The Man of Sin

A GREAT RESOURCE SERMON

Outline:

I. Reassurance of the Faithful (2 Thess. 2:1-2)

Reassures by negatives:

Don’t be shaken - or in distress - if you are afraid of the end times, it is because you have a faulty understanding of that time.

Don’t be troubled - alarmed - no matter what people says or writes or even if Paul says something wrong.

Don’t Be Deceived or mislead

The first reason - Christ will not come back until there has “first” come a “falling away”

“Falling away” assumes some sort of prior turning to God

This word is where we get our word “apostasy” it means a rejection of the truth.

Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Thessalonians The Coming Apostasy (2 Thess 2:3b, 9–10a)

Apostasy is a military term that suggests “the abandoning of a position.” When used within the context of the church it points to abandoning or departing from the faith (1 Tim 4:1–2; Heb 3:12).

Julian the Apostate (reigned 361–363 AD) was born into a Christian family and even baptized as a young boy. However, as he grew, he rejected his faith and attempted to restore pagan worship in the Roman Empire. After years of covert resentment against Christianity, he publicly denounced his faith upon becoming emperor.

Julian revived the Roman gods, reinstated animal sacrifices, and sought to weaken Christianity's influence by forbidding Christians from teaching classical literature and philosophy. In his writings, he mocked the teachings of Jesus, calling Him "the Galilean," and attempted to revive the grandeur of paganism while persecuting Christians.

In a direct challenge to Christian prophecy, Julian attempted to rebuild the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem to discredit Jesus' prediction in Matthew 24:2 that "not one stone will be left upon another." However, his efforts were mysteriously thwarted—ancient historians, including pagan ones, record that fiery explosions erupted from the construction site, preventing workers from continuing.

Julian’s defiance of God and subsequent failure illustrate that rebellion against God ultimately leads to futility. Just as 2 Thessalonians 2 warns, rebellion and lawlessness are destined for destruction under the power of God.

Julian the Apostate died on June 26, 363 AD, during a military campaign against the Persian Empire. His dramatic death is recounted for us by historians.

Julian was leading his army deep into Persian territory when they encountered fierce resistance. During a retreat after being ambushed, Julian personally joined the fight without wearing armor, an unusual and risky decision for an emperor.

The Fatal Wound: He was struck in the side by a spear, either by a Persian soldier or, as some later Christian sources suggest, by a disaffected member of his own army. The wound was mortal, and he died shortly after.

It is recorded that Julian, upon realizing his defeat and impending death, uttered the words, "You have won, O Galilean!"—a grudging acknowledgment that Jesus Christ, whom he mocked and opposed, had ultimately triumphed.

The second reason we shouldn’t be mislead or deceived - because the “man of sin” must be revealed first.

False Teaching (deception) Distorts reality

False Teaching Robs of peace

False Teaching Ruins Our Perspective

They had no reason to be shaken, disturbed, or deceived:

Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Thessalonians False Teaching Ruins Our Perspective (2 Thess 2:5)

MacArthur wisely notes,

There was really no excuse for the Thessalonians to have been so gullible, despite the seemingly convincing forged letter.… The Thessalonians’ gullibility was an emotional reaction to the stress of their situation. However, truth is not determined by emotions or circumstances, but by Scripture. Believers must allow biblical truth and theology to rise above every situation. (MacArthur, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 270)

False teaching, apostasy and the man of sin - according to this passage will precede the coming of Christ. But what is the man of sin?

II. Revelation of Deception aka "The Man of Sin” (2 Thess. 2:3-5, 9-12)

Titles - The Antichrist/The Man of Sin

Antichrist (1 John 2:18),

Man of Sin (2 Thess. 2:3),

Son of Perdition (2 Thess. 2:3),

Beast (Rev. 13:1-18)

Appearance

End times figure prophesied to deceive humanity, exalt himself, and oppose God

Role Deceiver, Lawless One, Persecutor of Saints, False Christ

Characteristics Charismatic, deceitful, blasphemous, performs signs and wonders, demands worship

Primary Enabler Satan (2 Thess. 2:9; Rev. 13:2)

Opposition Christ (2 Thess. 2:8), faithful believers, Scripture

Fate Cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 19:20)

Key Scriptures 2 Thess. 2:1-12, Daniel 7:7-8, 11, 25; Matthew 24:24; Revelation 13:1-10.

FACTOIDS

Biblical Origin of the Term "Antichrist": The term appears explicitly in 1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3, and 2 John 1:7, referring to anyone who denies Christ, but also to a specific end-times figure.

Not a New Testament Concept: The Antichrist is prefigured in the Old Testament (e.g., the "little horn" in Daniel 7:8).

The Man of Sin's Deceptive Power: He will deceive even the elect if possible (Matthew 24:24).

Associated Kingdoms: Often linked to revived Roman or globalist empires (Daniel 7:23-25; Rev. 17:9-14).

Role in Eschatology: Plays a central role in the Tribulation, marking the height of satanic opposition to God.

Counterfeit Christ: Mimics Jesus by performing miracles and demanding worship (2 Thess. 2:4, Rev. 13:13-15).

Sign of Apostasy: His rise coincides with a great falling away from the faith (2 Thess. 2:3).

Political and Religious Leader: Consolidates power globally, uniting false religion with political authority (Rev. 13:7-8).

Marked by a Number: Associated with the infamous "666" (Rev. 13:18).

Short-Lived Rule: His reign lasts only 3.5 years during the Great Tribulation (Daniel 7:25, Rev. 13:5).

PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILE (FROM BIBLICAL DATA)

Trait

Narcissistic Exalts himself above all gods (2 Thess. 2:4).

Manipulative Deceives many with lying signs and wonders (2 Thess. 2:9).

Charismatic Gains widespread worship and political allegiance (Rev. 13:8).

Delusional Believes and convinces others of his own godhood (Daniel 11:36).

Oppressive Persecutes those who refuse to worship him (Rev. 13:15).

Satanic AlignmentOperates under direct influence of Satan (2 Thess. 2:9; Rev. 13:2).

II. Restraint of the Evil (2 Thess. 2:6-8)

I love these verses

Mystery of iniquity - as contrasted to the mystery of godliness (1 Timothy 3:16 “16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” )

Iniquity is already at work - but it is being withholdeth - or in check - to hold down

I also like 2 Thessalonians 2:7 “7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.”

Only he who now letteth will let - again it is referring to something or someone holding him back - but there will come a time that will be taken away.

Some have taught this is the Holy Spirit who will be removed with the rapture of the Church

Some have taught it is the church’s prayers and righteousness

Some teach it is just the sovereignty of God - whatever it is something is keeping back the power of the antichrist.

III. Rebellion of the Man of Sin (2 Thess 2. 9-12)

2 Thessalonians 2:9–12 KJV 1900

9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

IV. Reign of the King of Kings (2 Thess. 2:8)

2 Thessalonians 2:8 KJV 1900

8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

WE don’t need to fear tomorrow, or the antichrist - or the end times - we can trust Jesus - He is King, he is Lord.