2 Thessalonians 2:4

Text (2 Thessalonians 2:4)

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.

Translation and Paraphrase

4.

(The man of lawlessness will be a man) who (both) opposes and exalts himself above all that is called divine or that is religiously honored, so that he (shall) sit in the temple of God, exhibiting himself (as if it were true) that he is God.

Notes (2 Thessalonians 2:4)

(For the general discussion of the falling away and the man of sin, see notes on 2 Thessalonians 2:3.)

1.

Here is a summary of the descriptions of the man of sin:

(1)

He opposes all that is called God.

(2)

He exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped.

(3)

He is to sit in the temple of God.

(4)

He exhibits himself as if he were God.

(5)

His appearance was hindered by some force that already existed in Paul's time. 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7.

(6)

The mystery of iniquity, which led to his appearance, was already working in Paul's time, 2 Thessalonians 2:7.

(7)

He will continue in existence till the Lord Jesus comes. 2 Thessalonians 2:8.

(8)

The Lord shall destroy him with the brightness of his coming. 2 Thessalonians 2:8.

(9)

He shows power, signs, and lying wonders (false miracles). 2 Thessalonians 2:9.

(10)

He comes with all deceivableness of unrighteousness. 2 Thessalonians 2:10.

2.

Both of the verbsopposeth and exaltethhave as their object all that is called God, or that is worshipped. The man of sin opposes the true God and His Christ, and exalts himself above them.

3.

All that is called God refers to anything, or anyone, who is divine and is of Godto heaven, to God Himself, to the Lord Jesus, to the word of God, the Holy Spirit, etc.

4.

The expression, that is worshipped, comes from the Greek sebasma. From this word came Sebastus, or Augustus (the Worshipful), which was the title of the Roman emperors. A man of that age could hardly see this word in such a connection without thinking that Paul meant to convey the idea that the antichrist would arrogate to himself all the reverence then claimed by the great civil lords of the earth such as emperors, kings, etc. (McGarvey). Today men bow down before the pope in the same manner that men used to bow down before kings.

5.

What is the temple of God in which the man of sin is to sit? Some say that this refers to the temple of God which was in Jerusalem. However, no such great pretender as the man of sin ever sat in the temple in Jerusalem before it was destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D.

It seems to us that the temple of God to which Paul refers must be the church. The term temple is a favorite name of Paul's for the church. Notice 1 Corinthians 3:17; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 2:12.

If the temple of God is the church, then the Roman popes very fully fulfill the description of the man of sin. For they sit in the church and are religious lords.
It is hard to see how the man of sin could be an atheistic communist, and Still sit in the temple of God and represent himself as God.

6.

Numerous men in the history of the world have taken to themselves the honor of being as great as God.

The heart of the prince of Tyre was lifted up, and he said, I am a God; I sit in the seat of God. Ezekiel 28:2.

King Herod (Agrippa) set himself forth and accepted acclamation of being God. Acts 12:22.

The popes have called themselves by titles as great (or greater) than those of God, Note this title which has been used: Our Lord God the Pope, another God on earthdoeth whatsoever he listeth, even things unlawful, and is more than God.