Monday, October 11, 2004

Man of Sin - Son of Destruction

The Man of Lawlessness
The Man of Sin is also called the Man of Lawlessness in some bible translations. He is then also referred to as the son of destruction or perdition in 2nd Thessalonians 2:3.

Revealing of The Man of Sin
The revealing of this Man of Sin is a very important event as the scriptures indicate that it immediately precedes the coming of Jesus Christ. This is the intent of the 2nd Chapter of the bible book of 2nd Thessalonians to explain these preliminary events as identified in the first verses of this chapter.

Individual or Composite "Man"
The Greek word for man being used in 2nd Thessalonians is: Anthropos
According to Strongs Concordance 444 it can have several meanings as follows:
1:- a human being, whether male or female
2:- indefinitely, someone, a man, one
3:- in the plural, people
4:- joined with other words, merchantman
5:- A two fold nature of man
This Man of Sin can therefore be either an individual man or woman or an esoteric group.

Identifying Features

Lawlessness
The lawlessness was already working in the 1st Century:
2 Thessalonians 2
7For the mystery of iniquity doth already work
Exactly how this lawlessness was at work is not properly understood however, it probably was an insidious entity which was attempting to undermine Jesus Christ's law's and commandments. Jesus himself demonstrated this would be so through his admonishments to the disciples as follows:
Matthew 13
38The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;

Opposition
The Man of Sin will be in opposition to the will of God.
2 Thessalonians 2
4Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God

Exalted above God
The Man of Sin will also exalt himself above the position of God and Jesus. If the Man of Sin is lawless then he must regard the laws and commandments of Jesus with contempt and perhaps substitute his own in their place.

The Man of Sin is able to access God's Temple
The scriptures indicate further that the Man of Sin is somehow able to enter God's Temple:
2 Thessalonians 2
so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
Showing himself to be a God infers that he is able to obtain worship or veneration from his subjects.

First Century Disciples had been told about the Man of Sin
The Apostle Paul made a statement which indicated that the disciples should already be aware of what was happening to them in regard to the Man of Sin due to previous admonishments which, might be discernable through scriptures. That Paul needed to remind them indicates the relationship to what he had previously told them might not be easily discernable.
2 Thessalonians 2
5Don't you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things?

Something is restraining the ability for others to discern him
2 Thessalonians 2
6And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

A mysterious iniquity is allowed to continue
The Man of Sin is allowed to continue with his mysterious iniquity however, the scripture indicate that he will be eventually taken out of the way.
2 Thessalonians 2
7For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
Do other scriptures indicate that an iniquity is allowed to continue inside of The Kingdom which, will eventually be removed?
Matthew 13
28He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? 29But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
39The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. 40As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. 41The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I feel the Son of perdition is a wrong translation. A son of destruction is a better one. He is Lost all right. Imagine that both Judas Ischariot was called the Son of perdition and Antichrist the same name. Judas revealed himself and brought destruction to the Lord Jesus. AntiChrist is/will be revealed and brings destruction to the whole world by taking almost ALL to hell!