Let’s walk through the first twelve verses of 2 Thessalonians chapter 2, along with associated precepts, to identify who is “the mystery of lawlessness”:
2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 Now we beseech you, brethren, touching the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together unto him; (2) to the end that ye be not quickly shaken from your mind, nor yet be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by epistle as from us, as that the day of the Lord is just at hand;
Paul wanted the brethren to rest in faith that our gathering together with the Lord will happen during the “day of the Lord”:
Jeremiah 46:10 For that day is a day of the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, a day of vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries:
Isaiah 63:4 For the day of vengeance was in my heart, the year of my redeemed is come.
The Word promises a sign of the sun darkening immediately after the tribulation but this darkening of the sun is before the great and notable “day of the Lord”:
Acts 2:20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the day of the Lord come, That great and notable day.
Matthew 24:29-31 But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: (30) and then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (31) And he shall send forth his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
We have already proven in this link that the “day of the Lord” is a distinct year immediately after 7 years of tribulation:
But before the coming of Jesus to gather His church, there must be a falling away during the 7 year tribulation when “the man of sin will be revealed, the son of perdition”:
2 Thessalonians 2:3 let no man beguile you in any wise: for it will not be, except the falling away come first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition,
The majority of the church is very confused about who the “son of perdition” is and how that “man of sin” is revealed. But Jesus already showed us how one inherits the title “son of perdition”:
John 17:12 While I was with them, I kept them in thy name which thou hast given me: and I guarded them, and not one of them perished, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
Judas Iscariot was kept in the name of our Father and guarded with the other disciples by Jesus until the time came for the scriptures to be fulfilled. Judas refused to overcome a hidden sin within him such as the love of money that only Jesus could see:
John 12:4-6 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples, that should betray him, saith, (5) Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred shillings, and given to the poor? (6) Now this he said, not because he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and having the bag took away what was put therein.
1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
So at the appointed time Jesus revealed the apostle who harbored willful sin:
Hebrews 10:26-27 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins, (27) but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which shall devour the adversaries.
The word “if” is used hundreds of times in the NT to set up a conditional clause for all Christians. Those who do not yield to the Holy Spirit’s leading to put their flesh to death as sons of God will die spiritually:
Romans 8:12-14 So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh: (13) for if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live. (14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Those Christians who do not put to death their flesh are treading under foot the Son of God and counting the blood of the covenant they were sanctified with as an unholy thing with no regard to the Spirit of grace:
Hebrews 10:28-29 A man that hath set at nought Moses’ law dieth without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses: (29) of how much sorer punishment, think ye, shall he be judged worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
Judas continued to walk with Jesus while in unrepentant sin which gave satan the right to enter him as a son of perdition ~ sop:
John 13:26-27 Jesus therefore answereth, He it is, for whom I shall dip the sop, and give it him. So when he had dipped the sop, he taketh and giveth it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. (27) And after the sop, then entered Satan into him. Jesus therefore saith unto him, What thou doest, do quickly.
The word apostle means an ambassador for Christ. Judas Iscariot was an apostle who “fell away” from the ministry of Jesus and went to “his own place” which is perdition in hell:
Acts 1:25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell away, that he might go to his own place.
The word “perdition” comes from the Greek word “apoleia” which is also translated “destruction”. Many Christians ignore the Spirit of God’s leading to put to death their carnal flesh and end up on the broad way to hell:
Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby.
To “fall away” from the ministry of Christ is to “shrink back unto perdition”:
Hebrews 10:38-39 But my righteous one shall live by faith: And if he shrink back, my soul hath no pleasure in him. (39) But we are not of them that shrink back unto perdition; but of them that have faith unto the saving of the soul.
We are called to put to death our passions and lusts as we press on toward the high calling of God or risk shrinking back unto perdition:
Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before. (14) I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 5:24 And they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof.
Our Father is warning us that shrinking back is to “become a traitor” to Jesus:
Luke 6:16 and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor;
Jesus is the head of the church who is a corporate body of believers called “one body in Christ”:
Romans 12:5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and severally members one of another.
