Restrainer must be removed be fore such lawlessness can run its cou r se (II Thess. 2 :7 ). The height of this rebellion is that he will oppose and exalt himself “ above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God” (II Thess. 2 :4 ). Along with this is the fact that at the end o f this age there will be tremendous de struction. Our Lord has said that this unprecedented time will be so bad that “ except th ose days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved” (Matt. 24:22). The lawless one himself will be cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 19:20). This, then, is what our Lord meant when He said that lawless ness will increase (Matt. 24:12). All that this lawless one is and does is to rebel against the au thority of God. His age, the com ing tribulation period after the rapture o f the church, will be a lawless age—an age of complete rebellion against the authority of God. 1. We should begin by recog nizing that lawlessness is sin. Re bellion against the authority of God is sin. Sometimes even Chris tians, perhaps subconsciously, are guilty of defining sin as that which is not popular or that which is against the standard of man. However, we should always remember that sin is basically against God and His standard. This is as true for the believer as it is for the unbeliever. We should ask ourselves if there are any areas in our lives where we are rebelling against God. If there is, we should confess our sins, for “He is faithful and just Cont. on page 45 O ur D uty in the L ight of L awlessness In the light o f this coming lawless age, what should be our attitude today? What can we do in the midst o f such lawlessness? What should we be doing in the light o f God’s Word?
in many cases is the manifesta tion of sin. It is rebellion against God-ordained authorities, that of the home and that of government. As a result, it is lawlessness and therefore sin against God Him self. However, since we are see ing rebellion against the author ity of God on every hand, does the Bible predict an age of lawless ness, an age that will be charac terized by rebellion against God and His Word? T he D ay of L awlessness The Scriptures are clear that there is coming a world dictator who (with his age) will be char acterized by lawlessness. In fact, the Apostle Paul’s designation for this man of sin is literally “ the lawless one” (II Thess. 2 :3). What he does is so characterized by rebellion against God’s author ity that it earns for him this name. The Prophet Daniel speaks of some of his lawlessness by saying that he “ shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws” (Dan. 7 :25). Here it is said that he not only will make war but also will change times and laws. He is against law and will make his own law. In fact, his great purpose is to “magnify himself above all” (Dan. 11:37). He does this in several dif ferent ways. In coming to promi nence, he puts down some exist ing world powers (Dan. 7 :8 ). His kingdom shall devour the whole earth, treading it down, and breaking it to pieces (Dan. 7 :23). He will make war with Israel and blaspheme God (Dan. 7:25). He will break the covenant to re institute the sacrifices that he had made with Israel (Dan. 9:27). He will do all according to his own will (Dan. 11:16, 36). He will recognize no religion at all except his own (Dan. 11:37). He will be Satan’s man, the one in whom and through whom Satan will work (Rev. 13:2). His rebellion is so bad that the
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