Many preachers, pastors and clergymen do not preach or teach about the End Times or the Rapture because they either do not believe there will be a “rapture” or they feel the subject is too deep for ordinary Believers or “laymen” to understand. On his initial visit to Thessalonica the Apostle Paul spent three weeks there before the Jews started a riot and caused him and Silas to move on to Berea (Acts 17:1-6). And yet we find in Second Thessalonians that while in Thessalonica for those three weeks Paul taught the new Christians about the End Times or Last Days and the Rapture (II Thessalonians 2:5).
Chapter two begins with a discussion of “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him.” Apparently, some one had written to the church in Thessalonica in the name of Paul and told them that the Rapture (the Day of Christ) had already occurred.
Please note, the “Day of Christ” is different from the “Day of the Lord.” It is a separate event, and is found only five times in the New Testament. (1 Corinthians 1:8, Philippians 1:6, 1:10, 2:16, II Thessalonians 2:2) These are all writings of the Apostle Paul. From the context of these passages it is clear that the Apostle was speaking of the day the Lord Jesus returns for His church.
Paul reminded the Thessalonians that the Day of Christ will not come until two things occur; an apostasy or “falling away,” and the “man of sin” be revealed. Paul also refers to this man of sin as the “son of perdition,” a title only given to one other person in the New Testament, Judas the betrayer. Perdition is also translated as destruction.
The Apostle continues by describing how the man of sin will exalt himself above the Lord and will set himself up in the Temple as if he were God (II Thessalonians 2:4). This verse is a clear indication that there will be a Temple erected during the Tribulation. Then Paul gives us some important information. He said, “Now you know what is holding this person back, for the “mystery of iniquity” is already at work, and will be until he who allows the iniquity to work is taken out of the way” (II Thessalonians 2:6-7).
There is little disagreement among Bible scholars that “he” is the Holy Spirit. This is important because of the connection between the Holy Spirit and Believers. The Holy Spirit is the down payment, or the earnest money toward our Salvation (Ephesians 1:14). If the Holy Spirit is taken, so is the Church.
“And then that Wicked shall be revealed …” – II Thessalonians 2:8In my opinion, the connection between the Holy Spirit and the Church is confirmed in the Revelation. In the last book of the Bible he is referred to only as “the Spirit” and is mentioned nine times. In the Seven Letters to the Seven Churches, the Spirit makes a statement to each of the Churches. Then in the Revelation 14:13 “Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them,” spoken about those who will die in the Lord. This is followed by “the Spirit and the bride say, Come” (Revelation 22:17). Of course, the Bride is the Church. Every time the Spirit is mentioned in the Revelation it is connected with the Church.
Today, there seems to be little question that we are witnessing apostasy in the Church. I need not enumerate the sad facts. Only the revealing of the man of sin, the son of perdition or the Wicked remains. It appears that the revealing of this person and the “gathering up” of the Church will be simultaneous events. The Day of Christ will not happen until the man of sin is revealed (II Thessalonians 2:3), and when the “restrainer,” the Holy Spirit, is taken away, the Wicked will be revealed (II Thessalonians 2:8).
“Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” – Revelation 22:20