The Great Apostasy
1 Now, brethren,concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christand our gathering together to Him, we ask you,
2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.
3 Let no one deceive you by any means; forthatDaywillnotcomeunless the falling away comes first, andthe man of sin is revealed,the son of perdition,
4 who opposes andexalts himselfabove all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?
6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time.
7 Forthe mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrainswilldosountil He is taken out of the way.
8 And then the lawless one will be revealed,whom the Lord will consumewith the breath of His mouth and destroywith the brightness of His coming.
9 The coming of thelawlessoneisaccording to the working of Satan, with all power,signs, and lying wonders,
10 and with all unrighteous deception amongthose who perish, because they did not receivethe love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 Andfor this reason God will send them strong delusion,that they should believe the lie,
12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth buthad pleasure in unrighteousness.
Stand Fast
13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because Godfrom the beginningchose you for salvationthrough sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth,
14 to which He called you by our gospel, forthe obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 Therefore, brethren,stand fast and holdthe traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.
16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father,who has loved us and givenuseverlasting consolation andgood hope by grace,
17 comfort your heartsand establish you in every good word and work.