UPDATED 25 October 2017: It's been almost five years since the original post below about "the image of the beast" was published. A lot has changed since then, and an update is mandatory, not primarily for most born-again Christians, but for those who will suddenly find themselves in a post-Harpazo world.
AI (Artificial Intelligence) and human intelligence interact on pretty much a routine basis. We human beings now regularly talk to Alexa, Siri or Google Assistant or even the artificial intelligence embedded in your car, your refrigerator, or even your entire house. The AI talks back and responds directly to us about whatever ever it was that you wanted to know from it or to do for you. So, human daily interaction with AI has become common place in 2017 and is growing by leaps and bounds, technologically speaking. In three to five years time there will likely be another quantum leap in the technology driving AI. Futuristic thinkers are even telling us without any reservation that AI/Human Intelligent interactions will become even greater very soon. This isn't SciFi anymore, it's become Sci-Fact.
However, what no one is thinking about, and what virtual none of the most well-known prophecy teachers have touched yet with a ten-foot pole is to discuss what will happen when AI and non-human intelligence are linked together in the very near future of the 70th Week. The Revelation of Jesus Christ tells us this will be the fact-of-the-matter during the 70th Week, and that man-made artificially intelligent construct empowered by a non-human demonic entity (i.e. Satan himself) will have the power of life or death over every individual living on the planet.
"[the second beast] was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or[f] the name of the beast, or the number of his name." (Revelation 13:15-17)
[Perhaps if you've not read the original post form December 2012 before, now would be a good time to do so, or to refresh, and then come back up to see where we are today in 2017.]
Think about the prophetic terminology God first used 2,600 years ago to describe what this AI coupled with satanic (non-human) power of the Antichrist and False Prophet will be, and that is "shiqquwts shamem," whose full-meaning would best be expressed as "a thing of detestable, abominable filth that will cause desolation and waste" upon the earth. This thing will be stood up in the Holy Place of the coming Jewish 3rd Temple approximate;y 42 months after the Antichrist confirms a covenant among many.
The technology that will be brought together by men at the direction of the False Prophet (the second beast from the earth) to create this abomination of desolation, the artificial creation of the created to honor and cause worship of Satan in God's Temple, is all around us. Imagine, if you will, Artificial Intelligence that includes holographic capabilities, ultra-life-like cybernetic appearance, virtual reality; a near omniscient situational awareness capable of global control over inanimate things from finance and routine commerce, to global fleets of drones and superhuman soldiers and robotic war machines, to animate things like human beings and the ability to kill them forthwith. (This super-soldier capability is Vladimir Putin's worst nightmare!) The ultimate in oppression and totalitarian control of every aspect of life on planet earth. And millions of our future brethren will die professing Jesus Christ, refusing to take the mark of the beast or worship his abominable image of the beast stood up in the the Jerusalem Temple. (Matthew 24:15-22)
No, this is not a plot merger of the Terminator Sci-Fi movie series and George Orwell's 1984, this is what the Bible says will take place in the very near future, and it may well be far worse than described here. The blessed hope for all mankind is the Harpazo, the sudden catching away of the bride of Jesus Christ, to escape all these things, the likes of which have never before occurred on the earth, and never will thereafter for all eternity. The only time anyone has to make a decision for Christ is right now, while there is time to do so before the Harpazo. What will you do?
18 December 2012: One of the things in Revelation 13:14-15 that has always fascinated me is the God-breathed prophecy that the second beast, the False Prophet, will issue a command to all mankind inhabiting the earth that they must construct an image of the first beast, the Antichrist.
"And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed."
The key sequential Greek words in verse fourteen are poieō eikōn thērion, meaning that the fully deceived men of the earth of that time will be called upon by the False Prophet to construct a likeness of the Antichrist. Understand this completely: mankind will be called upon to create an image of Satan incarnate as was man created in the image of God. This will occur shortly after the Antichrist will appear to have sustained a mortal head wound yet he will pseudo-miraculously not die as a result of it. This image of the Antichrist will be constructed by mankind to honor him.
How will mankind construct such a thing? Through the all types of emergent technological know-how that mankind will have at its disposal. It will be a 21st century technology that many are seeing greater and greater glimpses of in these pre-70th Week days: the fusing and absolute convergence of nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology, artificial intelligence, robotics and instantaneous global communications that provide instantaneous global situational awareness. Mind-boggling to be sure even by 2012-2103 state-of-the-art technological advancements.
This will be the high-tech 21st century equivalent of the statue of Zeus-Olympus that the forerunner antichrist, the Hellenic Seleucid Empire's absolute ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes stood up in the 2nd Temple on the 25th of Kislev, 168 BC. The difference between this coming outrage and the latter will be that the False Prophet will be able to supernaturally embed a demonic spirit (Greek: pneuma) within this human construct so that it will be a virtual, physical being, a totally aware and communicating entity in the service of Satan which will be capable of killing both Tribulation Saints and all of mankind who will dare to refuse it the requisite worship. Perhaps it will be the demonic spirit known as Abaddon/Apollyon who will inhabit this constructed thing; the penultimate of demonic and gentile desecration of God's Temple?
