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IS THE ANTICHRIST REVEALED BEFORE THE TRIBULATION?
by David Sheldon

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FORWARD

SECTION ONE – Old Testament Groundwork          
The Book of Daniel
1.     The Character of the Antichrist Prophesied
2.     Historical Preview of the Antichrist: Antiochus IV Epiphanes
3.     The Beginning Count-Down for Antichrist’s Specific Dealings          
3A. The Mid-Point:  The Abomination that Causes Desolation
4.     Antichrist’s Character, Warfare and Ultimate End Unveiled

SECTION TWO – New Testament Groundwork          
Matthew 24
1.     The Abomination that Causes Desolation          
Revelation 13 & 17
1.     The Rise of the First Beast and His Fatal Wound
2.     The Rise of a Second Beast and an Image to the First Beast
3.     The Ruling Nature of the First Beast
4.     The Relationship of Antichrist to the Harlot Woman

SECTION THREE – The Defining Text          
2 Thessalonians 2
1.     The Coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ
2.     The Day of the Lord
3.     The Apostasy
4.     The Man of Lawlessness – The Son of Destruction
5.     The Seating of the Antichrist in God’s Temple
6.     Displaying Himself as God
7.     The Revealing of the One Who Seats Himself in God’s Temple
8.     The Mystery of Lawlessness
9.     The Revealing of the Lawless One
10.   The Appearance of His Coming
11.   The One Whose Coming
12.   The Deception of Wickedness
13.   The Love of the Truth
14.   The Lie
15.   The Truth

Concluding Remarks



FORWARD

Is the Antichrist revealed before the tribulation? This is a valid and possibly timely
question. The following booklet will attempt to portray and clarify the events that
surround and lead up to the Antichrist. It will also take you through the pattern of his changing persona throughout his “career.” It will specifically answer the question: When, that is, in what circumstances does the Bible actually state that he will specifically be revealed?

Many books and articles have been written over the years about the Antichrist.   
The best of these writings stick with the texts of Scripture alone. It is quite tempting to go beyond what those texts actually state because of the interest and curiosity surrounding this person. This should be carefully avoided. On the other hand, have we actually understood the significance of many of these texts? Should we not be willing to review our interpretations to make sure we get it right? If we have only assumed certain things, should we not want to clearly reevaluate those assumptions? This booklet attempts to do that.

You may struggle with a few things you read because it may be different from what you have always heard or been taught. This booklet is not meant to disparage any of that. Many true believers have varying views on controversial topics especially of events surrounding the end-times. Please, simply read the texts of Scripture, read the content of the booklet, and see that they consistently line up with each other. The question we should always ask ourselves is, “What does the text state?” Then, have God change our minds and hearts to align with the text, putting aside all preconceived thoughts or hopes. One of the hardest things that any of us will ever do is unlearn what we have been taught, what we thought was a “truth.” It is especially hard to deal honestly with texts when they are hard and difficult in their ramifications. But wrestling with the text is worth it if it helps us know our Sovereign and Holy God who controls all things! If we have done our job well, we will bring honor to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.          

Based upon the number of books written one would suppose there are many texts of Scripture that relate to the Antichrist. There are not. However, what is said is extremely significant. God’s Word is not only complete but it is also sufficient in helping us know and understand all that we need about this subject.            

Initially, this booklet will lay some groundwork confirming what many already do in fact know about the nature of the Antichrist and some of his actions. From that firm basis, we will then investigate texts (2 Thessalonians 2) that may cause you to stretch your thinking.  


SECTION ONE - The Old Testament Groundwork

The Book of Daniel          

Most of us are far enough removed from Hitler’s Germany that we can only imagine the thoughtful hopes and feelings of destiny that the people of Germany had at the beginning of Hitler’s rise to power.  Looking back, what they “saw” in Hitler’s words is not what they received.  What they hoped is not what was delivered.  Hitler was able to “schmoose” them down his path with little trouble.  And of course, he carried quite a big stick behind the scenes.  But don’t worry because the world has learned the lesson, right?  No, according to the Bible, the masses of the world will be lead astray yet again by a world leader - but for one last time!          

The Book of Daniel in the Old Testament gives us the first specific reference to the Antichrist.  He is referred to as: the little horn, the beast, the prince and the king. We will take a glimpse at each of these texts:
      
    1. Daniel 7:8, 11, 19-26 The little horn          
    2. Daniel 8:9-19, 23-26 The small horn          
    3. Daniel 9:26-27 The prince          
    4. Daniel 11:36-45 The king   

1. The Character of Antichrist (i.e. the little horn) Prophesied

The texts of Daniel 7:8, 11, 19-26 are within the framework of a vision that Daniel has of the four beasts. Those four beasts represent four world empires that will unfold. History tells us that those four empires are Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome. The “little horn” is referring to the Antichrist whom arises in the midst of ten horns (rulers). We also see the Antichrist’s initial character.  

8 While I was contemplating the horns, behold, another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were pulled out by the roots before it; and behold, this horn possessed eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth uttering great boasts.
11 Then I kept looking because of the sound of the boastful words which the horn was speaking; I kept looking until the beast was slain, and its body was destroyed and given to the burning fire.  
19 Then I desired to know the exact meaning of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its claws of bronze, and which devoured, crushed and trampled down the remainder with its feet,
20 and the meaning of the ten horns that were on its head and the other horn which came up, and before which three of them fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth uttering great boasts and which was larger in appearance than its associates.
21 I kept looking, and that horn was waging war with the saints and
overpowering them  22 until the Ancient of Days came and judgment was passed in favor of the saints of the Highest One, and the time arrived when the saints took possession of the kingdom.  
23 Thus he said: 'The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth, which will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth and tread it down and crush it.  
24 As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings will arise; and another will arise after them, and he will be different from the previous ones and will subdue three kings.  
25 He will speak out against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make alterations in times and in law; and they will be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time.  
26 But the court will sit for judgment, and his dominion will be taken away, annihilated and destroyed forever.’                                                                                                                                
                                                   Daniel 7:8, 11, 19-26 NASB     


The fourth beast mentioned here is the Roman Empire from which comes the final world kingdom. The manifestation of this world kingdom will have “ten horns” as its’ over-arching leadership. There will be one whom controls that leadership which is the Antichrist (or the “little horn”). These “ten horns” will gain control of the whole world. We will see how these “ten horns” rule when we discuss Revelation 13. The Antichrist will become so powerful that he will supplant three of the “ten horns”.  In vs. 8, 20,& 24 the phrase “pulled out by the roots before it” would seem to indicate that he is powerful and possibly ruthless. But just because we know this about him doesn’t mean we will see this aspect of his character immediately. People will initially see him as a great leader of this world kingdom. His ruthless persona could be something behind the scenes.  But his face will ultimately be the face of this World Kingdom - the prominent and dominant of
the horns.

We know that the Antichrist will be an individual because of what verse 8 says: “the eyes of a man and the mouth which utters great boasts.”  His persona will capture the attention of the masses. They will gladly follow him, but only until he is destroyed. Their rebellion against God’s Anointed King, Jesus Christ, will bring them to destruction as well. Further, we may want to consider if the masses will view these “boasts” as “deadly”. If the world loves where the Antichrist’s “boasts” are taking them and like that they can be a part of his so called wonderful plan, they will not perceive the “boasts” as deadly. Thus, he will perhaps be the grandest “change-agent” in the history of the world. According to Daniel 7:25, he changes the times and the laws.  This is significant since he will seek the affection of the masses in worship of himself.