Satan is also the head of a body of those who were either never called or, like Judas, fall back into satan’s body that they were called out of:
John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father it is your will to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and standeth not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father thereof.
This corporate body of “many antichrists” with the devil as their father and head is “the antichrist” who is the “he” that denieth the Father and His Son Jesus:
1 John 2:18-22 Little children, it is the last hour: and as ye heard that antichrist cometh, even now have there arisen many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last hour. (19) They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they all are not of us. (20) And ye have an anointing from the Holy One, and ye know all the things. (21) I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and because no lie is of the truth. (22) Who is the liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, even he that denieth the Father and the Son.
Paul refers to this corporate body of many antichrists as “the man of sin” or “son of perdition”:
2 Thessalonians 2:3 let no man beguile you in any wise: for it will not be, except the falling away come first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition,
There will be many antichrists who go out from us leaving the body of Christ in this last hour just as Judas went out from Jesus in His last hour. They become traitors who withstand the truth denying the power of Christ to overcome their flesh which brings reprobation and thus perdition in hell:
2 Timothy 3:1-9 But know this, that in the last days grievous times shall come. (2) For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, railers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (3) without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good, (4) traitors, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; (5) holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof: from these also turn away. (6) For of these are they that creep into houses, and take captive silly women laden with sins, led away by divers lusts, (7) ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (8) And even as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also withstand the truth. Men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith. (9) But they shall proceed no further. For their folly shall be evident unto all men, as theirs also came to be.
These “sons of perdition” are “many deceivers” who prove Jesus is not manifesting(cometh) in their mortal flesh in this life on earth but wander back into the world:
2 John 1:7 For many deceivers are gone forth into the world, even they that confess not that Jesus Christ cometh in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.
2 Corinthians 4:11 For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
They love pleasure more than God and His Word which is the seed that bears the fruit unto perfection within us:
Luke 8:11 & 14 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God…. (14) And that which fell among the thorns, these are they that have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
For more understanding on how we must bear fruit please see this link:
Here is the third time John declares some within the church will go forth back into the world. They prove the antichrist has been on the earth since the days of John and continues as the body of satan until today:
1 John 4:1-6 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world. (2) Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: (3) and every spirit that confesseth not Jesus is not of God: and this is the antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it cometh; and now it is in the world already. (4) Ye are of God, my little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world. (5) They are of the world: therefore speak they as of the world, and the world heareth them. (6) We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he who is not of God heareth us not. By this we know the spirit of truth(Christ rules you), and the spirit of error(satan rules you).
The word “confesseth” is written in the present tense because its talking about Jesus coming in our flesh. Not “has come” as some translations word it. They think this passage was talking about when Jesus came in His flesh:
2 Corinthians 4:10-11 always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body. (11) For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
We are here to learn to die daily to this life and its lusts so that Jesus manifests in the mortal flesh of our body while we are living on earth:
Luke 9:23-24 And he said unto all, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. (24) For whosoever would save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
A “son of perdition” is any believer who refuses to make himself subject to all of God’s Word that empowers us to resist the devil:
James 4:7-8 Be subject therefore unto God; but resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (8) Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye doubleminded.
The “doubleminded” disciple of Christ chooses to have some faith in Christ and some faith in the world which creates doubt:
James 1:5-8 But if any of you lacketh wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (6) But let him ask in faith, nothing doubting: for he that doubteth is like the surge of the sea driven by the wind and tossed. (7) For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord; (8) a doubleminded man, unstable in all his ways.
Judas Iscariot was an example of a doubleminded disciple of Christ. He did many mighty works by the name of Jesus but kept a love for money hidden deep in his heart as a work of iniquity:
Matthew 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven. (22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? (23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Earlier in the week of Jesus’ crucifixion, Judas received thirty pieces of silver to deliver Jesus to the chief priests:
Matthew 26:14-16 Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, (15) and said, What are ye willing to give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they weighed unto him thirty pieces of silver. (16) And from that time he sought opportunity to deliver him unto them.
