The Rapture and Israel by William West - HTML preview

 

No scripture refer to a seven year tribulation to come. It is pure made-up fiction.

Speaking of the destruction of Israel in A. D. 70, Jesus said there would be a great tribulation [Matthew 24:21; Daniel 9:26-27]. "Such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever shall be." Christ said that was the greatest tribulation that has ever been and the greatest tribulation that shall ever be. Millennialists say, "Not so Jesus, the seven year tribulation to come will be the greatest.
Jesus said all that believed in and followed Him would have tribulation in this world [John 16:33]. All martyrs in all ages have had great tribulation.
John was in tribulation and the kingdom [Revelation 1:9].
Paul told the Thessalonians that they were to suffer afflictions [1 Thessalonians 3:4]. Thlipsis is in the Greek New Testament 45 times. It is translated tribulation, affliction, persecution, anguish, trouble, and burdened. In English today, tribulation is not often used except with its religious theological meaning. Affliction, persecution, anguish, and trouble may be a better translation as they are used frequency in our everyday language and have not been given a theological meaning.

In the King James Version thlipsis is translated:

1. Tribulation 21 times
2. Affliction 18 times
3. Persecution 1 times
4. Anguish 1 times
5. Trouble 3 times
6. Burdened 1 times

Thlipsis covers a wide range of troubles (tribulations or afflictions) varying from marriage, childbirth, famine, widows and orphans hardships, afflictions and persecutions. Thlipsis" as it is translated in the King James Version

"Yet has he not root in himself, but endures for a while; and when tribulation [thlipsis] or persecution arises because of the word straightaway he stumbles" [Matthew 13:21].

"Afterward, when affliction [thlipsis] or persecution arises" [Mark 4:17]. "Shall they deliver you up to be afflicted [thlipsis] Matthew 24:9]. "For then shall be great tribulation [thlipsis]" [Matthew 24:21].

"These days shall be affliction [thlipsis]" [Mark 13:19].
"After the tribulation [thlipsis] of these days" [Matthew 24:29]. See chapter 16 on Matthew 24.
"After that tribulation [thlipsis]" [Mark 13:24].
"She remembers no more the anguish [thlipsis]" [John 16:21].
"In the would you shall have tribulation [thlipsis]" [John 16:33].
"Out of all his afflictions [thlipsis]" [Acts 7:10].
"And great afflictions [thlipsis]" [Acts 7:11].
"Upon the persecution [thlipsis] that arose" [Acts 11:19].
"And that through many tribulations [thlipsis]" [Acts 14:22].
"That bonds and afflictions [thlipsis] abide me" [Acts 20:23].
"Shall be wrath and indignation, tribulation [thlipsis] and anguish, upon every soul of man that works evil" [Romans 2:9].
"We also rejoice in our tribulations [thlipsis]: knowing that tribulation [thlipsis] works steadfastness" [Romans 5:3].
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation [thlipsis], or anguish, or persecution, or famine..." [Romans 8:35].
"Patient in tribulation [thlipsis]" [Romans 12:12].
"Yet such shall have trouble [thlipsis] in the flesh" [1 Corinthians 7:28].
"Who comforts us in all our tribulation [thlipsis], that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble [thlipsis]" [2 Corinthians 1:4].
"Our trouble [thlipsis] which came to us in Asia" [2 Corinthians 1:8].
"For out of much affliction [thlipsis] and anguish of heart" [2 Corinthians 2:4]. "For our light affliction [thlipsis], which is but for a moment" [2 Corinthians 4:17]. "Approving ourselves...in afflictions [thlipsis]" [2 Corinthians 6:4].
"I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation [thlipsis]" [2 Corinthians 7:4].
"How that in a great trial of affliction [thlipsis]" [2 Corinthians 8:2].
"For I mean not that other men be eased, and you burdened [thlipsis]" [2 Corinthians 8:13]. "Wherefore I desire that you faint not at my tribulations [thlipsis] for you, which is your glory" [Ephesians 3:13].
"The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction [thlipsis] to my bonds" [Philippians 1:17].
"Notwithstanding you have well done, that you did communicate with my affliction [thlipsis]" [Philippians 4:14].
Who now rejoice in my suffering for you, and fill up that which behind of the afflictions [thlipsis] of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church" [Colossians 1:24]. "Having receive the word in much affliction [thlipsis]" [1 Thessalonians 1:6]. "That no man should be moved by these afflictions [thlipsis]" [1 Thessalonians 3:3]. "Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction [thlipsis] and distress by your faith" [1 Thessalonians 3:7].
"In all your persecutions and tribulations [thlipsis] that you endure" [2 Thessalonians 1:4]. "Seeing is is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation [thlipsis] to them that trouble you" [2 Thessalonians 1:6].
"You were made a gazing stock both by reproaches and afflictions [thlipsis]" [Hebrews 10:33]. "To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction [thlipsis]" [James 1:27]. "I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation [thlipsis], and in the kingdom" [Revelation 1:9].
"I know your works, and tribulation [thlipsis], and poverty" [Revelation 2:9]. "The devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried; and you shall have tribulation [thlipsis] ten days; be faithful unto death and I will give you a crown of life" [Revelation 2:10].
"Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation [thlipsis], except they repent of their deeds" [Revelation 2:22].
"And I said unto him, 'Sir you know.' And he said to me, 'There are they which came out of great tribulation [thlipsis], and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb'" [Revelation 7:14].

