Far Eastern Bible College

The Lord Jesus Christ is coming back real soon. The “mystery of iniquity” is already at work (2 Thess 2:7). “The day of Christ is at hand” (2 Thess 2:2). What must happen before Christ returns?

From 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 we discover that the Second Coming of Christ will be preceded by the coming of the Antichrist. The word “coming” (Greek: parousia) occurs twice in these 12 verses: the first time in verse 1: “the parousia of our Lord Jesus Christ,” and the second in verse 9 which talks about the parousia of the Wicked one (cf v8).

Before Christ returns, there will be “a falling away first” (v3). The words “falling away” come from the Greek apostasia (literally, “to stand away from”). It speaks of a rebellion against the Standard, the Truth, the Law, or the Word of God.

Now, who are the rebels, and against whom or what are they rebelling? Jesus reveals who they are in Matthew 24:10-13, “And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” In other words, those who fall away are those who call themselves “Christian.” By and large, the visible church in the last days will forsake the Faith. These people who profess to be Christians were never regenerated in the first place. They did not have true faith.

Who are they? Well, they would be those who say: “I believe that Jesus Christ can bring me to heaven, but I also believe that I can get to heaven if I believe in other gods.” “I believe in Jesus Christ, but he is only a man, not God.” “I am a Christian, but I am also homosexual.” “I am a Bible professor but I am happily agnostic as well.” Paul describes them in verse 10: “they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved;” and verse 12: “they believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

This apostasy begets judgment. God’s wrath will be poured out. And since they stubbornly and repeatedly chose to reject God’s Truth, God gives them up (1) to uncleanness, (2) to vile affections, and (3) to a reprobate mind (Rom 1:24-28). This is judicial hardening or blinding.

Now, please understand that it is not God that sends the lie. God is not a liar, and does not deceive. We understand this under the permissive will of God; since they desire to believe in Satan’s lie, and be deceived, God allows them thus to be.

The end result will be condemnation (v12). There will be a dividing of the sheep and the goats, the wheat and the tares. Those who have not truly believed in the Lord will apostasise and be condemned. True believers will never be lost—God will keep them to the very end.

But let us check ourselves: Are we truly saved? Have we sincerely and truthfully believed in the Lord Jesus Christ?

The word “lawless” occurs three times here: in verse 3, we read of the man of sin or lawlessness; in verse 7, the mystery of iniquity or lawlessness; and in verse 8 the Wicked or Lawless one. First, let us deal with the person of lawlessness.

He is called in verse 3 the “man of sin,” and in verse 8 the Wicked one. In verse 3 he is also called the son of perdition. This same term was used in John 17:12 of Judas Iscariot who betrayed the Lord. From this we see that the man of sin is (1) an individual or a person, not an institution, a nation, a force or an influence; (2) like Judas—someone who professes Christ but in all his deeds he undermines the Lord and works against Him; in other words, he is an Apostate (with a capital “A”); and (3) in verse 4 he is described as one who “opposeth” Christ. He is the Antichrist (ie, Counter-Christ): he wants to take the place of Christ, to usurp Him as Lord and King. He possesses the Satanic ambition to be God Himself (cf Isa 14, Ezek 28).

In verse 8 we are told that this particular Satanically-inspired person will be revealed. This Antichrist will imitate the coming of Christ. He will identify himself as the Christ, the Messiah, the Saviour, and deceive many. “You are looking for your coming Saviour, I am he,” he will say. That was why Jesus warned, “Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many” (Matt 24:4-5).

How will the Antichrist capture the allegiance and adoration of the whole world? In verse 9 we are told that his coming is “after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders.” He will be empowered by Satan to perform deceptive miracles. I cannot help but think that today’s Charismatic miracle workers like Benny Hinn with all their signs and wonders are preparing the false church to receive this false Christ. Dear Christian, beware, don’t be deceived. Know the truth and love the truth that you might be saved (v10).

