Verse
Context
The Man of Lawlessness
7For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but the one who now restrains it will continue until he is taken out of the way.8And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of His mouth and annihilate by the majesty of His arrival.
Sermons
Chuck Smith
Ian Paisley
Lewis Sperry Chafer
Arno Clemens Gaebelein 
David ServantSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Whom the Lord shall consume - He shall blast him so, that he shall wither and die away; and this shall be done by the spirit of his mouth - the words of eternal life, the true doctrine of the Gospel of Jesus; this shall be the instrument used to destroy this man of sin: therefore it is evident his death will not be a sudden but a gradual one; because it is by the preaching of the truth that he is to be exposed, overthrown, and finally destroyed. The brightness of his coming - This may refer to that full manifestation of the truth which had been obscured and kept under by the exaltation of this man of sin.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Translate, "the lawless one"; the embodiment of all the godless "lawlessness" which has been working in "mystery" for ages (Th2 2:7) : "the man of sin" (Th2 2:3). whom the Lord--Some of the oldest manuscripts read, "the Lord Jesus." How awful that He whose very name means God-Saviour, should appear as the Destroyer; but the salvation of the Church requires the destruction of her foe. As the reign of Israel in Canaan was ushered in by judgments on the nations for apostasy (for the Canaanites were originally worshippers of the true God: thus Melchisedek, king of Salem, was the "priest of the most high God," Gen 14:18 : Ammon and Moab came from righteous Lot), so the Son of David's reign in Zion and over the whole earth, is to be ushered in by judgments on the apostate Christian world. consume . . . and . . . destroy--So Dan 7:26, "consume and destroy"; Dan 11:45. He shall "consume" him by His mere breath (Isa 11:4; Isa 30:33) : the sentence of judgment being the sharp sword that goeth out of His mouth (Rev 19:15, Rev 19:21). Antichrist's manifestation and destruction are declared in the same breath; at his greatest height he is nearest his fall, like Herod his type (Isa 1:24-27; Act 12:20-23). As the advancing fire, while still at a distance consumes little insects [CHRYSOSTOM] by its mere heat, so Christ's mere approach is enough to consume Antichrist. The mere "appearance of the coming" of the Lord of glory is sufficient to show to Antichrist his perfect nothingness. He is seized and "cast alive into the take of fire" (Rev 19:20). So the world kingdoms, and the kingdom of the beast, give place to that of the Son of man and His saints. The Greek for "destroy" means "abolish" (the same Greek is so translated, Ti2 1:10); that is, cause every vestige of him to disappear. Compare as to Gog attacking Israel and destroyed by Jehovah (Eze. 38:1-39:29), so as not to leave a vestige of him. with the brightness of his coming--Greek, "the manifestation, (or appearance) of His presence": the first outburst of His advent--the first gleam of His presence--is enough to abolish utterly all traces of Antichrist, as darkness disappears before the dawning day. Next, his adherents are "slain with the sword out of His mouth" (Rev 19:21). BENGEL'S distinction between "the appearance of His coming" and the "coming" itself is not justified by Ti1 6:14; Ti2 1:10; Ti2 4:1, Ti2 4:8; Tit 2:13, where the same Greek for "appearing" (English Version, here "the brightness") plainly refers to the coming itself. The expression, "manifestation (appearing) of His presence," is used in awful contrast to the revelation of the wicked one in the beginning of the verse.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And then shall that wicked be revealed,.... That lawless one, who sets himself above the laws of God and man, and dispenses with them at pleasure, who judges all men, but is judged by no man; as he was in his ecclesiastical power, when Phocas, who murdered the Emperor Mauritius, granted to Boniface III. to be called universal bishop; and in his civil power in succeeding popes, who took upon them the power over kings and emperors, to crown, depose, and excommunicate at pleasure: whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth: that is, the "Lord Jesus", as the Alexandrian copy, and Vulgate Latin version read; and the Syriac version, "our Lord Jesus": who is Lord of lords, and God over all; and so able to do what he is here said he shall do: and which he will do with the Spirit of his mouth; meaning either the Holy Spirit, the third person which proceeds from him, as in Psa 33:6, and so the Ethiopic version, "whom the Spirit of our Lord Jesus shall cast out"; Christ will by his Spirit blow a blast upon antichrist and his kingdom, which he shall never recover again, but ever after consume and waste away: or else by his spirit is meant his Gospel; the Scriptures in general are the breath of God, being divinely inspired by him, and are the sword of the Spirit, the twoedged sword of