End-Time Insights

Believers prepare for the Apostasy and the coming Man of Lawlessness by standing firm in the apostolic tradition . Having explained the coming “ Apostasy ” and “ Man of Lawlessness ,” Paul instructs believers on how they may avoid the coming deception and find themselves standing “ blameless ” before Jesus when he “ arrives .” They must  “ stand fast ” by adhering to the teachings and  “ traditions ”  of the apostles.

Since its founding, Satan has been sending many deceivers and false prophets to destroy the church from within .  Popular preaching presents the  Antichrist  as the ultimate global leader, a tyrant bent on subjugating all nations. But New Testament shows far more concern about deceivers working inside the church and causing apostasy than with political events in the surrounding world.

The subject of the “ Antichrist ” raises many questions. Who is he? When will he appear? How will we recognize him? What is his “ mark ”? In popular preaching, he is a global political leader who uses military might to subjugate other nations and attack Israel. But if Satan is truly clever and cunning, why would he do the very things that we expect?

Before the “Day of the Lord” arrives, the “lawless one” will be revealed who will deceive many with “signs and lying wonders.”  According to Paul, the day when Jesus “ arrives ” to gather his elect will not come until the “ apostasy ” takes place and the “ man of lawlessness ” is unveiled. And in 2 Thessalonians , he also refers to this dark figure as the “ son of destruction ” and the “ lawless one .” He will use “ signs and lying wonders ” and “ deceit ” to destroy all those who “ refuse the love of the truth. ”

The “ day of the Lord ” will not commence until the “ Lawless One ” is “ revealed in the sanctuary of God .” His arrival coincides with the “ apostasy ,” and he will be characterized by his ability to deceive, especially with “ lying signs and wonders .” Satan himself will equip him to destroy as many saints as possible.

The “ mystery of lawlessness ” is active in the world preparing hearts for the “ arrival ” of the “ Man of Lawlessness .” It will continue to do so until the appointed time when this figure “ comes out of the midst ” and appears in the “ sanctuary of God .” And he will employ “lying signs and wonders” to cause many disciples to depart from the faith.

Jesus will not “ arrive ” on the “ day of the Lord ” until two events occur - the “ apostasy ” and the “ revelation of the Man of Lawlessness ,” and they are inextricably linked. Not only will this figure cause many to apostatize, but his unveiling will take place “ in the sanctuary of God ” where he will “ sit down .”

As Paul explains, the “ day of the Lord ” will not arrive until the “ apostasy ” occurs and the “ man of lawlessness ” is unveiled, the one who will seat himself “ in the sanctuary of God .” The Apostle also labels him “ the son of destruction ,” but is there any additional significance to this second appellation?

Throughout the present age, the Church is plagued with deceivers bent on misleading believers and disrupting the church .  The term “antichrist” is found only in John’s epistles. In the first one, he warns that “ it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come to pass .” And he applies the label to false teachers who originated within the church.

Jesus will deal with the “ Lawless One ” at his “ arrival ” or Parousia . In describing this, Paul employs language from Daniel’s vision of the “ little horn speaking great things ,” originally, an image representing the Seleucid ruler who attempted to destroy the Jewish faith and nation through deceit and persecution.

Paul has explained why the “ day of the Lord ” has not commenced. Neither the “ apostasy ” nor the “ revelation of the man of lawlessness ” has occurred. Next, he describes the “ mystery of lawlessness ” that is setting the stage for the “ arrival ” of the “ Lawless One .” He will be unveiled when this “ mystery of lawlessness ” completes its preparatory task.

Two events must occur before the day of the Lord - The apostasy and the unveiling of the Man of Lawlessness, as Paul explains in his letter. The men who are spreading false rumors in Thessalonica are deceiving believers by raising false expectations about the imminence of the “ day of the Lord ” and the “ arrival ” of Jesus when he will gather his saints.