But he was so blinded to his love of money by satan that Judas didn’t even know he was about to betray our Lord the night before His crucifixion:
Matthew 26:20-25 Now when even was come, he was sitting at meat with the twelve disciples; (21) and as they were eating, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. (22) And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began to say unto him every one, Is it I, Lord? (23) And he answered and said, He that dipped his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. (24) The Son of man goeth, even as it is written of him: but woe unto that man through whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had not been born. (25) And Judas, who betrayed him, answered and said, Is it I, Rabbi? He saith unto him, Thou hast said.
So the many “antichrists” and “deceivers” from all over the world make up a corporate body called the “antichrist”, the “man of sin”, and the “son of perdition” who opposeth and exalteth himself against all that is called God:
2 Thessalonians 2:4 he that opposeth and exalteth himself against all that is called God or that is worshipped; so that he sitteth in the temple of God, setting himself forth as God.
Contrary to the popular bible teaching today; there is never going to be any temple made by man’s hands in the physical city of Jerusalem that our Most High God will dwell in:
Acts 7:47-50 But Solomon built him a house. (48) Howbeit the Most High dwelleth not in houses made with hands; as saith the prophet, (49) The heaven is my throne, And the earth the footstool of my feet: What manner of house will ye build Me? saith the Lord: Or what is the place of My rest? (50) Did not my hand make all these things?
Acts 17:24 The God that made the world and all things therein, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
Once we are born from above we become the temple of God who should be learning to become obedient from the heart to the teachings of the Word:
Romans 6:15-18 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under law, but under grace? God forbid. (16) Know ye not, that to whom ye present yourselves as servants unto obedience, his servants ye are whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? (17) But thanks be to God, that, whereas ye were servants of sin, ye became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching whereunto ye were delivered; (18) and being made free from sin, ye became servants of righteousness.
Hebrews 5:8-9 though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered; (9) and having been made perfect, he became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation;
John 14:23-24 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my word: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (24) He that loveth me not keepeth not my words: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s who sent me.
But those Christians who choose to destroy their temple in willful sin will be destroyed by God:
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 Know ye not that ye are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? (17) If any man destroyeth the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, and such are ye.
The popular teaching today is that the antichrist is a physical man but no physical man can dwell inside of another physical man. Only a unclean spirit can reenter the house of a Christian who does not fill himself with the Word of God. This will cause that Christian to be devoured, as Judas was, so that his last state is worse than his first:
Matthew 12:43-45 But the unclean spirit, when he is gone out of the man, passeth through waterless places, seeking rest, and findeth it not. (44) Then he saith, I will return into my house whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. (45) Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man becometh worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this evil generation.
1 Peter 5:8-9 Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour, (9) whom withstand stedfast in your faith, knowing that the same sufferings are accomplished in your brethren who are in the world.
So the “he” in 2 Thessalonians 2:4 who is “opposing and exalting himself is satan with his demons dwelling in a Christian’s temple setting himself forth as god of that temple:
2 Thessalonians 2:4 he(satan) that opposeth and exalteth himself against all that is called God or that is worshipped; so that he sitteth in the temple of God, setting himself forth as God.
Jesus was teaching His disciples about the end times when He made mention of this abomination and desolation occurring in what should be a holy temple of God:
Matthew 24:14-15 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a testimony unto all the nations; and then shall the end come. (15) When therefore ye see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let him that readeth understand),
He referenced the prophet Daniel who gave us great insight into who it was who would make the temple of God desolate:
Daniel 9:26 And after the threescore and two weeks shall the anointed one(Jesus) be cut off(crucified), and shall have nothing: and the people(Roman empire) of the prince(satan) that shall come shall destroy the city(Jerusalem) and the sanctuary(OT physical temple); and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and even unto the end shall be war; desolations are determined.
This same “prince” is the “he” in verse 27 who will make the covenant with many:
Daniel 9:27 And he(satan) shall make a firm covenant with many for one week(7 year tribulation): and in the midst of the week he(satan) shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease; and upon the wing of abominations shall come one(satan) that maketh desolate; and even unto the full end, and that determined, shall wrath be poured out upon the desolate.
