Written by Paul J Bucknell on June, 10, 2021

The Timing of Antichrist’s Appearing ( 1-2 Thessalonians), Part 4

Part 3 Antichrist Revealed in Revelation 13

Part 4 The Timing of Antichrist’s Appearing (2 Thessalonians 2)

Part 5 Facing Antichrist and His Henchmen: Prepare yourself to face the Antichrist.

An Introduction to the Timing of Antichrist

Part 4 of this series about Antichrist is, perhaps, the most important—The Time of Antichrist’s Appearing. If we are uninformed about Antichrist’s person, plans, and signs, then the previous messages will provide vital information to identify him. One danger I see is that many Christians are told and believe that Antichrist isn’t coming until after Christ raptures His people (cf. 1 Thes 4). Though I have previously noted that I think this is a misunderstanding, I have not sufficiently supported my point. I will do that here.

This teaching leaves God’s people unprepared for Antichrist’s coming. Though there might exist stacks of end-times information, many are not attentive to it, being convinced that Christ will take them to their heavenly home before the Great Tribulation and AntiChrist’s cunning work occurs on earth.

Frankly, I would want nothing more than to miss the black heat from the red dragon’s fiery breath (alias Antichrist), but let the Scriptures instruct us. The Lord’s own wise words guide this series to help His people detect the beast’s deceitfully laid snare.

Many Christians know about Antichrist but will not be ready for him. You might have read or watched the Left Behind videos, or you might be a devoted Christian who avidly watches the experts explain the last-time charts. I have witnessed how the Christian church in the West has ill-prepared God’s people since the 1970s.

To be accurate, the passages regarding Antichrist, the first beast, do not focus on the timing of his arrival but instead on his evil nature and deluding signs. Revelation 13 lists many facts about him that should alert us to this great need to observe and resist his efforts.

The timing issue has much to do with one’s interpretation of 1 Thessalonians 4, the catching up of His people in the air to meet Jesus. If we insist that this event happens before Antichrist arrives, who is being warned in Revelation 13?

Defenders of this viewpoint will assert that many will come to know the Lord after the pre-tribulation rapture, and it is they who will suffer greatly and be martyred. If that is so, fine. But that makes the reason for the pre-tribulation rapture “God will never allow His people to go through the Great Tribulation” as some assert, moot. (cf. Rev 3:10). This notion misleads believers to ignore the warnings. In Revelation 13-14, God reveals that many of His people will suffer terribly under the coming rule of Antichrist and the False Prophet—there will be many martyrs; chapter 14 comforts them by elaborating on God’s eternal care for them.

God clearly will not rescue all of His people before the rapture, though let us keep it open that He might keep some from this challenging time. This has nothing to do with God’s love but with His plan, leaving some imprisoned and others killed (Rev 13:7-9), though perhaps others are spared.

Antichrist, the lawless one, precedes Jesus’ return

Scriptural Evidence

However, the Apostle Paul provides sufficient evidence that Antichrist precedes Jesus’ coming in 2 Thessalonians chapter 2. After presenting the explicit teaching, I will provide strong evidence that the “coming” in 2 Thessalonians 2 is the same as the “coming” in 1 Thessalonians 4.

In 1-2 Thessalonians, Paul handles this issue from a different angle. The believers heard that Jesus had already returned, and fearing they missed it. Paul reassures them and gives them two signs that must appear before Jesus’ return—the apostasy and Antichrist’s arrival, the man of lawlessness. Interestingly, the Jerusalem Bible prefers a stronger translation, “the Great Revolt has taken place and the Rebel” (2 Thessalonians 2:3). Our study will not focus on the general scene nor Antichrist’s nature but his timing, since we have already thoroughly described these things in previous studies.

The Two Comings (parousias)

In the context of the two Thessalonian epistles, 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 instructs us on, among other things, the timing of Antichrist’s coming.

Our central stepping stone into this topic is the Greek word for ‘coming’ or ‘arrival’ (Greek: parousia), which plays a critical role in understanding the timing. Paul uses the term ‘parousia’ 7 times (1 Thes 2:19; 3:13; 4:15; 5:23; 2 Thes 2:1,8,[9]) in these two short letters to correct the Thessalonians’ wrong narrative on Jesus’ return. This topic is fresh on their minds, probably due to their hope that Jesus will soon rescue them from their many afflictions due to their newfound faith.

Each usage of parousia refers to Jesus’ second coming except 2 Thes 2:9, which surprisingly speaks of the coming (parousia) of Antichrist.

