The Man of Lawlessness

“Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)

According to Paul in the 50s A.D., Judgment Day wouldn’t come until the “man of lawlessness” was revealed. Have you heard of this? These are powerful, important words. Before Jesus would come again, this man of lawlessness would set himself up in God’s temple—in the Christian Church—and proclaim himself equal to God. Christians were to watch out for this man of lawlessness!

Whom is Paul talking about? Notice these details: 1) This man hadn’t yet been revealed in the days of Paul. This was someone who would be revealed after Paul’s time. 2) This man would exalt himself above everyone else and claim that he and his word were equal with God. 3) This man would oppose Jesus’ truth and deceive God’s people until Judgment Day came. 4) This man would set himself up within the Christian Church. This man is the antichrist: A man who exalts himself in place of Christ.

Whom is Paul talking about? The Lutheran Church believes that Paul is talking about the papacy of the Roman Catholic Church. For 1500+ years, the pope in Rome has fulfilled this role as the “man of lawlessness.” Can you see how? The papacy—the practice of having popes—hadn’t yet started in Paul’s day, but it would start soon afterward. The pope exalts himself above everyone else and claims that his decrees are equal to—if not greater than—the Word of God. The pope denies that salvation is by faith in Jesus and teaches millions of people to rely on their own good works for salvation. While each individual pope dies, the papacy continues year after year after year, claiming to lead the Christian Church, but instead tearing countless people away from Jesus and his Word.

Just watch and listen. See what the pope says and does. He is not the leader of the Christian Church. He is a dangerous false teacher who has exalted himself in place of Christ. Who is the leader of the Christian Church? Jesus Christ alone!

Dear Jesus, in your Word, you warn us that a man will set himself up as equal to you and pull people’s hearts and minds away from you. In your mercy, protect us from the evil influences of this antichrist. Amen.

Pastor Nathan