Notice what C.F. Keil in his commentary states about this change agent:                 

    1  "'Times and laws' are the foundations and main conditions, emanating from God, of the life and actions of men in the world.  The sin of the king in placing himself with God (mine), therefore, ..., 'consists in this, that in these
ordinances he does not regard the fundamental conditions given by God, but so changes the laws of human life that he puts his own pleasure in the place of the divine arrangements.'"

    1  Keil & Delitzsch, Commentary on the O.T., Vol. 9, Hendrickson Publishers, p. 650-651.             

In Daniel 7:25 it is referenced that the Antichrist will change times and laws to reflect his and the world’s rebellion against the Holy God of the Bible.  Please note in the above (bold) quote what C.F. Keil says about the Antichrist’s actions in his role as change-agent. The king is “placing himself with God” in the quote from Daniel 7:25. Why does Daniel say it like that? Did he just miss-speak?  No, he did not.  It is quite simple. Even in Daniel, the Antichrist’s initial persuasive technique is obvious. What is that “technique?” C.F. Keil continues:                

    2  "...he shall speak against the Most High.   לֽצֵד  means, properly, against or at the side of,...It denotes that he would use language by which he would set God
aside, regard and give himself out as God; cf. 2 Thess. 2:4.  Making himself
like God, he will destroy the saints of God.

    2  Keil & Delitzsch, Vol. 9, p. 650

And Leon Wood in his commentary continues in the same vein:                 

     3  "Against the Most High:  The little horn's differences continue.  The word for 'against' is literally 'at the side of' (letsad), indicating that the little horn will seek to raise himself as high as God and make pronouncements accordingly, which
implies making them contrary to what God would make (cf. 11:36, 37; and
2 Thessalonians 2:4)

     3  Leon Wood, A Commentary on Daniel, Zondervan, 1973, p. 201.

Carefully note what these commentaries state. The Antichrist sets God “aside” by giving himself out as God. We should note something very similar in the Greek language. “Anti” in the word “antichrist” can mean “against” or it can mean “in the place of, in the stead of” as a Greek prefix. The Antichrist portrays himself through his speech: “boasting great things” (vs 20). These great things are not so great to true believers because he “displaces” God’s position within societies!  He dares to “come along side” God’s laws and displaces them with his own.  We will find that ultimately, in Daniel 11, having “displaced” the God of the Bible with himself in the “times and laws” that he will eventually blaspheme the God of the Bible!  Please note that sequence. Here in this text he is not visibly and verbally “bad-mouthing” the God of the Holy Scripture. Rather, via his speech, he is “displacing” God with his own agenda and his own person.  He dares
to speak “against” God by cunningly speaking “in the place of” God!   He boasts great things, he does great things in displacing God in life and culture and he initially speaks against the God of the Bible by daring to speak in his place.  We will specifically see when we get to Daniel 11 how his speech and pattern change from Daniel 7.

Daniel 7:25 would also indicate there is a sequence of events that take place in the life of the Antichrist. First, Daniel tells us that he “wears out” the saints. He is successful in “displacing” God. True saints don’t want that, and so they fight him which wears them out. Secondly, we also see in this text that the saints are delivered into the Antichrist's hands for 3 1/2 years.  We will see this persecution of the saints confirmed for us in Revelation.  The reason behind this sequence will become more obvious when we discuss 2 Thessalonians 2.

Consequently, we see in Daniel 7 that this “little horn” the Antichrist is the powerful leader even over the ten horns which run the world. He is boastful and ultimately given to persecuting the saints of God as well as changing times and laws unto his own pleasure. He is against God by displacing God with himself in the arena of the world and, thus, within the considerations of the hearts and minds of people. But the good news for the saints of God is this – a Holy God will destroy him.

2. Historical Preview of Antichrist (i.e. the small horn): Antiochus IV Epiphanes

Daniel 8:9-19, 23-26 speaks of a “small horn” who is Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Daniel’s vision consists of a ram, which is Medo-Persia and a goat, which is Greece. Out of this goat arises the small horn. This text was initially prophetic and has been fulfilled in history. Antiochus IV Epiphanes lived from 215-164 b.c. and was the Seleucid King who ruled from 175-164 b.c. The text picks up with the fact that the Greek Empire of Alexander was broken into four distinct pieces after Epiphanes death and it is now going to prophesy about only one of those four pieces.

9 Out of one of them came forth a rather small horn which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the Beautiful Land.  
10 It grew up to the host of heaven and caused some of the host and some of the stars to fall to the earth, and it trampled them down.  
11 It even magnified itself to be equal with the Commander of the host; and it removed the regular sacrifice from Him, and the place of His sanctuary was thrown down.  
12 And on account of transgression the host will be given over to the horn along with the regular sacrifice; and it will fling truth to the ground and perform its will and prosper.  
13 Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to that particular one who was speaking, "How long will the vision about the regular sacrifice apply, while the transgression causes horror, so as to allow both the holy place and the host to be trampled?"  
14 He said to me, "For 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the holy place will be
properly restored."  
15 When I, Daniel, had seen the vision, I sought to understand it; and behold, standing before me was one who looked like a man.
16 And I heard the voice of a man between the banks of Ulai, and he called out and said, "Gabriel, give this man an understanding of the vision."  
17 So he came near to where I was standing, and when he came I was frightened and fell on my face; but he said to me, "Son of man, understand that the vision pertains to the time of the end."  
18 Now while he was talking with me, I sank into a deep sleep with my face to the ground; but he touched me and made me stand upright.
19 He said, "Behold, I am going to let you know what will occur at the final period of the indignation, for it pertains to the appointed time of the end…….
23 In the latter period of their rule,
  When the transgressors have run their course,
  A king will arise,
  Insolent and skilled in intrigue.
24 His power will be mighty, but not by his own power,
  And he will destroy to an extraordinary degree
  And prosper and perform his will;
  He will destroy mighty men and the holy people.
25 And through his shrewdness
  He will cause deceit to succeed by his influence;
  And he will magnify himself in his heart,
  And he will destroy many while they are at ease.
  He will even oppose the Prince of princes,
  But he will be broken without human agency.
26 The vision of the evenings and mornings
  Which has been told is true;
  But keep the vision secret,
  For it pertains to many For it pertains to many days in the future.
                                                                             
                                                                         Daniel 8:9-19, 23-26 NASB

Even though this text is about Antiochus we are clued into something in verses 17 & 19. The Angel Gabriel tells Daniel that this prophecy does not only relate to the initial person Antiochus IV Epiphanes. It also has to do with the end-time events. So something of what Antiochus is and/or does is a preview of the final Antichrist. Accordingly, the text has an immediate and specific fulfillment in Antiochus and a long range fulfillment in Antichrist. Who the Antichrist is and what he does is similar to Antiochus. The specifics are not explained. (A further historical study of your own regarding Antiochus may help you get a better picture. Study the Jewish Maccabees). For our purposes we simply say this:
 a. He started out with great flattery and cunning – he was not even the rightful heir to the Seleucid Throne from which he ruled.           
 b. He was exceedingly ruthless in murdering thousands of Jews.          
 c. He desecrated what the Jews deemed holy in the Temple in Jerusalem.          
 d. His thoughts regarding his own person are ultimately reflected in the title he gave to himself:  Epiphanes.  It means "appearance, manifest" (or illustrious) and the thought is clear upon coins of the era.  Upon them are inscribed "King Antiochus, The Manifest of God."  He viewed himself as divine.

These are the four qualities that I believe are essentially characteristic of both Antiochus and the Antichrist.

3. The Beginning Count-Down for Antichrist’s (i.e. the prince) Specific Dealings

The text of Daniel 9:24-27 unfolds “70 weeks” that have been specifically set aside for God to deal with Israel. Verses 24-26 give us specifics about the timing and events surrounding the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The Antichrist is then introduced as “the prince who is to come” in verse 26 and his specific dealings unfold in verse 27.

