Paul's words were not to be misinterpreted. It was not to be taught that he, by special revelation, had warned the Thessalonians of the immediate coming of Christ. Such a position would cause confusion of faith; for disappointment often leads to unbelief. The apostle therefore cautioned the brethren to receive no such message as coming from him, 266 and he proceeded to emphasize the fact that the papal power, so clearly described by the prophet Daniel, was yet to rise and wage war against God's people. Until this power should have performed its deadly and blasphemous work, it would be in vain for the church to look for the coming of their Lord. "Remember ye not," Paul inquired, "that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?"

Paulus ord var ikke til at misforstå. Det skulle ikke forkyndes, at han gennem en særlig åbenbarelse havde forudsagt tessalonikerne Kristi snarlige genkomst. Et sådant standpunkt ville forårsage trosforvirring, fordi skuffelse ofte fører til vantro. Derfor advarede apostlen brødrene mod at tage imod noget sådant budskab, som om det stammede fra ham; og han vedblev med at lægge vægt på den kendsgerning, at pavedømmet, som så tydeligt beskrives hos profeten Daniel, først måtte opstå og føre krig mod Guds folk. Før denne magt havde udrettet sit dødbringende og bespottelige værk, ville det være frugtesløst for kirken at forvente Herrens genkomst. "Mindes I ikke," spurgte Paulus, "at jeg sagde dette til jer, allerede dengang jeg var hos jer?"