END-TIME RULER
How will the world end? Nuclear war? Climate change? Super pandemic? The Bible gives us some clues as to what would precede the end. In 2 Thessalonians 2, Paul talks about the ‘man of lawlessness’, the end-time ruler, also referred to as the Anti-Christ, who will dominate the world just before final end arrives. Some characteristics of this end-time ruler are worth noting.
- He will declare Himself as God. In v4, Paul says, “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.” While many are those who oppose God, it is unusual to come across a person who declares himself to be God. We do see similar tendencies in totalitarian godless regimes, where fealty to a person is expected, akin to worship. This will be seen to an extreme level and expected of the Anti-Christ and will be a defining feature to recognize him. As he begins his reign of world-domination, he will overrule every worship, including non-Christian religions and will eventually set himself up at the Jerusalem temple (to be built), declaring himself to be God.
- A prologue is evident today. “For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.” (v7) The Anti-Christ derives power from Satan and the only reason he is unable to fully exhibit his dominion is because the Holy Spirit holds Satan back and keeps him in check. And so different forms of godlessness and lawlessness abound in today’s world- in societal norms, authoritarianism in rulers, a hatred for anything that is Biblical and godly, a self-centeredness in man’s dealings, and so on. A time will come before the end, likely with the rapture of believers when the Holy Spirit will be taken out of the way, paving the way for the end-time ruler to dominate unhindered, and what is seen today will appear tame compared to what is to come.
- Deception will be rampant. “The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.” (v9,10) Deception by definition is falsehood being mistaken for truth. Wonders and miracles will astound, the seductiveness of pleasure will sedate and the masses will believe the lies that will be parroted by those who rule and their media allies, much like we see to some extent in today’s world, all conniving to lead people away from salvation. Discernment is required. Those who cling to the truth, no matter how unpalatable it might be, will not perish, but those who delight in wickedness will march on toward destruction.
