The Destruction of Evil

​2 Thessalonians 2:8 ~ “And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.”
 
Soon, my friends, the LORD will come and the enemy will be vanquished. We often look to the conditions of the world and lament the increase of human depravity. Like a rollercoaster, traveling from a higher point to the bottom, we have watched the rising and falling of Christian virtue. Sometimes it seems as if all will be well, the rise happens and even revivals have broken out among the people. Then it plunges in the abrogation of righteousness and societies descend further into wickedness. But don’t wring your hands, dear Christian, and do not despair, for the victory of the LORD is assured.
 
In our text today we find those first two words: “and then...” I suspect you’ve asked the question as I have: “And when?” When is this lawless one to be revealed? 2 Thessalonians 2:7 tells us, “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.” There is a restraint placed upon the wicked one, for the LORD will control all aspects of the redemption of His people, including the timing of the enemy’s advent. But we see that lawlessness is already at work. We merely need to look around us to see the very hand of wickedness perverting the causes of righteousness. In Matthew 24:24 Jesus tells us, “And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.” Has the love of many grown cold? Is there a cooling off of the genuine kindness and benevolence of mankind? There is. We learn from 2 Thessalonians 2:9 that there will be false signs and wonders that accompany the revealed enemy. Those, beloved, are also taking place. Which brings us to the second part of the opening of our text today, “...the lawless one will be revealed.” With all that is happening in our world today, the increase of wickedness is clearly seen. Lawlessness is on the rise and it won’t be long before the man of lawlessness is revealed. We may not be at the end of the ride, but we might be on the last downward trend.
 
I think many Christians today are not unlike the description of Lot in 2 Peter 2:8, “he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard.” We see what is happening and our souls are grieved and tormented by such unvarnished wickedness. And, before we venture another step, let me give you a word of warning: if you can embrace the rebellions of the world, you need to read James 4:4, “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” Do not condemn yourselves by what you approve (see Romans 14:22).
 
The day is coming, and will soon be here, when Jesus will return. The lawless one will face the might of our King and, as our text reveals, “the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth.” The antichrist and all of his forces will be cut down with one word from the LORD Jesus Christ. Revelation 19:15 illuminates this, “From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.” There will be no place for the enemy of God to escape. He will be utterly destroyed by the King of kings and Lord of lords.
 
But, you might think that though the enemy is vanquished, there remains the after-effect of his wickedness. It will not be. Our LORD will remove every vestige of evil. The final statement of our text today declares, “and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.” The glory of Christ will eradicate every last shadow and the splendor of His being will fill the universe with His light. The moment a light is switched on it brings to nothing the darkness of a room. And the moment the glorious presence of Christ Jesus is revealed it will bring all evil to nothing. Consider this promise from Revelation 22:5, “And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.” Satan will be destroyed; sin will be removed and all who are made holy in Christ will abide forever in the presence of God.
 
Do not let your hearts be troubled. For soon, my friends, the LORD will come and the enemy will be vanquished.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

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