Beth-El Baptist Church
04/15/2007
Greg Tomlinson
Who is the “man of sin” from
2 Thessalonians 2:3?
Throughout history there has been great speculation on who this ‘man of sin’ is that is described in 2 Thessalonians 2. It has been associated with various political and religious leaders as well as being used to described pastors in general. The thing we want to understand is who the scriptures claims this person to be.
1. What is the context of this “man of sin”?
2 Thessalonians 2:1-12
In the context of this passage, Paul is addressing a claim by some that the “day of Christ” or the “day of the Lord” is already present. Essentially the claim is that the final judgment is occurring now and that they have no possibility of being saved. It was reported that it was Paul who identified that the “day of Christ” was here (v2). Paul clearly states that the day has not come and that there are things that must proceed the “day of Christ”. There must be a “falling away”, a revealing of “that man of sin”, the “son of perdition” whose character is then identified. This “man of sin” elevates himself to be above God and needing to be worshipped (v4). He sits “in the temple of God” (v4) and proclaims himself to be God (v4). This person comes “after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders” (v9) who deceives the unbelievers (v10-12).
2. How can we break down these verses for proper understanding?
Falling away:
Luke 8:13
Hebrews 6:4-6; Revelation 2:9; 3:9; 1 John 2:19
The heard the words of Jesus, they knew the words of Jesus and they even seemed to follow them for a while. In many respects they would be seen as believers and claimed to be believers, but they rejected the message until death.
Greek word is “apostasia” Acts
21:21
Related to “apostasion” Matthew 5:31; 19:7; 10:4 – Divorcement
“apo” – Separating, departing – Matthew 1:21 (from)
“apostello” Romans 10:15; 1 Peter 1:12 – Sent away
The word carries the idea of “forsaking” or turning your back on. It is a rejection of someone or something or the sending away of someone or something. In this case the sending away would be the message of God, even Jesus Christ himself.
1 Samuel 8:7 1 Timothy 4:1-3 2 Timothy 4:3-4
“man of sin” (v4), “son of perdition” (v4), “that Wicked” (v8):
Literally means “son of destruction”, “son of perishing”, “destitute of the law”, “lawless”
John 17:12; Matthew 7:13; Romans 9:22; Philippians 3:18-19; 1 Timothy 6:9; Revelation 17:8
Revealed (vv3,8):
Matthew 11:25-27; Luke 10:22; 17:30 – revealed like Jesus – aka. False Messiah
Matthew 16:17 – revealed by God to believers
A.K.A “antichrist” – 1 John 2:18-22; 4:3; 2 John 1:7
A.K.A “false prophet” – 2 Peter 2:1-3
Signs and wonders (v9): Matthew 24:24; Revelation 13:11-15; 16:13-14
Opposes (v4): (means adversary):
Luke 13:17; 21:15; 1 Corinthians 16:9; 1 Timothy 5:14
Similar to adversary: 1 Peter 5:8
Exalts himself (v4): Isaiah 14:12-14; Ezekiel 28:2
Worshipped (v4): Ephesians 2:2Matthew 4:8-9; Luke 4:6-7
Identifies himself as God (v4): Ezekiel 28:2-8; Acts 12:21-23
Works of Satan (v9): Revelation 12:3-12; 13:2-8
Temple of God:
Matthew 4:5; 21:12
John 2:19-21
1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:19
Ephesians 2:19-22
Paul clearly identifies this man of sin as someone who assumes a place of great honor in the very Temple of God. According to scripture, this would either be the temple in Jerusalem (Destroyed in AD 70), the hearts of believers (impossible for God dwells there), or in the midst of the true believers (not the visible church but the invisible and true church).
This activity appears to be tightly related to the “abomination of desolation” (Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11; Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14) but that investigation will have to wait for another time.
According to Paul, the “man of sin” is the revealing of a personal antichrist that takes over worship of the true God and Jesus Christ and establishes the worship of himself as god. He is so brazen in his claim to be the true God that he enters into the Temple of God. This would be the Temple in Jerusalem. Perhaps this is associated with the time of its destruction in AD 70 or perhaps the temple will be rebuilt and its desecration will occur then. It is very unlikely that Paul envisions the taking over of church congregations by apostate pastoral leadership since the Temple of God is never associated with the visible local assembly of believers.