In the New International Version the forty-five times thlipsis is used it is translated ten way, but it is translated "tribulation" only one time.

1. TROUBLE 16 times: Matthew 13:21; Mark 4:17; John 16:33; Acts 7:10; Romans 2:9; 8:25; 1 Corinthians 7:28; 2 Corinthians 1:4; 1:4 1:8; 4:17; 6:4; 7:4; Philippians 1:16; 4:14; 2 Thessalonians 1:6

2. DISTRESS 5 times: Matthew 24:21; 24:29; 2 Corinthians 2:4; 1 Thessalonians 3:7; James 1:27
3. SUFFERING 8 times: Acts 7:11; Romans 5:3; 5:3; Ephesians 3:13; Colossians 1:24; 1 Thessalonians 1:6; Revelation 1:9; 2:22
4. PERSECUTION 6 times: Matthew 13:19; 13:24; 24:9; Mats 11:19; Romans 2:10; Hebrews 10:32
5. TRIALS 3 times: 2 Corinthians 8:2; 1 Thessalonians 3:3; 2 Thessalonians 1:4
6. AFFLICTION 2 times: Romans 12:12; Revelation 2:9
7. HARDSHIP 2 times: Acts 14:22; 20:23
8. ANGUISH 1 time: John 16:21
9. HARD PRESSED 1 time: 2 Corinthians 8:13
10. TRIBULATION 1 time: Revelation 7:14 (Only one time out of forty-five times)

In the New Revised Standard Version the forty-five times thlipsis is used it translated ten ways but never "tribulation."

1. SUFFERING 9 times: Matthew 24:21; 24:29; Mark 13:19 13:24; Acts 7:11; Romans 12:12; Ephesians 3:13; Philippians 1:16; Colossians 1:24
2. AFFLICTION 11 times: Acts 7:10; 2 Corinthians 1:4; 1:4; 1:8; 4:17; 6:4; 7:4; 8:2; 2 Thessalonians 1:6; Revelation 2:9; 2:10
3. PERSECUTION 11 times: Matthew 13:21; John 16:33; Acts 11:19; 14:22; 20:23; 1 Thessalonians 1:6; 3:3; 3:7; 2 Thessalonians 1:4 Hebrews 10:33; Revelation 1:9
4. DISTRESS 6 times: Romans 2:9; 1 Corinthians 7:28; 2 Corinthians 2:4; Philippians 4:14; James 1:27; Revelation 2:22
5. ANGUISH 3 times: John 16:21; Romans 5:3; 5:3
6. TORTURED 1 time: Matthew 24:9
7. TROUBLE 1 time: Mark 4:17
8. HARDSHIP 1 time: Romans 8:35
9. PRESSURE 1 time: 2 Corinthians 8:13
10. ORDEAL 1 time: Revelation 7:14

There will always be persecution (tribulation) for those in Christ [Matthew 24:9; John 16:33]. Christians were persecuted by Jews unto A. D. 70 [Acts 11:19; Romans 5:3]. Revelation begins with, "The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants WHAT MUST SOON TAKE PLACE" [Revelation 1:1]. The persecution that was begin by Nero was fallowed by Roman emperors up the the time of Constantine in 313 A. D. John was writing Revelation near the start of this persecution to those who were being persecuted or soon would be, not about what is to be with the Jews about two-thousand years later.

