But the court shall sit in judgment, and his dominion shall be taken away, to be consumed and destroyed to the end. And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

 2 Thessalonians 2

But the court shall sit in judgment, and his dominion shall be taken away, to be consumed and destroyed to the end. And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. Daniel 7:26-27

I continue my pause on my study of 1 Corinthians as I participate in a men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church.  Today, my focus is John MacArthur's discussion of the man of lawlessness as raised in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 as part of Paul's description of the great tribulation.  Per MacArthur, this man of lawlessness is the culmination of all false teachers and deceivers throughout human history who speak at behest of Satan.  Although we understand him to be the final antichrist - we must understand that per 1 John 1, 2:18, 22, 4:3, and 2 John 1:7 all who deny Christ in the present age (before Christ returns) are the spirit of this final antichrist.  Attributes of this man of lawlessness/sin include: 

• lawless, blasphemer
• acts in defiance of Christ 
• destructive of all things Godly
• final man of sin - final earthly figure
• plays a crucial role in last days
• culmination of all hatred towards Christ, blasphemy, false teachers, etc.

MacArthur urges us to understand that the spirit of the antichrist is in the world today - it is real.  He provides one example - Adolph Hitler - and Hitler is described as possessed of Satan. We are also urged to understand how scripture portrays the antichrist in Ezekiel 38-39, Daniel 7-9, 11, Zechariah 11, and in Revelation as the beast.  The man of lawlessness represents a scary time for those who are not part of God's elect (by God's choosing - not of any effort on their/our own).  He will dominate the whole world during the great tribulation, but will be destroyed per Daniel 7:23-27. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who protects me from harm as You arm me with all that I need to battle sin.  Thank You Jesus!  I know sin (and the antichrist) is real and I continue to have sin in my life - as such I am not deserving of the blessings You pour out for me.  Help me turn from and overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.