The document discusses the promises of God and lessons that can be learned from Paul's letters about Christ's return. It notes that Christ's coming was prophesied to be in the future after a "falling away" from faith. Some key points: the Roman Catholic Church fulfills the prophecy of the "falling away"; the Pope claims divine authority that rightly belongs only to Christ; and believers must not be deceived but remain faithful to Christ and his teachings alone until his return. The document urges readers to be ready for Christ's return by coming to faith in him through hearing the gospel, repenting of sins, confessing him, and being baptized.

2. Introduction:
• Are you standing on the promises?
– Let us examine our text to understand
about the promises of God.
• Why did he encourage them as he did?
• What other lessons can we learn from
these things?
• Let’s explore! Ps. 25:10; 119:160

3. We All Need To Trust In Christ’s Return!
• They especially needed to know that
Christ’s coming was to be in the future
after the falling away. vv.1-3; Jn. 14:1-3
• Some would say it is “very soon” as if it
would be that month or year for example.
– The truth is, no one knows the exact day
nor the hour. Mark 13:32-33
– They were to live faithful and need not worry
but have peace. John 14:27; Rom. 14:17
– So we must wait for Jesus’ return. 1 Thes.
1:10; 4:16; 2 Thes. 1:7-9

4. The Falling Away Was To Come First!
• Its iniquity had already begun. 2 Tim. 3:1-9;
1 Tim. 4:1-3; Acts 20:28-30; 3 Jn. 9-10
• The falling away (apostasy) is now called
the Roman Catholic church.
• Examples:
– Bishops usurped elders authority - 2nd Century
– Infant baptism first mentioned about 150 AD
– Many heathen rituals—candles, incense, robes
etc.—added to “Christian worship”-third century.
– Pope gains “universal authority” 606 AD

5. The Man Of Sin Would Be Revealed!
• The son of perdition. V.3
– He opposes and exalts himself above all that is
called God or that is worshiped.
• Only Christ has this authority and honor!
Rev. 19:10; 22:9; 1 Tim. 6:15; Eph. 1:18-23
– He sits as God in the temple of God showing
himself that he is God. V.4
• The pope calls himself God, “Pope John XXII
is expressly called "our Lord God the Pope":
the Ethiopic version reads, "he shall say to
all, I am the Lord God” (Extrarag. "cum inter".)
• Infallibility of the pope – 1870. cf. Rom. 3:10

6. We Must Not Be Deceived!
• By power, signs, lying wonders… according
to the working of Satan. Rev. 12:9; Jn. 8:44
• Satan’s workers will appear as angels of
light but are not. 2 Cor. 11:12-15
• Using all unrighteous deception. vv.10-12
– Jannes and Jambres in Egypt. 2 Tim. 3:8
– Jesus warned of false Christ’s and prophets…
Mt. 24:24
– People would be deceived by sorceries…
Revelation 18:23; 19:20
– Those who follow the false ones will say…
Matthew 7:21-23

7. We Must Continue To Believe And
Be Faithful To Christ – vv.13-14
• God’s wants us to understand that He loves
us and has given us everlasting consolation
and good hope by His grace. v.16
• We ought to allow God to establish us in
every good word and work. Jn. 14:15
• We are to stand fast in Christ’s doctrine
alone. 2 Thes. 2:15-17; 2 Jn. 9;
Revelation 22:18-19
• We must trust His promise and walk by
faith until He comes… 1 Jn. 2:25; 2 Cor.
5:7; 1 Thes. 4:14-18

8. Are You Ready For Jesus’ Return?
• He is coming back. Acts 17:30-31
• If not, will you come to Jesus today and be
saved? Mt. 11:28-30 …HOW?
– You must hear and believe Christ’s gospel.
Rom. 1:16-17
– You must repent of your sin. Acts 3:19
– You must confess Christ. Rom. 10:10
– You must be baptized into Christ. Rom. 6:3-6;
Acts 22:16