The Man Of Sin Is Soon To Be Revealed

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; 2nd. Thes. 2:3.

The apostle Paul begins the second chapter of second Thessalonians by speaking of the "coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him." To me this clearly points out the rapture or the "catching up of the Bride His church" (1st. Thes. 4:16-17). Let us notice closely that Paul mentioned some things that were to take place BEFORE the day of Christ (or His coming). He said there would come a falling away FIRST, and the man of sin would be revealed.

I am sure that most everyone will agree that the "falling away" spoken of by Paul has to do with a departure from truth and righteousness and a turning to forms denying the power of God. Surely every honest heart is aware of the great rush of religious modernism that is sweeping our nation and the world. Many hearts that a short while ago were aflame with the power of the Holy Ghost are now engrossed with the affairs of this life and the fire of God no longer burns! This is a writing on the wall that the day of Christ is at hand and soon the faithful will be gathered unto Him. (John 14:3-Acts 1:11-Heb. 9:28)

In addition to the "falling away" that is to take place BEFORE Jesus comes for His own: Let us notice that Paul also mentioned that something else was to happen! He said, "That man of sin will be revealed." In giving the description of this man of sin, the son of perdition; Paul calls him that wicked to be revealed.... whose coming is after the working of Satan with all deceivableness of unrighteousness, with power and signs and lying wonders. (2nd. Thes. 2:1-12) I pray that every saint of God will please notice that this evil power is to arise BEFORE the church is gathered unto Jesus in the air! Read again the first three verses of this chapter.

We contend that the Man of sin; the Antichrist (1st. John 4:3); the Beast (Rev. 13); the false prophet Rev. 19:19-21); the little horn (Dan. 7:8); a king of fierce countenance (Dan. 8:23) are all of the same. Different titles are used by different writers, but this is no doubt one government, headed by one man that will attempt to take away the freedom of worship and bring a mark upon all men in order for them to buy or sell. (Rev. 13:16-17) We are contending today in this short message that the church of our Lord will certainly enter into the first portion of this tribulation and many will seal their testimony with their own blood under the hand of the oppressor! John the revelator saw souls under the altar that were slain for the word of God . . . (Rev. 6:9); they cried, How long, 0 Lord, dost thou not avenge our blood on them that dwelt on the earth? They were told to "rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled." (Rev. 6:10-11) Who can read these verses and deny that people will not yet die for their faith in God? No doubt these John saw were the saints killed for the sake of the gospel before and during the dark age. The others yet to die are those who live to see the rise of the Beast!

When Jesus Christ came by the way of virgin birth some 1900 years ago, the world was in one of the most darkened times ever witnessed. It is said that there had been 400 silent years with no word from God! But at last He came! God was made flesh and dwelt among us, the great and Mightv one (1st. Tim. 3:16) To me the scriptures are plain that His next appearing, the day will be dark! When Joel described the day of the Lord's coming, he mentioned it as a day of darkness and of gloominess . . . there hath not been ever the day like, neither shall be any more after it . . . (Joel 2:1-2) Daniel said that God's people would be "delivered" in a "time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation. . . ." (Dan. 12:1) Jesus told of a time of tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be . . . but for the ELECT'S sake those days shall be shortened. (Mat. 24:21-22)

Who will deny that the "Elect" is the Bride of Christ? Certainly this is so. it will be in this terrible time of distress, anguish, darkness and misery that Jesus will catch away His own, Certainly we will escape the wrath of God intended for the Beast and his wicked followers, but this doesn't set aside the plain teachings that God's saints will be assailed and evil entreated by this ungodly Power! Daniel spoke of a man "with a mouth speaking great things" (Dan. 7:8) Compare this with the Beast of Revelation with a "Mouth speaking great things" (Rev. 13:5) Who will deny these being one and the same? This same "horn" (king) "made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; (Dan. 7:21) Compare this with the Beast of Revelation that "made war with the saints to overcome them." (Rev. 13:7) Who can deny that this is the same one? If the "saints" are to be gone when the Beast comes, Who are these "saints" that he is making war with? To assume that they are the tribulation saints is a dangerous and risky position!

The evil king mentioned by Daniel will "speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High . . ." (Dan. 7:25) The Beast seen by John "opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name" (Jesus) . . . . Rev. 13:6). This Beast will understand dark sentences and shall destroy wonderfully and shall prosper and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and holy people. He shall magnify himself in heart, and by peace shall destroy many. (Dan. 8:23-25) All that dwell on the earth shall worship (accept) him except the elect (Rev. 13:8); He will have power over "all kindreds, and tongues, and nations." (Rev. 13:7) These verses are to prove to the honest as to how the world will wonder after the beast in admiration and no doubt call him a great leader and maker of peace! His control will not just be in Europe, Asia or our great nation, but all kindreds, tongues and nations! He will demand "all living" to take a mark or the number of his name in order to buy and sell! All taking this number are doomed! (Rev. 14:9-10) It is good to know that others will "get the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark . . . (Rev. 15:2-3) they will sing the song of Moses and the Lamb! Praise the Lord!

Jesus will come for His church at midnight (a dark hour) and we will go to the marriage supper. (Mat. 25:1-10; Rev. 19:7-9) After this spiritual feast He will come with His armies (church) (Rev. 19:20-Rev. 20-Zec. 14) and will bind the devil for 1000 years and we will reign. (Rev. 20:6-Rev. 5:10-Rev. 11:15) At this coming He will destroy the Beast with His brightness (2nd. Thes. 2:8); the Beast will be broken without hand (Dan. 8:25); He shall come to his end, and none shall help him. (Dan. 11:45) Jesus will cast him alive into the lake of fire . . . (Rev. 19:20) May God help us to stay close to Him and under His Blood.