Paul and others in the New Testament use parousia without any eschatological reference—like the arrival of a person, but in 1-2 Thessalonians, this term only describes arrivals of distinguished beings, namely Jesus and Antichrist. It’s from this usage Paul clarifies important timing information on Antichrist’s coming. While it’s not wrong to use the term ‘return’ to describe Christ’s coming—Jesus is risen and coming again—but ‘return’ or ‘second coming’ goes beyond the meaning of this term of parousia.

The most critical verses are 1 Thessalonians 4, speaking about the rapture, and 2 Thessalonians 2 focused on the timing (including 4 of the seven usages of parousia).

“For we tell you this by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not go ahead of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Thes 4:15).

“Now regarding the arrival of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to be with him, we ask you, brothers and sisters” (2 Thes 2:1).

“⁷ For the hidden power of lawlessness is already at work. However, the one who holds him back will do so until he is taken out of the way, ⁸ and then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will destroy by the breath of his mouth and wipe out by the manifestation of his arrival. ⁹The arrival of the lawless one will be by Satan’s working with all kinds of miracles and signs and false wonders” (2 Thes 2:7-9 NASB).

Let’s make a few general observations.

• There is no reason for the NASB translation ‘coming’ in 1 Thessalonians 4:15 to differ from ‘arrival’ in 2 Thessalonians 2:1,8,9. They all share the same Greek term—parousia. Perhaps, I come from a student’s perspective, looking for clarity, while others look for readability. This, however, is an important fact for our study. The NIV, KJB, and ESV consistently use ‘coming’ to translate parousia.

• Most interestingly, Paul speaks of both the coming (i.e., parousia) of Christ and the Antichrist. We briefly surmise that the term parousia has not become a theological term at that time, referring to Christ’s return like it now has in some circles. Otherwise, Paul would not have used the word to describe the Lawless One’s appearing.

• Paul, perhaps, places the two parousias of Antichrist and Jesus adjacent to each other to emphasize Antichrist’s crafty motive by his illustrious appearing before Christ as to steal all the attention.

• Lastly, these arrivals are extraordinary beings. Jesus has His resurrected body and yet comes from heaven. Satan, a spirit being, works through his appointed henchman—the Antichrist.

Antichrist Arrives First on the Scene

The Lawless One, the first beast (cf. Rev 13:1-12), arrives before Christ. This timing is crystal clear in these verses.

⁷ For the hidden power of lawlessness is already at work. However, the one who holds him back will do so until he is taken out of the way, ⁸ and then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will destroy by the breath of his mouth and wipe out by the manifestation of his arrival. ⁹ The arrival of the lawless one will be by Satan’s working with all kinds of miracles and signs and false wonders” (2 Thes 2:7-9).

While there is much discussion on the phrase “he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way,” the relative timing of these two arrivals is evident: the Lawless One before Christ.

2:8 “then the lawless one (Antichrist) will be revealed, whom the Lord will destroy…by the manifestation of his arrival.”

2:9 “The arrival of the lawless one will be by Satan’s working….”

By timing, we are not speaking about signs, season, or even which year, but speaking relative to who comes first: Antichrist or Jesus. These verses speak about Antichrist, the Lawless One, first spewing out his lawless activities, and only after a specific definite time, Jesus Christ as Lord comes to judge, “whom the Lord will destroy.” Each has an arrival (parousia), but Jesus’ follows the manifestation of the lawlessness of the Lawless One. John Stott says, “Paul’s preoccupation here is with the time of the rebellion. He uses a series of time references, so that the Thessalonians may grasp the order of events….” (John Stott, The Gospel and The End of Time, p. 167).

Is this debated? I haven’t heard one argue with this, except that some believers assert that Jesus Christ’s return has two stages, the rapture (where Jesus doesn’t touch the earth) and the one following the millennium at the end of time with the final judgment.

But Paul doesn’t make this separation. Let me further support my premise.

Support from 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2, 8-9

Paul uses the same word, parousia, in 1 Thessalonians 4:15 as used in 2 Thessalonians 2:8-9. This itself is a convincing argument, mainly if one traces the 24 usages in the New Testament. Paul acknowledges Jesus’ parousia in 2 Thessalonians 2:1,8 and 1 Thessalonians 4:15 as the same.

Carefully developed eschatology schematics, however, can cover up this truth. I like diagrams, but they tend to cloud the details. If Paul uses these terms without a specific explanation, then we should accept them as the same event.

In further support of this argument, I will use 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 to provide three ideas proving that Jesus’ parousia speaks of the same event throughout the Thessalonian letters.

¹ Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, ² that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. (NASB)

These three points lead to one conclusion: Jesus’ parousia in 1 Thessalonians 4 and 2 Thessalonians 2 are the same event.