As Jesus declared in the Olivet Discourse, referring the the prophecy given to Daniel by the angel Gabriel, this action will define the mid-point of the 70th Week. He has made it unambiguously clear that this utterly detestable thing will be literally stood up in the Holy Place within the 70th Week (Tribulation) Temple; that this will be the "Abomination of Desolation." This event, Jesus tells us, will be the final sign for the Jews to flee Jerusalem with extraordinary haste; to flee in the direction of the mountains of Judea meaning 'take nothing with you, just get out of the city of Jerusalem!'
the Holy Place within the 70th Week Temple
I believe there can be little confusion or wonderment as to why the wrath of God is thereafter poured out upon the earth in such a way as there has never been anything of this scope previous or ever will there be anything like it again. And there is no further mention of the image after this. We can only assume that God utterly annihilates the "Abomination of Desolation" and it passes into oblivion without further notice.
I absolutely stumbled across this quite appropriate political cartoon by Ashar Schwartz at theJewishPress.com today
ReplyDeleteA Long Time Ago, In a Desert Far, Far Away
It's not too far from what Bible prophecy tells us will one day soon be the reality in Israel.
John 5:43
"I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive."
Yeah, "may the Schwartz be with you" might be a Mel Brooks parody of Star Wars, but it's closer to a future reality than most realize today.
I'm glad you mentioned the supernatural aspect to this.....a lot of teachers, even pre-trib teachers, when they come to this passage explain away the supernatural and simply say its a robot or something. whether the antichrist actually dies or not I'm not certain but it seems to be an actual wound resulting in worship and wonder by the masses.
ReplyDeleteThe wounding of the Antichrist will be very real. Both Antichrist and the False Prophet are real human beings. I personally believe the wounding will be extremely violent and the result of an assassination attempt, possibly from an IED of some sort.
ReplyDelete(See Zechariah 11:15-17 for important details on the Antichrist and where he comes from!!!)
The lethality of the wounding is very real -- the Greek word thanatos appears twice in Revelation 13:3. Thanatos explicitly means human death in which the soul and the body are permanently separated.
It is at this very instant that I believe Antichrist is possessed and indwelt by Satan (Abaddon/Apollyon) for the final 42 months of the 70th Week.
The supernatural spiritual aspect of Revelation 13 is the most important part. In fact I believe it is THE critical element of empowerment for the Antichrist, his image and the False Prophet, and involves an unpardonable human sin - blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.
Maybe a computer AI with a 3D hologram of this sophistication?
ReplyDeleteNathan,
ReplyDeleteI think you're on the right track for sure.
For those who don't know, Hatsune Miku is a Japanese-made Vocaloid (singing voice synthesis technology of the 2nd or 3rd generation) which is combined with projected 3D animation to perform live on stage. Pretty impressive.
However, what I see is even further "out there" technologically speaking.
I think the people who construct the image will give it a future generation of what we know as Vocaloid voice synthesis, and the False Prophet will imbue this constructed image with an actual demonic entity in a truly physical structure even beyond that seen in the 2004 film "I Robot" starring Will Smith and Bridget Moynahan.
I think the constructed image of the beast will be not too far removed from the forward looking 1981 movie "Image of the Beast"
In this updated and closer look at Revelation 13:14-17, I am now wondering - which beast is it that Revelation 13:18 applies to, the first beast from the sea of nations (Antichrist) or the second beast from the land of Israel (False Prophet)?
ReplyDeleteCan it be proven conclusively that 666 is the number of Antichrist the man's name?
Sean,
ReplyDeleteI see it as the dragon (satan) who has been cast down in Rev 12:5 gives his power to the first beast (a/c), the second beast (false prophet) is performing signs that cause all who do not believe in Jesus to worship the first beast (a/c). The image imho is the a/c who is the dragons representative on earth. Truly a copy or imitation of what the True God did.I also think it leaves all without excuse when they stand before God at the Great white throne judgement and have to explain why they would not except the free gift of salvation over the forceful recieving of the mark of the beast.
On your second question, whether it should be calculated in hebrew or greek, I am not sure but with the confusion we see today from "experts" in prophecy, I am not sure at this time we can prove it but when the a/c shows up it might be clearer.
Jmoll,
DeleteBingo!!! If we were giving out brass rings... you know the rest. :)
I'm SO pleased that you've put two and two together on this! (I would have taught it within a couple more days, but now that won't be necessary.)
So, there is no question that Revelation 12 is directly tied to Revelation 13.
And note that the False Prophet only does his malevolent miracles while in the presence (in the sight of) the Satan empowered Antichrist.
