2 Thess 2
The threefold
revelation of that man of sin.
The textual evidence in favour of the Received Text is
massive. (see my notes on this passage in AV Verses Vindicated.)
The Day of the Lord does not commence with the Rapture.
There may well be an interval of time between the rapture and the commencement
of the Day of the Lord. If the day of the Lord is referred to in this passage,
the falling way and the appearance of the man of sin could well be in this
interval of time.
The change from Day of Christ to Day of the Lord allows an
already apostate church to deny its true condition and the presence among them
of the man of sin.
Christendom is boasting of the emergence of a new, more
powerful and vibrant church. But it is a Christless, bloodless, religion,
denying the God given Scriptures.
The Thessalonian believers were well acquainted with the Old
Testament teaching relating to the Day of the Lord. It is not a New Testament
subject.
Paul had already reminded them of this, (1 Thess. 5: 1,2)But of the times and seasons, brethren, ye
have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day
of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
The Day of the Lord is an Old Testament subject, and
relates to earth, while the Day of Christ pertains to the New Testament, and is
heavenly.
Before the Day of Christ can fully arrive two things must
happen. The great apostasy must have fully materialised and the man of sin must
be identified. Verse 2 clearly tells us this. The day of Christ comes, heralded
by the Rapture of the saints after the revelation of the man of sin. Verse 3
gives the first of the three apocalypses.
This chapter tells
us that there are three stages to the revelation of the man of sin.
The first is his identification. Those who believe Bible
prophecy will be aware just prior to the Rapture that there is a man among them
who ticks some of the boxes. He is a great world leader. He claims to be a
peace maker and is given this role by world authorities. He teaches and
authorises a world one faith order. He will rule over the revived Roman Empire.
(As president of the EU). He will organise the rebuilding of the third temple
in Jerusalem without causing friction with Muslims etc.
The Rapture then takes place.
The withholding of the Holy Spirit now being withdrawn,
the whole church now being Raptured, the second revelation of the man of sin
takes place:
The third temple is built and the man of sin enters it and
takes upon himself the role of God. Verse 6 gives the second apocalypse. and now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
The third apocalypse
is in v.8 where the man of sin is described as that Wicked, indicating that
he becomes energised by Satan and can work lying wonders. All who rejected the
love of the truth, a characteristic of the days of apostasy, will be taken in by
him. They and the man of sin perish in the brightness of Christ's coming to
earth.
Churches, chapels, Gospel Halls, etc will continue during
those tribulation days, but not one true believer will be found among them.
The contract to build the third temple has already been
drawn up. It requires only the signature of the man of sin.
R S