24 Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy place.
25 So you are to know and discern that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; it will be built again, with plaza and moat, even in times of distress.
26 Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. And its’ end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined.
27 And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate.
                                                                          Daniel 9:24-27 NASB

This text gives the people of Israel and us an incredible timeline! These “Seventy Weeks of Daniel” are broken down for us into a framework: 7(weeks) + 62 (weeks) + 1 (week). Verse 27 is the final “week”. The weeks indicated here are literally “sevens” in the Hebrew (שָבֻעִים – shabuim) and refer to “sevens” of years. Therefore, we have one final “week” of history, which is distinguished from the previous 69 (7 + 62), at the close of this present evil age. This “week” is literally seven years with each year being 360 prophetic days. Next, verse 27 gives us a time frame for a very definitive aspect of the Antichrist’s agenda and, ultimately, the end-of-the-world agenda of a Sovereign God. The beginning of this 7 year period (2,520 days) is when the Antichrist will “make a firm covenant with the many for one week” (stated at the beginning of this verse). Now just because Scripture says it doesn’t mean everybody will “see” what is happening at the
time or even “comprehend” God’s parameters. Please don’t read something into the statement that may not actually be present. The Antichrist makes a covenant but it is GOD who specifically defines the parameters of 7 prophetic years.  The Antichrist will break this agreement in the midst of the seven years.

What exactly is this covenant and who does it involve? Well, it is not clearly defined in the scriptures, but there has been speculation. We should note the lack of specifics and understand that when God reveals certain things they contain their own Godly parameters (vs. 27). Will the Antichrist make a “new” covenant-agreement? Or does he “confirm” (according to some translations) a covenant that is already in place? Again, it is not clear. Is this covenant specific to something Jewish alone, meaning is it something related to God’s covenant which the Antichrist will supposedly acknowledge in agreement with the Jewish people? It may possibly have that content. But it is probably not that alone. And who are these “many” (vs. 27)?  The “many” when used in Scripture is probably used in juxtaposition to the “few” and so the world (or many), along with the Jewish people, will “buy” into the covenant. The “few” faithful to God will not. They
ultimately see it for what it is. The full illumination of this text may not take place until after the event actually occurs. Just because the Spirit of God breathes out the truth of revelation does not necessarily mean He will give us perfect illumination before the fulfillment. Remember how much time Jesus spent with his disciples after His resurrection? And what was He doing? He was telling them about numerous Old Testament Scripture that had already been fulfilled in His ministry and they had not a clue! That is quite humbling.

3A. The Mid-Point:  The Abomination that Causes Desolation

The Antichrist evokes two things that happen at the half point of these 7 years. First, he specifically puts an end to “sacrifice and grain offerings” for the Jewish people. Second, he causes an event: The Abomination that Causes Desolation. If this covenant relates to the “many” and we have defined that correctly, it is probably safe to say that he is credible enough to make a covenant. Also, he has enough authority over the world stage and control over the “many” that he can actually make one thing cease (sacrifice) and cause another thing to occur (abomination).  He has the confidence of enough of the Jewish people that they agree to the terms of this covenant.  Yet he breaks the covenant.  What's new Israel?

Accordingly, the Antichrist puts an end to the “sacrifice and grain offering” (some type of re-instituted sacrificial system) of the Jewish people and then “institutes” a new system which results in the abomination that causes desolation. What he institutes is not clearly defined in this text of Scripture. It is just named: the abomination. But don’t miss this point – the result is clearly defined! That leads us to our second point. Whatever it is that he does – it causes Israel to flee!  Based upon their own history they will internally and immediately know they should scram! Their lives will depend on it! (This will be further explained in Section Two when we look at Matthew 24).  

4. Antichrist’s (i.e. the king) Character, Warfare and Ultimate End Unveiled

Daniel 11:35-46 tells of the Antichrist’s character as king, his warfare and demise at the end of the age. Bible interpreters can follow Daniel 11:1-35 very accurately through history and see the prophetic fulfillment of these verses in specific kings.  For example, Daniel 11:15-35 is prophetic of Antiochus IV Epiphanes. However, there seems to be a change starting in Daniel 11:36. Verses 36-46 do not historically present Antiochus or the subsequent actions of any king. It would seem Daniel 11:35 is tipping us off.  

35 Some of those who have insight will fall, in order to refine, purge and make them pure until the end time; because it is still to come at the appointed time.
                                                                              Daniel 11:35 NASB

This verse tips off what is to follow. The events of verses 36-46 relate to the “end time” and “appointed time” so we relate these Scriptures to the “future” Antichrist. His character is unveiled and his warfare released within the end-time scenario. And he finally comes to his end in verse 45! Here is the text:

36 Then the king will do as he pleases, and he will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will speak monstrous things against the God of gods; and he will prosper until the indignation is finished, for that which is decreed will be done.  
37 He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers or for the desire of women, nor will he show regard for any other god; for he will magnify himself above them all.  
38 But instead he will honor a god of fortresses, a god whom his fathers did not know; he will honor him with gold, silver, costly stones and treasures.  
39 He will take action against the strongest of fortresses with the help of a foreign god; he will give great honor to those who acknowledge him and will cause them to rule over the many, and will parcel out land for a price.  
40 At the end time the king of the South will collide with him, and the king of the North will storm against him with chariots, with horsemen and with many ships; and he will enter countries, overflow them and pass through.  
41 He will also enter the Beautiful Land, and many countries will fall; but these will be rescued out of his hand: Edom, Moab and the foremost of the sons of Ammon.  
42 Then he will stretch out his hand against other countries, and the land of Egypt will not escape.  
43 But he will gain control over the hidden treasures of gold and silver and over all the precious things of Egypt; and Libyans and Ethiopians will follow at his heels.  
44 But rumors from the East and from the North will disturb him, and he will go forth with great wrath to destroy and annihilate many.  
45 He will pitch the tents of his royal pavilion between the seas and the beautiful Holy Mountain; yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him.
                                                                              Daniel 11:36-45 NASB
                                              

There is a specific warfare taking place. It is centered in the Middle East and this “king” (the Antichrist) is the center of this warfare. The ultimate end of this king (vs. 45) would lead us to believe that this indeed is the warfare of the Antichrist at the very end of this present evil age. By the time these events are occurring there should be no doubt as to his identity. But, unfortunately, most of the world is totally deceived by him and has long since rejected the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, who is the only one who could deliver them.   

This text adds some very informative characteristics of the Antichrist. His self-exaltation is again made specifically clear. Also, this is where his speech “changes” from Daniel 7! Notice verse 36: At the end of the age it says that he “will speak monstrous things against God.”  According to Leon Wood in his commentary on Daniel:                 

     4 “Astonishing things: The word used (root, pala’, ‘to separate’) is a plural niphal participle, meaning literally ‘things done astonishingly, unbelievably.’ The thought of uniqueness is connoted. This person will speak things against God that will be unique to himself – different, apparently, from what any other would dare to speak, in degree of insolence and self-exaltation.”                   

       4 Leon Wood, A Commentary on Daniel, Zondervan, 1973, p. 305

The main point is that his visible persona displayed in his speech changes from the
beginning of his career in Daniel 7 to the end of his career in Daniel 11. He moves from his boastful and deceptive speaking “in the place of God” in Daniel 7 to his “speaking monstrous things against God” in Daniel 11.          

