Christ's return
1NOW ABOUT the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, when he is to gather us to himself: I beg you, my friends,
2do not suddenly lose your heads, do not be alarmed by any prophetic utterance, any pronouncement, or any letter purporting to come from us, alleging that the day of the Lord is already here.
3Let no one deceive you in any way. That day cannot come before the final rebellion against God, when wickedness will be revealed in human form, the man doomed to destruction.
4He is the adversary who raises himself up against every so-called god or object of worship, and even enthrones himself in God's temple claiming to be God.
5Do you not remember that I told you this while I was still with you?
6You know, too, about the restraining power which ensures that he will be revealed only at his appointed time;
7for already the secret forces of wickedness are at work, secret only for the present until the restraining hand is removed from the scene.
8Then he will be revealed, the wicked one whom the Lord Jesus will destroy with the breath of his mouth and annihilate by the radiance of his presence.
9The coming of the wicked one is the work of Satan; it will be attended by all the powerful signs and miracles that falsehood can devise,
10all the deception that sinfulness can impose on those doomed to destruction, because they did not open their minds to love of the truth and so find salvation.
11That is why God puts them under a compelling delusion, which makes them believe what is false,
12so that all who have not believed the truth but made sinfulness their choice may be brought to judgement.
13WE are always bound to thank God for you, my friends beloved by the Lord. From the beginning of time God chose you to find salvation in the Spirit who consecrates you and in the truth you believe.
14It was for this that he called you through the gospel we brought, so that you might come to possess the splendour of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15Stand firm then, my friends, and hold fast to the traditions which you have learned from us by word or by letter.
16And may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has shown us such love, and in his grace has given us such unfailing encouragement and so sure a hope,
17still encourage and strengthen you in every good deed and word.