Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. 2Thessalonians 2:1-4
The Man of Sin
Here is another title! Not one to be proud of or to admire. This title refers to the one whom Jesus spoke of as the false Christ who will come in his own name. He is the one that many of the people will receive, thinking he is the Messiah.
Another name for him is “the antichrist”. Almost everyone in the USA has heard of the antichrist, but I’m sure many believe him to be a fictitious character. The Bible speaks often of him, and Bible believers often speculate who he might be. I will not speculate, I will only say that I believe he is a real figure who will make himself known at a point in time of God’s own choosing. The spiritual and geo-political situation must be in its fullness for this to unfold. That may be soon, but it will not occur until the Church is caught up to be with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Then that wicked one will be revealed, who will set himself up to be God. He will be a deceiver, and will make a seven year covenant with Israel that he will break in the middle of the seven years (Daniel 9:27). Jesus called this the time of Tribulation, ending in “great tribulation” (Matthew 24:21).
Don’t be among those who are deceived by this “man of sin”. There is only one name given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12). It is the name of Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. May we look only to Him, and not another, lest we too should be deceived.
(Psalm 44)
Sept. 2, 2009