3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.” (2 Thessalonians 2:3–4 (ESV)
The Apostle Paul, along with Silas and Timothy discovered there was confusion among the Thessalonian believers concerning the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. This was a doctrine Paul previously examined in his first letter to this particular church (I Thiess. 4:13-5:11). There was also speculation another spirit, a spoken word or even another letter supposedly from the three missionaries taught the day of the Lord had already occurred (2 Thess. 2:1-2). This was upsetting, not only to Paul and his companions, but also to the believers.
Therefore, Paul did not want any believer in Christ deceived in any way. Paul stated two events must first occur prior to the day of the Lord. What are these two particular occurrences? First, an event known as the rebellion. Second, the revealing of the man of lawlessness. Let’s examine both.
What is the rebellion? It was previously notedthe Rebellion (ἀποστασία; apostasia) refers to an abandonment, revolt and/or an insurrection. This literally means a “falling away” or “apostasy.” The apostle probably referred to a falling away by many within the church or even a worldwide defection from God (I Tim. 4:1-2; 2 Tim. 3:1-9; Jude 17-19). Coupled with the definite article “the” this is not just a general apostasy or falling away from the truth. Rather, Paul referred to a particular and specific worldwide event. John Calvin comments that the Apostle “predicts a certain general revolt of the visible Church.”
However, there should not be speculation these were, or are, true believers in Jesus Christ who will depart from the Faith. Rather, these are professing believers who the Holy Spirit had not truly regenerated resulting in true repentance and faith in Christ; conversion. The Apostle John referred to these individuals in his first epistle (1 John 2:18–23).
Regardless of whether there is one final rebellion coming before Jesus returns, the “spirit of antichrist” has been in the church since the first century (1 John 4:1-3). Therefore, believers in Christ must not think opposition to the Lord will exist only at the last day. At the present time, there are some who try to infiltrate the visible church and lead it astray. These are they who follow the spirit of antichrist and must be confronted and opposed. Truth matters.
Secondly, following the rebellion there would be the revealing of the man of lawlessness, the son of destruction. To whom was Paul referring?
The man of lawlessness (ἄνθρωπος ἀνομίας; anthropos anomias) is a particular man who lives lawlessly. He behaves with a “complete disregard for the laws or regulations of a society.”[1] He is a lawbreaker (Matt. 13:41). See also Matt .7:23; 23:28; 24:12; Rom. 4:7; 6:19; 2 Cor. 6:14; 2 Th 2:7; Titus 2:14; Heb. 1:9; 10:17; 1 John 3:4.
The text also refers to him as the son of destruction (υἱὸς ἀπωλείας; huios aploeias). This individual will also be one solely identified and possessing a desire to ruin and destroy.
“The imagery used here derives especially from Jesus, however (cf. Mt 24:15), who took it from Daniel (Dan. 7:25; 8:11; 9:26–27; 11:31, 36; cf. 2 Chron. 33:7; Ezek 8:3). Some scholars who have examined the prophecies carefully have concluded that Daniel 11 describes the abomination caused by Antiochus Epiphanes; yet the “end” seems to come at that time (12:1), about two centuries before Jesus. Like the promise of the land to Abraham’s descendants, deferred repeatedly during the period of the judges, between David and Josiah, and afterward due to Israel’s disobedience, this text might be an example of deferred eschatology. If one counts the period of Daniel 9:24–27, however, the anointed prince (whom some held to be the Messiah) was to be “cut off” around the year that Jesus died; the destruction of the city followed forty years later, again indicating a delay of at least forty years. Evangelical interpreters differ as to whether (1) a specific future tribulation remains (perhaps 2 Thess. 2:8–9), (2) the Jewish war in a.d. 66–70 fulfilled it completely (cf. Matt. 24:15–21), (3) the whole course of history constitutes this period (cf. comments on Revelation, especially chap. 12) or (4) the language is reused in different ways, all of which are true,” explains commentator Craig Keener.[2]
Dr. William Hendriksen states, “The movement of apostasy will soon have a leader, namely, “the man of lawlessness” (ὁ ἄνθρωπος τῆς ἀνομίας). This is probably the best reading, though there is also rather strong support for the reading “the man of sin” (ἄνθρωπος τῆς ἁμαρτίας). In view of the fact that “sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4), this makes no essential difference. It is important to note, in this connection, that just like the apostasy will not be merely passive but active (not merely a falling away from but also a rebellion against God and his Christ), so also the man of lawlessness will be an active and aggressive transgressor. He is not called “lawless” because he never heard God’s law, but because he openly defies it!”[3]
We will examine more about this individual when next we meet. May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
[1] Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), 757.
[2] Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), 2 Th 2:3–4.
[3] William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of I-II Thessalonians, vol. 3, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 170.
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