Saturday, November 22, 2025
Bavinck. The antichrist 2 Thessalonians
J. H. Bavinck in an imaginative but profound and realistic portrayal of the rule of the "Beast"—
2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 ESV - Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. 5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. 8 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. 9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, 10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, 12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Revelation 13:1-18 ESV
And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. [2] And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear's, and its mouth was like a lion's mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. [3] One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. [4] And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?" [5] And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. [6] It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. [7] Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, [8] and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. [9] If anyone has an ear, let him hear: [10] If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints. [11] Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. [12] It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. [13] It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, [14] and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. [15] And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. [16] Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, [17] so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. [18] This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.
"People will be impressed by the enchanting energy that emanates from this peculiar personality. People will be astounded how everything he does proves successful, even when this initially looks like a daredevil act. Time and again people will conclude that this is abnormal, that unfathomable and irresistible powers are at work here. When the mortal wound from which this ruler has suffered will be healed, people in general will not only start to praise him to high heavens but also attribute supernatural powers to him that keep him alive up and make him prosper."
"The second peculiarity is that this dictator speaks proud words and blasphemies. That indicates that he is full of rancor, harbors thoughts of revenge and bitterness."
"This man, I must admit, definitely has the gift of leadership. His armies have gained entrance into all earth's regions, and managed to conquer all existing rulers. The incomparable success in his military expeditions is based not so much on his modern warfare equipment but is mostly the result of the mysterious, frightening, goal-oriented direction that dominates everything he does. This ruler gives the impression that with every step he takes he knows that he will succeed, and so he does. No wonder that in a very short time the entire world fears him; he also in the space of a few months takes over all economic resources, with the result that he has become the undeniable ruler of the earth. All attempts to revolt have disappeared, all nationalistic movements aimed at his overthrow have gone. The world has become dead-quiet, the press no longer reports any armed conflicts: now their only theme is the song of praise to him who accomplished all this, which does not mean that this greatest ruler of all times is not mocked and vilified and cursed in some places. But all that mockery amounts to nothing because the secret police are quick to bloodily suppress even the tiniest attempt to disobedience. Indeed all is quiet on all fronts. The press has little else to report than some sport events and perhaps another technological breakthrough."
"He goes beyond cursing and slander and starts a war against 'the saints.' He receives that opportunity, says John meaningfully. He is allowed to do so, God makes it possible. God, for a moment, withdraws his protection and leaves his people at the mercy of the wild animal that spares no wrath. That war is, of course, child's play for this redoubtable world ruler. The Bible does not record where these saints have hidden, to which desert or cave or catacomb they have fled. Of course they have no sophisticated weaponry, so it becomes a rather one-sided affair, a war against the defenseless. The result is a sad parade of chained Christians flanked by heavily armed soldiers. That is the somber end of this brief 'war.' The press, of course, praises the accomplishments of our 'heroic military.'"
"The result is that everybody is dead scared. Nobody dares to associate with the believers. The few of those still confessing the name of Christ wander about feeling totally abandoned, with no access anywhere. The entire world worships 'the beast,' worships not in the sense of altars and temples, but in mass meetings, with flags and banners with extravagant praise from the press, with hollow humbug and boastful bragging. But the throne of him who has assumed the direction of the world in his insecure hands still stands unshaken."
"In those days there are still some who refuse to pray to the beast. These are the wandering Christ confessors, nowhere safe, driven from home and hearth. They refuse to budge. They remain steadfast in a world of brass bands and flattering tributes. It is not their good works that make them do this, it is only that their names have been written in the Book of Life. They are preserved by their Lord and savior, are in his firm grip; that's why they cannot join in the choir of the demonic powers. They are the followers of the 'Lamb that has been slain since the foundation of the world.'"
"These last words contain something astonishing. It is as if the happening on Calvary, the cross of Jesus Christ, is seen here as the synopsis of what always takes place: 'since the foundation of the world.' All ages are always active in crucifying him, all nations and all generations want to lay their hands on him. That was the cruel, historical reality under Pontius Pilate, is now also the expression of something supra-temporal, something that in every age takes place all the time. It reminds me of the well-known words of Pascal: 'Jesus is in his death struggle till the end of the world.' Of course this boastful world ruler of the kingdom of men will not succeed in chaining Jesus Christ and let him languish in a dirty prison camp. But when he eagerly stretches out his hands to Christ's followers, the ones who confess his name, then his aim is to get at Christ, then his utmost meaning is to drag Christ to the guillotine. In their tears are his tears, in their blood that freely flows, is his blood. According to the moving words of the Apostle Paul, they are engaged in their own bodies 'to fill up what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions' (Col 1:24). In this one sentence is the martyrdom of these last believers at once placed in a new light. For a moment we get a glimpse of him who stands behind these persecuted and deprived people, the one who has borne the crown of thorns and travels through history as an abandoned loner."
(J. H. Bavinck, And On and On the Ages Roll: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow)
Sent from my iPhone
2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 ESV - Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. 5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. 8 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. 9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, 10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, 12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Revelation 13:1-18 ESV
And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. [2] And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear's, and its mouth was like a lion's mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. [3] One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. [4] And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?" [5] And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. [6] It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. [7] Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, [8] and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. [9] If anyone has an ear, let him hear: [10] If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints. [11] Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. [12] It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. [13] It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, [14] and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. [15] And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. [16] Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, [17] so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. [18] This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.
"People will be impressed by the enchanting energy that emanates from this peculiar personality. People will be astounded how everything he does proves successful, even when this initially looks like a daredevil act. Time and again people will conclude that this is abnormal, that unfathomable and irresistible powers are at work here. When the mortal wound from which this ruler has suffered will be healed, people in general will not only start to praise him to high heavens but also attribute supernatural powers to him that keep him alive up and make him prosper."
"The second peculiarity is that this dictator speaks proud words and blasphemies. That indicates that he is full of rancor, harbors thoughts of revenge and bitterness."
"This man, I must admit, definitely has the gift of leadership. His armies have gained entrance into all earth's regions, and managed to conquer all existing rulers. The incomparable success in his military expeditions is based not so much on his modern warfare equipment but is mostly the result of the mysterious, frightening, goal-oriented direction that dominates everything he does. This ruler gives the impression that with every step he takes he knows that he will succeed, and so he does. No wonder that in a very short time the entire world fears him; he also in the space of a few months takes over all economic resources, with the result that he has become the undeniable ruler of the earth. All attempts to revolt have disappeared, all nationalistic movements aimed at his overthrow have gone. The world has become dead-quiet, the press no longer reports any armed conflicts: now their only theme is the song of praise to him who accomplished all this, which does not mean that this greatest ruler of all times is not mocked and vilified and cursed in some places. But all that mockery amounts to nothing because the secret police are quick to bloodily suppress even the tiniest attempt to disobedience. Indeed all is quiet on all fronts. The press has little else to report than some sport events and perhaps another technological breakthrough."
"He goes beyond cursing and slander and starts a war against 'the saints.' He receives that opportunity, says John meaningfully. He is allowed to do so, God makes it possible. God, for a moment, withdraws his protection and leaves his people at the mercy of the wild animal that spares no wrath. That war is, of course, child's play for this redoubtable world ruler. The Bible does not record where these saints have hidden, to which desert or cave or catacomb they have fled. Of course they have no sophisticated weaponry, so it becomes a rather one-sided affair, a war against the defenseless. The result is a sad parade of chained Christians flanked by heavily armed soldiers. That is the somber end of this brief 'war.' The press, of course, praises the accomplishments of our 'heroic military.'"
"The result is that everybody is dead scared. Nobody dares to associate with the believers. The few of those still confessing the name of Christ wander about feeling totally abandoned, with no access anywhere. The entire world worships 'the beast,' worships not in the sense of altars and temples, but in mass meetings, with flags and banners with extravagant praise from the press, with hollow humbug and boastful bragging. But the throne of him who has assumed the direction of the world in his insecure hands still stands unshaken."
"In those days there are still some who refuse to pray to the beast. These are the wandering Christ confessors, nowhere safe, driven from home and hearth. They refuse to budge. They remain steadfast in a world of brass bands and flattering tributes. It is not their good works that make them do this, it is only that their names have been written in the Book of Life. They are preserved by their Lord and savior, are in his firm grip; that's why they cannot join in the choir of the demonic powers. They are the followers of the 'Lamb that has been slain since the foundation of the world.'"
"These last words contain something astonishing. It is as if the happening on Calvary, the cross of Jesus Christ, is seen here as the synopsis of what always takes place: 'since the foundation of the world.' All ages are always active in crucifying him, all nations and all generations want to lay their hands on him. That was the cruel, historical reality under Pontius Pilate, is now also the expression of something supra-temporal, something that in every age takes place all the time. It reminds me of the well-known words of Pascal: 'Jesus is in his death struggle till the end of the world.' Of course this boastful world ruler of the kingdom of men will not succeed in chaining Jesus Christ and let him languish in a dirty prison camp. But when he eagerly stretches out his hands to Christ's followers, the ones who confess his name, then his aim is to get at Christ, then his utmost meaning is to drag Christ to the guillotine. In their tears are his tears, in their blood that freely flows, is his blood. According to the moving words of the Apostle Paul, they are engaged in their own bodies 'to fill up what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions' (Col 1:24). In this one sentence is the martyrdom of these last believers at once placed in a new light. For a moment we get a glimpse of him who stands behind these persecuted and deprived people, the one who has borne the crown of thorns and travels through history as an abandoned loner."
(J. H. Bavinck, And On and On the Ages Roll: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow)
Sent from my iPhone
# posted by Groseys messages @ 7:33 PM 
