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.”
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; particularly believers in Christ. How does the Apostle Paul describe this individual? He mentioned three distinctive characteristics or behaviors.
First, he is one “who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship.”
Second, he does this “so that he takes his seat in the temple of God.” The phrase takes his seat (καθίσαι; kathisai) refers to a position of authority. Particularly, it may refer in this context to having authority of the Law of Moses. This position is located in the temple of God (ναὸν θεοῦ; naon theou). The temple of God is the Lord’s dwelling place where Yahweh is worshipped. This must refer to the Temple in Jerusalem.
Third, this results in him “proclaiming himself to be God.” Proclaiming (ἀποδεικνύντα; apodeiknynta) is a present, active, masculine, singular participle. This individual will publicly attest or declare himself to be God. The question is when does this man and his blasphemous behavior occur?
It seems clear enough that Paul refers to the one identified elsewhere as “antichrist” (1 John 2:18). Paul, then, may be talking about one final leader of religious rebellion against God and Christ who will appear before the return of Jesus. We cannot be sure of this, however, because much of Paul’s language echoes Daniel 11 and the prophecy of the prince who will defile the Jerusalem temple. So, the Apostle could be talking about a figure who would try to install himself in the Jerusalem temple sometime before Jesus returns. If so, this could be a reference to the Roman general Titus’ defiling of the temple before its destruction in AD 70. But whoever this man of lawlessness is, he clearly is opposed to all that God loves,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.
“This probably refers to a literal temple, but some suggest that it is a figurative reference to his occupying the most holy place in human worship, which rightfully belongs only to God. The early church fathers and several good modern-day commentators accept the literal view. This man is also called the “beast coming out of the sea” (Rev. 13:1–10), “a scarlet beast” (17:3), and simply “the beast” (17:8, 16; 19:19–20; 20:10). He is the Antichrist (1 John 2:18), a pseudo-Christ hostile to the Savior. He will be a real human being, not a principle or a system or a succession of individuals. Such a person has not yet been spotlighted on the stage of human history.[2]
Regardless of whether Paul spoke of a near fulfillment in 70 AD or 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.
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] Thomas L. Constable, “2 Thessalonians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 718.
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