Two other words are translated persecution in the New Testament, Diogmos is used 10 times and Dioko is used 44 times, but none of the passages they are in are generally used by Millennialists to prove there will be a great seven year tribulation before or after the coming of Christ.

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CHAPTER 16

 

WHAT IS ARMAGEDDON?

Many Premillennialists believe Christ will come to set up the kingdom of David and to restore the Old Testament; then after a thousand years the battle of Armageddon will be fought in Jerusalem. It is believed there will be a Literal battle in which Satan and all wicked nations will make war on Christ, who will be in Jerusalem, and He will be all but overcome by them, but will be saved by God. All the wicked dead who has been resurrected in their earthly bodies will literally be destroyed, their bodies of flesh being burnt alive in Gehenna, which would have been restored; then Christ and all the saved will forever live on this earth.

Many believed that World War 1 was a sign that the end of the world was near, then World War 2, then the Gulf War, and many other wars, now it is the war going on in the Middle East, tomorrow it will be the war that is going on then. Now preachers are on T. V. shouting and books are written every time there is another war saying the new war is a sign that the end is near.

Some (not Premillennialists) believe Armageddon is the battle of good and evil, which has been raged from the beginning of time.
Armageddon is not used in the Bible, but is thought by some to be Har-Magedon in Revelation 16:16 which has a footnote that says, "Some authorities read Armageddon." Revelation 16 is a highly symbolic chapter of the seven bowls of the wrath of God poured out on the earth by seven angels and the result of each. Revelation 16:16 is a part of the results of the sixth angel pouring out his bowl of God's wrath on the earth. None of the seven bowls of wrath are what will take place at the second coming of Christ. They are judgments on the earth before the final judgment at the second coming of Christ. They are more comparable to the judgments of the plagues upon Egypt [Exodus chapters 9 to 12].

In Revelation 16:16 there was no battle at "the place which in Hebrew is called Har-Magedon," but Premillennialists, after moving it to Jerusalem, added to it the greatest battle of all times. If, as we are told by Premillennialists in the many books about the battle of Armageddon, that all the nations of the earth will come together at Jerusalem in this battle against Christ, Jerusalem would not hold them. Har-Magedon "which means 'Mount of Megiddo'" [Commentary on Revelation by Homer Hailey, page 336]. This "Mount of Megiddo" is not mentioned any other place in the Bible and not known about. Megiddo is mentioned in Joshua 17:11, Judges 1:27; 5:19, 6; 7; 2 Chronicles 35:22; and Zechariah 12:11. It was a place, not a mountain, near the Mediterranean Sea and it was a good ways from Jerusalem. Premillennialists, by no authority other that what they want, adds a battle then puts this battle in Jerusalem. IF TAKEN LITERALLY, AS PREMILLENNIALISTS SAY ALL THE BIBLE MUST BE, THERE WAS NO EARTHLY BATTLE OF THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD AT HER-MAGEDON (ARMAGEDDON). BUT, PREMILLENNIALISTS HAVE ADDED THE GREATEST BATTLE OF ALL TIMES AND MOVED THE LOCATION OF THEIR ADDED BATTLE FROM HER-MAGEDON TO JERUSALEM (Armageddon in the poorly translated King James Version, even so, there is nothing said about earthly armies or an earthly battle actually taking place at Armageddon even in the King James Version). Also, they tell us that Christ will be on David's throne in Jerusalem, not at the site of the Old Testament city of Magedon on the Mediterranean Sea. Premillennialists books of fiction have Christianity being spread by means of physical force in a literal battle fought with primitive weaponry (which in their books of fiction become atom bombs) against unclean spirits that look like frogs and spirits of demons at a place that is put into the King James Version by mistranslating. It is difficult to know what is symbolized in Revelation 16 and 19, but not at all difficult to know Premillennialists books of fiction that has a literal physical battle where Christians kill the wicked, and it is a battle where "blood will stand to the horses bridles for a distance of 200 miles northward and southward of Jerusalem" has completely missed it.

