Paul says the day of the Lord has not yet come and warns against being deceived. First comes a rebellion and the revealing of the lawless one. He tells them to hold firm to what they were taught and prays for their comfort.
1 Now we beseech you , brethren , by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ , and by our gathering together unto him ,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind , or be troubled , neither by spirit , nor by word , nor by letter as from us , as that the day of Christ is at hand .
3 Let no man deceive you by any means : for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first , and that man of sin be revealed , the son of perdition ;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God , or that is worshipped ; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God , shewing himself that he is God .
5 Remember ye not , that , when I was yet with you , I told you these things ?
6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time .
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work : only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way .
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed , whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth , and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming :
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders ,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish ; because they received not the love of the truth , that they might be saved .
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion , that they should believe a lie :
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth , but had pleasure in unrighteousness .
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 .
16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself , and God , even our Father , which hath loved us , and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace ,
17 Comfort your hearts , and stablish you in every good word and work .