law and Gospel, which proceeds out of Christ's mouth; the Gospel contains the words of Christ, which are spirit and life; these come out of his mouth, and are sharper than any twoedged sword; and as hereby sinners are cut to the heart, hewn and slain, convicted and converted, so by this likewise antichrist will be consumed, and is consuming; for this phrase denotes the beginning of his destruction, which took place at the time of the reformation by the preaching of the Gospel by Luther and others; by which this man of sin received his deadly wound, and has been in a consumption ever since, and is sensibly wasting in his power and glory every day, and will ere long come to utter destruction: and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming; either in a spiritual way, when he shall come in his spiritual kingdom and glory, by the light of his Gospel and the illuminations of his Spirit; when at eventide it shall be light; when he the sun of righteousness shall arise; when latter day light and glory shall appear, and latter day darkness, the gross darkness of Popery, Paganism, and Judaism, which cover the people, shall, be removed, and antichrist in every form shall disappear: or in a personal manner, when he shall come to judge the quick and dead, which will be in flaming fire and great glory; and then will antichrist and his followers, the beast and those that have worshipped him, be cast with the devil and the false prophet into the lake which burns with fire and brimstone; and this will be the last and utter end of him. In this passage there is a manifest reference to Isa 11:4, "with the breath of his mouth shall he slay the wicked": which the Targumist paraphrases, "with the words of his lips he shall slay , "Armillus the wicked":'' and which the Jews say will be done by the Messiah at his coming; "for so (i) (say they) that phrase in Deu 22:8 "if a man fall from thence", has respect to Armillus the wicked, who at the coming of our Messiah will be slain, as it is said in Isa 11:4' This Armillus, the Jews say (k), is the head of all idolatry, the tenth king who shall reign at Rome, the city of Satan; that he shall rise up after Gog and Magog, and shall go up to Jerusalem, and slay Messiah ben Joseph, and shall himself be slain by Messiah the son of David; yea, they say expressly (l), it is the same whom the Gentiles call antichrist: it is the same with Romulus the first king of the Romans, and designs a Roman, the Roman antichrist; and it may be observed, that the Targumist interprets "the breath of his mouth", by his word; and so says another of their writers (m), "the meaning is by the word of his lips, for the word goes out of the mouth with the vapour and breath:'' such an expression as this is said (n) to be used by Moses, when he was bid by God to answer the angels who objected to his having the law given him; "I am afraid (says he) they will slay (or burn me), , "with the breath of their mouth":'' much more may this be feared from the breath of Christ's mouth. (i) Tzeror Hammor, fol. 148. 2. (k) Apud Buxtorf. Lex. Talmud. col. 221, 222, 223. (l) Abkath Rochel, par. 1. sign. 7. p. 52. (m) In Ohel Moed. fol. 19. 1. (n) T. Bab. Sabbat, fol. 88. 2.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
2:8 Paul announces the doom of the man of lawlessness (cp. 2:3). Although this figure claims to be divine, places his cult above all other worship (2:4), and receives power from Satan (2:9), the Lord Jesus will violently and utterly destroy him (Isa 11:4). • splendor: A reference to Christ’s epiphany (1 Tim 6:14; 2 Tim 1:10; 4:1, 8; Titus 2:13), an alternative description of Christ’s coming (2 Thes 2:1; 1 Thes 2:19; 3:13; 4:15; 5:23) or unveiling (2 Thes 1:7). In ancient literature, an epiphany was the appearance of a deity or a demonstration of divine power that evoked worship.
The Man of Lawlessness
7For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but the one who now restrains it will continue until he is taken out of the way.8And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of His mouth and annihilate by the majesty of His arrival.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Jesus as the Alpha and Omega (Rev. 1:11; 22:13)
By Mike Bickle261:11:44Sovereignty Of GodTrust in God's PromisesPSA 29:10PSA 139:7ISA 40:28JHN 16:15PHP 1:6COL 1:162TH 2:8HEB 1:3REV 1:8REV 22:13Mike Bickle emphasizes the profound significance of Jesus being the Alpha and Omega, highlighting His sovereignty and eternal nature as the beginning and the end of all things. He explains that this title encapsulates God's absolute power, wisdom, and love, which should instill confidence in believers amidst trials and tribulations. Bickle urges the congregation to deeply reflect on this truth, as it is foundational to understanding God's character and His plans for humanity. He reassures that Jesus' sovereignty means He is in control of all events, and believers can trust in His promises for their lives. Ultimately, Bickle calls for a personal engagement with Jesus, encouraging the faithful to seek a deeper relationship with the Alpha and Omega.
