Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
All Commentaries on 2 Thessalonians 2:9 Go To 2 Thessalonians 2
Thomas Aquinas
AD 1274
To quote the words of Augustine (De Civ. Dei xx, 19), "it is a matter of debate whether they are called signs and lying wonders, because he will deceive the senses of mortals by imaginary visions, in that he will seem to do what he does not, or because, though they be real wonders, they will seduce into falsehood them that believe." They are said to be real, because the things themselves will be real, just as Pharaoh's magicians made real frogs and real serpents; but they will not be real miracles, because they will be done by the power of natural causes, as stated in the; whereas the working of miracles which is ascribed to a gratuitous grace, is done by God's power for man's profit.