This alone proves the “he” in verse 27 is not some physical man who lived for over 1900 years but the prince of this world:
Ephesians 2:2 wherein ye once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the powers of the air, of the spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience;
The “he” is not some physical man many prophecy teachers promote as the “antichrist” who makes a peace covenant with Israel but the “prince” is clearly the devil and his hoard of principalities who have ruled through men as world rulers of darkness:
Ephesians 6:12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
For more on these principalities who inhabit the evil men of the kingdoms of the world from the days of Genesis onward please see this link:
Shortly after Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension to the right hand of our Father, satan was given permission by God to destroy the OT temple:
Mark 14:57-58 And there stood up certain, and bare false witness against him, saying, (58) We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.
The temple Jesus said He would build without hands is our body as the spiritual temple bought with His blood:
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Or know ye not that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have from God? and ye are not your own; (20) for ye were bought with a price: glorify God therefore in your body.
From the days of Judas Iscariot until the end of the tribulation; “desolations are determined” on those who make provisions for their flesh rather than putting on the Lord Jesus Christ as a righteous wedding garment:
Romans 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Matthew 22:11-14 But when the king came in to behold the guests, he saw there a man who had not on a wedding-garment: (12) and he saith unto him, Friend how camest thou in hither not having a wedding-garment? And he was speechless. (13) Then the king said to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and cast him out into the outer darkness; there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth. (14) For many are called, but few chosen.
Revelation 19:7-8 Let us rejoice and be exceeding glad, and let us give the glory unto him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. (8) And it was given unto her that she should array herself in fine linen, bright and pure: for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
We are now at the time near the end where a covenant will be made by satan through his body of many antichrists with the many nations of the earth for 7 years:
Daniel 9:27 And he(satan) shall make a firm covenant with many for one week(7 year tribulation): and in the midst of the week he(satan) shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease; and upon the wing of abominations shall come one(satan) that maketh desolate; and even unto the full end, and that determined, shall wrath be poured out upon the desolate.
By the midst of the tribulation the beast system will begin to force all Christians to make a choice to serve the beast and his image:
Daniel 11:31 And forces(armies of the world) shall stand on his(beasts) part, and they shall profane the sanctuary(body), even the fortress(spirit and soul within the body), and shall take away the continual burnt-offering(living sacrifice), and they shall set up the abomination that maketh desolate.
Or be a continual living sacrifice which is our spiritual service to God:
Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. (2) And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
There are two beasts mentioned in Revelation chapter 13 that fully manifest by the the midst of the 7 years when great tribulation commences:
Matthew 24:21 for then shall be great tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever shall be.
The first beast is a corporate body of those ruled by satan who were never written in book of life represented by the waters of the sea:
Revelation 13:1 & 4 & 8 and he(satan) stood upon the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns ten diadems, and upon his heads names of blasphemy…..(4) and they worshipped the dragon, because he gave his authority unto the beast; and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? and who is able to war with him?……(8) And all that dwell on the earth shall worship him, every one whose name hath not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that hath been slain.
Revelation 17:15 And he saith unto me, The waters(sea) which thou sawest, where the harlot sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.
The second beast represents those sons of perdition who fall back to the earth becoming a part of the corporate body of the antichrist. They are tares who appear righteous but speak the lies of satan:
Revelation 13:11 And I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like unto a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
They fashion themselves into apostles(ambassadors) of Christ but are of their father the devil:
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, fashioning themselves into apostles of Christ. (14) And no marvel; for even Satan(head of the first beast) fashioneth himself into an angel of light. (15) It is no great thing therefore if his ministers(the head of the second beast) also fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works.