Then the attempted assassination nearly kills Antichrist...
So the "image of the beast" appears to serve as a type of conduit for the continuation of this satanic power.
As I've noted before, the False Prophet is tied to the 3rd Temple... with the "image of the beast standing in the Holy Place inside the Temple makes perfect sense.
Satan in Sanctuary, literally.
One of the things that intrigues me is verse 13:18 "Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast.."
ReplyDeleteAt the point of this verse, we will be gone. Not only that, the ac will be revealed by then. It seems to me the "...him that hath understanding" would exist prior to the harpazo of the the church because the ac will be revealed after we leave (if you interpret apostacea as "departure" in 2 Thess 2:3).
If the above is true, the ac's identity will be known in the 70th week....therfore, no "understanding" would be necessary in the 70th week. Maybe too convoluted of an idea...thoughts?
Yes, the Revelation 13:18 calculation is a pre-70th Week exercise for one with wisdom (i.e. the Holy Spirit) to complete.
ReplyDeleteI think, I’ve believed so from the start that *the supernatural* will be an important, integral part of the image of the beast and the whole system of the mark of the beast. (Concerning the very image of the beast, my initial thoughts were that the entire thing will be *demonic-supernatural*. Only later have I learned about the “realization” of this image with the help of modern technology.) Technology mixed with the supernatural from the side of Satan&Co. is really the best description. I’m surprised that –as Sean mentioned it- many eschatology teachers are avoiding the supernatural (demonic) element and only considering the (without a doubt) top-technology of the future. This top technology is one of the reasons why I rejected the possibility of some wide-scale and devastating EMP/nuclear attack on the USA, its allies and other parts of the world. (Except the event of the Ezekiel 38/39 battle, but even in this case it should be limited to some degree in my opinion, IF this event will be nuclear.)
ReplyDeleteLOL! I'm ready to have this merry-go-round stop so I can turn in my brass ring for at least a white robe.:)
ReplyDeleteI think the identity of the beast is narrowed alot just by reading your past sitreps. You covered the Rev 12 sign years before but as we got closer to the event a greater understanding was revealed by the Holy Spirit. I think the revealing of the a/c will be like that. God's perfect timing.
The key word is wisdom.
Hey Sean, that verse and Daniel chapter 2 where it says they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men comes to mind. What do you think of that Passage?
ReplyDeletehartdawg,
ReplyDeleteI see no direct correlation between Daniel 2 (Daniel interpreting Nebuchadnezzar's dream in the Aramaic language) and Revelation 13, except for the fact that there is a reference to the beast and the fourth empire.
Daniel 2:43 is about the seed of men of all four kingdoms mingling, but not cleaving together. This is actually historical fact.
Thank you. I ask because I'm sure that you're well aware that volumes of books have been writing concerning that verse. Isn't it amazing what kind of nonsense that people come up with when they don't just stick to the scriptures?
DeletePeople love to ignore the plain text of the Scripture and impose nonsense meanings simply because they're more exotic - which is what sells books and videos.
ReplyDeleteSean, still studying the previous 2017 posting and trying to catch u] with you all! Good material and can't wait till tomorrow to study some more! Good nite you all!
ReplyDeleteGG5/SHALOM
Good morning,
ReplyDeleteSean, reading one of your replys above...
"(See Zechariah 11:15-17 for important details on the Antichrist and where he comes from!!!)
In verse 16 Zech states God will raise up a foolish shepherd (in the land).
Would this verse imply he comes from that land or comes into that land.
If it means in or from that land (Israel) it would mean the a/c would also rise from Israel.
I always thought the a/c would be from outside of Israel and they would believe on him, so this morning a heavy fog has rolled into my brain. :/
Jmoll,
ReplyDeleteWe've been over this before Bro. Time for a very brief re-fresh me thinks.
Zechariah 9 and 10 were prophecy that was literally acted out by Zechariah. Same is true with Zechariah 11.
Chapters 9:9-10 foretold Jesus coming (the King); his rejection by Israel, and the resultant judgment by the Roman Empire which came down from the north between 67 and 73 AD. All of this was fulfilled. This is also past as prologue for the 70th Week, and is referenced again in Chapter 11. Yes, cannibalism did occur when Rome conquered Israel back then.
Chapter 10 foretells the modern restoration of Israel in the land.
Chapter 11 is about Antichrist. And so is Zechariah 9:13, I believe, a direct reference. What did Jesus say in John 5:43? He said Israel will receive this foolish and worthless shepherd who will come in his own name.
Zechariah then prophecies the betrayal of Messiah via the 30 pieces of silver.
Now we get to Zechariah 11:15-17. Zechariah is then instructed to act out the part of the foolish shepherd (Antichrist) by taking up the implements thereof.
