2 Thessalonians

 

Chapter 1, verse 1:

1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Verse 2:

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Next verse:

3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, 

Paul was thankful and also reminded them to abound in love towards each other. That is basically what the term Philadelphia--meaning brotherly love--conveys.

Verse 4:

4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, 

Two points.

The first is that this is one of three places in the New Testament where we see the expression churches of God plural. The other two are 1 Corinthians 11:16 and 1 Thessalonians 2:14.

The other point is that Paul is mentioning that the Christians in Thessalonica have been facing persecutions and tribulations.

While we have experienced relatively mild persecutions as a church, this will increase. Notice the following:

28 While returning to his land with great riches, his heart shall be moved against the holy covenant; so he shall do damage and return to his own land.

29 "At the appointed time he shall return and go toward the south; but it shall not be like the former or the latter. 30 For ships from Cyprus shall come against him; therefore he shall be grieved, and return in rage against the holy covenant, and do damage.

"So he shall return and show regard for those who forsake the holy covenant. 31 And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation. 32 Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. 33 And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering. 34 Now when they fall, they shall be aided with a little help; but many shall join with them by intrigue. 35 And some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed time. (Daniel 11:28-35)

13 Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. 14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. 15 So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. 16 But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. 17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 12:13-17).

The direct persecution of the Philadelphian Christians, the ones who flee in Revelation 12:14-16 is just prior to the start of the Great Tribulation.

Back to 2 Thessalonians chapter 1:

5 which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; 

Notice that being persecuted does not mean God does not love us, but our suffering this way looks to be necessary to, "be counted worthy of the kingdom of God." Though that persecution will end.

Of course, then there will be the trials of being in the wilderness. But that is another matter.

Back to 2 Thessalonians 1:

6 since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, 

The Day of the Lord is coming and will in a sense, repay with tribulation some of those who trouble us.

Verse 7:

7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 

Yes, we will have eternal rest when Jesus returns with his mighty angels.

Notice that this verse states that the angels are mighty--they are not weak.

Onto verse 8:

8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Here is some of what those mighty angels, called the armies in heaven, are going to do:

14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, "Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, 18 that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great." (Revelation 19:14-18)

Back to 2 Thessalonians 1:

9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 

Continuing with verse 10:

10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.

Notice that Paul says that the Christians, the saints, will be there because they believed the testimony of Paul--Paul wrote more books of the Bible than anyone else.

We are going over his writings so that you will be there and also that you can "be admired among all those who believe."

That, essentially, is something that looks to be prophesied to happen for Philadelphian Christians as they, according to Jesus:

9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie — indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. (Revelation 3:9-12)

Back to 2 Thessalonians 1:

11 Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, 

Yes, we need to strive to be worthy of His calling us to be Philadelphian Christians.

We are to do the work of faith with power, but also in believing and accepting ways that God says He works.

Lastly, verse 12:

12 that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Notice that we are to live so that the name of Jesus will be glorified in US!

That is a fantastic and marvelous calling.

 

Chapter 2, verse 1:

1 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 

Next verse:

2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. 

Nor should we be shaken in mind that the Book of Revelation has been fulfilled as Protestants and others called Preterists do.

By the way, the largest branch of the Sardis church has basically become preterist as the Church of God-seventh day Denver now teaches that nearly all of the Book of Revelation has been fulfilled.

It is little wonder that Jesus warned Sardis:

2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. (Revelation 3:2-3)

Back to 2 Thessalonians 2:

3a Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first,

My prior COG came out and taught falsehoods about the falling away and claimed only those deceived by Satan could not accept its new teaching. Not only did I not accept, I wrote papers, tried to reason with its leadership, then had to leave.

Later, in essence, that church reversed at least part of its wrong position on this.

Now, let's finish 2 Thessalonians 1:3 and also quote verse 4:

3b and the 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 [c]as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

However, LCG and many others still wrongly teaches who the man of sin is, despite the fourth verse providing detailed information.