These three points lead to one conclusion: Jesus’ parousia in 1 Thessalonians 4 and 2 Thessalonians 2 are the same event.
Paul connects Jesus’ parousia with our gathering to Him both in 4:15 and here in chapter 2:1. Though the word ‘gathering’ is not used in 1 Thessalonians 4, the thought is amply described.

(1) The word usage ‘coming’ (parousia) is the same used here in 2 Thessalonians 2:1 as in 1 Thessalonians 4:15 and 2 Thessalonians 2:8. For this term to signify different scenarios, would require further explanation. Paul’s lack of further explanation rests on the assumption that he expects the Thessalonians to understand the events as the same.

(2) Twice Paul links to a specific joint event that he uses in 1 Thessalonians 4:15, “For we tell you this by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not go ahead of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Thes 4:15).

In 4:16, Paul explains this two-stage gathering of His people, first, those who are dead in Christ, and then, those who are alive “will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thes 4:17). These two stages of gathering occur at the one event of the Lord Jesus Christ’s parousia. The gathering of His people remains a significant part of Jesus’ appearing.

Paul follows through his thought in 2 Thessalonians 2:1, “with regard to the coming (parousia) of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him.” Twice Paul connects the parousia with the gathering of His people, making the 1 Thessalonians 4 event be the same as the one in 2 Thessalonians chapter 2.

Paul here links all three descriptions: “coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,” “gathering together to Him,” and the “Day of the Lord” comprising this one event.

(3) Lastly, Paul uses the significant phrase “Day of the Lord” in 2 Thessalonians 2:2, “the day of the Lord has come,” clearly connecting, biblically and theologically, the Lord’s Day of judgment with Jesus’ parousia. To convince the believers that Jesus has not yet come, he knowingly links the phrase “Day of the Lord” to Jesus’ parousia.

In verse 3, Paul says that Jesus’ parousia will not happen until after the apostasy and the revealing of the Lawless One, the son of destruction. 2 Thessalonians 2:8 pinpoints that the judgment of the evil one at the Day of the Lord, which we also find at the earth’s end in Revelation 20, is part of the judgment occurs at Jesus’ parousia.

These three points display how wrong it is to disassociate Jesus’ catching up of the saints in 1 Thessalonians 4 from the gathering of His people in 2:1. The judgment of the Lawless One is part of Jesus’ parousia; they are one.

The arrival times of the Antichrist and Jesus differ. Antichrist first comes, then Jesus follows along with the eternal age of togetherness for His people.

“…The dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. ¹⁸ Therefore encourage one another with these words” (1 Thes 4:15-17).

Final Conclusion of Antichrist’s Timing

Antichrist’s coming precedes Jesus’ return. The same term ‘parousia’ used in 1 Thessalonians 4 and 2 Thessalonians 2 assumes and proves them to be the same event. The term ‘the day of the Lord’ and its theme of judgment (cf. 2 Thes 1) bring comfort to the afflicted Thessalonians and to all of God’s people, for Jesus will slay the evil one with the breath of His mouth on the “Day of the Lord.”

Antichrist precedes Jesus christ’s coming (parousia)

Discussion Questions for Antichrist’s Timing

Opening: Has anyone watched or read LaHaye’s Left Behind series? What was your takeaway?

Why does the author speak about Jesus’ and Antichrist’s comings in 2 Thessalonians chapter 2?
How many times is ‘parousia’ used in I & 2 Thessalonians? What does the Greek word ‘parousia’ mean?
Why is the timing of Antichrist’s appearing so important?
Does Revelation teach that believers will suffer during the Great Tribulation? Support your answer.
Compare the two passages, 1 Thessalonians 4 and 2 Thessalonians 2, and explain if Jesus’ coming is the same event in the two passages.
The author concludes that the two-staged gathering in 1 Thessalonians 4 is the same as the gathering mentioned in 2 Thessalonians 2:1. Do you agree? Explain.
How does the connection of Jesus’ parousia with the Day of the Lord attempt to prove that Jesus’ parousia in 1 Thessalonians 4 and 2 Thessalonians 2 is the same event?
Explain whether you think it’s appropriate to differentiate Jesus’ coming in 1 Thessalonians 4 from 2 Thessalonians 2. Defend your answer.
Should believers be wary of Antichrist? Why or why not?

Other Resources by Paul Bucknell on the First and Second Beasts, Antichrist

Antichrist in the Bible (Part 1)

Antichrist in the Bible: What does the Bible say about the Antichrist?

The Signs of Antichrist (Part 2)

The Signs of Antichrist: Is Antichrist Coming Soon?

The Signs of Antichrist (Part 2)

The Signs of Antichrist: Is Antichrist Coming Soon?

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