The second beast will convince many Christians to forsake their continual living sacrifice which causes them to shrink back into worshiping the beast rather than be physically killed:
Revelation 13:15 And it was given unto him to give breath to it, even to the image of the breast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as should not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
They allow the beast to put his mark of authority over their mind and hand to receive his provisions to survive through the great tribulation:
Revelation 13:16-18 And he causeth all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free and the bond, that there be given them a mark on their right hand, or upon their forehead; (17) and that no man should be able to buy or to sell, save he that hath the mark, even the name of the beast or the number of his name. (18) Here is wisdom. He that hath understanding, let him count the number of the beast; for it is the number of a man: and his number is Six hundred and sixty and six.
This time of great persecution upon the church, to separate the wheat from the tares, will be 1290 days:
Daniel 12:9-11 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel; for the words are shut up and sealed till the time of the end. (10) Many shall purify themselves, and make themselves white, and be refined; but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand; but they that are wise shall understand. (11) And from the time that the continual burnt-offering shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand and two hundred and ninety days.
Here is a timeline that plots when the 1290 days begin and end within the 7 years of tribulation:
There is much more on the beast and his mark in this link:
Paul warned the Thessalonian believers that this could happen to any Christian who choose to fall away into sin:
2 Thessalonians 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
The “sons of perdition” restrain the glory of Jesus from manifesting in His body who is His church. They turn the grace of our God into lasciviousness which is to believe that we cannot overcome our sin nature through Christ:
2 Peter 2:17-22 These are springs without water, and mists driven by a storm; for whom the blackness of darkness hath been reserved. (18) For, uttering great swelling words of vanity, they entice in the lusts of the flesh, by lasciviousness, those who are just escaping from them that live in error; (19) promising them liberty, while they themselves are bondservants of corruption; for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he also brought into bondage. (20) For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the last state is become worse with them than the first. (21) For it were better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered unto them. (22) It has happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog turning to his own vomit again, and the sow that had washed to wallowing in the mire.
These “sons of perdition” will be revealed in the season of the tribulation as a corporate body ruled by the devil thus becoming “a devil” themselves:
2 Thessalonians 2:6 And now ye know that which restraineth, to the end that he may be revealed in his own season.
John 6:70 Jesus answered them, Did not I choose you the twelve, and one of you is a devil?
Jesus always knew which one of the twelve disciples would fulfill scriptures as a “son of perdition “:
John 17:12 While I was with them, I kept them in thy name which thou hast given me: and I guarded them, and not one of them perished, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
Judas refused to allow the Word of God to overcome his lust but Jesus never revealed him as a “son of perdition” until 3 1/2 years later at the appointed season:
John 6:64-65 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who it was that should betray him. (65) And he said, For this cause have I said unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it be given unto him of the Father.
Many disciples do not endure unto their end but fall back from walking in obedience to Jesus:
Matthew 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.
Matthew 24:11-14 And many false prophets shall arise, and shall lead many astray. (12) And because iniquity shall be multiplied, the love of the many shall wax cold. (13) But he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved. (14) And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a testimony unto all the nations; and then shall the end come.
John 6:66 Upon this many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
It was not until after Judas Iscariot as a son of perdition went out from the midst of Jesus and His disciples; that the Son of man was glorified, and God was glorified in him:
John 13:28-32 Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him. (29) For some thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus said unto him, Buy what things we have need of for the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. (30) He then having received the sop went out straightway: and it was night. (31) When therefore he was gone out, Jesus saith, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him; (32) and God shall glorify him in himself, and straightway shall he glorify him.
There are many prophecy teachers who claim the Holy Spirit will not be on the earth during the tribulation to restrain the lawless one. But this passage proves the Holy Spirit is everywhere at all times from the heights of heaven to the depths of hell and as such will never leave the earth:
Psalms 139:7-10 Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? (8) If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: If I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. (9) If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; (10) Even there shall thy hand lead me, And thy right hand shall hold me.
So it is not the Holy Spirit that is taken out of the way in these last days but the “mystery of lawlessness” that is already working and restraining the church today. They will be taken out of the way, during the tribulation harvest, as the one body of those “sons of perdition”. They will be revealed as tares which look like wheat but with no fruit:
Matthew 13:37-43 And he answered and said, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; (38) and the field is the world; and the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one; (39) and the enemy that sowed them is the devil: and the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are angels. (40) As therefore the tares are gathered up and burned with fire; so shall it be in the end of the world. (41) The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that cause stumbling, and them that do iniquity, (42) and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth. (43) Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He that hath ears, let him hear.
