The Rebellion and the Man of Lawlessness
Paul’s warning to the Thessalonians about the day of the Lord is rooted in his suspicion of nefarious activity. He labels any teaching opposed to the eschatological message of his gospel as an effort at deception. The day of the Lord has not yet begun, since the world has not yet experienced the “rebellion” and the “man of lawlessness,” both of which must precede the day of the Lord.
The Man of Lawlessness Revealed
The man of lawlessness, also known as the “son of destruction,” will take his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. This lawless one will be revealed, employing terminology Paul reserves most often for the activity of God in making known something hidden. The man of lawlessness both opposes and exalts himself over every “so-called god or object of worship.” He seeks to make himself the central person of worship, beyond any other religious objects or personages in his day.
Danielic Imagery and the Abomination of Desolation
Paul draws on OT Danielic imagery concerning a ruler opposed to God and his people. The Danielic background is particularly striking in comparison to the man of lawlessness. In Daniel, it is this king who sets up the “abomination that makes desolate” in Jerusalem. Other prophets also speak of rulers calling themselves god.
The Identity of the Man of Lawlessness
The central interpretive debate concerns the identity of this man of lawlessness. Many have looked to a future, yet unknown, person who will seek to exalt himself in this way. Some have suggested that this refers to Satan himself or to one of his demons, but Satan is mentioned later as a separate figure. The most natural inference from this text and its Danielic imagery is that a human ruler is intended.
The Restraint of the Lawless One
Paul insists that his teaching remains consistent with the message they knew from the beginning. He thus seeks to instill confidence regarding his present argument. In particular, they have previously been informed about the coming of the man of lawlessness. The restrainer is some personal entity that must cease his restraining action in order for the lawless one to be revealed.
The Coming of the Lawless One
The lawless one will come with “false signs and wonders” and “deception.” Paul returns to the revelation of the lawless one, which will occur subsequent to the restrainer’s ceasing his action of holding back such evil. However, lest the Thessalonians become concerned about the power of such evil, Paul quickly assures them that the Lord Jesus will “kill” and “bring to nothing” the lawless one.
God’s Sovereignty Over Evil
The verbs Paul applies here to lawlessness are the same as language he uses elsewhere of God and Christ. If in 2:7 lawlessness is “at work,” so also the word of God is “at work” in believers. Similarly, if in 2 Thess. 2:9 the lawless one will “come,” so also Jesus “comes.” The man of lawlessness will be “revealed,” just as Paul elsewhere speaks of the revelation of Jesus and his gospel.
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