The word “lying,” literally, “of a lie,” applies also to “power” and “signs.” The same words, “power,” “signs,” “wonders,” are used of the miracles of Jesus (see Vol. V, p. 208). But the Lord‘s marvelous works were genuine, and were signs attesting His divine nature (see John 10:25, 37, 38). Miracles involving creative acts are, of course, beyond Satan‘s power. It is recorded, however, that Satan has the power to bind men in physical infirmity (see Luke 13:16). Evidently, then, he has power to release them when it suits his purposes. Wonderful works of apparent healing, outwardly identical in character with those performed by Christ, will be performed by Satan and his agents (GC 588, 589, 593; TM 365; 5T 698; 9T 16). Marvelous acts and spiritualistic manifestations of supernatural power will be used in Satan‘s final attempt to deceive the world.

That is, according to Satan‘s method of operating.

Gr. kata, “according to,” “in conformity with” (cf. 8T 226).

 Gr. parousia, the same word used for Christ‘s coming (see on v. 8) Because of

 (1) the quasi-technical force of the term parousia,

 (2) the frequent use of the term to describe the second advent of Christ, and

 (3) the juxtaposition of parousia here with the same word in v. 8, many hold that the apostle is referring to Satan‘s spurious imitation of our Lord‘s own glorious coming.

 For the fact that Satan will have a parousia see GC 593, 624, 625; 5T 698; 8T 27, 28. We may be thankful that God‘s Word provides clear descriptions of Christ‘s coming, so that believers may not be deceived. The Lord Himself will “descend from heaven” (1 Thess. 4:16) “with clouds” (Rev. 1:7), “in like manner as” His disciples saw Him “go into heaven” (Acts 1:11), and His coming will be “as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west” (Matt. 24:27), hence, “every eye shall see him” (Rev. 1:7). It will not be possible for Satan accurately and completely to counterfeit such a parousia (see GC 625). God‘s own people will, by diligent study of the Scriptures, and by reminding themselves of prophetic details concerning the genuine second advent, be able to escape the devil‘s deception (see on Matt. 24:24).

 The reference is to “that Wicked,” “the lawless one” (v. 8).