The word "according to "scholars"

Archived on December 5th, 2004

I've noticed in several translations that the Word is handled rather loosely. Things are moved here or there, or changed altogether by those who "make" that certain version of the Word. The problem with this, is that the Word IS established by God through the original languages and to out rightly change it from it's original meaning is walking on the edge of the fiery pit.
Though there are many places The Word for Today, I want to focus on one very important verse. This is 2nd Thessalonians Chapter 2 and verse 9.

Look at this verse in a few different translations:
2Th 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,(KJV)

2Th 2:9 Whose coming is according to the working of Satan, in all power and signs and lying wonders:(DRB)

2Th 2:9 When the wicked one appears, Satan will pretend to work all kinds of miracles, wonders, and signs. (CEV)

The last two(especially the last) are gross translations. The main misunderstanding is who the wicked one IS. See "The Son of perdition" for more.

The subject of this chapter in 2nd Thessalonians is talking about our gathering back to Christ. It concerns His return and those things surrounding it, throughout from verse 1 to verse 17, we are talking about the hope of Christ's coming. That second advent. Paul tells us in verse 3 that "that day" which can only mean the day of Christ, the day of His return for he establishes that in verse 2.
So this person whose coming is AFTER, is Christ, which flows over from verse 8. Look at these two verses together:
2 Thessalonians 2:8-9
(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 of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
The Lord is destroying with the brightness of HIS coming, whose coming is after the working of satan, not according to it, or in the same manner. The DRB is essentially calling the Lord, the wicked one, whew, better watch out children!

If we look at the Greek in verse 9, the word which is translated as "after" in the KJV and "according to" in the DRB and countless others is:
G2596: ?ata´, kata, kat-ah'
A primary particle; (preposition) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case [genitive, dative or accusative] with which it is joined)

It means to be "down" in time or place, hence; after. Since we are talking of the Lord's coming, it is down from the working of satan, or After his working. This aligns with all other scripture concerning the coming of Christ.
That day SHALL NOT COME unles those two conditions in verse 3 occurs: The falling away, and the Son of Perdition is revealed. See the day of Christ comes after the Son of Peridition is Revealed not before!

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