November 14, 2023: One of the most important chapters of the Apostle Paul’s writings is found in 2 Thessalonians.
The second chapter reveals a worldwide apostacy that will take place sometime in the future, orchestrated by an individual named “the man of sin.”
In the first chapter of this book, Paul reassured the Church at Thessalonica that God will repay those who create suffering and tribulation for God’s people.
He wrote, “which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; 6 since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you,” (1 Thessalonians 1:5-6).
1 Thessalonians 1:7 mirrors the instruction Jesus gave regarding His second coming in the Olivet prophecy. Compare and notice the similarity of these two passages:
I Thessalonians 1:7: “and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Matthew 24:31: “And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”
Paul had explained to them in his first letter that the “dead in Christ” will rise again in the resurrection, along with those who remained alive when He returned. (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18)
Paul’s inspiration was identical to that of the Apostle John, who recorded the vision given him in Revelation 19:14, with Jesus’ return, accompanied by Angelic realm, executing justice and judgment on earth’s unrighteous leaders.
With the comforting introduction of Chapter 1 to the members of the Church at Thessalonica in place, with the assuredness of God’s intervention, Chapter 2 shows the conditions of the end of the age that will make necessary the intervention and retribution of Jesus Christ.
The Man of Sin
The topic of a charismatic religious leader of the end time who leads the world into dark deception with power, signs, lying wonders, unrighteous deception, empowered by Satan is a major theme of end time prophecy. (Please compare Revelation 13:11-14, Matthew 24:24, Daniel 7:21-22)
Since this individual will have the full power and force of Satan behind him, the entire world will be deceived into thinking that Jesus Christ has returned already! (Revelation 12:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:4)
Paul wrote that “the man of sin” would oppose and exalt himself above God — imitating the action of Satan. (Isaiah 14:12-14) The works and action of this religious figure will be greater and more deceptive than anything ever seen on earth and will be captivating to the point of persuading the entire earth to follow the government (beast) that he is in league with. (Revelation 17:8)
The Great Falling Away
In today’s secular world, where religion has little effect on the lives of most people in the Western nations, it is hard to imagine a religious force so powerful, and so compelling as to induce the nations of the earth to give reverence and devotion to a human government. But the point is — this government will not be led by humans alone — but by Satan! The time Paul wrote about shows a world that worships the Devil, and his proxy national powers and human leaders! (Revelation 13:4-8)
In 2nd Thessalonians, Chapter 2, Paul reveals that the deceptive force of Satan and his evil human henchmen will be so powerful and so convincing that the entire world will be led in rebellion against the true God!
The “great falling away” is not an event that happens to a select group of individuals. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 is in harmony with the passages noted above and is descriptive of worldwide deception that engulfs the entire world! Other translations describe “falling away,” as a “revolt,” or “rebellion.” Rebellion toward whom?
The Easy To Read translation (ERV) of this verse helps clarify: “Don’t be fooled by anything they might say. That day of the Lord will not come until the turning away from God happens. And that day will not come until the Man of Evil appears, the one who belongs to hell.”
Jesus made it clear in Matthew 24:5 that many would come in His name but would be deceivers. In I John 4:3, John acknowledged the spirit of Antichrist was already in the world, and implied that there would be a specific individual who would fulfill that role. In his letter to the Thessalonian Church of God, Paul told them that the day of Christ would not come until there was a wholesale rebellion toward the true God — not a revolt by a small group of people, but the entire world, led astray into apostacy!
In understanding this future time, instead of looking for two separate events — a falling away of formerly faithful people from the truth, and then the revelation of a human leader inspired by the devil, the events are connected. In the time of the end, the great Antichrist will lead mankind even further from the true God into worldwide rebellion against God.
Standing in the way of the “man of sin” is the message of hope and freedom, encompassed in the true Gospel of the coming Kingdom of God. This is why this the “man of sin” will orchestrate an evil war against the true Church of God!
The Kingdom of God
The message of Jesus’ return and the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth — the true Gospel (Good News) is the message the spirit of antichrist has desperately tried to crush with a counterfeit message and false “Christianity” that was not practiced by the Church of God, established on Pentecost, 31 A.D. Those believers, recorded in Acts 2, a small group of only 120 followers, soon became much larger, with the addition of thousands more, even during that day!
THEY believed the message of Peter about Christ’s future Kingdom, on this earth, leading up to the time of the 1,000-year reign of Christ, when salvation will be freely offered; “And it shall come to pass That whosever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved.’ (Acts 2:21)
The War Against God’s Church
Daniel 7:25, Revelation 12:13-17, Revelation 13:7-8 all indicate that the anger and hatred of God by Satan will be expressed toward the “saints,” or those who led by God, His law and His spirit. His Church will be under attack. Why? Because the Church has been entrusted with the Gospel message of hope — the hope of God’s Kingdom, which will replace man’s governments.
But thankfully, Satan’s purpose to destroy God’s people in the time of the end will not be successful in suppressing the message of the Kingdom of God! In His discussion on the Mount of Olives with the disciples, Jesus told them, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14)
The rise of the Antichrist, the “man of sin” of Thessalonians is not yet upon us. When he does come to power, his message will be blasphemous and contemptuous toward God and His people.
World News & Prophecy Review
Please direct all correspondence to: wnpr@protonmail.com