Sadly, LCG's first presiding evangelist went so far as to declare:

For those of you who understand prophecy, it becomes obvious that this great “man of sin,” or “man of lawlessness,” ties in directly with the “second beast” of Revelation 13. For obviously describing the coming military/political leader of the final revival of the Roman Empire in Revelation 13:1-10, the Apostle John goes on to describe another “beast” who comes out of the earth and “he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon” (v. 11). So this man looks like the “lamb,” Jesus Christ. Yet His message is that of the “dragon” identified in Revelation 12:9 as Satan the Devil! This coming powerful religious leader “exercises” all of the authority of the first “beast” and causes the revived Roman Empire to persecute the true saints ... the great false religious leader—the “ false prophet” (Meredith RC. LCG co-worker letter, April 17, 2013)

On multiple occasions from 2008-2012, I sent Dr. Meredith detailed biblical information explaining why the man of sin was not the second beast of Revelation 13, and until I saw the above, I never really received a negative response from him (though he had previously published older information with a similar position). Instead two leading LCG ministers (including at least one LCG evangelist) told me I was right about this.

It is absurd that Dr. Meredith's April 17, 2013 letter suggested that if one does not agree with the conclusion that the false prophet is the "man of sin" of 2 Thessalonians 2, then one does not understand prophecy. Dr. Meredith also called knowledge of this chapter VITAL. But is the man of sin the false prophet, the second beast of Revelation 13, or not?

No, it is not, thus those who follow LCG or others with the same man of sin identity are not following leaders that understand this element of biblical prophecy. Notice, that 2 Thessalonians 2:3b also calls him the son of perdition.

In 2 Thessalonians 2:3 the man of sin is also called the son of perdition.

Perhaps it should be noted that the only times the term “perdition” (Strong's #684) are mentioned in the Book of Revelation are in the following passages:

7 But the angel said to me, "Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns. 8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. (Revelation 17:7-8)

11 The beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition. (Revelation 17:11)

Revelation 17 certainly supports the position that the ten-horned beast is the son of perdition. Those verses in Revelation 17 specifically tie the Beast of the sea with perdition.

Now the Bible also teaches that Judas Iscariot was an earlier 'son of perdition':

2 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. (John 17:12)

1 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered. 2 And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples. (John 18:1-2)

While Judas probably for a while thought he was a follower of Jesus, he also was deceptive and betrayed him.

Similarly, the King of the North, the Assyrian in Isaiah 10, will not think he means to destroy, but it is in his heart to do so:

5 "Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger
And the staff in whose hand is My indignation.
6 I will send him against an ungodly nation,
And against the people of My wrath
I will give him charge,
To seize the spoil, to take the prey,
And to tread them down like the mire of the streets.
7 Yet he does not mean so,
Nor does his heart think so;
But it is in his heart to destroy,
And cut off not a few nations.
8 For he says,
'Are not my princes altogether kings?
9 Is not Calno like Carchemish?
Is not Hamath like Arpad?
Is not Samaria like Damascus?
10 As my hand has found the kingdoms of the idols,
Whose carved images excelled those of Jerusalem and Samaria,
11 As I have done to Samaria and her idols,
Shall I not do also to Jerusalem and her idols?'" (Isaiah 10:5-11)

Furthermore, the Bible shows that Judas used deceptive intrigue for thievery:

4 But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, who would betray Him, said, 5 "Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it. (John 12:4-6)

The Bible also tells that the King of the North will use deceptive intrigue to gain power:

21 And in his place shall arise a vile person, to whom they will not give the honor of royalty; but he shall come in peaceably, and seize the kingdom by intrigue. (Daniel 11:21-22)

34 Now when they fall, they shall be aided with a little help; but many shall join with them by intrigue. (Daniel 11:34-35)

23 "And in the latter time of their kingdom, When the transgressors have reached their fullness, A king shall arise, Having fierce features, Who understands sinister schemes...25 "Through his cunning He shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule; (Daniel 8:23,25)

The Bible shows that both Judas, 'the son of perdition' that betrayed Jesus, and the King of the North, the 'son of perdition' who will betray basically the world both used deceptive tactics. The Bible shows that both attempt to prosper through deceitful words.

The end time 'son of perdition' is the ten-horned Beast of Revelation 13 and the final King of the North of Daniel 11.

Of course, it is not only LCG who has this wrong.

In its March 8, 2019 newsletter, the Church of the Eternal God (CEG) had the following:

the fact that the man of sin is not the beast, but the false prophet,

Fact?

It is certainly not a biblical one.

This ‘man of sin’ identity is a doctrine that most groups once part of the old Global Church of God (GCG) have wrong. The top leadership in CEG came from GCG.

Anyway, the man of sin is the ‘beast” and not the false prophet.