His self-exaltation at the end of his “career” is once again affirmed and magnified (vs. 36). He speaks against every god and the true God in his self-magnification. He disregards everything and everyone in this self-exaltation. It would seem to me the flow of this text reveals the following: the normal human things that would affect any of us don’t affect him and he, ultimately, sets them aside in his self-absorption. Take another look at verse 37. Normally a son is affected by what his father has worshipped. Not the Antichrist. Normally a man is affected with things his mother/women feel in relationship to family/society. Not the Antichrist. Normally a citizen is affected with regard to what society worships. Not the Antichrist. He is totally self-absorbed toward his purpose! It is stated specifically in verses 36 and 38! He is self-absorbed (36) – here is how he is self-absorbed (37a) – he is self-absorbed (37b) – here is how he is self-absorbed (38-39). He is self-absorbed (and evil) like the nature of his true master who is the god of this
present evil age and the authority behind him, Satan. We will see this when we look at Revelation 13:2 regarding the Dragon and the Beast.  

This self-absorption leads him to the only thing with which he can be consumed and will assist him in his self-exaltation. In verse 38 it states “he worships a god of fortresses.” That is, his worship leads him to immersion in the only power that will clearly exalt him in his own eyes and in the eyes of the world. The context proves that power is carried out through warfare. He will exercise his power over the “ten horns” which run the world economically (as we shall soon read). All of the power and authority that is given to him in Revelation 13:2 by the dragon is used to secure his place militarily as the world ruler. He uses all of his cunning and influence to persuade toward this end. Do we remember Hitler: the man’s nature combined with his military goals? Enough said.  

SECTION TWO  -  The New Testament Groundwork

Matthew 24

We now turn our attention to the New Testament in an attempt to shed some light on what Daniel 9:27 means when it speaks of “The Abomination That Causes Desolation.” There are two texts in the gospels that specifically mention The Abomination of Desolation: Matthew 24:15 and Mark 13:14.  Luke 21:20 mentions the desolation of Jerusalem when it is surrounded by armies but does not specifically mention the abomination. So can we get any further information about what this “abomination” will look like?

The Abomination that Causes Desolation- Matthew 24:15-21

15 "Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),
16 then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains.
17 Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things out that are in his house.
18 Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak.
19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!
20 But pray that your flight will not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath.
21 For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the
beginning of the world until now, nor ever will.”
                                                                                Matthew 24:15-21 NASB

Matthew 24 is referring back to the text in Daniel 9:27. The parallel text of Mark 13:14 is essentially the same as the Matthew 24:15 passage except that it says the “abomination” stands “where it should not be.” It is quite easy to see in context the meaning of the term desolation in Matthew 24. Everyone is to flee and abandon, and the reason is because this abomination will not only be something “vile” in the eyes of the Jewish people but it is the beginning of great tribulation. This text is, in fact, where we get the popular term “The Great Tribulation.” However, it should be noted that it is not really the entire 7 years at the end of the age. “The Great Tribulation” is only the last half of those 7 years.

But it is to be noted that, once again, the “abomination” is not clearly defined as to the details. It is just simply stated as occurring and left at that. Of course, we want to know where this “abomination” takes place. Jesus does state that this “abomination” is “standing in the holy place”. Plus, Daniel states that “on the wing of abominations this one, the Antichrist, will come.” Some assume that it means it occurs in the temple because we have been taught that. However, the word “temple” is not used in either of the texts. Neither Daniel 9:27 nor Matthew 24:15 say “temple,” and so I believe that we can’t assume the “abomination” happens in a physical “temple” because that is not specifically stated in Scripture.

Now I do not wish to be trite in stating my next point. Before I do, we must understand that commentaries like those of Keil & Delitzsch, for example, spend 25 pages in their attempt to explain Daniel 9:27 alone. That is some study! I want to say simply this: It is not advantageous to go beyond what the text of Scripture states in order to help us understand it! What we should conclude in looking at Daniel and Matthew is this:

     1. The Antichrist makes an agreement with the Jewish people.
     2. This agreement is the beginning of the final seven year countdown.

In the middle of the seven years, Antichrist interrupts the Jewish sacrifice and does
something within the framework of this agreement to the Jewish people, Jerusalem, and the holy place that is desecrating – an abomination – and it causes the Jewish people to flee! Jesus does not reveal any new specifics from the text of Daniel 9:27. It only states that it will happen – it will be standing (not "seated") in the holy place, relating to the sacrificial site of Daniel (wing), and the Jewish people should flee! Some think they know further specifics from the Bible. At this point in my study – I do not think we do. Nevertheless, I will leave room for further illumination if someone can show me in the Scripture.  

The Book of Revelation

We will now take a quick look at a few things in the Book of Revelation to set the stage for the third and final section of this booklet. Revelation gives us broad and sweeping strokes of events in word-symbols for quite a large percentage of the book! It is picture-truth and should be carefully interpreted as such. It is still truth! Be very careful in thinking we should look for truth beyond the symbol-context. The very specific didactic element is present in the symbol, if we are careful to see it and nothing more. These specific elements are always seen in their context: symbol in relation to symbol, symbol defined through contextual action, symbol defined by its’ descriptive adjectives, etc. In many instances, this is not an easy task.

There are a few specific passages in Revelation that I believe have been interpreted beyond the text with details that may or may not be true. In order to give context for my conclusions, we now proceed in Revelation to get a handle on some of the things said in Revelation about the Antichrist. We will come to one key conclusion.

The Rise of the First Beast – Revelation 13

The Antichrist and the “ten horns” that support him are called “the beast from the sea” in Revelation 13:1 and are talked about through the rest of the chapter. They are given authority by the Dragon who is Satan. They are mentioned again in chapter 17. Context determines what aspect of the Beast is being discussed. By that I mean, sometimes the Beast is specifically the Antichrist, and sometimes the Beast is the ten horn system of economic rule. At times it seems difficult to distinguish between the two. Nevertheless, in verse 3 it is clear that one of the seven “heads” receives a fatal wound and comes back to life. This would seem to be the Antichrist. (Please note: some people interpret this as the beast world system and not specifically the Antichrist.) This feigned death-resurrection event causes the world to be amazed “after” the Beast. In other words, they worship the Beast in the subsequent texts because they are amazed “after” the Beast, i.e. they follow him.  Their following him proves they worship him! Here are the relevant
texts:

2b And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority.
3 I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast;
4 they worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; and they
worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?"
5 There was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him.
6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven.
                                                                          Revelation 13:2b-6 NASB

There is a sequence in Daniel, as well as in Revelation, in regards to the Antichrist’s words. Back in Daniel, I made note of the fact that the speech of the Antichrist changes from Daniel 7 to Daniel 11. In Daniel 7 it says he speaks “arrogant” things and in Daniel 11 it says he speaks “monstrous things against the God of gods.” Notice the same sequence in the above reference of Revelation 13:5-6. In verse 5 it says that he speaks “arrogant words and blasphemies” in general. Then in verse 6 it says he specifically speaks “blasphemies against God.”  Note that these blasphemies last for 42 months. He is given authority for only 42 months to specifically speak against God in blasphemies and to blaspheme His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven.   

The Rise of a Second Beast and an Image to the First Beast – Revelation 13

Another beast arises, and he is what I call the World Social Engineer.  He is the cultural-propagandist and social-implementation officer for the first beast. He is given power and authority by Satan to move the peoples of the world toward the worship of the first beast. Many view this “image” of the first beast as a literal statue that is somehow placed in a rebuilt Jewish temple. This may be true. I believe it is also an interpretation beyond the words stated in Revelation 13. But once again, don’t miss the spiritual significance by enhancing certain details already in our minds which may or may not be accurate from the text itself. Let’s read what this Second Beast, the False-Prophet, the World Social Engineer actually is and does.