Christ said, "My kingdom is not of this world, If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but not my kingdom is not from here" [John 18:36]. The battle in Revelation 16:16 at Har-Magedon is a symbolic description of a great spiritual battle between Satan and his army and God. This battle which was won by God probability was the defeat of the Roman Empire which was persecuting the saints at the time John wrote this.

Hal Lindsey in "The Late Great Planet Earth" has the battle moved from Revelation 16:16 back to Revelation 14:20. He says, "Cites like London, Paris, Tokyo, New York, Chicago...obliterated...entire islands and mountains blown off the map...so many people will be slaughtered in the conflict that blood will stand to the horses' bridles for a total distance of 200 miles northward and southward of Jerusalem (Rev 14:20)." Things in visions cannot always be made to be literal. He has horses being used in a modern day war. In the vision, the blood came from the "great wine press, of the wrath of God," not from bombs. There is no battle of nations in Revelation 14 or 16. Atom bombs do not press the blood out and leave it in a lake. If all the people in the world were taken to Jerusalem and their blood pressed out, it is doubtful there would be enough blood to make a 400 miles lake of blood up to the bridles of horses. This seems to be a symbolical picture of judgment from God, not a literal war of nations; a symbolical picture showing that good will ultimately overcome and God will be victorious. "Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of Life" [Revelation 2:10]. The modern Premillennial view would have been meanless confusion to those of the first century to whom it was written.

THERE IS NOT ONE PASSAGE IN THE BIBLE THAT SAYS CHRIST WILL EVER BE ON THIS EARTH AGAIN IN THE FLESH. HE WILL NOT RETURN TO HIS EARTHY BODY A SECOND TIME, BUT THIS IS WHAT HE MUST DO IF THERE IS TO BE A BATTLE ON THIS EARTH WITH CHRIST IN JERUSALEM LITERALLY FIGHTING SATAN AND THE WICKED NATIONS.

THE MILLENNIUM TIME TABLE

 

This is only a general outline of Premillennialism. There are many variations among Millennialists of this work of fiction.

ON EARTH DURING THE SEVEN YEAR RAPTURE: All the saved would have been resurrected and along with the living saints will have been caught up to Heaven in the rapture. The 144.000 Jews will save most if not all Jews and many others in the first part of Daniel's 70th week (3 and 1/2 years). With all the saved in Heaven with Christ, I could not find how they think the 144.000, who were not among the saved at the time of the rapture, will have been converted but to what they will have been converted to, the Law or to Christ.

A few seem to think the first half of the 70th week was the three and a half years Christ was teaching before His death, therefore would be passed and could not be a part of a rapture that is still to come.

THE TRIBULATION is a pure work of fiction. It is said to be the last half or Daniel's 70th week, which we are told is 3 and 1/2 years (see chapter 13). In this time the Roman dictator (the Antichrist) proclaims himself to be God and desecrates the temple in Jerusalem. He kills the 144,000 Jews who had converted the world in the first half of Daniel's 70th week.

The Jews are persecuted. Israel is attacked by the king of the South (Egypt, Africa and Arab). The king of the North (Russia) Attacks Israel and destroys the king of the North. Then comes the king of the West (Europe) and destroys the king of the North. Then comes the king of the East (China) with about 200 million soldier and attacks the king of the West.

According to many Millennialists, this seems to be when the battle of Armageddon takes place (or this is the battle of Armageddon), but there is much confusion and disagreement on this.

God steps in and stops the war from destroying Christ and the restored Israel. Some Millennialists say to stop the war from destroying the whole world.

 

THE MILLENNIUM

At the end of the 7 years, the end of the rapture, Christ comes back to earth and will land on the Mount of Olives with all the saved that was raptured to Heaven at the beginning of Daniel's 70th week.
All that were killed in the tribulation (the 144,000 and others Jews) will be resurrected immortal. Christ sits on David's throne in the restored Israel (Law of Moses with it temple worship and animal sacrifices).
The curse on the ground when Adam sinned is removed and all will speak one language. Satan is bound.
AFTER THE MILLENNIUM

Satan loosed for a little season.
He makes war on Christ and Jerusalem (the battle of Gog and Magog).
The second resurrection, the resurrection of only the wicked who was not raised in the first resurrection of the saved only at the beginning of the millennium.
The judgment and destruction of Satan and the wicked (some Millennialists say "destruction" others say "Hell").
At this point there is a sharp division among Millennialists. At the end of the thousand years

1. Some believe Christ and the saved will return to Heaven.

 

2. Many (I think most Millennialists) believe Christ and the saved will forever be on this earth.

 

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CHAPTER 17

 

WHO IS JOHN'S "ANTICHRIST"? WHO IS PAUL'S "MAN OF SIN"?

