The Man of Lawlessness

2 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ^(A) and our being gathered to him,^(B) we ask you, brothers and sisters, ² not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter^(C)—asserting that the day of the Lord^(D) has already come.^{(E) 3} Don’t let anyone deceive you^(F) in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion^(G) occurs and the man of lawlessness^[a] is revealed,^(H) the man doomed to destruction. ⁴ He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God^(I) or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.^(J)

¹³ But I said, “Alas, Sovereign Lord! The prophets^(A) keep telling them, ‘You will not see the sword or suffer famine.^(B) Indeed, I will give you lasting peace^(C) in this place.’”

¹⁴ Then the Lord said to me, “The prophets are prophesying lies^(D) in my name. I have not sent^(E) them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions,^(F) divinations,^(G) idolatries^[a] and the delusions of their own minds.

⁸ From early times the prophets who preceded you and me have prophesied war, disaster and plague^(A) against many countries and great kingdoms.

⁹ But the prophet who prophesies peace will be recognized as one truly sent by the Lord only if his prediction comes true.^(A)”