14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who had the wound of the sword and has come to life.
15 And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed.
                                                                        Revelation 13:14-15 NASB

We already concluded from the previous text in Revelation 13:3-4 that they worship the beast by following him. Now they make an image “to” him or “for” him that is in honor of him. The False Prophet gives breath to the image “of” the beast. Look at the change in preposition in verses 14-15. It goes from “to, for” in vs. 14 to “of” in vs. 15. This “breath” means all the things that the World Social Engineer does to enhance the life (breath) of that beast – his very “image” before the world.  

I am making you read the text this way for a reason. A look at the flow of authority and power and worship throughout the text of Revelation 13 reveals an interesting parallel. The Dragon empowers/sends the Beast. The Beast receives worship because he is empowered by and represents the Dragon. The False Prophet enhances the life of the Beast. He is empowered to move the peoples of the world toward the worship of the Beast.  Now think about this: God the Father sends the Son. The Son is the perfect Image of the Father. He represents the Father perfectly and is in fact God Himself. His goal is recreating those whom He has called and sealed into His own image. The Spirit is sent to empower and give life to that recreation so that the saints of God truly follow and worship Jesus Christ! For me, the parallel is obvious. It is not about worshipping a statue in a temple. It is about whether we worship God and His Christ who is Jesus or
Satan and his false Christ who is the Beast (who reflects his image).  The "image"
language is worship-becoming like the object we worship language.  This is true of
Jesus Christ and His saints in the N.T. epistles and it is true of Antichrist and his
followers in the Book of Revelation.

The Ruling Nature of the First Beast – Revelation 13

It should be noted that the Book of Revelation delineates the type of authority that the ten horns exercise. The Beast receives all of the Dragons’ rule and authority through these “ten horns.” The extension of the ten horns in Daniel 7 of this rule that proceeds from the West and over-arches the world is very distinct and is specifically “economic” rule (vs. 17). The Beast ruling through the Ten Horns is a World Economic Rule! The particulars of this rule are set up by the ten horns. But it is the Second Beast who will move the world toward embracing the particulars of this rule. This second beast is the cultural rule of the two-beast system. He has the authority to move the masses socially and culturally toward the worship of the first beast who exercises economic rule. The second beast is received by the world because it is allowed to perceive him as a lamb. The saints know better. He speaks like a dragon! (See Revelation 13:11)  

17 and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.
                                                                           Revelation 13:17 NASB

There are other symbols and images in Revelation which portray the political rule and religious rule/role of the over-arching Beast System. We do not have time to fully look at all of them. Yet, is it possible that the Antichrist and the Ten Horn Beast system are already “on the prowl” in our world? Are they being enhanced toward their world role by the 2008 collapse of the world financial markets? Do you know who is internally behind the financial movements of this present world system? Do you know why Europe has a Euro for their monetary unit? Do you know why there are rumors that we may soon have an “Amero” (Canada, United States, Mexico) as our monetary unit?  

Many believe that these “ten horns” must be ten geo-political entities, that is, countries of Europe which they say would have been the main part of the Roman Empire. I do not believe the text states that specifically. We should let the passage define the meaning of “horns” within the context. The rule (horn) of the ten within the framework of the Ten-Horn Beast System is defined: economic rule over the whole world, not geo-political rule over or through ten nations of Europe. What tells us to define it as geo-political rule through Europe when the text actually and specifically defines it as economic rule over the whole world? I’m just asking. According to Daniel 7:24, the system has its roots in the West/Roman Empire.

The fact that the “ten horns” have rule over the earth economically and the Antichrist is their leader may be why the Antichrist can have such a powerful military (remember Daniel 11) backing his exploits. There may be other reasons as well. We may not see all aspects of the system as it unfolds. Still, the Bible has told us enough that we should begin to recognize it. One can only speculate if the Second-Beast/False Prophet is already on the scene and beginning to set up the system! What follows (in Revelation 13) regarding the beast “speaking,” people listening, and the mark of the beast are all indicators that this worship will actually take place because a physical mark is employed. Who is the “he” that provides the mark? It looks as if it is the World Social Engineer – the False Prophet because it is referring to him in Rev. 13:16-18. The Second Beast moves the people to take the mark.  The mark itself is the mark of the First Beast.   

The Relationship of Antichrist to the Harlot Woman – Revelation 17

At this particular time, the snap-shot of picture-truth in Revelation 17 shows us that the Harlot rides the Beast: she “sits” upon him in verse 3. You will soon see that the Harlot is a False Religious system. We can also infer that the Beast has some reason for letting her ride him and not bucking her off: the Beast “carries” her in verse 7! At first glance that doesn’t seem to be very “beastly” does it? There is probably a reason! When we finally look at 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 we may receive insight as to what initially started the symbiotic relationship of the Beast and the Harlot which later turns to scorn by the Beast. Here are the relevant texts from Revelation 17.

3 And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness; and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast, full of blasphemous names, having seven heads and ten horns.
4 The woman was clothed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a gold cup full of abominations and of the unclean things of her immorality,
5 and on her forehead a name was written, a mystery, "BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH."……..
…..
12 The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour.
13 These have one purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast….
……
16 And the ten horns which you saw, and the beast, these will hate the harlot and will make her desolate and naked, and will eat her flesh and will burn her up with fire.
17 For God has put it in their hearts to execute His purpose by having a common purpose, and by giving their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God will be fulfilled.
                                                            Revelation 17:3-5, 12-13, 16-17  NASB

Just because God exposes “spiritual” realities in Scripture for what they are – does not mean that the world clearly sees them. I believe this happens in this text. This Woman being exposed and also the Beast destroying the Woman are not necessarily taking place visibly for the Woman. It is more than likely an internal spiritual reality in Word-Picture. Some say this Scripture means that the Antichrist will actually and externally destroy all individual false religion and the umbrella world religion and demand total allegiance to him alone and worship of his image (a statue) in a rebuilt Jewish Temple and that will be the ONLY religion. Where does it actually state this?    

The World Empire of the Beast/Antichrist and the False Religion of the Harlot Woman co-exist until God decides to begin His judgment! The Woman is first in line and God actually involves the Beast in judgment against her. God’s judgment of the Beast will soon follow! The “flesh” and “fire” language, which is symbolic in context, enhances the meaning of the Woman as being made “naked” and “desolate” by the Beast. The symbiotic relationship is now nullified: the Beast was simply using the Woman for his own purposes and now that is made visible. It is God’s intent that the Beast should hate this Woman and actually do what he does to her. Please note the context. God places in the Beast’s heart the desire to execute God’s purpose! She is a scorned lover and the Beast has all power for the moment before he himself is judged by God.

We must remember that these are all truth-pictures in their context. In an attempt to interpret them as such let me give you what I believe to be a defined spiritual truth from the text – only. God is moving in judgment in the hearts of people and exposing something for what it is BEFORE HIM! And that is done in order for God to bring even a greater judgment upon the world in following the Beast since they refuse to follow HIM.

We want to be careful to not demand specific external elements of the text that may or may not actually be what is stated. Remember that the Harlot is not one real person! The Harlot Woman is false religious thoughts [Babylon is written upon her forehead – Revelation 17:5] of the peoples of the world outwardly expressed in a conglomerate of religions! She is made desolate by being exposed according to God’s intent and then those same people follow after the Beast. The Woman is eaten up by the Ten-Horns/Beast giving to her a supplanting purpose! The Harlot Woman is “made naked” by the Beast System because he never really had any legitimate use for her. He only used her to fulfill his lusts for power. She was just convenient toward his ultimate goal. After that, the Harlot Woman may be “destroyed” and the people of the earth may still be able to keep the thoughts and practices of their individual religions as a badge of honor and individuality. Worshiping the Image of the Beast begins to take precedent over each persons individual FALSE RELIGIOUS THOUGHT - THE HARLOT WOMAN! Thus,
she is judged by God and used by the “superior” Beast. In fact, even though the Beast is doing it, God is doing/allowing it. This is done in sovereign judgment because they refuse Him! Let’s not miss the spiritual reality in the text.


