III. Hindrances to the spread of truth (ver. 6)—1. The civil powers of that day. 2. The machinations of Satan at all times. 3. The unfaithfulness of God’s people.
Vers. 1–3. A False Alarm—
I. May arise from a misconception of an important truth.—“Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together unto Him” (ver. 1).
II. Is aggravated by unwarrantable deceptions.—“Let no man deceive you by any means” (ver. 3). “Neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is come” (ver. 2).
III. Is the cause of much real suffering.—“Shaken in mind—troubled” (ver. 2)—like a ship escaped from its moorings, tossed in a rolling sea.
IV. Is allayed by the affectionate entreaty of competent teachers.—“We beseech you, brethren” (ver. 1).
Ver. 5. Memory—
- Is freighted with treasures of precious truth.—“I told you these things.”
- Associates the presence and character of the teacher with the truth taught.—“When I was yet with you.”
- Is often vividly reminded of the value of its possession.—“Remember ye not.”
Vers. 7–10. The Mystery of Iniquity—
- Is the deepest and most subtle form of error.
- Is propagated with great cunning and persistency.
- Is embodied in a powerful and wicked personality (vers. 7, 8).
- Is Satanic in its origin and manifestation (vers. 9, 10).