Final Conqueror, Perfect Comforter
The Lord Jesus Christ will slay him (the lawless one) with the breath of his mouth. Now, may our Lord Jesus Christ comfort your hearts and establish them in every good word and work. (II Thessalonians 2:8, 16, 18)
II Thess. 2:8-17; John 16:33; I John 2:18-25
What Is God Saying?
Here, we see the certainty of a great conflict between evil and good. The ultimate triumph belongs to God and to those whom He has "called by the Gospel to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2:14) The chapter has a break that can be compared to a firewall. From verse 8 to verse 13, there is "the coming of the lawless one, by the activity of Satan, (and it) will be with all power and with pretended signs and wonders." (vs. 9) His great weapon will be deception. (vs. 10) His approach will be to make people "believe what is false" (vs. 11) and "to find pleasure in unrighteousness." (vs. 12) That is part of the delusion, enjoying what is wrong and finding pleasure in what is evil.
Up to this point, Satan is in control, but then comes the firewall. As promised in verse 8, "The Lord will destroy him with the brightness of his coming." The Gospel calls us. We are saved by the sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth (vs. 13-14), and we are given everlasting consolation and hope through grace (vs. 15). Satan and evil are strong, but God and good are stronger. In this, our "hearts find comfort." (vs. 17) Jesus is the final Conqueror and the perfect Comforter.
How Does This Apply To Us?
This conflict is carried on every day and in every place. We can't avoid it. We don't have to look for it. It comes to us. It is blasted from the media and blazoned in the headlines. It infiltrates our subconscious in subtle ways when our guard is down. There is no escape. It is the way of the world. It is Satan saying and getting others to say, "Evil be thou my god." Being in the world, we can choose not to be of the world. With the Thessalonians, we can face a defeated enemy in the power of Christ's love and the confidence of His final victory. In this, we, too, may be comforted (or strengthened) by "good hope through grace." (2: 16)
Two verses now speak directly to our need as we wage our continual warfare, "But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you against evil" (3:3), and "May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and the steadfastness of Christ." (3:5) In the heat of the conflict, our prayers will go beyond praise and thanksgiving. The Lord is the final Conqueror and the perfect Comforter.
Pray With Me
Lord, we live in a world that seems to be controlled by the lawless one. Thank You for Your Word, which assures me that the Lord Jesus is the final Conqueror and the perfect Comforter. He who is the prince of this world will be conquered. They who are the pilgrims of this world will be comforted.
It is easy to lose heart when wickedness runs on unhindered. It is easy to run for cover when nothing seems able to resist the downward drag of evil. It is easy to be discouraged when one sees how lawlessness seems to stain even the hearts of those who follow You. Yet I claim the promised victory now. I accept it by faith. My heart is comforted now.
I expect the answer, for You have given it. I live by this promise because its source is the eternal God.
In His ever-conquering and ever-comforting name. Amen.
Moving On In The Life of Prayer
"In the world, you shall have tribulation." (John 16:33) In the world, there are restless seas driven and tossed by evil. In the world, there is the unrest of envy, pride, vengeance, and lust. In prayer, we have a refuge, a great sea wall that tames the angry swells and negates the subtle undertow of evil called good. Here, we see the glory of Him, the final Conqueror, and rejoice in the promise of the One who is the perfect Comforter. “These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
