The MAN of SIN

The MAN of SIN

The Bible uses this term “the man of sin” (anthrôpos tês anomias), one time in all of Scripture to describe the ferocious beast that Satan will send into the world in order to unleash enormous evil on humanity at the end of human history. 

Why should we be concerned about this man of sin?

The reason we should be concerned is because he will deceive many, causing a great falling away before the end. In other words, this man will have enormous influence over the world. Paul writes to the Thessalonians saying, "Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day (the Second Coming) will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, 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)

Here we read that Paul warns the Thessalonians not to be “deceived” in any way about the coming of the Lord because the Day of the Lord will “not” come unless the rebellion comes first, and “the lawless one” is revealed (2:3). He is the one destined for destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god, and any object of worship, and will even take his seat in the temple of God, declaring himself to be God (2:4). 

Paul assures them that this mysterious man of sin will be restrained until his time comes (2:6), which will be when the “restrainer” is removed (2:7). Some believe the restrainer Paul is referring to is the church which will be removed at the rapture, while others believe the restrainer is the Holy Spirit that is holding back the man of sin from appearing. Either way, when this restraining power is removed from the world the “lawless one will be revealed (2:7).

When will the man of sin appear?

We are not told exactly when he will appear, but Paul does tell us that his appearing will take place before the Second Coming. Paul says, "Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day (the Second Coming) will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, 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 2:1-4).

Who is the “man of sin”?

Paul also informs us that he is much like one of the twelve, Judas Iscariot. He is “the son of perdition” (2:3), which is the description Jesus gave to His betrayer Judas (John 17:12). Therefore, it is fairly easy to understand how this “man of sin” is able to place himself in the temple of God and demand to be worshiped as God (2:4). He will more than likely have a great influence on the religious society, much like Judas Iscariot did, who was even elected the treasurer of the group and carried the moneybox (John 12:6).

There are a variety of views as to who this “man of sin” is, or will be. “At the Reformation some held that the man of lawlessness was the papacy, but this polemical view is not now held. Some have thought that Paul meant the Roman emperor (Caligula? Nero?) or perhaps the whole line of emperors. The emperors were certainly opposed to the church and they even claimed divinity. Caligula wanted to have an image of himself set up in the Temple at Jerusalem, but he died before this could be done (A.D. 41; cf. Mt 24:15; Dan 9:27; 11:31; 12:11). But in any case, setting up an image is not the same as sitting there himself.”[1]

Even though these people as well as institutions would have been great candidates in their time, Paul is clearly speaking about an eschatological “man of sin” (2:3-4), who has yet to be “revealed” (2:3), and in turn would disqualify all previous candidates.

What will this “man of sin” attempt to do? 

“The Lawless One . . . “without law,” points to a man consumed with rebellion, and will be the embodiment of all evil and unrighteousness. This evil figure is also called “the Antichrist” (1 John 4:2, 3) and “the beast” (Rev. 13:1). He stands in direct defiance to Jesus Christ, who is the embodiment of all good and righteousness. In the end, this man of sin will be conquered by the Sovereign Ruler of the universe.”[2] “The evil one is said to be a person characterized by anomia, a term describing the willful opposition to the law by a sinful person. Both in the LXX and in the NT a person is said to participate in a state of habitual anomia (Ps. 31:5; Rom 6:19 – see TDNT 4:1085); so here in 2 Thess 2:3 (also vv. 7 and 8) one can envision “the lawless one” as being in the service of “lawlessness” or even (as in 2:9) acting through the power of evil personified”.[3] 

Who does the Bible say about the “man of sin”?

The teaching concerning the “man of sin” is the central doctrinal concept of 2 Thessalonians. It has been a standing puzzle to exegetes and commentators because the prophecy has never been completely fulfilled, and won't be until the end. The “man of sin” has no exact counterpart in history, and Christ has not yet destroyed such a person “by his appearing and his coming” (2:8).

The “mystery of lawlessness” was already at work but was restrained by some unnamed power (2:7), so that it might burst forth at any time in uncontrollable fury. The “man of sin” is a human being who, possessed by diabolical power, arrogates to himself the prerogatives of deity and demands a place in the temple of God because he claims to be God . . . Accompanying the final apostasy will be a rise of organized evil, culminating in a blasphemous attempt to supplant the worship of God by the worship of a man who will be the final manifestation of Satanic power.”[4] 

As believers we can be comforted by the fact that God has not appointed us to wrath (1 Thessalonians 5:9), and we will "overcome him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony" (Revelation 12:11). Furthermore, the Bible is clear that "greater is He who is in us, than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4). 

Because the man of sin will be an expert deceiver "according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception" (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10), we must be men and women who are skilled at testing the spirits, so that we are not deceived (1 John 4:1-3). 

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1. Morris, L. “Man of Lawlessness and Restraining Power.” In Dictionary of Paul and His Letters.  Hawthorne, Gerald F., and Ralph P. Martin, eds. Downers Grove, IL:  InterVarsity Press, 1993, pp.592-593.
2. MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Bible Commentary. Thomas Nelson, Inc. Nashville, TN. 2005. ISBN 0-7852-5066-2, p.1766.
3. Richard, Earl J. First and Second Thessalonians. Sacra Pagina. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1995. ISBN: 0-8146-5813-X
4. Tenney, M.C. “Thessalonians, Second Epistle to the.” In International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised Edition. ed. G.W. Bromiley. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1979. [Vol. 4], p.834-35