📖 Biblical Definition
The Man of Sin (or Man of Lawlessness, Greek anthrôpos tês anomias) is Paul's phrase in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 for the eschatological figure who arises before Christ's return: that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God. Closely related (and sometimes identified) with the antichrist of John's epistles and the beast of Revelation.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
(2 Thess 2:3.) The eschatological figure of supreme opposition to Christ; sometimes identified with the antichrist and beast.
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2 Thessalonians 2:3-12 is the locus classicus. The figure is restrained at present (by the ‘restrainer’, identified variously as the Holy Spirit, the Roman Empire, the church, or governing authorities); will be revealed at the apostasy; will sit in the temple showing himself as God; will be destroyed by the brightness of Christ's coming.
Interpretive schools: dispensational futurism (a future individual figure), preterist (Nero or another first-century figure), historicist (the papacy historically), idealist (a recurring type).
📖 Key Scripture
2 Thessalonians 2:3 — "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition."
2 Thessalonians 2:4 — "Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God."
Daniel 7:25 — "And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High."
1 John 2:18 — "Even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity often pins the Man of Sin to current political figures with great confidence; Scripture and 2,000 years of failed identifications counsel humility.
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Every century has produced confident identifications: Nero, Domitian, Mohammed, various popes, Napoleon, Kaiser Wilhelm, Stalin, Hitler, Henry Kissinger, every recent president of every party. Each was wrong (or at least, the world did not end).
The household's posture is sober watchfulness without speculative confidence. 1 John 2:18 says many antichrists already exist; an ultimate one may yet come; Scripture leaves room for both. The duty is to recognize and resist the spirit of antichrist now, while leaving room for the climactic future fulfillment.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek anthrôpos tês anomias; literally man of lawlessness.
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Greek anthrôpos — man.
Greek anomia — lawlessness; nomos (law) with negation.
Usage
"The Man of Lawlessness is the title closer to the Greek."
"Sober watchfulness without speculative confidence."
"Recognize and resist the spirit of antichrist now."