What Does 2 Thessalonians 2:9 Mean?

(9) **Even him, whose coming.**—The “even him” does not stand in the Greek; and “whose” might, again, be rendered by *for his own, *or perhaps “though his own.” The purpose of the verses following is not merely to describe Antichrist more fully, but to compare word for word his coming with that which will annihilate him. Again is used of Antichrist a peculiar word consecrated to the Christ: “coming” (literally *presence*)*, *being the word used in 2Thessalonians 2:8, as well as 2Thessalonians 2:1, and often. In spite of the sham being well got up, it will be seen to be a sham. **Is . . .** **with all power.**—“Is:” St. Paul sees the future as present. The predicate is not “after the working,” but “in all power,” &c. The advent of Antichrist will be in (*i.e., *surrounded with, accompanied by) all kinds of miracles, “according to the working of Satan:” *i.e., *not only wrought by Satan, but up to the full capacity of Satan to work them. The word “lying” (literally, *of falsehood*) should go with all three names, “all counterfeit power and signs and wonders.” The three words are piled up to heighten the terror of the description; if you press them they mean that there will be a display of power, to attest Antichrist’s doctrine (signs), and to keep men spellbound in admiration of him (wonders). Antichrist, like Christ (1Timothy 6:15), has one to support him—Satan instead of God; he, like Christ (Luke 21:25), will have his miracles—but miracles of trickery, not of truth.