SECTION THREE - The Defining Text

We now turn our attention to a text of Scripture that is not often understood and the reason for the title of this booklet.  It is the only text where the New Testament actually states that the Antichrist is revealed!  I will honestly and frankly go through a sequence of important questions that need to be asked about the text. I have placed in bold that which I will be explaining in the subsequent interpretation.

1 Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him,
2 that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.
3 Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,
4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.
5 Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things?
6 And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed.
7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way.
8 Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming;
9 that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders,
10 and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.
11 For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, [what is false = literally the lie in Greek]
12 in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took
pleasure in wickedness.
                                                           2 Thessalonians 2:1-12  NASB

2 Thessalonians 2

It should be noted that there are several instances in this text when “the” is used – a definite article.  A series of definite articles this long is quite unique in the Bible!!! So we have:  the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; the day of the Lord; the apostasy; the man of lawlessness; the son of destruction; the mystery of lawlessness; the appearance of his coming; the one whose coming, the deception of wickedness, the love of the truth; the lie; and the truth. Thus we can say there is only one apostasy like this apostasy and there is only one man of lawlessness like this man of lawlessness, etc.  And these concepts are intricately woven together in unique persons and events which are closely aligned with each another! Please don’t miss that. We will review the definite articles in the sequence they appear in the text.

The Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ

This is what all true saints long for! It is unique in the history of redemption and still future at the point of this writing. Simply quoting a few texts will help us to see the significance of this event.

2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.                      
                                                                           1 John 3:2 NASB

6 For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you,
7 and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire,
8 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
9 These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,
10 when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed--for our testimony to you was believed.
                                                                           2 Thessalonians 1:6-10 NASB

11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war.
12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself.
13 He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.
14 And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses.
15 From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the
nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.
16 And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."
                                                                          Revelation 16:11-16 NASB  

The Day of the Lord

This day is first spoken of in the Old Testament. A text from Joel gives us a peek at where it lies in a sequence.

30 I will display wonders in the sky and on the earth,
  Blood, fire and columns of smoke.
31 The sun will be turned into darkness
  And the moon into blood
  Before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes.
                                                                         Joel 2:30-31 NASB


The Old Testament portrays the Day of the Lord as both incredible judgment and yet salvation. It is sequenced here to occur after the turning of the sun to darkness and the moon to blood. These events take place during the sixth seal of Revelation 6:12. Biblically it is quite natural to equate the Day of the Lord with the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.  

It is most appropriate to note something of deep significance here. I will simply call it “interpretive sequence” since I have no better label. Why do we look at the events of 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12, interpret them as belonging to the middle of the tribulation, and yet believe that Paul is having the saints of Thessalonica looking for these events before the Day of the Lord? Look at the text. He points their eyes to the events. Does he not? They are to be looking for them. Why? This is a critical question we should consider when we interpret. If the “gathering together unto Him” of verse 1 has already taken place – why were they to be expecting the Antichrist to take his seat in a rebuilt Jewish Temple and display himself as God?  At least this is to be the event as defined by a certain interpretation of this text. The text would indicate to us that, whatever event this is, it is what Paul is expecting them – the saints - to see!  Don’t be tricked – this (apostasy and man of lawlessness revealed) is what you will see (saints) – BEFORE – this (Day of the Lord)!  Remember: he is telling them these things because they have been confused by false teaching.  I will continue to unfold the way we can interpret this
and be true to both the sequence and the facts of the apostasy, the seating of the
Antichrist in God's Temple and Daniel-Matthew's statements about the abomination.

The Apostasy

We now turn our attention to the word “apostasy” in the text.  Άποστασία in the Greek – apostasia. This noun is usually translated as apostasy or falling away.  Please note the meaning:“Rebellion, abandonment in religious sense, apostasy”Greek-English Lexicon, Arndt-Gingrich, University of Chicago Press, 1971, p. 97.

There is one other time that Paul talks about a “falling away” in the New Testament. This falling away is specifically within the context of the Christian faith. The Greek root verb άφίστημι – aphistami is used in this text:

“But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,"
                                                                             1 Timothy 4:1 NASB

The writer of Hebrews uses this same Greek verb again within a Christian context:

“Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God.”
                                                                     Hebrews 3:12 NASB

There are a few other Greek words used for “rebellion” in various other New Testament texts but they are associated with ideas of “inciting” people to riot or “unruly” or religious/political rebellion as for instance of Korah in Jude 1:6.  Now my reason for making these points is to determine how we are going to interpret “apostasy” within its’ context in 2 Thessalonians 2. Is this a world-wide apostasy? Is this a Jewish apostasy specifically? Is this only the Antichrist committing apostasy? Or is this a Christian apostasy? Normally this term is applied with the understanding that one is falling away from a previously held religious position. So how is it that the world can “fall away” from God when in fact it is born dead in sins and trespasses? We are born into rebellion therefore this world doesn’t fall away from a previously held position. In Ephesians 2:1-3 Paul relates the fact that people who are now Christians were born into this rebellious condition – walking in disobedience to God. Nor can it mean a Jewish apostasy – because the Jewish people have fallen away for centuries in having rejected their true Messiah.  It seems to me that it can not only be the Antichrist because of the massive delusion that follows in the text.

Paul’s use of the word “apostasy” in 2 Thessalonians 2 and his use of the verbal form “fall away” in 1 Timothy 4:1 in the context of “Christians” falling away from the faith confirm that this apostasy does indeed make sense. Furthermore, verses 9-12 would also seem to indicate this fact. When did the world ever “receive” the truth let alone love the truth? This statement indicates that the issue in the apostasy is that supposed Christians never actually received the love of the truth! This happens even as they may have the outward form or label of “Christian.” Therefore, they are exposed to a deluding influence within which the world is already immersed. It is the nature of this apostasy. What outwardly looked like true faith was ultimately found to be something quite different. Thus, it will be an internal falling away from the faith of the Scripture which would certainly have some form of different and deceptive gospel at its’ center.  

Gee – I wonder if and when that could ever happen in our “evangelical” churches???  If one man is ever at the very center of this and subsequently looks like he is heading toward becoming a world ruler – look out!

The Man of Lawlessness – The Son of Destruction

First of all, we should understand that this is the only time in the Bible that this term “man of lawlessness” is used. In verse 3, he is also called “the son of destruction” (perdition) which is only the second time this is used of a man in Scripture. It should be noted that Jesus referred to Judas, one of the disciples, in John 17:12 as “the son of perdition.” He was obviously a disciple in name only.

This man of lawlessness whom the Lord will slay (see Rev. 19:20) is none other than the Beast, the Antichrist himself. This is the only person it could be based upon all of our research done in other texts of Scripture. The text also states that he is revealed. But how is it that he is revealed?  

