The
Man of Sin – Part 2
The churches of Christ Greet You (Romans
In his first letter to the Christians in Thessalonica, Paul spoke of the return of Christ and the glories associated therewith. Because some of these saints apparently misunderstood the instruction of that initial epistle, or had been influenced by false teaching, the apostle was constrained to write a second letter, attempting to correct the erroneous ideas entertained by the Thessalonians.
Apparently, there were certain heretics in the vicinity of Thessalonica who were advocating the bizarre notion that the Lord had already returned. Here is how Paul describes that situation:
"Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord
Jesus
Christ, and our gathering together to Him, that you may not be quickly
shaken
from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or
a letter
as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come" (2
Thess.
2:1-2 NASB).
Notice that final clause, “the day of the Lord has come.” It reflects a perfect tense form in the original language, and so likely suggests that certain errorists of that day were alleging that the Second Coming had occurred already – somewhat as the advocates of “Realized Eschatology” do today.
[Note: The proponents of the so-called
A.D. 70
doctrine, popularly known among churches of Christ as the Max King
movement,
allege that this passage implies that the Second Coming was to be an
invisible,
judgmental coming (i.e., in the destruction of Jerusalem). Otherwise,
they say,
these false teachers never could have gotten away with their assertion
that the
Second Coming had occurred already. Does that conclusion follow? It
does not.
It merely demonstrates that just as men then could be misled into
believing
that the Lord’s Coming was spiritual (rather than visible, literal), so
folks
can be equally deceived today – and are, as evidenced by the King
sect.
For further study on this theme, see
Paul argued that the Lord could not yet have come, because “the falling away” must develop before the Second Coming transpires. Incidentally, no great apostate movement evolved between the time this letter was written (c. A.D. 51), and A.D. 70, thus demonstrating, with a force equal to the apostle’s original argument, that the Second Coming of Christ did not occur with the destruction of Jerusalem. After laying this foundation, Paul continued his letter by describing the traits that would characterize the movement he subsequently calls “the man of sin.” It is the purpose of this discussion to attempt an identification of this “man of sin.”
What are the identifying characteristics of the Man of Sin? We would suggest at this point that the student carefully read 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12. Read it several times, perhaps in different translations, to thoroughly familiarize yourself with the material. Having done so, we believe that it is possible to isolate certain tell-tale qualities of this diabolical force, and so work toward a solution as to the identity of the “man of sin.” Consider the following factors.
Traits
of the Man
of Sin
The Man of Sin is the ultimate result of “the
falling away”
from the faith (v. 3). The expression “falling away” translates the
Greek term apostasia.
Our English word “apostasy” is an anglicized form of this original
term. In the
Bible, the word is used of a defection from the religion ordained by
God. As a
noun, it is employed of departure from the Mosaic system (Acts
This sinister force, from a first-century vantage point, was yet to be “revealed” (v. 3). This appears to suggest that the movement had not evolved to the point where it could be identified definitely by the primitive saints. It awaited future development.
This persecuting power was designated as “the man of sin” (v. 3), because sin was its “predominating quality” (Ellicott, p. 118). It/he (referred to in both neuter and masculine genders – vv. 6-7) is the “son of perdition” (v. 3), because its end is to be perdition, i.e., destruction, by the Lord himself (v. 8).
Finally, this opponent of God is called “the lawless one” (v. 8). This
power
has no regard for the law of God. One cannot but be reminded of that
infamous
“little horn” in Daniel’s vision. “[H]e shall think to change the times
and the
law ...” (
The Man of Sin opposes God and exalts himself against all that is genuinely sacred (v. 4). He feigns religiosity, but his true character reveals that he is diabolic. His activity actually is “according to the working of Satan” (v. 9).
In some sense, the Man of Sin will “sit in the
The expression “sitteth” may hint of unparalleled arrogance (Ellicott, pp. 119-120). Mason notes that the language describes the Man of Sin as attempting to exact “divine homage” from people (p. 169). Moreover, this Son of Perdition “sets himself forth as God.” The present participle (“sets forth continually”) reveals that this presumptive posture is characteristic of the Man of Sin. This person represents himself as God, either: (a) by making claims that belong only to deity; (b) by receiving adoration reserved exclusively for God; or, (c) by usurping prerogatives which only God can accomplish. Clearly, the Man of Sin is an ecclesiastical character. Recall the description of John’s lamb-like beast in Revelation 13:11ff.
He deceives those who love not the truth, by
virtue of the
“lying wonders” he effects (vv. 9-10).
The early stages of this ecclesiastical apostasy were “already at work” in the early church (v. 7). The Greek term (energeitai, a present tense, middle voice form) suggests that this movement currently was working itself towards a greater goal. The child, later to become a Man, was growing in Paul’s day. The error was “already operative” (Lenski, p. 417), but not yet “revealed” (v. 6). This is a crucial point.
