That day will be unlike any other day. That day is soon approaching. But first, we are presented with the necessity of two major developments:
Which day?
2 Thessalonians 2:1
Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him.
It’s the day of Christ’s return, and the simultaneous gathering together of the Church, known as the rapture.
What proceeds that day?
2 Thessalonians 2:3
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except…
Except what?
- There come a falling away first, and
- That man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.
Two conditions are clearly mentioned. There will first be a “falling away”, or apostasia in the Greek. It’s the same decline shown to the prophet in Jeremiah 17:13. Then, the man of sin, also known as the antichrist will be revealed.
These conditions have either:
A. Already been met.
B. Partially been met, or
C. Yet to have been met.
I tend toward option B, and here’s a quick reason why; the Church has already seen a major decline (apostacy) in history, and I suspect the Popish system of the Catholic Church to be the clearest fulfillment for the beast system led by the “man of sin/son of perdition”, but I don’t know that there has been a full revelation of the antichrist.
There is at least one other condition that remains to be met, and that is related to the worldwide preaching of the gospel. See Matthew 24:14.
Other signs spoken of by the Lord seem to be complete. What remains is the going forth of the gospel. It, therefore, should occupy our most earnest attention.
What are your thoughts on the soon return of our Lord Jesus Christ?