The Seating of the Antichrist in God’s Temple

The Greek word “temple” in 2 Thessalonians 2:4 is from ναός. (English – naos). In all of Paul’s other writings he consistently uses this word to describe the individual member or corporate “body” of Christ. In other words, it is the church, whether an individual person or the visible whole. He employs other Greek words when referring to a temple as a literal building. To be fair, there are instances in the New Testament when ναός is used for a building. But again, it is not used by Paul in his epistles. Accordingly, if we dare say that Paul changes his pattern then we should also immediately ask a question. If this is a literal building, a rebuilt Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, would the Jewish people allow for a “seat” in that Temple for a King/World Ruler to sit upon? For that matter, would they allow a seat for their “Messiah” to sit upon? One would assume that the Jews would
rebuild their own Jewish Temple if that rebuilding should occur. One would assume that they would build it according to the pattern given to them in the Old Testament. Where is there a “seat” in that pattern? There is none. There is a mercy-seat but that is nothing like this seat. This seat in 2 Thessalonians 2 has the idea of sitting upon a throne for the purpose of executing a rule. It is metaphorically the place or position of authority.

Now, what is the Antichrist actually doing in this action? First, he is the one “setting himself against” (vs. 4). That is what it literally means: αντικείμενος in the Greek – antikeimenos. Please notice the first four letters - “anti” in the word. Its’ root meaning is “be opposed” or it could mean “form a contrast to” and so is translated “opposes” in most bibles. Notice how he “positions” himself against every god or object of worship: he exalts himself above them. He magnifies himself just like we were told the Beast would do in Daniel. By this self-magnification he displaces every other worship object. He opposes God by plopping himself in the position or seat of authority from which he reigns.

One doesn’t have to search very far in the history of the church to find great men of God who did not preach about this temple as a visible Jewish temple in Jerusalem. In fact, before the middle of the nineteenth century, most believed it was not a Jewish Temple and was indeed the visible temple upon the earth – the church.  For example:  

C. H. Spurgeon preached a message titled “Pride the Destroyer” on Habakkuk 2:4.  
When in that sermon he references 2 Thessalonians 2 it is quite obvious he is translating it as the visible church and not a Jewish temple in Jerusalem.  He preached it in 1898 – Sermon #2591 – for your referencing.

Matthew Henry in his commentary on 2 Thessalonians says regarding 2:4: “As God was in the temple of old, and worshipped there, and is in and with his church now, so the antichrist mentioned here is some usurper of God's authority in the Christian church, who claims divine honors;…”

There are many other wonderful teachers and preachers of God's Holy Word throughout the centuries who believed this temple is the visible church. He “seats” himself in that temple by becoming the leader of the apostasy in that temple. There have been many false prophets and false teachers in the history of the church. They place themselves right in the middle of the church, that is, the visible entity upon the earth. They have lead many people astray from within that temple. What makes this one different? It is the last one! It is the apostasy because it is the revealing of the final Antichrist and not just any antichrist. The Apostle John relates the coming of the spirit of antichrist in four texts in his epistles:

Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour.
                                                                          1 John 2:18 NASB

Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ?  This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son.
                                                                          1 John 2:22 NASB

And every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.
                                                                          1 John 4:3 NASB

For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge
Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.
                                                                          2 John 1:7 NASB

And where did this spirit of antichrist appear? It emerged within the visible churches as they were being established. The stealth strategy for the destruction of the visible church by this spirit of antichrist has always been from within! That is why there were so many councils at the beginning of Christendom. They had to deal with the spirit of antichrist manifest in false teaching from within the church. This text tells us this antichrist spirit will finally prevail in the visible church with the appearance of the final Antichrist. God will allow it for His own purposes.  

The very heart of this “seating in the temple” really refers back to a concept in the Old Testament. The context for the text we will look at is God’s prophetic judgment of the King of Babylon. He is ultimately describing the fall of the spirit that is behind the king – Satan.  (Also cf. Ezekiel 28:12-19.)

How you have fallen from heaven,
  O star of the morning, son of the dawn!
  You have been cut down to the earth,
  You who have weakened the nations!
But you said in your heart,
  I will ascend to heaven;
  I will raise my throne above the stars of God,
  And I will sit on the mount of assembly
  In the recesses of the north.
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;
  I will make myself like the Most High.
                                                                       Isaiah 14:12-14 NASB

Although this quote is a lament against the King of Babylon, it has been held by Biblical scholars through the centuries to also describe the fall of Satan. Please note the condition of his heart which betrays his fall! In the midst of his self-magnification (just like the Antichrist), he wishes to supplant God in His position of authority (just like the Antichrist). He can not take God’s seat upon His heavenly throne. The only option he has left is an earthly “seat” so to speak from where he can sit and rule. This is the meaning of 2 Thessalonians 2: the Antichrist, empowered by Satan and as his representative, takes his seat in the temple of God. He wishes to place himself in the visible seat of authority in place of Jesus Christ. That seat from an earthly perspective is the ruling over the visible church of Jesus Christ upon the earth. To be specific, it is his leading, of what would seem to be the church that has true Biblical faith and doctrine, into apostasy by the presence of his own person! It is the apostasy of what seems to be true faith/true saints because it is the final antichrist that is carrying it out and thus revealed in it.

There is a final note on this “seating in the temple of God.” Many commentators equate this phrase in 2 Thessalonians 2:4 as referring to the same event as Matthew 24:15. This is where it states that there is an abomination that causes desolation “standing in the holy place.” Some equate “seating in the temple of God” with “standing in the holy place.” This is most unfortunate because the frameworks for each of these events are quite different. The context of the Antichrist “standing in the holy place” (2 Thess. 2) is destruction and flight. The context of the Antichrist “sitting in the temple of God” (Matt. 24) is apostasy, lawlessness, lack of love for the truth and deception. And 2 Thessalonians 2:7 specifically has the restraint, when removed, as the revealing of the Man of Lawlessness. So, does this “revealing” take place in the middle of the tribulation? If you take the “seating in the temple” to mean a literal Jewish temple in the middle of the tribulation, then you are forced to conclude it is in that event he is revealed. So, he wasn’t revealed when he made a covenant at the beginning of the seven year tribulation?? And – on the same day according to one interpretation of eschatology – millions of people disappear from the earth in rapture?? Unto who is he revealed and what is it that is revealed about him??  Is he revealed to the people he deceives??  The context says it is in the midst of deception and not in the midst of abomination.  

Displaying Himself as God

Most of us have the image in our minds of the Antichrist with bulging facial veins crying out in a rebuilt Jewish temple – “I AM GOD!!!” This I believe is unfortunate. Please, I am not trying to disparage all the hard work and effort that has gone into warning us about the Antichrist. All saints have their reward in warning us! I believe that. However, why demand this scenario when he has already deceptively garnished their allegiance??? I suppose he could do what has been described above but probably not. I don’t believe any text of Scripture indicates that it must be like that. The spirit of antichrist will have long prepared the people of the world to seamlessly worship the Antichrist. Just as that same spirit had prepared an apostasy of such immense proportion within the visible
church, it allows for the Antichrist to rule it from within – to take his seat therein.

The word “displaying” used in this text in verse 4 is the Greek word άποδεικνύντα – apodeiknunta. It is translated as “to proclaim” or “to show” or “to point to” or “to display” in various Bible texts. So we can make this text seem quite melodramatic and translate "proclaiming” as in “I am God with bulging veins.” Or, we can translate it as “showing” or “displaying” as in: “I am in the position that I want.  I know you are simply required to behold me as the one who is sovereign and in charge.” There is a big difference between these two concepts - isn’t there? But it seems to me the best rendering is “displaying” because the texts following show that the “spirit of lawlessness” and the “deluding influence” are already clearly in place. He rides the crest of the deception which goes before him.  Satan, the angel of light, has prepared and is now empowering him. And all the Antichrist has to do is simply to take his place as the object of worship – that is both an “external” position and in the hearts of those who follow him. His followers indeed follow him because they have been deceived as a result of not receiving the love of the truth.  