Those in CEG, LCG, RCG, etc. really need to pay more attention to the scriptures related to that.

Furthermore, groups such as COGWA, PCG, and UCG also have the identity wrong.

David Pack, formerly of GCG, but now of the Restored Church of God (RCG), used to teach:

God does not just describe this false religious system as abominable, but refers to it as “the mother of ... abominations.”

This religious leader is described in II Thessalonians and there referred to as the “man of sin.” Notice: “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day [Christ’s Return] shall not come, except there come a falling away first [a prophecy fulfilled in the twentieth century] and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition…Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God” (2:3-4). ...

This is clearly the False Prophet of Revelation 16:13, not the Beast.

(Pack, David C. What Is the “Abomination of Desolation”? https://rcg.org/articles/witaod.html viewed 07/16/16)

This two-horned beast gives “power” to the first beast ...So this beast, then, appears to be religious...Remember also, this two-horned beast possesses such awesome power that it inspires the world to worship the beast ...

The second beast is able to perform miracles. He does this “in the sight of” the first beast—the Holy Roman Empire. These miracles are so extraordinary—so mesmerizing—that they allow him to deceive the whole earth! Finally, the beast is worshipped as a result. This future religious leader will lead the final resurrection of the Holy Roman Empire alongside a great civil leader.

In II Thessalonians 2:3, this same religious leader is called the “man of sin.” Revelation 19:20 refers to him as a “false prophet.”

(Pack, David C. Who or What Is the Beast of Revelation? http://rcg.org/books/wowitbor.html viewed 05/05/13)

But, as the Bible teaches, the two-horned beast is NOT the man of sin in 2 Thessalonians 2. David Pack's insistence that this is not "the Beast" (meaning the ten-horned Beast of the Sea) is not proof, but another false assertion. Note: RCG changed its position later, and its new position is that it will be a Church of God leader--see Who is the Man of Sin of 2 Thessalonians 2? 

Like certain other groups, the United Church of God and COGWA teach that the false prophet is the man of sin:

So, some have speculated that Antichrist had become the popular terminology for what this prophesy was talking about. In fact an interesting prophecy over in of 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 talks about this. It says, "Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day"--talking about the Day of Christ's return--"that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition…who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God."

That's interesting because the word translated "opposes" literally means to be against, to be contrary to, or anti. No wonder this is why the man of sin that's mentioned here, is most often associated with the Antichrist. This end time False Prophet is a deceiver. (Meters S. Who is the Antichrist? http://www.ucg.org/beyond-today-program/news-and-prophecy/who-antichrist/ May 2011, viewed 05/18/13)

The apostle Paul explained how this deception would come about in writing to the church at Thessalonica. He wrote, “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 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” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). The popes have claimed the title “vicar of Christ,” which means “to stand in the place of Jesus Christ.”

The Adam Clarke Commentary describes this “man of sin” in verse 4 as “having the highest place and authority in the Christian Church, he acts as God—taking upon himself God’s titles and attributes, and arrogating to himself the authority that belongs to the Most High” (note on 2 Thessalonians 2:4). God reveals that prior to the return of Jesus Christ many will be deceived by this coming individual and the false religious system that is behind him.

Babylon the Great with its entire system centered in Rome and the final pope who is called a false prophet (Revelation 19:20) will come to a sudden end when Jesus Christ returns. (Haeffele J. What is Babylon? COGWA. http://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/revelation/what-is-babylon/ viewed 06/03/14)

Speaking of the time just before the return of Jesus Christ, the apostle John wrote, “Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour” (1 John 2:18). . . .

The specific person to whom John referred has additional names in other passages of the Bible. These include:

Although we do not know who this specific individual is at this time, we will be able to identify him in the future because of the “power, signs, and lying wonders” that will be granted to him by Satan the devil to deceive humans into disobeying and rebelling against Christ (2 Thessalonians 2:9). (Swanson B. Antichrist. COGWA. http://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/end-times/antichrist/ viewed 06/03/14)

But these, like the position of LCG and the earlier position of RCG, appear mainly to be based upon tradition.

I perhaps should mention that Aaron Dean, who is with UCG and on its Council of Elders agrees with my position on this that the 'man of sin' here is the Beast, the final King of the North, and not the false prophet as he has told me that personally.

