End Time Insights

The Antichrist is a deceiver intent on destroying the church and causing apostasy through deception .  In popular interpretations, the  Antichrist  is a political tyrant intent on world domination. Whether this proves trust, Jesus and his apostles expressed more concern about the  deceivers who ply their trade in the church . And in passages that refer to the  Antichrist , the issue is deceivers who infiltrate the church.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

Paul warns of the coming apostasy and connects it to the “ man of lawlessness .” To the church in Thessalonica, he explains that the “ day of the Lord ” will  NOT  commence until the “ apostasy ” occurs and that dark figure is revealed - two inextricably linked events. And in doing so, he reiterates warnings found elsewhere about this future apostasy.

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?

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.

The “little horn” in Daniel becomes the model for the “man of lawlessness” described by Paul to the Thessalonians .  In his visions, Daniel saw a malevolent ruler called variously the “ little horn ,” the “ king of fierce countenance ,” the “ contemptible one ,” and the “ king who does according to his will .” This figure was an arrogant ruler with a “ mouth speaking great things ” who profaned the sanctuary, caused the cessation of the daily burnt offering, erected the “ abomination that desolates ” in the Temple, and “ exalted himself against God .”