(I thought I was done with this series, but then I realized I was avoiding a challenging chapter—2 Thessalonians 2. Time to face my fears.)
People have been wondering about the timing of Christ’s return for centuries. Even within the New Testament itself, the disciples ask Jesus: “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” (Matt. 24:3).
Some, however, have gone beyond mere speculating by making firm predictions. For example, Edgar Whisenant gave 88 reasons why Christ would return in 1988 and Harold Camping predicted that Christ would return on May 21, 2011. In fact, the specific years predicted for Christ’s return go all the way back to AD 500. (For more examples see this list.)
What does the New Testament say about this event?
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Mk. 13:32)
No one knows when it will happen. As a result, it will occur like a thief in the night.
Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. (1 Thess. 5:1-4)
With that said, we are given events that will precede Christ’s return. In Matthew 24, Jesus calls the following events “the beginning of birth pains” (v. 8):
- false messiahs will deceive many (v. 5)
- “wars and rumors of wars” (v. 6)
- “famines and earthquakes in various places” (v. 7)
He continues:
- “you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death” (v. 9)
- “many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other” (v. 10)
- “many false prophets will appear and deceive many people” (v. 11)
- “the love of most will grow cold” (v. 12)
In 2 Thessalonians 2 Paul also lists things that will precede Christ’s return. He begins:
Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. (vv. 1-2)
The Thessalonian believers were thinking that Jesus had already returned. Further, they were being persuaded to think this way because they believed Paul and his associates had delivered this teaching to them.
Paul continues, “Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction” (v. 3).
According to Paul’s teaching in this chapter, certain things must take place before Christ will return. What things?
- “The rebellion”
- “The man of lawlessness is revealed” (also called “the man doomed to destruction”)
The cryptic nature of Paul’s writing in this section has led to much discussion. In particular, many have tried to identify the man of lawlessness. Here’s what Paul says about him: “He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God” (v. 4).
Many have claimed to be God, including several Roman emperors, so this is not a new idea, but “sets himself up in God’s temple” is unique.
What temple?
Some believe this refers to the temple in Jerusalem.
But that temple was destroyed in AD 70.
Did anyone enter Israel’s temple in that fashion after Paul’s writing and before the temple’s destruction?
According to Josephus, the Roman emperor Caligula attempted to install an image of himself in Jerusalem’s temple in AD 40-41, but it never occurred (Antiquities 18.261–309).
Does this mean the Jerusalem temple must be rebuilt before Christ can return?
Some think so. Some are even actively supporting the rebuilding of the temple so that “the man of lawlessness” can be revealed and then Christ can return.
Others think “God’s temple” is a reference to the church or body of believers, which Paul calls “the temple of God” (1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19). In that case, this “man of lawlessness” would be someone who sets himself up in the church, proclaiming himself to be God.
Why would he do that?
To lead “the rebellion” or apostasy.
Paul then asks: “Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things?” (v. 5) This may explain why his written remarks are so brief and mysterious. He had expressed this teaching on several occasions in person.
Things continue to get complicated as Paul proceeds: “And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time” (v. 6).
Actually, we don’t know, but Paul assumes his original readers know. Some think the restrainer refers to the Holy Spirit or the church or some other positive force.
This shows, however, that at the time of Paul’s writing, almost 2,000 years ago, something was restraining this “man of lawlessness.”
Why was restraint required if the man of lawlessness had not even been revealed?
Because “the secret power of lawlessness is already at work” (v. 7). Although the man that epitomizes lawlessness had not been revealed, the power that drives him was already operating.
Paul continues, “but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way” (v. 7). The restrainer will not restrain forever. He will be removed.
So we know some things, but we are left to speculate on the identity of both the man of lawlessness and the restrainer. We do not, however, have to speculate on the fate of the man of lawlessness:
And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. (v. 8)
Paul adds more detail about the man of lawlessness:
The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. (vv. 9-10)
This sounds like the description of the beast that comes out of the earth in Revelation 13:
And it performed great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to the earth in full view of the people. Because of the signs it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth. (vv. 13-14)
It also corresponds with what Jesus says in Matthew 24: “many false prophets will appear and deceive many people” (v. 11). And “For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect” (v. 24).
John talks about “a second beast,” Jesus mentions “false messiahs and false prophets,” and Paul describes “the man of lawlessness.” All will use “great signs and wonders” to deceive.
So who is “the man of lawlessness”?
The Roman Empire?
It sounds like Paul is talking about an individual because he uses singular male pronouns.
A Roman emperor?
Which one? Many claimed to be God, but none of them sat down in the temple.
Satan?
Satan is differentiated from this man: “The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works” (v. 9).
The pope?
Some Protestants have made this claim, but what signs and wonders has any pope displayed?
A future world leader?
Possibly.
But remember that whoever this is, he was being held back in Paul’s time: “And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time” (v. 6).
It sounds like he existed back then, but has yet to be revealed.
What kind of man is that?
A powerful fallen angel?
Who knows?
Finally, remember that Paul is writing to comfort the Thessalonians. He doesn’t want them to be unsettled by anyone who says that Jesus has already returned. Why would they even entertain the idea that Jesus had already returned when Paul clearly taught them in person: “that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed” (v. 3)?
Before Christ is revealed, then, someone else will be revealed.
After graduating from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, I served as a high school Bible teacher in Asia. I enjoy traveling, writing, and playing the drums. For a deep dive into church history and the character of God, see my book Surprised by Hell.