Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt Anderson
I believe both the "man of sin" and "the apostasy of the church" are revealed clearly in the Old Testament. I'll address the apostasy now and I will see if I can compress a succinct version of the man of sin in another post. So, I am sticking with the idea that there is nothing from Paul that is direct revelation from God WITHOUT OT foundation.
2 Thessalonians 2:3 (NASB95) - 3 Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction
I believe the expanded description of the word apostasy in 2 Th 2:3 is in 1 Tim 4:1-3. 1
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Matt, since I have heard and read so many untrustworthy eschatological interpretations of OT prophecy, I do not look first to the OT. It can definitely provide details, context, and foundation for Revelation prophecy, but I look to the NT first and primarily.
For example, Daniel 9 speaks of the abomination in the Temple by the Prince. Perhaps this was fulfilled by Antiochus Epiphanes in the Maccabees, or as some Preterists claim, by Nero in the 1st Century. But since a physical Temple is mentioned by Jesus in Matthew 24, Paul in 2 Thess 2, and John in Revelation 11, I have complete confidence in its literal fulfillment.
I Tim 4 does describe details of the end times, including especially the children of God. Some say this is happening now, some say this has been happening since Acts 5. Like you, I do believe the final days will bring out the worst in many.
What jumped out to me 4 years ago during Covid was that "The Apostasy" was a clearly identifiable event which will occur near in time to when the Man of Sin is clearly "revealed" to all. Prior to this, the actual character of the First
Therion Beast will be hidden from most people. It seems that most of Israel will mistake him for their Messiah. (Matt 24.5)
Researching "the apostasy" led me to conclude that this is not just a deterioration of behavior, neither some political uprising, as some have translated. This will be a departure of our Christian standing, our Christian faith, a falling away from God Himself. It is a capitulation, a surrendering of our standing as Christians, a relinquishing of all that we now hold dear, due to the alternative presented by the Beast - death.
This verse 2 Thess 2.3 should be read in parallel with Revelation 13.15, otherwise it doesn't make sense. And
Matt, since you prefer OT foundation, Daniel 3.14-18 comes to mind.