The Church of God, Faithful Flock (COG-ff) teaches:

The man of sin fits both Mr. {Joseph} Tkach and the Pope. (Billingsley D. August-October 2018 'Pastors Comments')

No, that is also absurd.

PCG's Gerald Flurry, in a chapter titled 'Man of Sin' in one of his books, no later than 1995 wrote:

Mr. Tkach was an innermost disciple—more so than other Church leaders—in those last seven years of Mr. Armstrong’s life. The leadership discussed in 2 Thessalonians 2 must be in Pasadena today (Flurry G. Malachi's Message. 1990, 1995, p. 99).

Gerald Flurry was referring to the Tkach Administration of the old Worldwide Church of God. This is wrong for many reasons, including the fact that J. Tkach , Sr. died without Jesus' return which is when the 'man of sin' is eliminated per 2 Thessalonians 2:8--nor have any members of the Tkach Administration been accompanied by the type of signs and lying wonders that the 'man of sin' would be. More on PCG can be found in the article Teachings Unique to the Philadelphia Church of God.

Neither Joe Tkach Sr. or Jr. qualify as they did not do the "signs and lying wonders" that the Apostle Paul was warning about.

While various ones have various opinions on the man of sin, doctrine is to come from the Bible:

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

So, other than the perdition connections, what does scripture teach?

To answer that, first let's look at the verses in the New Testament that use the term “false prophet,” which are below:

13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty (Revelation 16:13-14).

20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone (Revelation 19:20).

10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever (Revelation 20:10).

The above verses do show the similarities such as both will have unclean spirits coming out of their mouths which perform signs. Yet, those do not really distinguish much between the ten-horned beast and false prophet (the two-horned beast). Notice that Revelation 19:20 specifically teaches that the false prophet performed signs in the presence of the beast--that is certainly in line with the beast being "accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder" (2 Thessalonians 2:9, Berean Study Bible).

Nor have I seen a scripture-based explanation in any Radio Church of God/WCG literature that truly explains why that church felt this applies more to the two-horned beast than the ten-horned beast (though there may be one).

However, the description of the King of the North in Daniel closely fits the description of that man of perdition:

36 "Then the king shall do according to his own will: he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the wrath has been accomplished; for what has been determined shall be done. 37 He shall regard neither the God of his fathers nor the desire of women, nor regard any god; for he shall exalt himself above them all. 38 But in their place he shall honor a god of fortresses; and a god which his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and pleasant things (Daniel 11:36-38).

What Daniel 11:36-38 and 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 say about this man is essentially the same.

Notice also that the King of the North exalts himself above all the gods. This includes the god of fortresses, which (as I have long suggested) is apparently the Roman (Catholic) god. And this would also have to include being exalted above the two-horned beast of Revelation 13.

Furthermore, notice that the two-horned beast of Revelation 13 gets people to worship the first beast and that it is the first beast that Satan has given great authority to:

1 Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name…

2 The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority….

11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. 12 And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. 15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed (Revelation 13:1,2,11-15).

Notice clearly that the two-horned beast (who is THE false prophet, cf. Revelation 19:20) gets people to worship THE FIRST beast, the ten-horned beast (with accompanying signs--that he does so in the presence of the FIRST BEAST--cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10). Hence the two-horned beast is NOT putting himself above all gods or all worship as he has people worship the ten-horned beast--thus he does not meet the biblical criteria to be the man of sin. It also is the ten-horned beast who blasphemes, as he is also the blasphemous King of the North (Daniel 11:36-40).

Hence the FACT is that the two-horned beast is NOT putting himself above all gods as he has people worship the ten-horned beast. And it is the ten-horned beast who is granted “great authority,” not the two-horned beast.

There is simply no verse that says that the second beast gets the worship that the first one does. The false prophet clearly promotes false worship, as opposed to being the primary object of it himself. While popes have long let people kneel down before them, I have found no scriptures that indicate that the false prophet himself tries to make himself the ultimate/top object of worship.

The Old Testament clearly concurs. Notice something that Daniel also wrote:

2 Daniel spoke, saying, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea.
3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other. (Daniel 7:2-3)

24 The ten horns are ten kings
Who shall arise from this kingdom.
And another shall rise after them;
He shall be different from the first ones,
And shall subdue three kings.
25 He shall speak pompous words against the Most High,
Shall persecute the saints of the Most High,
And shall intend to change times and law.
Then the saints shall be given into his hand
For a time and times and half a time (Daniel 7:24-25).

