The Departure, the Restrainer, and the Lawless One
1 Now, brothers and sisters, concerning the coming of our Master Jesus Christ and our gathering together with him: 2 Please do not be easily disturbed or alarmed in your minds or spirits, because no word or letter has come from us saying that the Day of Christ is already here. 3 Don’t let anyone fool you by any means, because that won’t happen until after the Departure, and then the Lawless One, the Destroyer, will be revealed. 4 He opposes everything and elevates himself over every god or object of worship, even to the point of seating himself in the Temple of God and proclaiming himself God. 5 You have forgotten that I told you these things when I was with you.
6 And you know what is holding him back for now, so that he is only revealed in his time. 7 For although the secret of lawlessness is already in operation, it is only after the Restrainer is taken out of the way 8 that the Lawless One will be revealed. This is the one the Master Jesus will do away with by the breath of his mouth, and will neutralize when he appears at his arrival. 9 He will come when Satan is at the height of his power, which he held by means of signs and fake miracles and seduction, 10 and every kind of wickedness to delude those who are dying, because they would not love the truth that would save them. 11 As a result, God will send them down the wrong path so they will believe the lie, 12 and in this way all who rejected the truth and celebrated unrighteousness will be condemned.
Stand firm in truth
13 Now we should always thank God for you, sisters and brothers loved by the Master, because God favored you as the first harvest to come into salvation via the Holy Spirit, in true faith. 14 And he called you through our good news so you would obtain the favor of our Master Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold to the traditions you were taught, whether by word or letter from us.
16 Now may our Master Jesus Christ himself, and our God and Father who loves us and graciously gives us eternal comfort and a good hope, 17 soothe your hearts and set you firmly in every good action and word.