17"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Apostolic Prayer.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 52.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father,
|
|
which hath loved us, and hath given <I>us</I> everlasting consolation
|
|
and good hope through grace,
|
|
17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and
|
|
work.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
In these words we have the apostle's earnest prayer for them, in which
|
|
observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. To whom he prays: <I>Our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even
|
|
our Father.</I> We may and should direct our prayers, not only to God
|
|
the Father, through the mediation of our Lord Jesus Christ, but also
|
|
<I>to our Lord Jesus Christ himself;</I> and should pray in his name
|
|
unto God, not only as his Father but as our Father in and through
|
|
him.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. From what he takes encouragement in his prayer--from the
|
|
consideration of what God had already done for him and them: <I>Who
|
|
hath loved us, and given us everlasting consolation and good hope
|
|
through grace,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+2:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
Here observe,
|
|
|
|
1. The love of God is the spring and fountain of all the good we have
|
|
or hope for; our election, vocation, justification, and salvation, are
|
|
all owing to the love of God in Christ Jesus.
|
|
|
|
2. From this fountain in particular all our consolation flows. And the
|
|
consolation of the saints is an everlasting consolation. The comforts
|
|
of the saints are not dying things; they shall not die with them. The
|
|
spiritual consolations God gives none shall deprive them of; and God
|
|
will not take them away: because he love them with an everlasting love,
|
|
therefore they shall have everlasting consolation.
|
|
|
|
3. Their consolation is founded on the hope of eternal life. They
|
|
rejoice in hope of the glory of God, and are not only patient, but
|
|
joyful, in tribulations; and there is good reason for these strong
|
|
consolations, because the saints have good hope: their hope is grounded
|
|
on the love of God, the promise of God, and the experience they have
|
|
had of the power, the goodness, and the faithfulness of God, and it is
|
|
good hope through grace; the free grace and mercy of God are what they
|
|
hope for, and what their hopes are founded on, and not on any worth or
|
|
merit of their own.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. What it is that he asks of God for them--that <I>he would comfort
|
|
their hearts, and establish them in every good word and work,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+2:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
God had given them consolations, and he prayed that they might have
|
|
more abundant consolation. There was good hope, through grace, that
|
|
they would be preserved, and he prayed that they might be established:
|
|
it is observable how comfort and establishment are here joined
|
|
together. Note therefore,
|
|
|
|
1. Comfort is a means of establishment; for the more pleasure we take
|
|
in the word, and work, and ways of God, the more likely we shall be to
|
|
persevere therein. And,
|
|
|
|
2. Our establishment in the ways of God is a likely means in order to
|
|
comfort; whereas, if we are wavering in faith, and of a doubtful mind,
|
|
or if we are halting and faltering in our duty, no wonder if we are
|
|
strangers to the pleasures and joys of religion. What is it that lies
|
|
at the bottom of all our uneasiness, but our unsteadiness in religion?
|
|
We must be established in every good word and work, in the word of
|
|
truth and the work of righteousness: Christ must be honoured by our
|
|
good works and good words; and those who are sincere will endeavour to
|
|
do both, and in so doing they may hope for comfort and establishment,
|
|
till at length their holiness and happiness be completed.</P>
|
|
|
|
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