by Dorcas Kulwa | 17 October 2022 08:46 am10
(2 Thessalonians 2:8, ESV)
2 Thessalonians 2:8 (ESV) – “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.”
This powerful verse speaks of the ultimate defeat of the Antichrist, also called “the lawless one,” who will emerge during the end times as part of Satan’s final rebellion against God. The Apostle Paul assures believers that this figure, though powerful and deceptive, will be destroyed by Jesus Christ Himself specifically through the breath of His mouth and the appearance of His coming.
The “lawless one” represents a final, personal embodiment of rebellion against God. According to Paul, he is empowered by Satan to perform false signs and wonders to deceive those who refuse to love the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:9–10). This figure is commonly equated with the Antichrist described in 1 John 2:18 and Revelation 13.
1 John 2:18 (ESV) – “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come.”
Revelation 13:2 (ESV) – “And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority.”
The Antichrist will deceive many with charisma, false peace, and counterfeit miracles. But his reign will be short-lived.
The phrase “breath of his mouth” reflects Christ’s sovereign authority and divine judgment. Just as God created the universe by His word (Genesis 1), Christ will destroy evil by His spoken word. It is not a literal breath, but a metaphor for the unstoppable power of divine command.
Isaiah 11:4 (ESV) – “…and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.”
Hebrews 4:12 (ESV) – “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword…”
Jesus will not need armies or physical weapons; His word alone is enough to destroy evil.
The “brightness” (or appearance, Greek: epiphaneia) of His coming refers to the visible, glorious return of Jesus Christ at the end of the age. This is not symbolic or secretive it will be a cataclysmic and undeniable event where every eye will see Him.
Matthew 24:27 (ESV) – “For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”
Revelation 1:7 (ESV) – “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him…”
When Christ returns in glory, the manifestation of His holiness and majesty will annihilate the Antichrist and all rebellion. His coming will bring judgment to the wicked and deliverance to the righteous.
The Apostle John provides a stunning vision of Christ’s second coming:
Revelation 19:11–16 (ESV)
“Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True… From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations… On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.”
This isn’t the gentle carpenter from Nazareth. This is the conquering King, returning to judge evil and establish His eternal kingdom.
Right now, Jesus offers grace and salvation to all who will repent and trust in Him. But one day, He will return as Judge.
Acts 17:30–31 (ESV) – “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed…”
Are you ready for His return? Have you repented of your sins and surrendered your life to Christ? If not, don’t delay. He is coming again not in weakness, but in power and glory.
Today is the day of salvation. Tomorrow might be too late.
2 Corinthians 6:2 (ESV) – “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
Maranatha – Come, Lord Jesus!
Please share this message with others. Let the world know: the King is coming soon.
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