Ezekiel 44:1
By Chuck Smith0Second Coming Of ChristProphecy FulfillmentISA 9:7ISA 55:11MAT 6:10MAT 24:21MAT 25:341TH 4:172TH 2:82PE 3:3REV 1:6REV 19:11Chuck Smith emphasizes the imminent return of Christ, detailing the events that must precede His coming, including the rapture of the church, the tribulation, the revelation of the anti-Christ, and the battle of Armageddon. He highlights the purpose of Christ's return, which is to establish God's kingdom, restore the earth, and honor those who have served Him. Smith reassures believers of the certainty of Christ's coming, referencing the fulfillment of over 300 prophecies regarding both His first and second comings. He encourages the congregation to recognize the signs of the times and to trust in God's unwavering promise.
Duties of Protestants
By Ian Paisley0ISA 5:20EPH 6:172TH 2:8REV 14:11REV 18:2REV 18:21REV 22:2Ian Paisley preaches about the importance of understanding the strength and principles of the adversary, particularly focusing on the system of Rome and its unchangeable policy. He emphasizes the need for Protestants to contend against the system of Popery by prioritizing the Holy Scriptures as the power of God unto salvation, utilizing family worship, Sunday schools, Christian missions, common schools, and the pulpit to educate and raise awareness about the dangers of Popery. Paisley urges consistency in actions, warning against any support or contribution to the advancement of Romanism, and highlights the ultimate victory over the reign of Antichrist as prophesied in the Bible.
The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven
By Lewis Sperry Chafer0DAN 2:37DAN 9:24MAT 13:18LUK 21:24ROM 11:25ROM 12:2GAL 1:4EPH 1:232TH 2:82TI 4:10Lewis Sperry Chafer delves into the prophetic visions given to Daniel, outlining the course of the Gentile period from the last captivity to the second coming of Christ. Daniel's dreams and interpretations reveal the succession of Gentile world powers - Babylonia, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. The seventy weeks of years mentioned by Daniel are divided into two distinct periods, one before the rejection of Christ and the other after. The church age, a mystery age, is not accounted for in the prophetic visions, and the final period of seven years, the great tribulation, is yet to come before the establishment of Messiah's kingdom.
The Wars of the Ptolemies and Seleucidae Predicted. the Coming Events of the Time of the End
By Arno Clemens Gaebelein02TH 2:8Arno Clemens Gaebelein preaches on the detailed historical fulfillment of the prophecies in the book of Daniel, focusing on the accuracy of the predictions and the attacks on the belief in divine revelation. He highlights the rise of the false King, the Antichrist, who will deceive both apostate Jews and nominal Christians, leading to a great final struggle. Gaebelein emphasizes the need for believers to live in separation from Antichristian movements and to keep close to the Lord, as the time of the end approaches with the gathering forces of evil. He concludes with the description of the conflicts at the time of the end, where the King of the North and the King of the South engage in a fierce battle, leading to the ultimate defeat of the Antichrist by the Lord Himself.
The Rapture of the Saints Raised or Changed at Christ's Coming.
By William Kelly0ROM 13:111TH 4:162TH 2:22TH 2:8William Kelly preaches about the importance of understanding the true hope of the Church, emphasizing the imminent return of Christ and the need to be prepared for His coming. He corrects the misconception that the day of the Lord had already arrived, explaining that certain events, such as the apostasy and the revelation of the man of sin, must occur first. Kelly highlights the significance of being watchful and not being misled by false teachings that cause fear and anxiety. He stresses the need for believers to be steadfast in their faith, knowing that Christ's return will bring glory and judgment upon the earth.
Day 257, Revelation 19
By David Servant0ISA 25:62CO 10:62TH 2:8REV 19:3David Servant preaches about the battle of Armageddon, where Jesus swiftly defeats the great harlot, the beast, the false prophet, and their deluded armies, sealing their fate before the war even begins. The smoke of the great harlot ascending 'forever and ever' symbolizes her wickedness, possibly linking her to Babylon. The kings of the earth and their armies will be slain by a word from Christ's mouth, similar to the fate of the antichrist and the false prophet who will be cast into the lake of fire. The redeemed, riding with Jesus on white horses, will be victorious at Armageddon, symbolizing purity and righteousness, ready to punish disobedience.