Please notice that Jesus said “the field is the world” where the good seed are the sons of the kingdom and the tares are the sons of the evil one. Jesus refers to these two bodies of people as two men and two women working in His harvest but are separated at the resurrection/rapture:
Matthew 24:40-42 Then shall two men be in the field; one is taken, and one is left: (41) two women shall be grinding at the mill; one is taken, and one is left. (42) Watch therefore: for ye know not on what day your Lord cometh.
There are many disciples in the church following Jesus as Judas Iscariot but will be left on the earth for not being able to control their flesh:
Matthew 18:8-9 And if thy hand or thy foot causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from thee: it is good for thee to enter into life maimed or halt, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the eternal fire. (9) And if thine eye causeth thee to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is good for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the hell of fire.
Paul warned all Christians that even he could be rejected by God for not bringing his flesh under submission in obedience to the Word of God:
1 Corinthians 9:26-27 I therefore so run, as not uncertainly; so fight I, as not beating the air: (27) but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.
Those who willfully continue in sin without repentance restrain the righteous until they are taken out of the way:
2 Thessalonians 2:7 For the mystery of lawlessness doth already work: only there is one that restraineth now, until he be taken out of the way.
Many in the church today do not walk as Jesus did:
1 John 2:6 he that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked.
They spend most of their time minding earthly things:
Philippians 3:17-19 Brethren, be ye imitators together of me, and mark them that so walk even as ye have us for an ensample. (18) For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: (19) whose end is perdition, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.
They have become enemies of the cross of Christ who continue to love the world which will bring their perdition:
1 John 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (16) For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vain glory of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (17) And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
Just as Jesus revealed who Judas was near the end of His earthly ministry there will be a revealing of the “lawless one(s)” during the tribulation. They are a corporate body of those who continue to live for their flesh while a part of the church:
2 Thessalonians 2:8 And then shall be revealed the lawless one, whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the breath of his mouth, and bring to nought by the manifestation of his coming;
All those called into the church are children of God but the word “if” declares not all of the church will manifest Christ:
1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we children of God, and it is not yet made manifest what we shall be. We know that, if he shall be manifested, we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is.
Those who actively desire to manifest Christ will see the real Jesus by abiding in the Word seeking to purify themselves as He is pure:
1 John 3:3-4 And every one that hath this hope set on him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. (4) Every one that doeth sin doeth also lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.
Most of the church has been fed the lie that they do not need tribulation though our Father made it very clear that is the only way we enter the kingdom of God:
Acts 14:22 confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God.
Judas did not arm himself with the same mind as Jesus and neither does most of the church today because they are taught they can not cease from sin:
1 Peter 4:1-2 Forasmuch then as Christ suffered in the flesh, arm ye yourselves also with the same mind; for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; (2) that ye no longer should live the rest of your time in flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
Paul wanted the church to know that these lawless ones both within and without the church will be coming according to the working of satan with all power and signs and lying wonders:
2 Thessalonians 2:9 even he, whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
Jesus also warned us beforehand of many false Christs who were coming during the tribulation with great signs and wonders:
Matthew 24:23-25 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is the Christ, or, Here; believe it not. (24) For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. (25) Behold, I have told you beforehand.
The second beast will be given the ability to do great signs to deceive many Christians into worshiping the beast:
Revelation 13:13-14 And he(second beast) doeth great signs, that he should even make fire to come down out of heaven upon the earth in the sight of men. (14) And he deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by reason of the signs which it was given him to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast who hath the stroke of the sword and lived.