It is the ten-horned beast of the sea who speaks the pompous words against God, he is the one who exalts himself above all that is called God (2 Thessalonians 2:4).

This same beast is also shown as exalting himself in another chapter in Daniel:

25 "Through his cunning He shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule; And he shall exalt himself in his heart. He shall destroy many in their prosperity. He shall even rise against the Prince of princes; But he shall be broken without human means. (Daniel 8:25)

It is the Beast of the Sea that is exalting himself in his heart as is the man of sin in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4. He is eliminated by non-human means in Revelation 17:14.

Repeatedly, we see that the Beast exalts himself. The main references we have to the False Prophet show him getting people to exalt the Beast of the Earth, not himself.

Also notice that in the Bible, people are warned against worshipping the first beast:

9 Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation (Revelation 14:9-10).

2 So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image…10 Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues because of the pain (Revelation 16:2,10).

Even if the image is related to the Catholic Church (which to a degree it is), notice that it is the Beast and HIS image and HIS kingdom that worship against is warned as opposed to mainly that of the false prophet. The beast is clearly above the false prophet and is the one that exalts himself above all that is called God.

If we let the Bible interpret itself, it suggests, that the description in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 fits very closely to the first beast, the King of the North, and not nearly as closely the second beast, the false prophet.

Notice that the first beast also fulfills the following:

15 Then he said to me, "The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. 16 And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire. 17 For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. 18 And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth." (Revelation 17:15-18)

Notice that the harlot (the ecumenical and changed Church of Rome) is devoured at this time. This is one additional way that the first beast, the ten-horned beast does not regard the desire of women as Daniel 11: 37 mentions (with the harlot church symbolized by a woman in Revelation 17) and exalts himself above all that is called God.

This destruction of the harlot also suggests that the man of sin, the son of perdition in 2 Thessalonians 2, is not the false prophet, but the ten-horned beast, and he and his supporters have the power and are taking actions on his behalf.

However, since the false prophet is still alive at this destructive stage (Revelation 19:20), it appears that he either is a captive of the ten-horned beast or that he also betrays his church. But I strongly suspect the latter (as the second beast clearly promotes the worship of the first beast per Revelation 13:12)–he is complicit in the betrayal of the Church of Rome–which is another reason that I teach that the false prophet is a type of anti-pope.

Perhaps it should be noted that outside of the Bible, we do not seem to have available early writings from true Church of God Christians that discuss the identity of the man of sin.

However, we do have a writing from Irenaeus, a man who claimed to know the Church of God leader, Polycarp of Smyrna. He wrote the following:

he wishes himself to be proclaimed as a king. For he being endued with all the power of the devil, shall come, not as a righteous king, nor as a legitimate king, [i.e., one] in subjection to God, but an impious, unjust, and lawless one; as an apostate, iniquitous and murderous; as a robber, concentrating in himself [all] satanic apostasy, and setting aside idols to persuade [men] that he himself is God, raising up himself as the only idol, having in himself the multifarious errors of the other idols. This he does, in order that they who do [now] worship the devil by means of many abominations, may serve himself by this one idol, of whom the apostle thus speaks in the second Epistle to the Thessalonians: "Unless there shall come a failing away first, and the man of sin shall be revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he sits in the temple of God, showing himself as if he were God." The apostle therefore clearly points out his apostasy, and that he is lifted up above all that is called God, or that is worshipped — that is, above every idol — for these are indeed so called by men, but are not [really] gods; and that he will endeavour in a tyrannical manner to set himself forth as God. (Irenaeus. Against Heresies Book V, Chapter 25, Verse 1)

While Irenaeus had many misunderstandings, the fact that he also considered that the man of sin was a king (which would be the King of the North) is supportive of the idea that this seems to also have been the position of early true Christians.

The truth about the identity of the man of sin is one that the CCOG has restored.

Now back to chapter 2, verse 5:

5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 

Next:

6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. 

Verse 7:

7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.

Some have wondered about the restrainer. While Protestants tend to think the restrainer is the Holy Spirit, that is not actually the case. The specific restrainer being discussed here seems to be some type of an angel, like probably the archangel Michael.

Continuing:

8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. 

Verse 9:

9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 

One major difficulties for many to see "the man of sin/lawlessness" as the King of the North (First Beast) instead of the False Prophet, is because they seem to not connect the "lying wonders and SIGNS" to him as they clearly can to the "false prophet" in Revelation 13:13.

