The Falling Away
The apostle Paul wrote, “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first” (2 Thessalonians 2:3). Here, Paul talked about that the falling away will involve the revealing of “the man of sin…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 falling away was still future at the time of Paul’s writing. The apostasy was not only to precede the second advent (2 Thessalonians 2:2), it would serve as a sign of the nearness of Christ’s return; hence the Lord’s coming should not be expected without the prior falling. The prophecy concerning the falling away was partially fulfilled in Paul’s day, and much more so during the Dark Ages, but its complete fulfillment will occur in the days immediately prior to the return of Jesus.
Who Is the Man of Sin?
Paul wrote, “The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-11).
Revelation 13 identifies this “lawless one” or the beast who will be persecuting God’s true church. In Revelation 13:11, it says there will be miraculous “signs” performed by this power (verses 14-15). The beast is the false church (“the harlot”) in Revelation 17:1-5. For more information, check: Who is the Beast of Revelation 13?
This beast is also referred to as “little horn” who will “persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law” in Daniel 7:8, 20-22, 24-25. For more information, check: Who is the antichrist?
The Papacy has been identified as the “beast” and the Pope as the man of sin that heads that religious system.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
Disclaimer:
The contents of this article and website are not intended to be against any individual. There are many priests and faithful believers in Roman Catholicism who serve God to the best of their knowledge and are seen by God as His children. The information contained herein is directed only towards the Roman Catholic religio-political system which has reigned in varying degrees of power for nearly two millennia. This system has established an increasing number of doctrines and statements that directly go against the Bible.
It is our purpose to lay the clear Word of God before you, the truth-seeking reader, to decide for yourself what is truth and what is error. If you find anything here contrary to the Bible, do not accept it. But if you desire to seek for Truth as for hidden treasure, and find herein something of that quality and feel that the Holy Spirit is revealing Truth to you, please make all haste to accept it.
