Considering the Coming Rebellion

Scripture: Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way. For that day will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 2 Thessalonians 2:3

Observation: All prophesy about the "second coming" of Christ is confusing, as it should be since Jesus himself said no one can know the timing. References to the "antichrist" or "man of lawlessness" are just as confusing. In this discussion, Paul is clear in connecting not just the rise of the antichrist to the day of the second coming, but also a third event ... the apostasy. This refers to a rebellion, and from that rebellion the man of lawlessness emerges.

This is interesting because, in the time of this writing, the concept of a "rebellion" against Yahweh would make no logical sense. This was written during the height of the Roman empire. To the world, Ceasar was in charge, and the roman gods were central, while hundreds of other local gods and religions were allowed. It would not have been possible for anyone to lead a worldwide rebellion against the Lord, because Jesus was not yet acknowledged as the savior of the world.

That would change over the next century, and then remain in place for a long time. Throughout that time in history, while pockets of civilization reject Jesus, there would have been no concept of leading a worldwide rebellion against Jesus until ... now.

Application: I do believe that, while we might not live in the "end times", we are the first generation that lives in the conditions that COULD be the end times. Advances in communications and travel have finally met the descriptions of prophesy. So what could an apostasy or rebellion that precedes the man of lawlessness look like? It seems it would require ... widespread rejection of the existence of God, and all moral law given to us by God.

Well ... we seem almost there. Perhaps I am tainted by where I live, where Christians aren't just a minority, but atheists/agnostics are actually the majority and we continue to pass public laws that explicitly renounce God's good guidance for living. This isn't true everywhere yet, but there are entire organizations - even industries - actively attempting to spread this as if it is a virtuous cause.

I do not know what any "apostasy" will look like. However, I expect it could come any day now. My hope is divided between wishing it would happen immediately, or desiring to continue to serve the Lord and see the world reconciled to him.

Prayer: Lord, if it is thy will, come, Lord Jesus. Amen.