UNMASKING THE SECRET IDENTITY OF THE “MAN OF LAWLESSNESS” AND EXPOSING HIM Hello, how are you today? We live in an era of lawlessness. It is a worldwide phenomenon. Everywhere there is fear of lawless predators and the threat they present to our person and property. Yet, there is a far more insidious lawless element that has been at work for many centuries. In the Bible it is called “the man of lawlessness.” It is vital that we identify this man of lawlessness. Why? Because he is intent on undermining our good standing with God and our hope of eternal life. How? By getting us to abandon the truth and to believe falsehoods in its place, thus diverting us from worshiping God “with spirit and truth.” (John 4:23) It is evident from his actions that this particular lawless element opposes God and his purposes, as well as his dedicated people. The Bible tells of this man of lawlessness at 2 Thessalonians 2:3. Inspired by God’s spirit, the apostle Paul wrote: “Let no one seduce you in any manner, because [Jehovah’s day of destruction of this wicked system] will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness gets revealed.” Here Paul prophesied that apostasy would develop and a man of lawlessness would appear before this system’s end. In fact, Paul stated in verse 7: “The mystery of this lawlessness is already at work.” So in the first century, this lawless one had begun to manifest himself. Who originated and supports this man of lawlessness? Paul answers: “The lawless one’s presence is according to the operation of Satan with every powerful work and lying signs and portents and with every unrighteous deception for those who are perishing, as a retribution because they did not accept the love of the truth that they might be saved.” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10) So Satan is the father and sustainer of the man of lawlessness. And just as Satan is opposed to Jehovah, His purposes, and His people, so is the man of lawlessness, whether he realizes it or not. Those who go along with the man of lawlessness will suffer the same fate as he does—destruction: “The lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will do away with . . . and bring to nothing by the manifestation of his presence.” (2 Thessalonians 2:8) That time for the destruction of the man of lawlessness and his supporters (“those who are perishing”) will come shortly “at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels in a flaming fire, as he brings vengeance upon those who do not know God and those who do not obey the good news about our Lord Jesus. These very ones will undergo the judicial punishment of everlasting destruction.”—2 Thessalonians 1:6-9. Paul further describes this lawless one, saying: “He is set in opposition and lifts himself up over everyone who is called ‘god’ or an object of reverence, so that he sits down in the temple of The God, publicly showing himself to be a god.” (2 Thessalonians 2:4) So Paul warns that Satan would raise up a lawless one, a false object of reverence, who would even put himself above God’s law. At 2 Thess. 2:3 we read: “Let no one seduce YOU in any manner, because it will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness gets revealed, the son of destruction.” Was Paul speaking of a single individual? No, for he states that this “man” was evident in Paul’s day and would continue in existence until Jehovah destroyed him at this system’s end. Thus, he has existed for many centuries. Obviously, no literal man has lived that long. So the expression “man of lawlessness” must stand for a body, or class, of people. WHO ARE THEY? The evidence shows that they are the body of proud, ambitious clergymen of Christendom, who over the centuries have set themselves up as a law unto themselves. This can be seen by the fact that there are thousands of different religions and sects in Christendom, each with its clergy, yet each conflicting with the others in some aspect of doctrine or practice. This divided state is a clear evidence that they do not follow God’s law. They cannot be from God. (Compare Micah 2:12; Mark 3:24; Rom. 16:17; 1 Cor. 1:10.) What all these religions have in common is that they do not hold fast to the Bible’s teachings, having violated the rule: “Do not go beyond the things that are written.”—1 Cor. 4:6; See also Matt. 15:3, 9, 14. Thus, this lawless one is a composite person: the religious clergy of Christendom. All of them, whether popes, priests, patriarchs, or Protestant preachers, share responsibility for the religious sins of Christendom. They have exchanged the truths of God for pagan lies, teaching such unscriptural doctrines as immortality of the human soul, hellfire, purgatory, and Trinity. They are like the religious leaders to whom Jesus said: “You are from your father the Devil, and you wish to do the desires of your father. . . He is a liar and the father of the lie.” (John 8:44) Their practices also expose them as lawless, for they participate in activities that violate God’s laws. To such ones Jesus says: “Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness.”—Matt. 7:21-23. Your relationship with God is very important but also the way you worship Him is very vital. This brings us to the question: How well do you know God? All Jehovah’s Witnesses are involved in preaching the good news of God’s Kingdom just as Jesus Christ did (Matt. 24:14; 28:19-20; Mark 13:10). Our congregations in more than 239 countries are patterned after the first century Christian congregation established by Christ Jesus. There is no division of clergy and laity we are fellow workers of the good news. Our work is supported through voluntary contributions that we ourselves willingly give. We ask nothing from the public our literature is absolutely free of cost and supported financially by voluntary donations. What other religion do you know that doesn’t ask for money? What other religion maintains many huge printing facilities in several countries manned by volunteer workers with the primary function to further spread the good news of the Kingdom of God without cost to the world? I have told you before that you can go to jw.org and download anything that you would like free in more than 419 languages. This webpage is by far the most innovative and progressive website on the Internet today, it also features an online library which gives you the ability to do your own Bible research and find answer your Bible questions and it is compatible with all the latest electronic gadgetry for your use away from home. For anything more that you would like to know please write to me at: (r_snook@hotmail); or (maximumtexas@yahoo). I will be more than happy to help you. To prove this I invite you to click on the link above and visit the official website of Jehovah’s Witnesses and download anything that appeals to your interest at no cost to you. You have a wide variety of languages to select from. Please understand that you can go to this website and download anything without worry that you will have to pay some sort of cost, from this website you can request a free home Bible study. You can also read the Bible online through this website. The Bible tells us at John 17:3 “This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ.” Whether you believe it or not we are living at the conclusion of this system of things, or what the Bible calls the “last days.” (2 Tim. 3:1-5; 2 Pet. 3:1-4) Jehovah’s Witnesses are interested in saving your life, NOT your MONEY. You may also ask any of Jehovah’s Witnesses for a free home Bible study at no cost or obligation to you or you may go to any of our Kingdom Halls where you will receive a friendly greeting from the happiest people on earth and listen to a free and informative Bible discussion. Take care. Agape, Roger Snook
Posted on: Mon, 15 Jul 2013 19:05:49 +0000
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