In Paul’s day there was some influence that “restrained” the budding Man of Sin. This was some sort of abstract force, as evidenced by the neuter form of katechon, “the restraining thing” (v. 6). And yet, this force was strongly associated with a person/persons as suggested by the masculine, “he who restrains” (v. 7). Likely the significance is that of a broad power, operating under individual rulers. Unlike the Man of Sin, whose identity was later to be revealed, the early saints knew personally of this restraining force. “You know (oidate - “to know from observation” - Vine, p. 444). This indicates that the restraining power was a contemporary entity, not a modern one.
The restraining force eventually would “be taken out of the way,” or, more correctly, “be gone.” And so, the Man of Sin, in “his own season,” would be revealed openly (vv. 6, 7). Ellicott says that it is a season “appointed and ordained by God” (p. 121). One recalls that the “little horn” of Daniel’s fourth beast only rose to prominence after three horns were plucked up to make room for it. Too, the earth-beast of John’s vision came into full power after the sea-beast had received a death-stroke, but was healed. And so here, the restraining power will give way to the horrible revelation of the Man of Sin.
The Man of Sin, though having roots in the world of ancient Christianity (v. 6), would nevertheless endure, in some form or another, until the end of time, i.e., until the Second Coming of Christ. At that time, he will be destroyed by the Lord’s word of Judgment (v. 8; cf. Rev. 19:15). In view of this, the Man of Sin cannot be some persecuting enemy that faded into oblivion centuries ago.
Theories
Regarding
the Man of Sin
Having surveyed the major elements set forth in the text that were to characterize the Man of Sin, we are now prepared to look at some of the current theories advanced in an effort to identify this sinister being.
Pagan Mythology
Liberal theologians contend that Paul’s concept of the Man of Sin reflects a belief in ancient, pagan mythology – an idea that had been absorbed by the early Christians. This view rejects the proposition that the Scriptures are inspired of God; 2 Thessalonians, therefore, allegedly only reflects early “Christian” ideas, not actual reality. This concept is totally inconsistent with biblical claims, and proofs, regarding the inspiration of the apostolic documents.
Satan Himself
Some have argued that the Man of Sin is Satan himself. This view cannot be correct. Satan was not a part of “the falling away” (v. 3), and this “lawless one” is said to come “according to the working of Satan” (v. 9), which obviously distinguishes him from Satan personally.
Principle of Evil
Some allege that no specific power or person(s) are in view. Rather, the apostle merely has personified a principle or idea of evil, which may appear in various forms in different historical periods as an opponent of truth. It may be manifest as Islam, Fascism, Communism, etc. But this concept does not fit the specific descriptions in this chapter. The text tells of a particular movement, “the falling away” (v. 3). How does that refer to Communism, etc.? Moreover, there are too many personal references within the narrative to dismiss it as mere personification. Finally, it is “the man of sin,” with the article pointing to a definite influence, rather than a generic one.
Judaism
Radical Preterists (those who contend that all
Bible
prophecy, including the Second Coming of Christ, was fulfilled in the
destruction
of
The concept is totally false. Judaism was not a part of “the falling
away” (v.
3). Moreover, Paul’s prophecy of the Second Coming (the parousia
– v. 8) was not fulfilled in A.D. 70, as evidenced by the fact
that
Christians were not “gathered together” unto the Lord in connection
with
Jerusalem’s fall (cf. 1 Thess. 4:14ff).
A Roman Ruler
A popular idea contends that the Man of Sin is a
Roman ruler
– perhaps Nero Caesar. Again, though, this concept does not fit
the facts.
No Caesar “fell away” from the faith (v. 3). Additionally, the Roman
rulers
have long lain in the dust of antiquity. As Raymond Kelcy observed:
“Paul
contemplates the man of lawlessness being in existence and waging
opposition at
the time the Lord returns; the
The Future Anti-Christ
Millennialists (and some others) contend that the Man of Sin “is an individual embodying anti-God power who is still to arise before the future day of the Lord” (Mare, p. 1073). Hal Lindsey calls this hostile person “the Future Fuehrer,” and he spends an entire section (Chapter 9) attempting to prove that “dramatic elements which are occurring in the world today are setting the stage for this magnetic, diabolical Future Fuehrer to make his entrance” (p. 102).
But Paul stated that the “mystery of iniquity,” characteristic of the
Man of
Sin, was “already at work” (7) in the first century. This clearly
eliminates
any person of the modern era.
"As this evil began in the apostles’ days, and was to continue in the
world till the second coming of Christ in power and great glory: it
necessarily
follows, that it was to be carried on not by one man, but by a
succession of
men in several ages" (p. 453).
Identifying
the
Man of Sin
We believe that the best evidence indicates that
the Man of
Sin represents the papal dynasty of the apostate church of
The Apostasy
The Roman Catholic system, with its autocratic papal dynasty, did not suddenly appear in a given year of history. Rather, it was a result of a gradual apostasy from the primitive faith. Paul declared: “The Spirit speaks expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith ...” (1 Tim. 4:1). He details some of the traits of this movement, e.g., forbidding to marry, commanding to abstain from meats, etc. (1-4).
