Message Library

The Man of Lawlessness

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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. 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.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4

The man of lawlessness will rule the nations and exalt himself over everything or is worshipped. He will set himself up in God’s temple and proclaim to be God. The verse above says the man of lawlessness will not come until the rebellion occurs.

The man of lawlessness will take the leading role of the world for a short time, and he is also referred as the antichrist. But first, a rebellion will occur which is a falling away from God, which means people and governments throughout the world will rebel against Christ. There will be changes in societies throughout the world in their attitude about God, then the man of lawlessness will be chosen to rule over all nations.

In the book of Revelation, the man of lawlessness is called the beast. The beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. Also, it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. It was given authority over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all the inhabitants of the earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that was slaughtered. (Revelation 13:5-8 NRSV) This describes our future ruler of the world who is from Satan, and his purpose is to destroy God’s people.

Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you.” (Matthew 24:4) This is what Jesus told his apostles, and he is telling us the same. The world around us will be in favor of the man of lawlessness ruling the world, but we know this ruler is a servant of Satan. We cannot follow the evil world because we will be deceived. We have to know where we can find the truth, and it’s not from the media which is the first thing Satan works to control because he knows many people will believe what they hear from the media.

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? (Matthew 5:44-46) We love our enemies, even those who persecute Christians, because there is no room in our hearts for hate, except hate for sin.  We love all people just as God loves all people, but those who never accept Christ will be lost for eternity. They will know the truth when Christ returns, but it will be too late.  It’s our calling to bring the truth to the world, because we are the light for Christ.

Today, know the events that will happen in the future, even though we don’t know the exact timing of these events.  Let it motivate us to bring the truth to those who do not know Christ and to reflect Christ’s love to everyone with a caring heart.

Prayer: Lord, guide me in the Spirit to never be deceived, but to know your truth and to reflect it to the world.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.