Be Filled and Be Filled Now!
By Roy Hession0ROM 3:31CO 2:61CO 6:131CO 13:82CO 3:7GAL 3:17GAL 5:4EPH 2:152TH 2:82TI 1:10HEB 2:14The preacher delves into the concept of 'katargeo,' which means to render something powerless or ineffective. This term is often used in the New Testament to describe the nullification or abolition of various things, such as the Law, sin, and death, through the work of Christ. The perfect tense of 'katargeo' signifies a permanent effect, emphasizing the lasting impact of Christ's work. By exploring the multiple instances of 'katargeo' in the Bible, believers can grasp the profound truths associated with the work of Christ and the freedom it brings.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Whom the Lord shall consume - He shall blast him so, that he shall wither and die away; and this shall be done by the spirit of his mouth - the words of eternal life, the true doctrine of the Gospel of Jesus; this shall be the instrument used to destroy this man of sin: therefore it is evident his death will not be a sudden but a gradual one; because it is by the preaching of the truth that he is to be exposed, overthrown, and finally destroyed. The brightness of his coming - This may refer to that full manifestation of the truth which had been obscured and kept under by the exaltation of this man of sin.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Translate, "the lawless one"; the embodiment of all the godless "lawlessness" which has been working in "mystery" for ages (Th2 2:7) : "the man of sin" (Th2 2:3). whom the Lord--Some of the oldest manuscripts read, "the Lord Jesus." How awful that He whose very name means God-Saviour, should appear as the Destroyer; but the salvation of the Church requires the destruction of her foe. As the reign of Israel in Canaan was ushered in by judgments on the nations for apostasy (for the Canaanites were originally worshippers of the true God: thus Melchisedek, king of Salem, was the "priest of the most high God," Gen 14:18 : Ammon and Moab came from righteous Lot), so the Son of David's reign in Zion and over the whole earth, is to be ushered in by judgments on the apostate Christian world. consume . . . and . . . destroy--So Dan 7:26, "consume and destroy"; Dan 11:45. He shall "consume" him by His mere breath (Isa 11:4; Isa 30:33) : the sentence of judgment being the sharp sword that goeth out of His mouth (Rev 19:15, Rev 19:21). Antichrist's manifestation and destruction are declared in the same breath; at his greatest height he is nearest his fall, like Herod his type (Isa 1:24-27; Act 12:20-23). As the advancing fire, while still at a distance consumes little insects [CHRYSOSTOM] by its mere heat, so Christ's mere approach is enough to consume Antichrist. The mere "appearance of the coming" of the Lord of glory is sufficient to show to Antichrist his perfect nothingness. He is seized and "cast alive into the take of fire" (Rev 19:20). So the world kingdoms, and the kingdom of the beast, give place to that of the Son of man and His saints. The Greek for "destroy" means "abolish" (the same Greek is so translated, Ti2 1:10); that is, cause every vestige of him to disappear. Compare as to Gog attacking Israel and destroyed by Jehovah (Eze. 38:1-39:29), so as not to leave a vestige of him. with the brightness of his coming--Greek, "the manifestation, (or appearance) of His presence": the first outburst of His advent--the first gleam of His presence--is enough to abolish utterly all traces of Antichrist, as darkness disappears before the dawning day. Next, his adherents are "slain with the sword out of His mouth" (Rev 19:21). BENGEL'S distinction between "the appearance of His coming" and the "coming" itself is not justified by Ti1 6:14; Ti2 1:10; Ti2 4:1, Ti2 4:8; Tit 2:13, where the same Greek for "appearing" (English Version, here "the brightness") plainly refers to the coming itself. The expression, "manifestation (appearing) of His presence," is used in awful contrast to the revelation of the wicked one in the beginning of the verse.