These false Christs and false prophets will lead many astray from the faith through seducing spirits and demon doctrines:
1 Timothy 4:1-2 But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, (2) through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron;
These who fall away from the faith, such as Judas, were saved in spirit but “they received not the love of the truth”:
2 Thessalonians 2:10 and with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
The love of the truth brings forth Godly sorrow and repentant heart that turns away from all sin:
2 Corinthians 7:9-10 I now rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye were made sorry unto repentance; for ye were made sorry after a godly sort, that ye might suffer loss by us in nothing. (10) For godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation, a repentance which bringeth no regret: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
Those who do not love the truth enough to abide in it fall away due to the manifold trials which come to prove our faith:
1 Peter 1:6-9 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, ye have been put to grief in manifold trials, (7) that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ: (8) whom not having seen ye love; on whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory: (9) receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
Those who prove their faith are manifesting the revelation of Jesus Christ in them which is the end of our faith and the saving of our souls! The sons of perdition, such as Judas, refuse to overcome their lust for things such as money which develop in our souls when we listen to the lying spirits that are sent to prove us:
1 Peter 4:12-19 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial among you, which cometh upon you to prove you, as though a strange thing happened unto you: (13) but insomuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory also ye may rejoice with exceeding joy. (14) If ye are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are ye; because the Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God resteth upon you. (15) For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil-doer, or as a meddler in other men’s matters: (16) but if a man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name. (17) For the time is come for judgment to begin at the house of God: and if it begin first at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God? (18) And if the righteous is scarcely saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear? (19) Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God commit their souls in well-doing unto a faithful Creator.
Those who do not obey the gospel of God prove they do not fear God and think the evil they are committing will be overlooked:
Ecclesiastes 8:11-13 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. (12) Though a sinner do evil a hundred times, and prolong his days, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, that fear before him: (13) but it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.
2 Thessalonians 2:11 And for this cause God sendeth them a working of error, that they should believe a lie:
Nineteen hundred years ago Paul warned all the churches that there would be some brethren among them, who believing lies, will rise up in the church perverting the truth:
Acts 20:27-30 For I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God. (28) Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood. (29) I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock; (30) and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.
All those in the church who choose not to study the Word so they are equipped to identify these liars may fall for their lies and be judged:
2 Thessalonians 2:12 that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
The will of God for the church is not to live in pleasure in this life:
James 5:5 Ye have lived delicately on the earth, and taken your pleasure; ye have nourished your hearts in a day of slaughter.
But rather we are to come out of the world’s lusts separating ourselves from all uncleanness as sons and daughters of our Father seek to do:
John 12:25 He that loveth his life loseth it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
2 Corinthians 6:17-18 Wherefore Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, And touch no unclean thing; And I will receive you, (18) And will be to you a Father, And ye shall be to me sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Instead the church is being taught that they will never be anything but a bunch of dirty rotten sinners saved by grace. These teachers are ungodly men who have turned the grace of our God into lasciviousness(license to sin) and created a bunch of lawless ones in the church:
Jude 1:4 For there are certain men crept in privily, even they who were of old written of beforehand unto this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
They deny the Spirit of Jesus, as our High Priest, the right to cleanse our whole temple(spirit, soul, and body) by learning to abstain from every form of evil:
1 Thessalonians 5:22-24 abstain from every form of evil. (23) And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (24) Faithful is he that calleth you, who will also do it.
The “mystery of lawlessness” are those hidden rocks in the church today who are shepherds along with those they lead astray that will be revealed as a lawless body of sons of perdition with no fruit:
Jude 1:12 These are they who are hidden rocks in your love-feasts when they feast with you, shepherds that without fear feed themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn leaves without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
To be “twice dead” is to be spiritually dead before we were “born again” and then fall away causing spiritual death to reoccur:
2 Timothy 1:8-9 Be not ashamed therefore of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but suffer hardship with the gospel according to the power of God; (9) who saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before times eternal,
He first saves us when we are born anew as a baby Christian that begins to “see the kingdom of God”:
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
But only those who actively seek sanctification through the washing of water with the Word and led of the Holy Spirit will “enter into the kingdom of God”:
John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Ephesians 5:25-26 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for it; (26) that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word,
Romans 8:12-14 So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh: (13) for if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live. (14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
For more understanding on what it means to be sanctified please see this link:
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