The rebellion
at the end of the age is partly explained in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12. Paul deals with a
false rumour that the Lord has already come. He says that Jesus will not come again until
after the "rebellion".
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. 2 Thes 2:3
This man has not yet come, but is being held back until the proper time. At that time,
the "restrainer" will be removed and the Man of Sin will be revealed.
The Man of Sin is often confused with the Beast of Revelation, but the two are not the
same. The Beast represents a political organisation, whereas the Man of Sin is a religious
leader. Moreover, Paul clearly links the Man of Sin with the second coming, whereas the
Beast rises to power at the end of the times of the Gentiles (2 Thes 2:1).
Paul gives a clear picture of what the Man of Sin will be like. When he first emerges
the Man of Sin will appear to be wise and good. However his true character will soon be
revealed.
The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in
all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and every sort of evil that deceives
those who are perishing. 2 Thes 2:9,10.
The Man of Sin will be anointed with special power by the Devil. He will be the
greatest manifestation of Satan that the world has seen. In his last desperate attempt to
gain control of the world, Satan will invest all his power in one man, this enabling him
to do many wonderful and amazing things. These signs will deceive many people and they
will become his followers. Satan was the most beautiful angel in the whole of creation (Ez
28:12,13), so his special representative on earth will be an attractive man (not ugly or
repulsive as many Christians would expect). This will cause many to be deceived.
Many
people will appear to be living a righteous life, but will begin to
delight in unrighteousness in their hearts. This will make them vulnerable
to deception (2 Thes 2:11-12). God will allow these people, who
have neglected the truth and delighted in wickedness, to fall into
deception and come under the power of the Man of Sin. He will be
the instigator and the focus of the "rebellion".
Jesus
will overthrow the Man of Sin on that day when he returns for
judgment.
This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in
blazing fire with his powerful angels. he will punish those
who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of out Lord Jesus
Christ. (2 Thes 2:7-10)