I want to share with you the scripture that changed my thinking. I once believed in a post tribulation rapture, but, having read this scripture passage, it took me down the road of having to reevaluate my beliefs.
In truth, both chapters one and two of 2nd Thessalonians should be read together. By doing so, it becomes clear that coming of the Lord and the Day of Christ are one episode. Phrases in chapter one are used again in chapter two. In chapter one the “Day” is the same as when “the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven.” In chapter two, the “Day of Christ” is synonymous with “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him.”
There’s an order of events that caught my eye decades ago. I’d like to share them with you, and perhaps stir up your thinking. Be honest with yourself and decide if you agree or not.
We’ll take the verses from chapter two.
Verses seven and eight says what is restraining the “lawless one” must be taken away before “the lawless one will be revealed.”
“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. And then the lawless one will be revealed” (2 Thessalonians 2:7–8).
But verse three says, “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition” (2 Thessalonians 2:3). In-other-words:
- The restraint is taken away (vs. 7)
- Then the lawless one is revealed (vs. 8)
- Then the Day of Christ comes (vs. 3)
If the Day of Christ and the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ are the same event, and they are when put in context, then it’s not the rapture of the Church that allows the Antichrist to be revealed. It also means that the tribulation is going on when Christ is revealed. Why? Because the tribulation is the result of the rise in power of the Antichrist. (This can be covered in a different lesson if needed, though most are aware of this and the reason I won’t delve into it now.)
Nonetheless, what I want to emphasize is the three points that mark the timeline for the revealing of the son of perdition with the coming of Christ. You can begin a study from there.
(Not to make a shameless plug, but hopefully something that may help you if you want to know more. I go into more detail in my book “Divine Order of The End Times”: https://www.amazon.com/Divine-Order-End-Times-ebook/dp/B07964T5C7/ref=sr_1_1?crid=4JYFSRUWP9RV&keywords=Divine+Order+of+the+End+times+Clayton+Carpenter&qid=1688766963&sprefix=divine+order+of+the+end+times+clayton+carpenter%2Caps%2C191&sr=8-1 .)
Anyway, you may wonder why this may even be important. These are the days of growing deception. Deception brings about apostasy. Jesus said if it’s possible, even the elect will be deceived (Matthew 24:24). Pain, heartache, and tribulation causes people to question their faith. Now is the time to understand and prepare for what we may have to contend with in the future.
Stay vigilant and prepared.
A Journal of Edification and Exhortation 