There is a promise and, in a true sense, a prophecy given in 2Thessalonians 2:1-4, which says:

    "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That you be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 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; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God."

    God promises to us that the man of sin will be revealed, so, regardless of the means by which he is revealed, it will come to pass. God does not lie or make things up and what He says will happen, happens.

    It takes only a small amount of Bible reading to recognize that the man of sin, son of perdition, the beast, the dragon, “that old serpent, the devil” are many ways of expressing the ever-present character of the evil one, known as Satan. (See Revelation 12:2 & 20:9) He is depicted many places in Scripture and each of these depictions add to an understanding of His character and evil intent. Character is definitely an issue, here because, while we are told in Ephesians 6:12 that “We wrestle not with flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickeness in high places” and all these things can be maintained as being entirely spiritual, it is also true that they are played out in the physical, fleshly realm. We could safely say that the man of sin is a man, but when we read further, we find that it is satan that gives power to the beast and, just as truly, it is the character of Santan that is revealed in the man of sin - the son of perdition.

    In the text above we find that the man of sin (son of perdition) opposes and exalts himself above “all” that is called God or that is worshipped. In other words, he, in the world, is worshipped more than God. He also sits in the temple of God, shewing (pretentiously exalting) himself that he IS God. We will return to this later in this discourse, but to keep from getting ahead of the topic, we will further explore the issue of the falling away.

    It was mentioned, in an earlier chapter, that God is allowing Sin to run its course, so that the true nature of Sin may be revealed. (Romans 7:13) However, even in the face of great danger, people willingly ignore the signs of the times as they are depicted in wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, famine, pestilence and the impending devastation that is foretold in prophecy, which is, even now, becoming pages in the books of history. Scripture tells us it would be this way in the last days.

    In 2Peter 3:1-13, Peter pours his heart out to the church, saying,

    "This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: 2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: 3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness."

    Paul prophesies, in 2Thessalonians, that there would come a time when there would be a “falling away,” and that the man of sin would be revealed before Christ returns to Earth a second time. When you read the rebukes and exhortations, throughout Paul’s writings, it would seem that a falling away had already begun. However, there is something deeper involved here; something that involves more than Sin in the church, which is the common theme of many of Paul’s rebukes. The tone and content, related here, is more in keeping with the warning that Paul gave in Acts 20:29 & 30, where he exhorts,

    “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.”

    Paul, the Apostle, struggled with this and wrote, +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Begin, again, here!

“I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.” (Romans 7:21)

    “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.”

    “…now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.”

    “...God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

    “…if by one man's offence (Adam's) death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men unto condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.”

    “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

    Jesus did only good while He walked the Earth; healing the lame, curing the sick and making the blind to see. He didn't even raise His hand to defend Himself when He was beaten and spat upon or when He was nailed to the cross. In this treatment we see the enmity of Satan expressed in its fullness; we actually see Satan killing the Son of God. In all this we see the love of God manifested in that even as His Son was being put to death, He cried out on man's behalf, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”

    By this act, evil enmity was abolished in that the height, depth, length and width of God's love had now been demonstrated in the Life and death of His blessed Son. How can we not love a God who is willing to go to such a length to win us back to Himself? Does God truly care? or is He the tyrant Satan claims Him to be? Does He not deserve our love and allegiance? Is there any reason to fear One who loves us so completely? Should these questions persist even as we see God's sinless, yet crucified Son, hanging on a cruel cross, pleading for our forgiveness?

    God is good. He has done and is doing all that He possibly can to save those who will allow themselves to be saved. Although many doubt that there even is a God, it doesn't change the fact that there is, and that He loves us. Many may think that religion is a myth or perhaps, just a crutch devised for the weak, but the reality of God will soon be completely revealed. God's Spirit will not always strive with man (Genesis 6:3), but, at the same time He is not willing that any should perish. (2 Peter 3:9)

    Nonetheless, even as God, the Father gave His Son as a sacrifice, on our behalf, He knew that there would, one day, come a “falling away.”

    The questions may be asked, “What does falling away mean?” or “From what did the early church fall away?“

    The answer or answers to these qustions may not be so easy to discerned. It could be a falling away from:

1. the truth (which could include matters of doctrine and/or theology)
2. a personal relationship with Jesus
3. a correct understanding of the Gospel (which could include all the above)

    Let's take a closer look at the verse and point out a few things that are disclosed in regard to the falling away.

    First of all, Paul warns the Thessalonians to not be “soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.” This was the issue under discussion. The Second Coming of Christ. Then, he warned them to not be decieved, because something must happen BEFORE Christ's Second Coming could take place. That “something” was that there would be a falling away first, and then, the man of sin would be revealed.

    In this we see an admonition, a warning, and a promise. First, the Thessalonians were admonished to not be shaken in mind or troubled in regard to the day of Christ (the Second Coming) being at hand (soon). Second, he warned them that there would be a falling away. Third, he promised them that the man of sin would be revealed before Christ was to come again.

    All of these points relate to one another. It is evident that there were some, who were believing and teaching that Christ was coming soon, and the teaching was NOT from Paul. He told them not to believe it, even of they got a letter from him stating that Christ WAS coming soon. It is also evident that any teaching that tells us that Christ can or will come before the man of sin is revealed, is from Satan. It was a lie and Satan is the father of lies. All false doctrines or teachings that are contrary to this teaching is from Satan.

    In Paul's first epistle to Timothy, we find:

    “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.” 1Timothy 4:1-3

    Today, there are a multitude of teachings in regard to the second coming of Christ, but few of them state that the man of sin must be revealed before Christ comes again. Many teach fanciful stories regarding the antichrist that, in their preface state that the entire book is fiction. This does not substitute for a correct understanding of the “man of sin” or “the falling away.” There is only one correct line of teaching in this regard and that line of teaching must include the revealing of the man of sin. Why is this so important to understand?

    One of the main identifiers is the revealing of the man of sin. In revealing this personage, the Bible has laid out the characteristics that are attributed to the man of sin. In doing so, God provides to us a well-rounded perspective of what constitutes the man of sin.

    Let us be reminded of something that Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, following his statement regard the falling away and man of sin.

1. he “withholdeth” — I take this to mean “he” is causing the truth to be withheld.
2. his work is declared to be the “mystery of iniquity” (verse 7)
   Please see the study series, titled, “Mysteries Revealed.” (This is an unfinished section of the site).
3. he is described as “he who letteth” (verse 7) — the word, “letteth,” does not mean what it meant during the time the King James was being translated. The proper translation, today, would be hinders, so it would read “he who now hinders, will be taken out of the way.” Again, what is “he” hindering? I submit that it is the truth that is being hindered. One of the greatest ways it is being hindered is by the invention and imagination-contrived systems of false doctrine and belief. It is beign promulgated through ecumenical movements that are growing daily and continue to be established for the specific purpose of laying aside “certain doctrines” that tend toward separation and coming into union tradition and majority rule. “Focus on similarities.” we are told. “Don't be devisive.”
4. the one who is revealed is called “the Wicked”
5. the Wicked will be consumed and destroyed by the brightness of Christ's Coming
6. Christ's coming is AFTER the working of Satan with all power, signs, lying wonders and deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish.
7. they that perish are those who are decieved and receive not the love of the truth.

    Jesus knew that, in the last days, many deceptions would paint the landscape of prophecy. Prophecy and the events that are unfolding in the world, today, are one and the same. Wars and rumors of war, nations rising against nations are every day occurances. The merging and amalgamation of state, corporate and religious institutions verify God's foreknowledge of human events on planet Earth.