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Bible Q

Who is the great deceiver in the last days?

Answered by . December 27, 2009 - 6:25 pm

The most relevant Bible passage here is 2 Thessalonians 2 which describes a “man of lawlessness” who will be revealed before the second coming of Jesus Christ.

Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ . . . For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God… For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12)

We are given several clues as to his identification:

  • He opposes and exalts himself against every object of worship (2 Thess 2:4);
  • He sits in the temple of God and proclaims himself to be God (2 Thess 2:4);
  • Some aspects of the “lawlessness” were already at work in the first century, but would only be fully revealed in the last days (2 Thess 2:7);
  • The lawless one would be accompanied by deceptive false signs and wonders (2 Thess 2:9);
  • Many people would believe in him (2 Thess 2:11-12).

There are similarities with the antichrist (1 John 2:18; 4:3), the little horn of Daniel (Daniel 7:24-25), and the beasts of Revelation 13.

However, even with these clues, we don’t yet know the identity of the man of lawlessness described in 2 Thessalonians 2. What is clear is that the time immediately before Jesus returns will include great trouble, persecution, godlessness, false worship and false signs. Jesus warned us

For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. (Matthew 24:24-27)

One Reply to “Who is the great deceiver in the last days?”

  1. The Word of God says satan comes to steal.kiII and destroy and so does his son gay 0bama..

    BOOK OF DANIEL

    The King Who Exalts Himself

    36 “The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been determined must take place. 37 He will show no regard for the gods of his ancestors or for the one desired by women, nor will he regard any god, but will exalt himself above them all. 38 Instead of them, he will honor a god of fortresses; a god unknown to his ancestors he will honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts. 39 He will attack the mightiest fortresses with the help of a foreign god and will greatly honor those who acknowledge him. He will make them rulers over many people and will distribute the land at a price.[d]

    40 “At the time of the end the king of the South will engage him in battle, and the king of the North will storm out against him with chariots and cavalry and a great fleet of ships. He will invade many countries and sweep through them like a flood. 41 He will also invade the Beautiful Land. Many countries will fall, but Edom, Moab and the leaders of Ammon will be delivered from his hand. 42 He will extend his power over many countries; Egypt will not escape. 43 He will gain control of the treasures of gold and silver and all the riches of Egypt, with the Libyans and Cushites[e] in submission. 44 But reports from the east and the north will alarm him, and he will set out in a great rage to destroy and annihilate many. 45 He will pitch his royal tents between the seas at[f] the beautiful holy mountain. Yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him.

    2 Thessalonians 2:8

    And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.