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And then shall that wicked be revealed,.... That lawless one, who sets himself above the laws of God and man, and dispenses with them at pleasure, who judges all men, but is judged by no man; as he was in his ecclesiastical power, when Phocas, who murdered the Emperor Mauritius, granted to Boniface III. to be called universal bishop; and in his civil power in succeeding popes, who took upon them the power over kings and emperors, to crown, depose, and excommunicate at pleasure: whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth: that is, the "Lord Jesus", as the Alexandrian copy, and Vulgate Latin version read; and the Syriac version, "our Lord Jesus": who is Lord of lords, and God over all; and so able to do what he is here said he shall do: and which he will do with the Spirit of his mouth; meaning either the Holy Spirit, the third person which proceeds from him, as in Psa 33:6, and so the Ethiopic version, "whom the Spirit of our Lord Jesus shall cast out"; Christ will by his Spirit blow a blast upon antichrist and his kingdom, which he shall never recover again, but ever after consume and waste away: or else by his spirit is meant his Gospel; the Scriptures in general are the breath of God, being divinely inspired by him, and are the sword of the Spirit, the twoedged sword of law and Gospel, which proceeds out of Christ's mouth; the Gospel contains the words of Christ, which are spirit and life; these come out of his mouth, and are sharper than any twoedged sword; and as hereby sinners are cut to the heart, hewn and slain, convicted and converted, so by this likewise antichrist will be consumed, and is consuming; for this phrase denotes the beginning of his destruction, which took place at the time of the reformation by the preaching of the Gospel by Luther and others; by which this man of sin received his deadly wound, and has been in a consumption ever since, and is sensibly wasting in his power and glory every day, and will ere long come to utter destruction: and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming; either in a spiritual way, when he shall come in his spiritual kingdom and glory, by the light of his Gospel and the illuminations of his Spirit; when at eventide it shall be light; when he the sun of righteousness shall arise; when latter day light and glory shall appear, and latter day darkness, the gross darkness of Popery, Paganism, and Judaism, which cover the people, shall, be removed, and antichrist in every form shall disappear: or in a personal manner, when he shall come to judge the quick and dead, which will be in flaming fire and great glory; and then will antichrist and his followers, the beast and those that have worshipped him, be cast with the devil and the false prophet into the lake which burns with fire and brimstone; and this will be the last and utter end of him. In this passage there is a manifest reference to Isa 11:4, "with the breath of his mouth shall he slay the wicked": which the Targumist paraphrases, "with the words of his lips he shall slay , "Armillus the wicked":'' and which the Jews say will be done by the Messiah at his coming; "for so (i) (say they) that phrase in Deu 22:8 "if a man fall from thence", has respect to Armillus the wicked, who at the coming of our Messiah will be slain, as it is said in Isa 11:4' This Armillus, the Jews say (k), is the head of all idolatry, the tenth king who shall reign at Rome, the city of Satan; that he shall rise up after Gog and Magog, and shall go up to Jerusalem, and slay Messiah ben Joseph, and shall himself be slain by Messiah the son of David; yea, they say expressly (l), it is the same whom the Gentiles call antichrist: it is the same with Romulus the first king of the Romans, and designs a Roman, the Roman antichrist; and it may be observed, that the Targumist interprets "the breath of his mouth", by his word; and so says another of their writers (m), "the meaning is by the word of his lips, for the word goes out of the mouth with the vapour and breath:'' such an expression as this is said (n) to be used by Moses, when he was bid by God to answer the angels who objected to his having the law given him; "I am afraid (says he) they will slay (or burn me), , "with the breath of their mouth":'' much more may this be feared from the breath of Christ's mouth. (i) Tzeror Hammor, fol. 148. 2. (k) Apud Buxtorf. Lex. Talmud. col. 221, 222, 223. (l) Abkath Rochel, par. 1. sign. 7. p. 52. (m) In Ohel Moed. fol. 19. 1. (n) T. Bab. Sabbat, fol. 88. 2.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
2:8 Paul announces the doom of the man of lawlessness (cp. 2:3). Although this figure claims to be divine, places his cult above all other worship (2:4), and receives power from Satan (2:9), the Lord Jesus will violently and utterly destroy him (Isa 11:4). • splendor: A reference to Christ’s epiphany (1 Tim 6:14; 2 Tim 1:10; 4:1, 8; Titus 2:13), an alternative description of Christ’s coming (2 Thes 2:1; 1 Thes 2:19; 3:13; 4:15; 5:23) or unveiling (2 Thes 1:7). In ancient literature, an epiphany was the appearance of a deity or a demonstration of divine power that evoked worship.