The many corruptions of the divine economy – changes in the plan
of
redemption (e.g., sprinkling, infant baptism, etc.), alteration of
worship
(e.g., the mass, the veneration of Mary, etc.) – were
progressively
implemented. Catholicism evolved as a defection from the original
faith. This
history has been graphically detailed in John F. Rowe’s, The
History of
Apostasies (1958,
Not Revealed in the First Century
The apostasy was just a budding phenomenon in the apostolic age. Consequently it was not fully “revealed” until centuries later.
Lawless
The Romish movement has exhibited a disposition of
lawlessness throughout its history. Could any citation more clearly
illustrate
the spirit of lawlessness than this declaration regarding the papacy?
“The pope
doeth whatsoever he listeth [wills], even things unlawful, and is more
than
God” (quoted by
God-Opposing
The papacy opposes God. Surely anyone who claims to be “more than God” cannot be described otherwise than as an enemy of the Almighty.
Ecclesiastical Usurper of Divine Status
The papal rulers, as it were, “sit in the
The papacy usurps the place of God by:
1. Making claims that belong only to deity – “Our Lord God the
pope;
another God upon the earth, king of kings, and lord of lords” (Newton,
p. 456).
2. Accepting adoration not proper for a man. Men
bow before
the papal dignitary, kiss his feet, ring, etc. Contrast the disposition
of
Peter when Cornelius bowed before him (Acts
3. Presuming to act for God in matters pertaining exclusively to deity,
e.g.,
offering forgiveness of sins. For example, in Catholic doctrine, Absolution is a “judicial act whereby a
priest remits the sins of a penitent who has contrition, has made
confession
and promises satisfaction” (Attwater, p. 3).
The papal system arrogantly attempts to lawlessly act for God.
Claim of Miracles
The whole history of Catholicism is checkered with the claims of “miracles.” Conway, a Catholic apologist, states that God “has allowed His saints to work miracles to prove their divine commission to speak in His name, and to give the world a clear proof of their eminent sanctity. The Church always requires four, or in some instances six, miracles before she proceeds to beatify or canonize a saint” (p. 44).
Early Stages at Work in Paul’s Day
Initially Restrained by Pagan
If the Man of Sin is the papal dynasty, what was
the force
or person that “restrained” the initial revelation of this corrupt,
ecclesiastical system? McClintock and Strong, citing numerous sources
from the
early “church fathers” (e.g., Tertullian, Chrysostom, Hippolytus,
Jerome, etc.),
said that the patristic writers “generally consider” the restraining
force to
be “the
It is a matter of history that when imperial
Flourished After Fall of
After imperial
Other examples of the growing power of papal authority are numerous:
In
To Continue Till Return of Christ
The apostate church, an evolution from truth to error, clearly had its genesis in the first century; and yet, this movement continues to this day, and, according to Paul’s prophecy, will abide, in one form or another, until the Coming of Christ. “The apostasy” is the only system which fits the demands of this passage. It is both ancient and modern, something that cannot be said of a Caesar, the Jewish Zealots, a modern Anti-Christ, etc.
It is, of course, in vogue these days to ridicule this view of “the man of sin” as viewed in 2 Thessalonians, chapter 2. In response, one could hardly do better than to quote Coffman:
"[T]he identification of the papacy and its religious apparatus with
Paul’s words in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-10 was the prevailing view for more
than a
thousand years, a view supported by the writings and interpretations of
many of
the most brilliant men who ever lived on earth; and, on that account,
there is
no way for this writer to accept the sneers and snickers with which
this
interpretation is greeted by many modern commentators, as being an
effective
refutation of the arguments upholding it" (p. 104).
In conclusion, we emphasize again, the “little horn” of Daniel 7, Paul’s “man of sin,” and “the beast” of the book of Revelation have much in common, and seem to testify in concert regarding one of the most vicious persecutors the church of God has ever known.
SOURCES
Attwater, Donald
(1961), A
Catholic Dictionary (
Barnes, Albert (1955), “Thessalonians, Timothy, Titus, Philemon,” Notes
on
the New Testament (
Coffman,
Conway, Bertrand L. (1929), The Question Box (
Ellicott, C.J. (1978), Galatians, Ephesians, I & II
Thessalonians (
Hurlbut, Jesse L. (1954), The Story of the Christian Church (
Jackson,
Kelcy, Raymond (1968), The Letters of Paul to the Thessalonians
(
King, Max (1987), The Cross and The Parousia of Christ (
Lenski, R.C.H. (1961),
Lindsey, Hal (1970), The Late Great Planet Earth (
Mare, Harold (1975), Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia (
Mason, A.J. (1959), “II Thessalonians,” Ellicott’s Commentary on
the Whole
Bible (
McClintock, John & Strong, James (1968), Cyclopedia of
Biblical,
Ecclesiastical, & Theological Literature (
Newton, Thomas (1831), Dissertations on the Prophecies (
Vine, W.E. (1991), Vine’s Amplified Expository Dictionary of New
Testament
Words (
Wilder, John B. (1959), The Other Side of
Go To: The churches of Christ Greet You