What does 2 Thessalonians 2:8 mean?

This passage explains certain events which must take place before the day of the Lord. This instruction is being given by Paul to reassure Thessalonian Christians who are experiencing doubts. Among the events preceding the rapture are a large-scale "rebellion," or a "falling away" (2 Thessalonians 2:3) and the rise of a figure referred to as the man of lawlessness.

When the Holy Spirit's influence is reduced on this earth (2 Thessalonians 2:7), the man of lawlessness will be revealed, but he will come to a destructive end. Revelation 13:11–17 reveals the extraordinary power of the man of lawlessness. The man of lawlessness has power to make the whole world worship the first beast (Revelation 13:12). He performs great signs, including calling down fire from heaven. He animates a statue that he erects in honor of the first beast—a powerful political figure. The person described in this passage also controls commerce, imposing the death sentence on those who do not worship the first beast. However, the man of lawlessness is no match for the Lord Jesus. When Jesus descends from heaven to earth at the close of the tribulation, He will put an end to the man of lawlessness's wicked ways. He will destroy him with "the breath of his mouth."

Revelation 19:11–21 captures the dramatic scene in which Jesus returns and destroys the first beast and the man of lawlessness.