“I do not see the Antichrist to be here yet. So I can still enjoy myself, do what I like, since Christ’s coming is nowhere near.” Paul warns those who think in this way in verses 5-6. Do not be presumptuous, the Antichrist can appear at any time. For although the person of lawlessness has not yet come, the principle of lawlessness is already at work (v7). In other words, this work of opposing Christ and His Church is already going on. For instance, the Thessalonian Church was already undergoing persecutions and tribulations (2 Thess 1:4). 1 John 2:18 tells us, “Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.” There are many antichrists running around in the world today. Satan will spare no effort to destroy or corrupt the Word of God, to hinder the Church from preaching the gospel, to attack God’s servants and His saints. So we must be ever diligent in preaching the Gospel, and ever vigilant in defending the Faith.

What prevents the Antichrist from appearing right now is the work of the Restrainer. Verse 6 says, “And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time,” and verse 7b, “only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.”

Who or what is this Restrainer? It is difficult to identify who or what the Restrainer is. There are a number of views: the Law of God, the Archangel Michael, the Holy Spirit. The popular view is that it is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is presently doing this work of convicting the world of sin, of righteousness, of judgment (John 16:8). He is not only active in the Church, but also in the World in restraining evil, from letting evil run amok. Come to think of it, it is not just the Spirit, but also the Word of God, and the Lord’s angels etc that are doing the restraining work. So it could be a combination of these. So once the Lord withdraws His restraining hand, this sin-cursed world will take its natural course, and wickedness will reach its height with the Wicked one leading the way.

There will be two comings: The coming of Christ, and the coming of the Antichrist. Antichrist will first come before Christ returns. And when Christ returns He will destroy all His enemies by “the spirit of his mouth, and brightness of his coming” (v8).

For which coming are you waiting? Whose side are you on? Christ or Antichrist? May you be found on the Lord’s side, for it is the winning side. Those who attack our Perfect Lord and His Perfect Word today are on the losing side. “And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (vv11-12).

If you are still not a Christian, I plead with you dear reader to believe in Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.

The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want. Prov. 13:25

Ladies Fellowship Meeting will be held this Wed (Sep 6, 06) at 7.45 pm. Venue: RELC, Level 6, Newton Room (Room 601). Message: “God’s Sovereignty, Man’s Responsibility” by Rev Tan Kian Sing. All are welcome. For enquiries, please contact Judith at 96729973.

Young People’s Fellowship Meeting will be held this Sat (Sep 9, 06) at 3.30 pm. Venue: Mr and Mrs Foo’s home at 53 Oriole Crescent. Message: “God’s Plan for the Jews” by Rev Wee Eng Moh. For details, please contact Herbert at 94377715.

Adults Fellowship Meeting will be held at the home of Mr and Mrs William Teo this Sat (Sep 9, 06) at 3.30 pm. Address: Blk 835 Woodlands St. 83 #12-113. Message: “Mary of Bethany” by Rev Ronny Khoo. For details, please contact William Teo at 91831150.

There will be a door-to-door HDB flats evangelism session next Sunday afternoon (Sep 10, 06) at Bukit Panjang. For details, please contact Dn Tai Mern Yee at 97932330.

Infant Baptism at Church Anniversary, Oct 1, 06. Please register with Miss Wendy Teng (Tel: 62541287/94754067).

Catechism Class for Anniversary Baptism is held at Room 601 (Level 6), 9.15am–10.15am. Those seeking Baptism, Reaffirmation of Faith and Transfer of Membership are to attend the Catechism Class.

There will be a 3^rd Anniversary Lunch held at the Tang Court Cantonese Restaurant, RELC, Oct 1, 06, 12.30 pm. The subsidised rate for members and regular worshippers is $15 per person including children who sit at the big tables and $5 for children buffet (age 11 years and under). For non-members, it is $22. Come and praise the Lord on this happy occasion.

True Life B-P Church’s sermons are taped and available for sale in DVD ($5) or Audio CD ($3). You may place your orders with Dn Charles Kan, Barnabas Yap or any of the PA crew.

Pray for Pastor Tow that the Lord will restore him completely to good health and strength, for Elder Mahadevan at NUH Ward 76 Room 12 and for Bro Henry Tan undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment.

Pray for FEBC GOSPEL RALLY on Sat, 16 Sep 2006, 8 pm, RELC Auditorium.
Rev Dr Quek Suan Yew speaks on “Want To Trade Your Soul?”
Bring a friend!
“He that winneth souls is wise” (Prov 11:30)