2 Thessalonians 2

The revelation of the lawless one looks a lot like it was happening, had begun, and was describing a current event. It does not look like the end of the age. It also appears they were to endure it.

Four observations:

• The man of lawlessness will be the personification of Satan's deception and anti-God activity, and will call himself God. (9)
  
• The failure to obtain salvation was because of a failure to love the truth. I'm sure he could have said, "believe," but he said love. (10)
• To those who refuse to love the truth as presented in God's word and preaching, God sent a strong delusion. (11) Without promoting evil, God made it easier to believe falsehood.
• The bedrock confidence in deceitful times is the election or choice of God that leads to belief in truth. (13-14).

The combination, in the last paragraph, of standing firm, being strong and being comforted at the same time seems unique to me. This does not advocate for a stoic toughness or a sissy comfort, but toughness and tenderness.