In the Premillennialists books of fiction the Antichrist has been made into a person who is now living. Some believe Satan is the Antichrist, but most believe the Antichrist will be an evil world ruler that will come into power during the Tribulation period. Hal Lindsey in 1970 said the Antichrist will come in this generation, page 133; and his coming will be just before the coming of Christ, page 140, "The Late Great Planet Earth"

"Antichrist" is used five times in three passages all by John.

"Children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that ANTICHRIST is coming, SO NOW MANY ANTICHRIST HAVE COME; therefore, we know that it is the last hour. THEY ("many antichrist") WENT OUT FROM US, but THEY ("many antichrist") were not of us; for if THEY ("many antichrist") had been of us, THEY ("many antichrist") would have continued with us; but THEY ("many antichrist") went out that it might be plain that THEY ("many antichrist") all are not of us. But, you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all know. I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and know that no lie is of the truth. Who is the liar but HE WHO DENIES THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST? THIS IS THE ANTICHRIST, HE WHO DENIES THE FATHER AND THE SON. No one who denies the Son has the Father. He who confesses the Son has the father also" [1 John 2:18-23]. THE MANY ANTICHRIST WAS PERSONS THAT WERE CHRISTIANS AND TEACHERS IN THE CHURCH AND WERE LIVING AT THE TIME JOHN WAS WRITING, BUT "THEY WENT OUT FROM US." ALL WHO DENIES THE CHRIST IN THE PAST, NOW, AND IN THE FUTURE ARE ANTICHRIST, NOT ONE PERSON WHO WILL RULE THE WORLD.
"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are of God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit which confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit which does not confess Jesus is not of God. This is the spirit of ANTICHRIST, of which you heard that it was coming, and now it is in the world already" [1 John 4:1-3]. John defines the Antichrist not as a coming world leader or as one person as the Millennialists do, but as many persons, all that do not confess Jesus and the Apostle John said many Antichrist had come at the time he was writing. Millennialists believe John was wrong for Hal Lindsey and others says the Antichrist is one man, and he has not yet come into the world.
"For many deceivers have gone out into the world, even they who will not acknowledge the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the ANTICHRIST" [2 John 7].

1. The antichrist appeared long ago. It is clear that the Antichrist John was speaking of was PERSONS that were living at that time, not some one person who is living today. It is ALL persons that deny Christ. Millennialists may be the largest group that says they are Christian but deny that Jesus is divine, therefore, the largest group of Antichrist today.

2. There were many Antichrist and some of them were already in the world, not just one man that is yet to come into the world [1 John 4:1-6; 2 John 7].

 

3. Anyone who denies that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, is Antichrist [1 John 2:18-19]. 4. Many Antichrist had been members of the church and had left it [2 John 2:26; 4:1; 2 John 7 and 10].

Luther, Calvin, Wesley, Wycliff, Huss, Knox and nearly all Protestant reformers and Protestant commentaries believed the Antichrist to be the Papacy. The Roman Catholic Church objected to being branded the Antichrist and in 1590 a commentary was published by Francisco Ribera that was counter to the view taught by most Protestant, in which he said the man of sin was one evil man that would come to the Jews and be received by then near the end of time and he would rebuild their temple. He put the Antichrist outside of the church and Christianity and made the Antichrist to be only one man that had not yet come. Ribera's new view of the Antichrist is basically the same view taught today by most Millennialists. This view is in the "Left Behind" series of fictional novels by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. Some Millennialists believe this man is now in the world and waiting for the right time. THAT THERE IS ONLY ONE ANTICHRIST, WHETHER HE IS THE POPE OR SOMEONE STILL TO COME AND HE WILL NOT COME UNTO THE MILLENNIUM IS PURE FICTION. THERE IS NOTHING IN THE BIBLE ABOUT SUCH A PERSON. If the Protestant reformers were right in believing the Pope being Antichrist, he would be only one among many Antichrist.

