Paul’s Teachings on the End Times and the ‘Man of Sin’

Wednesday Night Bible Study – Session 4

Date: February 5, 2025

Introduction

1. Recap of Previous Session

• We studied the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24–25) and how Jesus referenced Daniel’s prophecy, confirming the Great Tribulation, the Abomination of Desolation, and the certainty of His Second Coming.

• We established that Daniel’s 70th Week and Jesus’ warnings are part of the same divine timeline, revealing a final period of deception, tribulation, and judgment before Christ’s return.

2. Overview of Today’s Session

• We will examine Paul’s teachings on the end times, particularly in 1 & 2 Thessalonians.

• Paul expands on the Great Apostasy, the Man of Sin (Antichrist), and the coming of the Lord.

• We will compare Paul’s writings with Daniel’s prophecies and Jesus’ discourse, proving the unity of Scripture concerning the last days.

Part I: Paul’s Teaching on the Second Coming in 1 Thessalonians 4–5

1. The Coming of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18)

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 KJV 1900

13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first” (1 Thessalonians 4:16).

• Paul writes to encourage believers in Thessalonica, who were concerned about those who had died before Christ’s return.

• He reassures them that the dead in Christ will rise first, followed by living believers who will be caught up (harpazō, Strong’s G726: “snatched away”) to meet the Lord in the air.

• This passage affirms a literal, bodily resurrection and gathering of the saints.

Application:

• The promise of the Lord’s return provides comfort and hope (1 Thessalonians 4:18).

• We must live in expectation, keeping our hearts pure and our faith unwavering.

2. The Day of the Lord and Readiness (1 Thessalonians 5:1–11)

1 Thessalonians 5:1–11 KJV 1900

1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

“For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:2).

• Paul warns that the Day of the Lord (a period of judgment and Christ’s reign) will come unexpectedly for the world but not for believers.

• Verse 3: Unbelievers will say, “Peace and safety,” but sudden destruction will fall upon them.

• Verses 4–6: Believers are not in darkness and should remain watchful, sober, and prepared.

Application:

• Paul instructs believers to be awake, spiritually alert, and ready for Christ’s return.

• We do not belong to the night (spiritual blindness) but to the day (truth and righteousness).

Part II: The Man of Sin and the Great Apostasy (2 Thessalonians 2)

1. The Falling Away Comes First (2 Thessalonians 2:1–3)

2 Thessalonians 2:1–3 KJV 1900

1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition” (2 Thessalonians 2:3).

• Paul directly refutes fears that the Day of Christ had already come.

• He establishes two precursors before Christ’s visible return:

1. A great apostasy (Greek: ἀποστασία, apostasia, Strong’s G646: “rebellion, falling away”).

2. The revealing of the Man of Sin (also called the Son of Perdition).

• This apostasy is a global rejection of God’s truth, leading to widespread deception and moral collapse.

Application:

• The world is moving toward a full-scale rebellion against God’s truth, paving the way for the rise of the Antichrist.

• Believers must guard their faith and stand firm in biblical truth.

2. The Man of Sin and His Blasphemous Rule (2 Thessalonians 2:4–10)

2 Thessalonians 2:4–10 KJV 1900

4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 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: 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.

“Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God” (2 Thessalonians 2:4).

• The Man of Sin (Antichrist) will exalt himself as divine, committing the Abomination of Desolation spoken of in Daniel and Jesus’ Olivet Discourse.

• He will sit in the Temple of God, confirming that a physical Temple will exist in Jerusalem during this period.

• Verse 7: The “mystery of iniquity” is already at work, but he who now letteth (restrains) will be taken out of the way.

• This refers to a divine restraint (possibly the Holy Spirit working through the Church) that is holding back the full revelation of the Antichrist.

Application:

• The final seven-year period of Daniel’s prophecy will see the Antichrist rise, desecrate the Temple, and deceive many.

• We must reject deception, remain rooted in Scripture, and endure until Christ returns.

Part III: Parallels Between Paul, Daniel, and Jesus

Event Daniel’s Prophecy Jesus’ Teaching Paul’s Explanation

Great Tribulation Daniel 12:1 Matthew 24:21 2 Thessalonians 2:3

Abomination of Desolation Daniel 9:27 Matthew 24:15 2 Thessalonians 2:4

Antichrist’s Deception Daniel 8:25 Matthew 24:24 2 Thessalonians 2:9

The Return of Christ Daniel 7:13–14 Matthew 24:30 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17

• Absolute Conclusion from Scripture:

• The Man of Sin will rise, deceive the world, and declare himself God.

• The Great Tribulation will come, fulfilling Daniel’s and Jesus’ warnings.

• Christ will visibly return, defeat the Antichrist, and establish His Kingdom.

Part IV: Practical Application for Believers

1. Be Spiritually Alert and Watchful

• Jesus and Paul both warn believers to stay awake and discern deception.

• 1 Peter 5:8 (KJV): “Be sober, be vigilant…”

2. Stand Firm in Biblical Truth

• The Great Apostasy is increasing today. Hold fast to God’s Word.

• 2 Timothy 3:16–17: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God…”

3. Endure Persecution and Remain Faithful

• Tribulation will come, but God’s people are called to endurance.

• Revelation 2:10 (KJV): “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”

4. Live in Holiness and Expectancy

• Christ’s return is near, and we must be found faithful when He comes.

• 1 John 3:2–3: “…every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself…”

Conclusion

1. Summary of Key Truths

• Paul confirms Daniel and Jesus’ prophecies regarding the end times, Antichrist, and Christ’s Second Coming.

• The Great Apostasy is happening now, leading to the rise of the Man of Sin.

• Believers must stand firm, endure tribulation, and be ready for Christ’s glorious return.

2. Closing Prayer

• Thank God for the clarity of His Word and ask for strength, wisdom, and endurance.

Preview of Next Session: “The Final Kingdom: Christ’s Ultimate Victory”

• Daniel 7 & Revelation 19–20 – The defeat of the Antichrist and the Millennial Reign of Christ.

• The judgment of nations, the binding of Satan, and the eternal reign of Jesus Christ.

May this study prepare your heart and mind to stand firm in the truth as we await the return of our King! Maranatha—Come, Lord Jesus!