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II
Thessalonians |
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Chapter 2 |
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The man of lawlessness
key facts? |
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There is no
evidence that the man of
Lawlessness is the antichrist of John's letters.
The antichrist is identified as anyone who denies that Jesus
is the Christ. Many antichrists had already come, so the
antichrist was not being held back. |
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Some say it was the Roman
Caesars, or one of the Caesars (Domitian) who did set himself
up as a god in the actual former temple of God in Jerusalem.
This temple was no longer the temple of God. |
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There is no evidence that the
man of lawlessness is the Sea Beast in Revelation 13. |
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The other
option is the Papacy. |
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Paul was
writing to the church, which is the
temple of God. (I
Corinthians 3:16,17)
The
Jerusalem temple was no longer the temple of God. |
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The spirit
of lawlessness (false teaching) had already begun. This fits
the
rebellion (apostasy)
described in this passage. |
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The man of
lawlessness would use all sorts of
displays of power. (A man
must have a miracle in his life before he can become the
pope.)
"For
such people are false apostles, deceitful workers,
masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan
himself masquerades as an angel of light."
(II Corinthians 11:13,14) |
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The apostasy
was held back by the Roman government.
When the Roman government was removed in AD 100, the infant
papacy concept was no longer held in check. |
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Considering the
facts, which idea is reasonable? |
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Stand Firm |
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