BUT ... Revelation 16: 13-14 shows an actual connection:

13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are spirits of demons, PERFORMING SIGNS, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

So now we have not only 2 Thessalonians 2:9 showing signs will accompany the 'man of sin,' but also Revelation 16:13-14 clearly showing that the BEAST literally performs SIGNS as well.

In summary, what does the word of God teach on the identity of the man of sin?

He will be one to mysteriously promotes sin.

He will promote violating all of the Ten Commandments (see also our free online book The Ten Commandments: The Decalogue, Christianity, and the Beast).

The FACT is that the New Testament teaches that the man of sin "exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped" (2 Thessalonians 2:4).

The FACT is that the Old Testament teaches that the King of the North "shall exalt and magnify himself above every god" (Daniel 11:36).

The FACT is that the New Testament specifically ties the beast with perdition in Revelation 17:8 & 17:11.

The FACT is that the New Testament teaches that "All who dwell on the earth will worship" (Revelation 13:8) the first Beast, the ten-horned beast (Revelation 13:1).

The FACT is that the New Testament teaches that the "man of sin ..., the son of perdition, ... exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped" (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4), which eliminates the beast of the earth as he "causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast" (Revelation 13:12).

This worship is not directed towards the false prophet.

Read those verses for yourself in your own Bible.

Believe the Bible.

Even though people will likely worship both beasts, the descriptions in the Bible that describe the ten-horned beast/King of the North are much closer to the man of sin discussed in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 than any about descriptions the false prophet. 

Those who truly understand prophecy and who prayfully study the word of God for doctrine should realize this.

Here is a link to a related sermon video titled: The Man of Sin will deceive most ‘Christians’.

Now to 2 Thessalonians 2, verse 10:

10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 

This is the problem with those who profess Christ or otherwise claim to believe the Bible, but are not true Christians. They have accepted traditions as well as have overlooked truth. If they had the love of the truth, they would change.

We have literature to help them and videos to help them, such as the following:


Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God Differs from Protestantism The CCOG is NOT Protestant. This free online book explains how the real Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants. Several sermons related to the free book are also available: Protestant, Baptist, and CCOG History; The First Protestant, God’s Command, Grace, & Character; The New Testament, Martin Luther, and the Canon; Eucharist, Passover, and Easter; Views of Jews, Lost Tribes, Warfare, & Baptism; Scripture vs. Tradition, Sabbath vs. Sunday; Church Services, Sunday, Heaven, and God’s Plan; Seventh Day Baptists/Adventists/Messianics: Protestant or COG?; Millennial Kingdom of God and God’s Plan of Salvation; Crosses, Trees, Tithes, and Unclean Meats; The Godhead and the Trinity; Fleeing or Rapture?; and Ecumenism, Rome, and CCOG Differences. 


Beliefs of the Original Catholic Church: Could a remnant group have continuing apostolic succession? Did the original “catholic church” have doctrines held by the Continuing Church of God? Did Church of God leaders uses the term “catholic church” to ever describe the church they were part of? Here are links to related sermons: Original Catholic Church of God?, Original Catholic Doctrine: Creed, Liturgy, Baptism, Passover, What Type of Catholic was Polycarp of Smyrna?, Tradition, Holy Days, Salvation, Dress, & Celibacy, Early Heresies and Heretics, Doctrines: 3 Days, Abortion, Ecumenism, Meats, Tithes, Crosses, Destiny, and more, Saturday or Sunday?, The Godhead, Apostolic Laying on of Hands Succession, Church in the Wilderness Apostolic Succession List, Holy Mother Church and Heresies, and Lying Wonders and Original Beliefs. Here is a link to that book in the Spanish language: Creencias de la iglesia Católica original.

Islamic and Biblical Prophecies for the 21st Century This is a free online book which helps show where biblical and Islamic prophecies converge and diverge. Here are links to related sermons: Seeing Christianity Through Islamic Eyes, Imam Mahdi, women, and prophecy, and Terrorism, Iran, and Fatima, Dajjal, Antichrist, Gold, & Mark of the Beast?, and Jesus and God’s Plan for Muslims. Here is a link to a sermon in the Spanish language: El Imám Mahdi las mujeres y la profecía bíblica

Next verse:

11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 

Next:

12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Now most of those that do not really contend for the faith once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3) do not believe that they really have pleasure in unrighteousness, but scripture suggests that they do.

