John Calvin Commentary 2 Thessalonians 2:9

"[even he], whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders," — 2 Thessalonians 2:9 (ASV)

Whose coming He confirms what he has said by an argument from contraries. For as Antichrist cannot stand otherwise than through the impostures of Satan, he must necessarily vanish as soon as Christ shines forth. Ultimately, as it is only in darkness that he reigns, the dawn of the day puts to flight and extinguishes the thick darkness of his reign.

We now understand Paul’s intention, for he meant to say that Christ would have no difficulty in destroying the tyranny of Antichrist, which was supported by no resources other than those of Satan. Meanwhile, however, he points out the marks by which that wicked one may be distinguished.

For after having spoken of the working or efficacy of Satan, he highlights it particularly when he says, in signs and lying wonders, and in all deceivableness. Indeed, for this to be opposed to the kingdom of Christ, it must consist partly in false doctrine and errors, and partly in pretended miracles.

For the kingdom of Christ consists of the doctrine of truth and the power of the Spirit. Satan, accordingly, intending to oppose Christ in the person of his Vicar, puts on Christ’s mask, yet at the same time chooses armor with which he may directly oppose Christ.

Christ, by the doctrine of his gospel, enlightens our minds to eternal life; Antichrist, trained under Satan’s tutelage, by wicked doctrine, plunges the wicked into ruin. Christ puts forth the power of his Spirit for salvation and seals his gospel by miracles; the adversary, by the efficacy of Satan, alienates us from the Holy Spirit and by his enchantments confirms wretched people in error.

He applies the term miracles of falsehood not only to those signs that are falsely and deceptively devised by cunning people to deceive the naive—a kind of deception with which the entire Papacy abounds, for these are part of his power which he has previously mentioned.

Rather, he understands this falsehood to consist in Satan diverting to a contrary purpose works that are otherwise truly God’s works, and abusing miracles in order to obscure God’s glory.

Meanwhile, however, there can be no doubt that he also deceives by means of enchantments—an example of which we have in Pharaoh’s magicians (Exodus 7:11).