LaHaye claimed that there are twenty-six rapture passages which he used to separate the second coming by seven years. He combines unrelated passages together just as the well-known example of being able to prove anything by combining unrelated passages together; Judas "went and hanged himself...you go and do likewise" [Matthew 27:5; Luke 10:37].

The word "antichrist" is not in the Book of Revelation but many Millennialists believe the beast in Revelation 13 to be him.

 

PAUL'S "MAN OF SIN"

"The man of sin" is used one time by Paul. "Now we beseech you, brethren, touching the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together unto him; to the end that you be not quickly shaken from your mind, nor yet be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by a letter from us, as that the day of Lord is just at hand; let no man deceive you in any way: for it will not be, except the falling away come first, and THE MAN OF SIN be revealed, the SON OF DESTRUCTION, he that opposes and exalts himself against all that is called God or that is worshiped; so that he sits in the temple of God, setting himself forth as God. Remember you not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now you know that which restrains, to the end that he may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already working; only there is one that restrains now, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall be revealed THE LAWLESS ONE, whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the breath of his mouth, AND BRING TO NOTHING by the appearance of His coming; even he, whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceit of unrighteousness for they that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved, and for this cause, God will send them a working of error, that they should believe and lie: that they all might be judged who believes not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness" [2 Thessalonians 2:1-12].

Paul said, "The mystery of lawlessness is already working"
He shall be revealed
At the second coming of Christ the lawless one ("the man of sin" "the son of destruction") "the Lord Jesus shall slay with the breath of his mouth, AND BRING TO NOTHING by the appearance of His coming"

ONE THING IS SURE, THE MAN OF SIN WILL EXIST BEFORE THE COMING OF CHRIST FOR JUDGMENT, BEFORE THE DAY OF THE LORD BUT ON THE DAY CHRIST COMES THE MAN OF SIN WILL BE BROUGHT TO NOTHING AT THE APPEARANCE OF CHRIST. IT CANNOT BE A PERSON, SATAN, OR A NATION AFTER THE COMING OF CHRIST, THEREFORE, THIS CANNOT BE SPEAKING OF ANYTHING OR ANYONE IN THE MILLENNIUM AFTER THE DAY CHRIST COMES. If there were a Millennium after the coming of Christ, the man of sin, whoever or whatever he or it was, would have been destroyed before the Millennium.

B. W. Johnson's notes on 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12. "This chapter is written to remove misapprehension on the subject of the Lord's coming. It shows that it might not be expected until certain events have taken place. These are, (1) A falling away, or apostasy; (2) The removal of some power which hindered the manifestation of the man of sin; (3) The manifestation of the man of sin, and following this, the coming of the Lord. He had told them of these things while with them (verse 5), but now writes more fully. He does not seek to show all, but some of the events which will precede Christ's coming. 1, 2. By the coming. Rather, concerning the coming. His importunity is respecting this and "the gathering of the saints." 2. That you be not soon shaken in mind. Be not agitated, or in distress (troubled). Neither by spirit. By some one who says he has a revelation of the Spirit. Nor by word. Nor by one who claims to quote a word or letter from us. It is thought that a forged letter had been circulated to which Paul alludes. In the close of this Epistle he shows how his letters may be known to be genuine. Some suppose, however, that by "letter" he refers to an incorrect interpretation which was placed on his first letter. 3. Except there come a falling away first. An apostasy must precede the Coming. That is, there shall be a general falling away from the purity of the faith. No apostasy of magnitude occurred in the history of the church for centuries, which could answer to Paul's description, but the gradual declension, corruption, and departure from the ancient faith, which was fully developed a few hundred years later, has always been spoken of by Protestant church historians as The Apostasy. There is no good reason for doubting that it is to this the apostle refers. And that man of sin be revealed. He shall be revealed then in connection with the apostasy. The son of perdition. This expression occurs once elsewhere, and is there applied to Judas, an apostate. Here it evidently has a similar application. Some power, once Christian, falls away and becomes opposed to Christ. 4. Who opposes and exalts himself. I shall endeavor in a few words to identify this power. Various explanations have been given, but there is only one power that exhibits all the marks given by Paul. Observe these: (1) The man of sin exalts himself above God. (2) He sits in the temple, that is, in the church, for that is alw