2:3. Let no man deceive you by any means: for unless there come a revolt first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition
A revolt… This revolt, or falling off, is generally understood, by the ancient fathers, of a revolt from the Roman empire, which was first to be destroyed, before the coming of Antichrist. It may, perhaps, be understood also of a revolt of many nations from the Catholic Church; which has, in part, happened already, by means of Mahomet, Luther, &c., and it may be supposed, will be more general in the days of the Antichrist. The man of sin… Here must be meant some particular man, as is evident from the frequent repetition of the Greek article [ ], the man of sin, the son of perdition, the adversary or opposer. It agrees to the wicked and great Antichrist, who will come before the end of the world.
2:4. Who opposeth and is lifted up above all that is called God or that is worshipped, so that he sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself as if he were God.
In the temple… Either that of Jerusalem which some think he will rebuild; or in some Christian church, which he will pervert to his own worship: as Mahomet has done by the churches of the east.
2:5. Remember you not that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
2:6. And now you know what withholdeth, that he may be revealed in his time.
2:7. For the mystery of iniquity already worketh: only that he who now holdeth do hold, until he be taken out of the way.
2:8. And then that wicked one shall be revealed: whom the Lord Jesus shall kill with the spirit of his mouth and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: him
2:9. Whose coming is according to the working of Satan, in all power and signs and lying wonders:
2:10. And in all seduction of iniquity to them that perish: because they receive not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. Therefore God shall send them the operation of error, to believe lying: