The Antichrist

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 – The Antichrist

The man of sin. The son of perdition. He is also known as the Antichrist. Notice that the first two names are in lower case while the third is capitalized. I do that purposely. John, in his epistles, speaks of a spirit of antichrist which is always with us and the person of Antichrist who is yet to come. The person of Antichrist is a specific being who can be described as a man of sin or a son of perdition. You see him appear in other passages: Daniel 7, Matthew 24, and Revelation 13. We will consider all of these passages as we look to this person who will stand against Jesus and put himself in the place of God – spiritually and physically – at least by his claims and by his actions.

Let’s start with what Paul is saying about him. First, he is a man of sin. The word “man” indicates that he is a human being. A mortal man who sins. Now that covers a lot of territory since the Bible says that we have all sinned. But this guy is going to be sin personified. Evil incarnate. In fact, at some point, midway into the tribulation, Satan will enter this man and indwell him like has never happened before. Second, he is the son of perdition. Again, it is the ordinary word for son – the same word used for Jesus. Only this guy is not the only begotten Son of God. That term strictly belongs to our Savior. But the Antichrist will be the son of perdition – a destroyer – just like his father, the devil.

No doubt, the Antichrist will present himself as a peacemaker, exactly what the world will need in the time of chaos that will ensue following the Rapture. Everyone will be looking for answers for the mass disappearances. Some will realize what has happened and will turn to Jesus for salvation, and they will be saved. In fact, they will be the beginning of a great harvest of souls – perhaps, sadly and joyfully, the greatest spiritual awakening the world will ever see. I say sadly because it would be so much better if this happened because the church humbled itself before God and He poured out His Spirit prior to the Rapture. I say joyfully because while these people will still have to endure tribulation they will at least have the assurance of heaven and an eternity with God. Yes, these new Christians will face great sorrow during the tribulation. Others will reject the concept of the Rapture as foolishness, and no doubt the Antichrist will offer “rational” answers. Logic that they want to believe and will believe. The end result will be that many will follow him.

Imagine, also, in the midst of all the chaos, certain nations will choose to expand their territory and take care of old enemies. Israel will be in the crosshairs even more than ever before. Wars will begin. People will die, but God will spare the nation of Israel and will supernaturally defeat her enemies. Enter the Antichrist who will bring peace, but it will be a costly peace. Treaties will be signed. Israel will be promised seven years of peace, and when that treaty is ratified, the Tribulation will begin!