20160909 Friday, September 9 2016
2 Thessalonians 02: The Signature Of The Antichrist

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"For that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition ... Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders"

The world today has many signs. Some are written in the language of the nation in which the sign is located, while others use symbolism to express the same information e.g. an arrow to notify drivers that a street is a one way street.

Signatures (notice the word "sign" in signature) are commonly used today to identify someone. Typically now, a signature is a person's name, but in earlier times a signature was a symbol that represented a specific, clearly-identified individual (the branding of cattle with the owner's sign used the same principle). It wasn't merely because most people were unable to write words or names - the significance (notice the word "sign" in significance too) of the sign was the primary reason.

For most of human history, someone's "signature" was their "sign," or how they "signed" something. The example below shows the Accord of Winchester that was "signed" in 1072 by King William the Conqueror and his wife Matilda with symbols. It was how they "made their mark."

So too was the true sign of Christ - as used by Christians in the time of the apostle Paul, when many of them had actually seen the true Cross itself. As shown in the photograph (and also in the illustration farther down), it was the Greek letter tau, that was shaped like a capital T, because they all knew that was the shape of the genuine Cross of the Messiah's Sacrifice. The typical Latin Cross and "crucifix" of today (see How Does Satan Impersonate Jesus Christ? and the Fact Finder question below) were invented by the Romans after they devised their nationalized version of Christianity i.e. the Church of Rome.

Bible prophecy also has much to say about "signs" and "marks" (see What Is The Mark Of The Beast?) - and as such, the significance of a prophetic signature. Most-particularly will be the ultimate antichrist, "The son of perdition; 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." That man will surely be identified with the Latin cross - not the genuine Cross.

"2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 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; 2:4 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." (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 KJV)

The ultimate antichrist (there have been many, for centuries already; see the Fact Finder question below) will have great Satan-empowered "miraculous" ability to deceive and mislead billions of people. His rampage of delusion will end, in the lake of fire, on the day of the Messiah's return (see Who Knows The Secret Of Christ's Return? and Who Will Meet The Returning Messiah In The Clouds?).

"19:19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone." (Revelation 19:19-20 KJV)

So it was then that the apostle Paul reminded his fellow Christians of what they had already understood from their own witness (see also Apocalypse Now).

"2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." (2 Thessalonians 2:5-12 KJV)

The Truth is the Truth. Man-made religions and phony "signs" are literally a dead end for all who do not turn to the right Way when the day of their opportunity comes (see Strait And Straight and Which Way Is Right And Left?).

"2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 2:14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

2:16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, 2:17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work." (2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 KJV)

Fact Finder: Who and what is the "spirit of antichrist"? How does he mislead billions of people away from where they actually want to go?
See The Spirit of Antichrist and Diotrephes And The Other Antichrists; also Will Jesus Christ Obey Your Christian Religion?