2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that day will not come unless the falling away [apostasy] comes first, and that man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that day will not come unless the falling away [apostasy] comes first, and that man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
The man of sin is mankind overtaken by sin as the true Gospel that brings salvation is hardly preached at all, in favor of ear-tickling false messages (2 Timothy 4:3-4) that are gladly and widely received by those who do not love the truth that can save them (2 Thessalonians 2:10, Matthew 7:13). Those receiving the truth now are the few who are found on the highways (Matthew 22:9-10) and who are willing to hear and obey God's truth (Luke 6:46-49, John 12:46-48, James 1:21-22) outside of the teachings put forth by mainstream Christianity that uses the word of God deceitfully (2 Corinthians 4:2b). The man of sin is the person who is lord of his own life and not submitted to God. It's not one precise man with the capitalized title "Man of Sin." The great falling away (apostasy) has been well under way and the man of sin has been revealed.
Likewise, there is not one man that will be called "the Antichrist." There are many antichrists even now. Anyone who is not worshipping the one true God in spirit and in truth (John 4:23) is an antichrist, a "son/daughter of perdition," according to 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 still. It's not what most would want to hear (2 Timothy 4:3-4). But may those who love the truth be blessed.
1 John 2:18
Little children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have arisen, whereby we know that it is the last hour.
Little children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have arisen, whereby we know that it is the last hour.
The apostle John wasn't in any way saying that the antichrists that had already started arising in his day where not yet what the servants of God were expecting. He wasn't in any way saying that the real Antichrist (with capitalized A) was still a figure to come. That can only be conjectured.
John further makes it all the more clear:
1 John 4:3
and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not of God, and this is that of the antichrist, which you heard that is coming, and now is already in the world.
See also 1 John 2:22 and 2 John 1:7 mentioning antichrists. Anyone who is preaching or believing in or serving a "false christ" (Matthew 24:24) or "another Jesus" (2 Corinthians 11:4) than the one the Bible speaks of — the Son of God — is necessarily an idolater and an antichrist, a son of disobedience on whom the wrath of God is coming. Such must seek God while He may be found (Isaiah 55:6-7).
Matthew 24:12
And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.
1 John 5:3
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.1
1 John 3:4
Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.
Ephesians 5:1-7
1 Be therefore followers of God, as beloved children, 2 and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God. 3 But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. 7 Do not therefore be partakers with them.
1. It's very rare to find that scripture mentioned in any Christian sermon or teaching or book. Why? It goes against what false teachers/false ministers of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:13-15) want people to keep in their minds. In particular, it would go against the "it's not of works" false grace mindset. So, it's blotted out of the Bible for all but a remnant who live by that very word (Revelation 14:12).
Call to Repentance
