THE REVELATION AND DOCTRINE OF THE MAN OF SIN

II THESSALONIANS 2:1-9

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2:1  Not authority but affectionate solitude. 

Not a suppliant asking a favor.

Not a summons for help, entreat.

 

2:2  When the return of Christ, not one for mathematical demonstration.

 

Has come.  In it now.  Because of their persecution, some said day of the Lord already come, fearful period of divine judgment.

 

“The day of the Lord” not “of Christ.”  “Of Christ” – the gathering of the church to the Savior.  “Day of the Lord” OT and NT. 

 

Term for the day of final reckoning, judgment, victory of God. 

 

This false teaching had come to them. 

 

“By spirit” Some claimed Spirit of God had revealed this to them.

 

“By word” Paul quoted as saying orally..

 

“By letter” A forged letter of Paul’s to say..

 

In answer, Paul says they certainly not in day of the Lord but he gives them definite signs, the character of which cannot happen while the church is still in the world.

 

“The apostasy”

 

Some few, “the taking away of the church out of the world.”

 

But mostly, the apostasy of the followers of Christ. 

 

Greek readers of the OT then, Septuagint, thoroughly

Familiar with the Term.  Revolt, rebellion against God.  John 28:16, Ezekiel 2:3, II Chronicles 36:16.

 

It is within the church.

Spoken of by Paul elsewhere, II Timothy 3:13; 4:3,4.

 

2:6, that which restrains.

:7, He who restrains.

 

Whom, what is Paul talking about?

Almost every period of history an identification:

 

1.          Some, “Man of Sin” is Nero.  Restrained by Seneca until Seneca put out of the way, then new in his mad course.

 

2.          Some, “Man of Sin” is Satan himself, restrained now by expediency to cover up true character.  But then, unrestrained, will be seen in his true light.

 

3.          Some “Man of Sin” a reference to the chaos, anarchy possible if the Roman authority in law, order, hindering it, were taken out of the way.

 

4.          Middle ages, Eastern church, struggling against forces of Islam, identified with Mohammed.

 

5.          Western Reformation Christianity, the “Word of Sin” the papacy.

 

6.          French Revolution, “Man of Sin” Napoleon.

 

7.          Modern days, one of the Muslims.

 

“The Man of Sin” the final anti-Christ.

 

The corruption of the church, moves on to meet the corruption of the world.  The first issues in the apostasy, the second in the enthronement of anti-christ.  Evil in church; evil in state; the union of both.

 

His description, 2:3b-9.

 

People in Paul’s day thoroughly familiar with subject of anti-christ.

 

Daniel 2,7,8,9,11; Josephus Antig. 10,11,7, Christ’s “false christs” I John 2:18, II John 7.

 

Earth’s last and most terrible tyrant.  Satan given to him the power which he offered to Christ.  Matthew 4:8,9; Revelation 13:1-10.  The riches of the first horse of the Apocalypses, followed by the other three, Revelation 6:1-8.

 

1.          A person.

 

2:3  “man” “son” “exalted himself” “sits..shares himself”

 

:9  Has a “coming.”

:8 “A lawless one.”

 

2.          Satan’s man.

 

God’s man – Jesus Christ.  “Man of sorrows.”

 

Satan an imitator, Satan’s man, “man of sin.”  His very life characterized by opposition to, blasphemy of God.  The beast out of the sea, Revelation 13.  He will be promoted in the world.

 

2:9  In the energy, power of Satan.

 

The Restrainer.

 

2:6-8a.

 

There is a “mystery of iniquity.”

 

Already working, but a power restrainer, holds its back.  When this withholding agency is taken out of the way, then anti-christ is revealed.

 

A thing.

A person.

 

The person of the Holy Spirit, the thing, the instrument through which he works, the church.

 

Who is it that restrains sin?  God.

 

So Genesis 6:3, “My Spirit not always strive with man.”  Instead of striving, the judgment of the flood.

 

So Job 1:10  “An hedge about him.”  Satan restrained, but let God take down the restraint…Satan no further than God permitted. 

 

So with us.  Were it not for God’s protection…

 

Today:  An age of the Spirit since Pentecost.  The Spirit of God indwelling the church, people of God.  Taken out of the world, reverse of Pentecost, for awhile at least only unsaved people.  Then 2:8.

 

Destruction of the anti-christ, 2:8.

 

Success of anti-christ but temporary.  For a time prospers, has subjects, exercises power; doubtless some think his rule permanent, his power unascribable.  Nevertheless, the end sure.

 

But the man of sin is coming, Christ also coming.  Man of sin fully revealed in all his power to be followed by the revelation of the Greater One.

 

We – need courage to be drawn into ways, movements, that lead away from God.  Disestablish the truth of God, dethrone the Son of God.

 

Need patience not to grow weary in waiting.

Watchfulness in prayer, devotion of life.