September 26 2026

September 26 Saturday

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4

“The Man of Sin Revealed”

Welcome to Pastor’s Chat. Yesterday, as we began 2 Thessalonians chapter 2, we saw that some of the believers in Thessalonica had become confused and troubled about the coming of the Lord and the Day of the Lord. Paul told them not to be “soon shaken in mind or troubled.” Now in verses 3 and 4, Paul begins explaining why. He says in verse 3: “Let no one deceive you by any means.” I want to stop right there for a moment. That warning is just as important today as it was nearly two thousand years ago. When it comes to Bible prophecy, there has always been the danger of deception and speculation. Through the years people have predicted dates for the return of Christ. Others have confidently identified particular individuals as the Antichrist. I remember a time in my early ministry when some prophetic speakers and writers seemed convinced that Henry Kissenger was going to be the anti-Christ.

But Paul says: “Let no one deceive you.” Our confidence must always rest in what God has revealed in His Word. Paul goes on to say that the Day will not come unless there first comes what the New King James Version calls “the falling away,” and: “the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition.” The expression “falling away” comes from the Greek word apostasia. It carries the idea of a departure or rebellion. Many Bible students understand Paul to be describing a great end-time spiritual rebellion against God. Then Paul introduces one of the major personalities of Bible prophecy: “The man of sin…the son of perdition.”

I believe Paul is speaking here of the individual we commonly call the Antichrist. The Bible gives this coming world ruler several names and descriptions. Daniel speaks of a coming ruler who will make a covenant and later break it. John describes the Beast in Revelation 13. First John tells us about the coming Antichrist. And here Paul calls him: “The man of sin” and “the son of perdition.” The word perdition carries the idea of destruction or ruin. Interestingly, there is only one other person in the New Testament whom Jesus specifically calls “the son of perdition.” That was Judas Iscariot in John 17:12. Judas appeared to be one of the disciples. For three years he traveled with Jesus. The other disciples apparently didn't realize what was really in his heart. But eventually his true character was revealed.

In a similar way, I believe this future Antichrist will initially appear to the world as someone with answers. I remember reading that Oliver B Greene in his commentary on 2 Thessalonians seemed pretty convinced that the Judas Iscariot would actually be resurrected and return as the Antichrist. So definitely there is a lot of speculation concerning who this man of sin, the son of perdition is. Revelation 6 pictures a rider going forth on a white horse, and I understand that rider to represent this coming ruler presenting himself initially as a conqueror and a man who appears to offer peace. But eventually his true character will be revealed.

And Paul tells us exactly what is in his heart. Verse 4 says that he: “opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped.” There is the heart of sin. Self-exaltation. From the beginning, Satan has wanted the place that belongs only to God. Isaiah 14 records those terrible words: “I will ascend…”

“I will exalt…” “I will be like the Most High.” And throughout human history, sin has essentially repeated the same thing: I want to rule my own life rather than allow God to rule it. The Antichrist will ultimately carry that rebellion to its fullest expression. Paul says that he will exalt himself above everything called God or worshiped.

Then Paul says something even more astonishing. He will sit “as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” That immediately reminds us of Daniel's prophecy concerning what Jesus later called “the abomination of desolation.” There will come a point when this ruler will no longer merely oppose God. He will demand the worship that belongs to God. And that reveals something important about Satan's program. Satan has never simply wanted people to stop worshiping God. Ultimately, he wants to take God's place.

But here is something we must remember as we study these frightening events. The Antichrist does not win. Paul is going to tell us later in this very chapter what happens to him. Verse 8 says that the Lord Jesus will destroy him with the breath of His mouth and with the brightness of His coming. Think about that. The world will look at this man and see enormous power. People will believe he is unstoppable. He will exalt himself. He will demand worship. But when Jesus Christ appears, his kingdom will collapse. There really is no contest. And that is why Christians don't need to be frightened as we study prophecy. We aren't studying these things to scare ourselves. We study them because God has already told us how the story ends. Jesus wins. And those of us who belong to Him share in His victory.

But before we finish today, there is a personal application in these verses that we shouldn't miss. We may never bow before the Antichrist. But every one of us must deal with the spirit of self-exaltation. Every morning we face a basic decision: Who is going to sit on the throne of my life today? Will I say: “Lord, what do You want?” Or will I say: “I will do what I want”? The spirit of Antichrist says: “I will exalt myself.” The spirit of Christ says: “Not my will, but Thine, be done.” Philippians 2 tells us that Jesus humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. And because He humbled Himself: “God also has highly exalted Him.”

My friend, there is only one Person worthy to occupy the throne. There is only one Person worthy of our worship. There is only one King of kings and Lord of lords. And His name is Jesus Christ. So while the world moves toward the day when a false christ will exalt himself, you and I should spend our lives doing exactly the opposite: Exalting the true Christ.

Let's pray. Father, thank You for giving us Your Word so that we do not have to be deceived or frightened about the future. Help us to understand these prophetic truths with humility and wisdom. Guard us from pride and self-exaltation, and help us surrender the throne of our lives each day to Jesus Christ. While this world increasingly turns away from You, may we faithfully worship, serve, and exalt the One Who alone is worthy—our Lord Jesus Christ. In His name we pray, Amen.

God bless, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!