January 8

2 Thessalonians ii. — 1. Now we beseech you, of Satan, with all power and signs and lying wonders, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our suffering together unto him.

2. That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

3. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come except there come a telling-away first, and that Man of Sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

4. Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he, as God, sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

5. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

6. And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

7. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let until he be taken out of the way.

8. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

9. Even him whose coming is after the working

The notion of the steady coming of Christ to judgment prevails in the first century, with the same directness as the other of which is marked as spasmodic to our use in our coming eyes. Such an agitation had, disturbed the Church at Thessalonians; but the apostle quieted it by announcing that the second advent should be preceded by a great apostasy, through the influence of which there should appear a concentrated, presumptuous, and destructive form of Antichrist. The leaven of that apostasy had even then begun to work; but its development was limited for "let," in the old sense of the world by some person or even then in the way. The early fathers applied this to the paganism of the Roman Empire, which had begun to use the civil arm for persecution. Ever since the Papacy began its aggrandizement as a temporal

of Satan, with all power and signs and lying wonders.

10. And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish: because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

11. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

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

13. But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth:

14. Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

15. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word or our apostle.

16. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope, through grace,

17. Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

power, many interpreters have identified that with "the Man of Sin." Later, some have looked upon the atheism of France as the apostasy, and Napoleon as "the son of perdition." It is clear that no person, system, nor event, has yet filled out the measure of this prophetic outline. Each age has its apostasy, its Antichrist, and each in turn is overwhelmed by some new manifestation of the power of God in his providence or his glory in his Church, so which I said the most battle of God and Magog shall usher in the day of judgment.

Prophecy is self-repeating; and thus the Church is kept always in a state of prayerful expectation. But whatever foes may arise, whatever conflicts come, they who stand fast in the word of Christ shall have everlasting consolation at the coming of the Lord.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 12, 39, 146.

Blessed be God for the hope and the consolation of the gospel; for that faith which even now is our victory over the world, and which shall make us more than conquerors over death. May thy grace enable us to live as faithful and wise stewards who watch for the coming of their Lord! We bring to thee this morning the powers which thou hast given us, the lives which thou hast spared, and, with thanksgiving for thy mercies, consecrate all that we are and all that we possess unto thy service and glory.

Heavenly Father, who hast commanded us that we should not be slothful in business, but fervent in spirit, serving thee, help us ever to remember that our work is thy appointment, and to do it

heartily as unto thee. Make us to live with loins girded and lamps burning, looking for our Lord and Saviour.

O Lord! to thy merciful providence we commend the wants of all mankind. Cause the light of thy glorious gospel to shine throughout the world. Bless thy whole Church, heal its divisions, and restore unto it the blessings of truth, unity, and peace. Bless our country: defend and preserve all in authority. Bless our schools of learning: fill them with thy light. Hear the cry of the poor and needy; be gracious to all our relations and friends; and grant, O Lord! that we may all at length find rest and peace with thy saints in thine eternal kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.