2 Thessalonians 2:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

NIV: and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.

NASB: in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.

CSB: so that all will be condemned —those who did not believe the truth but delighted in unrighteousness.

NLT: Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth.

KJV: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

NKJV: that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

In this verse Paul describes the fate of those who reject the truth in favor of believing the falsehood perpetrated by the man of lawlessness. This is the fate of those who continue to dismiss God, and His signs, after the rapture and during the tribulation. Such persons are, to put it mildly, entirely condemned. Their delighting in unrighteousness is over once and for all—their ultimate destiny is one of suffering, not happiness (Luke 13:27–28). Undoubtedly, many unbelievers who are alive before the rapture will be alive in the tribulation, giving them all the more opportunity to recognize their need for God. According to this verse, there will be many who stubbornly refuse to respond, even to the incredible experiences of God's judgments during the tribulation, and the words of God's witnesses. There is no second chance to be saved after death; if a person heard the truth but rejected it, their fate is sealed.

Often, deluded individuals believe they derive pleasure from sinning, but the pleasure is short-lived. Moses chose wisely when he sided with God's people in the affliction instead of choosing "to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin" (Hebrews 11:25). Any pleasure derived from sin is a far cry from pleasure derived from obeying God. Psalm 16:11 tells us that in God's "presence there is fullness of joy; at [His] right hand are pleasures forevermore." First Timothy 5:6 underscores the folly of living for pleasure. It reveals that the widow who lives in self-indulgence is dead while she lives. And 2 Timothy 3:4 describes people in the last days as "lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God."

Second Thessalonians 2:1–12 discusses the ''day of the Lord'' as an event from which Christians are exempt. Some Thessalonian believers were confused, thinking they had entered this time of hardship and judgment. Paul tells them to put such thinking aside, regardless of the source. He assures them the day of the Lord will not commence until a rebellion or apostasy occurs, followed by the emergence of the man of lawlessness. This figure will try to take on the role of God and deceive those who are lost and had rejected the truth. Empowered by Satan, the man of lawlessness will deceive unbelievers by performing signs and wonders. But at His coming, Jesus Christ will destroy the man of lawlessness.

The Christians of Thessalonica have not missed out on the events described in Paul's prior letter. Despite what some teachers apparently thought, they were not experiencing the ''day of the Lord,'' a time of God's great wrath and judgment. As proof, Paul offers instruction on events which had yet to occur, prior to the coming of the day of the Lord. The first is a rebellion, or a ''falling away.'' The second is the emergence of a ''man of lawlessness'' who will demonstrate satanic power. This will correspond with God removing His restraint, in some way, leaving sin freer rein to enable His judgment.

Chapter 1 praised the Christians of Thessalonica for their spiritual growth and acts of love. This chapter seeks to correct a discouraging error present in that same church. Paul encourages these believers by stating that they have not missed out on the events described in his prior letter and have not entered into the judgment of the ''day of the Lord.'' Before that catastrophic time can begin, certain events must occur. These include a widespread spiritual apostasy and the rise of a satanically-empowered figure. Chapter 3 commends the value of a strong work ethic, both in a spiritual and a secular sense.

Second Thessalonians follows Paul's earlier letter to the same group of Christian believers. In 1 Thessalonians, Paul had praised them for their faithfulness and given them reassurances about the day of the Lord. This included teachings on the rapture and a description of death as ''sleep'' from a Christian viewpoint. In this second letter, Paul corrects possible misunderstandings about those ideas. Among his teachings here are the importance of a good work ethic and God's impending judgment on sin, including judgment on those who persecute the Christian church. Paul also provides the Thessalonians with reassurances that they have not somehow missed out on Christ's return.