The Revealing of the One Who Seats Himself in God’s Temple

Jesus Christ is the only true head of His true people. When the Antichrist is revealed along with his followers in the midst of an apostate church, it will spell his end. It won’t look like that from the perspective of the world or the apostate church. This man will attempt to supplant the authority Jesus has within His church. One problem: apostate Christendom doesn’t belong to Jesus Christ! It is not His blood-purchased possession. That is why all true saints won’t buy into the Antichrist’s scheme! Because he seats himself as a pretender within the visible church with “signs and wonders” accompanying him, the elect “might” be deceived if that were possible. (See Matthew 24:24) This will quite likely happen before he begins his role as the world leader. The text of Scripture does not give us a timeframe for this point.  It would seem reasonable that leading an apostasy of the false church might take some time, maybe years. By the time he makes a
“covenant with the many” at the beginning of the last seven years of this present evil age he will have already been on the scene.  

We may want to take into consideration how God deals with the actions of the Antichrist. We should never equate God’s patience or plan as if God is ambivalent to His own Word. The Holy Gospel is profaned by this man, and he dares to use the Holy Name of Jesus. God, in His infinite and divine plan, has determined this will happen! We are introduced to the “wrath of the Lamb” in Revelation 6:16.  Certainly nothing will make this Lamb angrier than the abuse of His Holy Name by the Antichrist in the visible church. The Antichrist will be the leader in the final apostasy of Christendom as he moves toward his assigned role as World Leader.  His speech will change as will his status and actions against true Christians and the Jewish people. The Bible also specifically tells us where this one will spend eternity. He will be with the Dragon and the False Prophet in the lake of fire. He doesn’t know that, yet. Maybe he doesn’t know that he is the Antichrist? Is he the perfect object of Satan’s abilities as a LIAR to be believed? (I’m really asking.)

Consequently, the Antichrist takes his seat in the temple of God in 2 Thessalonians 2 probably before the final 7 years and he commits the abomination of desolation spoken in Daniel 9 in the midst of the tribulation. Same person but different events! Please catch what I just said. The timing and activities of the abomination of desolation and the events of 2 Thessalonians 2 is different. Same person - changed persona - different visible status and events! Sadly, the revealing of the Antichrist will also be the revealing of people who are apostate in Christendom.  This will likely do two things to all true saints of Jesus Christ. It will place them into bewilderment for a time as they wonder if people in the visible church are actually paying attention! It will be personally and grievously painful as we watch those who we thought were saved fall away. This will call for diligent prayer and merciful warning!  

The Mystery of Lawlessness

Thomas Manton in his commentary on 2 Thessalonians says regarding the mystery of lawlessness of verse 7 the following:

     “What is the mystery of iniquity? I answer - The design of usurping Christ's kingdom, and his dignities and prerogatives over the church, to countenance the kingdom of sin and darkness, under the mask of piety and religion.   Surely it is something, quite contrary to the gospel, which is the 'mystery of godliness,'  1 Tim. iii. 16.  So that this mystery is such a course and state design as doth frustrate the true end and purpose of the gospel, and yet carried on under a pretence of advancing and promoting it.”

You need to realize something about the above quote by the Puritan Thomas Manton. It was written in the seventeenth century! This is a profound statement considering what is now happening in the visible church. This interpretation of the text of 2 Thessalonians 2:7 was written by him into his own words about 3 ½ centuries ago!

The Revealing of the Lawless One

So this lawless one is revealed like the Scripture (and our dear brother Thomas Manton of the seventeenth century) said! He is revealed as the leader of the final apostasy within Christendom on a massive scale! His change-agent tactics first take place within the visible apostate church which is the revealing of the fact that he is actually a lawless one.

The Appearance of His Coming

The Blessed Hope of the saints of God is the “appearance of His coming!” This phrase actually combines two Greeks nouns which are each individually used of the second coming of Jesus Christ in other texts. In fact, the first Greek word epiphaneia, is a form of the Greek word that Antiochus IV Epiphanes took as his own title. Many have translated his title as “the illustrious one” or “the shining one.” This “appearance of His coming” (the second Greek word – “coming” – parousia) in context refers specifically to what Jesus will do to the Antichrist when He comes. Since it is intensified with two Greek words the meaning is clear. Jesus will in brilliance of judgment come on His white horse, on the clouds of heaven to destroy the Antichrist!    

The One Whose Coming

This is another reference to the Antichrist. We should pause to remind ourselves that even though he is the devil’s antichrist, He is God’s antichrist first! He doesn’t appear “without God” or contrary to God’s ultimate glory! God has determined he will come. He has set the specific time beforehand.

The Deception of Wickedness

The world is blinded by its own wickedness.  It is deceived into believing all is well when it is not.  All people are born into this condition.  God has graciously moved in the gospel to open the saints eyes to the truth.  The deception of the Antichrist will be enhanced because there will be the demonstration of false signs and wonders to further deceive those who do not know Christ and wish to continue in their rejection of Him.

The Love of the Truth

I pray every day that I love the truth! The truth is the Holy Bible and all that it says about the God revealed therein. Real saints don’t casually hold it as nice and fanciful data in their brain-cells. Nor are they committed to picking and choosing the pieces they like and don’t like as if they are the judge over it! They love and hold it as most precious! This is because they love the God revealed therein with the entirety of their being!

The Lie

There is really only One for the fallen race of Adam. “Your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:5) THE LIE is the false identification of the human spirit as God himself. It happens both individually and corporately. The Antichrist will be THE PERFECT INCARNATION of this lie! His revealing will be seamless for many because the spirit of antichrist working with this lie will have prepared the world to receive him gladly. God will use His “perfect” instrument, the Antichrist, for His perfect purpose. That is to give the apostate church and the world over to “the lie” for the purpose of judgment because they don’t love Him or His truth! God’s glory in judgment will have a clear visible history! The Antichrist is the perfect reflection of their own self-worship, worshipping their own fallen image as if it were god! In worshipping the Antichrist, they worship the power and spirit behind him which is the dragon – Satan himself. It is both extremely evil and extremely sad to watch!
We must plead with people to be reconciled to God in Jesus Christ.  Otherwise, they are sadly gone to their eternal judgment.

The Truth

And what is the apex of the Truth, the Holy Bible? It is the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the only truth that will save. He is its’ entire focal point!

For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.  
                                                                         2 Corinthians 1:20 NASB

Concluding Remarks

Unfortunately we have been pre-programmed to not see the vital information which I have shared in this booklet. I hope and pray you take it to heart. My dear brothers and sisters in Christ the fact remains. Interpreting 2 Thessalonians 2 as occurring in the midst of the tribulation and connected to a statue just does not add up. The setting of this text is both pre-covenant and pre-abomination of the text of Daniel 9:27. The good news is that this information could help you by the Spirit of God to make sense of what is going on in many of our churches! Please pray that God would glorify His own Holy Name in the midst of what might just be the apostasy that we are currently experiencing.  

We could be witnessing, at the beginning of the 21st century, this apostasy becoming full blown. Someday we may know his name. We may already know it. We just may not know that yet. If so, Jesus Christ’s coming again may not be far off!  Pray hard and witness hard. Our world has had individuals dying on a daily basis and facing the judgment for many centuries – one at a time for the most part.  Is an earthly bus full of people heading toward the precipice all at once? I fear so!  It could be we need to begin to pray that the countenance of our face and tone of our speech in witnessing would begin to reflect this new reality. Please start pleading before God and begging toward men! Bear witness to the real Lord Jesus Christ of the Holy Gospel! Real human destinies depend on Jesus Christ being presented to them in the glory and wonder of His Salvation! Please determine to be a true and faithful witness to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

www.atrueandfaithfulwitness.com

Copyright 2009 David Sheldon, all rights reserved

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