The Man of Lawlessness – 2 Thes. 2:1-12 Thessalonica

 2 Timothy 2:17b “Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some.”

2 Thessalonians 2:1- 2 – Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering to Him, that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed….

“…coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him…. Vs. 1” Not destruction of Jerusalem Second Coming

 Verse 2: “…that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.”

Coming Soon: APOSTASIA Verse 3: “Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first….” A specific apostasy

 Vs. 3 – “…and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction….”

 Vs. 3 – LAWLESSNESS  HAMARTIA – sin  The man of sin

 APOLIA – ruin, perdition, loss  This agent will be known for sinfulness and ultimate destruction.

 Verse 4 – “…who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship….”

 Vs. 4 – “…so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God….”  Not the temple in Jerusalem – but the temple which is the church.

 Verse 9: “…that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders….”

Verse 11: “For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false….” Those who follow the Lawless One will be deluded.

 Satan himself – no, because he works in accord with Satan (v.9)  Pagan mythology – no, because that was already with them and this was to come.  Evil personified – so, communism, fascism, Islam, etc. No, because this person was soon to be revealed and was associated with a specific apostasy.  Roman emperor – No. Man of lawlessness will continue until Christ’s return.

 Opposes every other worship form?  Claims to be infallible and equal to or above God in authority?  Celebrates false signs and wonders – such as bleeding statues, Mary in a tortilla….

 Has people fall down before him in worship?  Has people kiss his ring or his feet?  Introduced an apostasy that sought to change every aspect of simple Christianity?

 Exercises power and authority over kings and world leaders?  Subverts Scripture with manmade laws?  Takes upon himself/themselves matters pertaining only to God.  Such as forgiving sins  Such as glorifying certain men  Such as claiming inerrancy and infallibility?

 Seeds of that great apostasy already planted by Paul’s time.  Colossians 2:18 – “Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind….”

 Imperial Rome  Catholic church didn’t gain prominence until the collapse of the Roman Empire in A.D. 476.

 Until Christ comes again  Verse 8 – “Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming….”

 Verse 12 – “…in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.”  “…and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” John 8:32