Onto verse 13:

13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, 

Next:

14 to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

As far as being called goes, we have a free booklet: Is God Calling You? 

Verse 15:

15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.

Now, as Jesus said, we are to endure to the end.

But some point to the above as proof that the traditions that they accepted are fine. But notice that Paul is making clear he was talking about direct teachings as well as the epistles, which are part of the Bible.

Jesus condemned those who followed traditions that were in opposition to the Bible:

6 He answered and said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:

'This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
7 And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'

8 For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men — the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do."

9 He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. (Mark 7:6-9)

Sadly, most who claim Christianity have accepted traditions of men that are opposed to the Bible and the faith once for all delivered to the saints.

More on tradition can be found in the article: Tradition and Scripture: From the Bible and Church Writings.

Next verse:

16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, 

We have real hope! And that is from the grace of God, which we can rely on. Grace is favor from God. Those who have been called have God's favor.

Wrapping up chapter 2 with verse 17:

17 comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.

  We are established that way if we live according to the original faith.

 

Chapter 3, verse 1:

1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, 

Yes, pray for the work. Pray that we will have the wisdom and take the steps to prepare for the short work of Romans 9:28 (see also Preparing for the 'Short Work' and The Famine of the Word), we continue to make the gospel of the kingdom of God available in more languages (see Preaching the Gospel in Over 1500 Languages), as we work to support the fulfillment of Matthew 24:14 and lead the Final Phase of the Work.

Verse 2:

2 and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.

As many of you know, we had to deal with some like that. And even from some who had some faith, but not Philadelphian era faith.

Verse 3:

3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. 

Yes, God is faithful. Do not give up. That is what Satan really wants you to do.

Do not fall for Satan's "I can't take it any longer" pitch. Remember that Jesus taught we are to have the right focus and to deal with your problems one day at a time:

31 "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:31-34)

Next verse:

4 And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you.

I have confidence that truly Philadelphian Christians will do the things we command.

It's the non-Philadelphians who do not believe that they have to do that.

Continuing in 2 Thessalonians 3:

5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.

Yes, love is what being a Philadelphian Christian is all about.

Not the romantic stuff the world pushed, but true brotherly love.

More on that can be found in the article: The Philadelphia Remnant: It's All About Love.

Moving on to verse 6:

6 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. 

Yes, we are to withdraw from disorderly people who claim to be Christian.

And as Philadelphian Christians, we need to be careful that we do not fall for the arguments against true hierarchical governance by those who are not true Philadelphian Christians.

Next:

7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; 

Those of you who have met me or seen me at the Feast of Tabernacles or other places realize my wife and I were not disorderly around you.

Verse 8:

8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, 

Furthermore, we do not take a salary from the church, but labor and support ourselves without burdening the church membership.

It is not that we are not entitled, but if we took appropriate salaries, the CCOG would not have the money to help the poor, build churches, and be on as many rdion stations as we now are on.

Next verse:

9 not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.

Yes, Paul wrote that the ministry was entitled to ask for essentially being paid, but he was setting an example.

My wife and I have followed that example.

Continuing in chapter 3 of 2 Thessalonians, verse 10:

10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 

Yes, all who can should work.

Continuing in chapter 3 of 2 Thessalonians, verse 11:

11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 

Remember the Sabbath command also includes the command to work:

8 "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, (Exodus 20:8-9)

Onto verse 12 of 2 Thessalonians 3:

12 Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.

Notice that Paul felt he had the authority to command, and not just exhort, Christians to work, etc.

Verse 13:

13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. 

Sometimes, when it comes to Africa and other matters, we have to be careful that we do not grow weary in doing the right thing.

Basically along those lines, consider that the Apostle Paul also wrote:

9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:9-10)

Onto verse 14 of 2 Thessalonians 3:

14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Yet do not count him as an enemy, but [e]admonish him as a brother.

Yes, we should admonish brethren who will not respond to the messages to respond and to work if they are not inclined to do so.

Next:

16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.

Yes, we want God to grant us peace.

Relating to leaders for example, the Apostle Paul wrote:

1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

Continuing with verse 17 of 2 Thessalonians 3: :

17 The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every epistle; so I write.

Ending the book of 2 Thessalonians:

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

  We all need God's grace.