7. His mysterious power is already at work, but someone is holding him back. And the wicked one won't appear until that someone is out of the way.
8. Then he will appear, but the Lord Jesus will kill him simply by breathing on him. He will be completely destroyed by the Lord's glorious return.
9. When the wicked one appears, Satan will pretend to perform all kinds of miracles, wonders, and signs.
10. Lost people will be fooled by his evil deeds. They could be saved, but they will refuse to love the truth and accept it.
11. So God will make sure that they are fooled into believing a lie.
12. All of them will be punished, because they would rather do evil than believe the truth.
13. My friends, the Lord loves you, and it is only natural for us to thank God for you. God chose you to be the first ones to be saved. His Spirit made you holy, and you put your faith in the truth.
14. God used our preaching as his way of inviting you to share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.