The man of lawlessness
Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed—the one who brings destruction. He will exalt himself and defy everything that people call god and every object of worship. He will even sit in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God. Don’t you remember that I told you about all this when I was with you? 2 Thessalonians 2:3-5 NLT
Paul was very much concerned that Christians will be taken captive by false teachings regarding the return of Christ. From the text, he told them that Christ’s coming will not be until “a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed.” Paul clearly stated that the man of lawlessness will be revealed during the massive rebellion or falling away. The man of lawlessness could be one person or a system. It is set out opposing Christ and Christianity. The man of lawlessness is headed to destruction. The same term was used referring to Judas Iscariot in Jesus’ prayer at the Garden of Gethsemane before He was betrayed. “During my time here, I protected them by the power of the name you gave me. I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold” (John 17:12). The rebellion will happen among those who seemed to be loyal but later will fall away and betray the Lord Jesus Christ. John will continue to talk about this rebellion and that those who will reject and turn away from Christ manifests the characteristic of the man of lawlessness. “But if someone claims to be a prophet and does not acknowledge the truth about Jesus, that person is not from God. Such a person has the spirit of the Antichrist, which you heard is coming into the world” (1 John 4:3). The man of lawlessness will take the sit and honor that belongs to Christ. “He will exalt himself and defy everything that people call god and every object of worship. He will even sit in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God” (2 Thessalonians 2:4). The man of lawlessness will demand worship. Paul told the believers in Thessalonica that he had already told them about this matter (v. 5). And he reminded them once again about this so that they will be aware and will not accept any other view of these prophesied events. God has a timetable wherein all these prophesies will be fulfilled. The church is instrumental in God’s plan concerning His return. Therefore, while we still have the time and opportunity to take part in His program of bringing people to the saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, let us take this privilege and be a witness in His Name.
Blessings,