What did Jesus say to do upon seeing the AoD standing in the Holy Place? This is what we read in verse 16 - Antichrist will go after those Jews who do not flee and destroyed them with extreme viciousness.
Verse 17 is a prophecy which I believe indicates an assassination attempt against Antichrist which blinds his right eye and destroyed his right arm... this is when the AoD (image of the beast) occurs led by the False Prophet.
I think Jmoll was asking if you thought the A/C is from Israel? If I may add
ReplyDeletemy thoughts pertaining to Zech 11:15-17, I think he is! Look at 16, I (the Lord)
am going to raise up a shepherd in the land, if he is raised in the land, it
sounds like he was a Jewish boy raised from childhood in Israel. Also, it would make
sense that the Jews would want somebody from their own land to worship, to take
advice or orders from. Think about it, even in America, one of the requirements
to be President is you have to be born here. Of course, we've already had our
A/C, now it's Israel's turn I guess! Why would they worship a foreigner?
It's not a matter of what I or anyone else thinks.
ReplyDeleteIt is a matter of what the LORD God has foretold through His angelic messengers and prophets because that is the only Truth of the matter.
Going by what people think leads to gross error, false teaching and self-deception.
Obviously, it's now necessary to teach prophetic Biblical details and put this to rest in the Truth.
The text of Daniel 9:20-27 is THE critical element to understand what is also foretold by Zechariah in his acting out the prophetic things of Jesus Messiah's first coming through time to the events of the coming 70th Week and the Anti-Messiah.
ReplyDeleteAs with Jeremiah 11, Daniel 9 also has critical context, particularly regarding the 70 Weeks prophecy, and the 70th Week itself.
The prophecy which came by 'iysh Gabriy'el, told of 70 weeks and their specific purpose which are specifically relative to Israel. These weeks were divided into groups of 7 and 62 weeks.
Emphasis is mine. Daniel 9:26 says in plain text that "'achar" meaning afterwards of when the 7 and the 62 weeks have completed, shall "Mashiyach Messiah "karath" make a new covenant, AND the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.
This "karath" is the covenant cut for our eternal salvation and election by the grace of God, and it has occurred in the interim (i.e. the so-called church age) between the 69th week (62 + 7) and the 70th Week of this prophecy.
The people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. As related above, this occurred between 67 and 73 AD, the sanctuary itself in 70 AD. Did Israel destroy Jerusalem and the Temple, or did the people of the prince to come do it?
Clearly it was Rome, the people of the prince that shall come. This is something I've written about here since day one of the Eschatology Today blog. It is the doctrine this blog irrevocably abides by.
Gabriel then in verse 27, also in plain text, tells us exactly when the 70th Week will commence. That exact point in time is the instant the prince that shall come "shall confirm the covenant among many." We all know what happens during the to halves of the 70th Week, and especially what occurs at mid-week.
What Zechariah did was to act this prophecy out as if it were a play done on the streets of Jerusalem. The good Berean will realize that Jeremiah 11 is directly related to Zechariah 11 as well.
So Zechariah played the roles of the good Shepherd (Jesus Messiah) rejected by Israel, resulting in the breaking of the two staffs named Beauty (Jesus) and Bands (Judah and Israel). (This was the Roman destruction and Diaspora of the all Israel from the land.
Now apply what we know from Revelation 13. Which beast comes from the sea, and which beast comes from the land. And there is your answer in black and white plain text.
Please watch this...
ReplyDeletehttps://youtu.be/S5t6K9iwcdw
Lance,
ReplyDeleteDead on point with the core issue of this SITREP. The image of the beast will eclipse this technology by an order of magnitude or more.
I had no idea it was this far advanced....frightening.
ReplyDeleteIt's further by a couple of decades... remember, this even gives Putin nightmares.
DeleteSo how frightening is it really at this point? Probably beyond the comprehension of most.
Sean,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your reply, I will always enjoy a refresher on the topics of God's word.:)
I should have been more clear in my question, as Rhonda mentioned, I was trying to understand what Zech ment by "in the land". The commentaries were not convincing and that's why I posed the question to you. Now I see how He was acting out what God was showing him. I often go to back sitreps for info. It's because you stick with the scriptures that people come here. Hype is for selling something. So thank you again.
As for the link Lance left, that is the first AI I have viewed and it tells me how close Daniels 70th week is.
Your blog is a blessing to us in these last days. You are in our prayers.
I understood the question perfectly, both as you presented it and Rhonda.
DeleteBut I doubled down on what Scripture teaches in order to provide the correct response.
It worked out pretty good. Amen.
Seeing this CNBC presentation of an animated and realistic robot (a woman even) earlier today and could not believe my eyes. Many years ago, like in 1972 and 73 I was employed in Tulsa, Oklahoma with a Child Psychiatrist who was one of the leading figures in the coming age of robots and electronic intelligence. He described exactly this same technology "weird" world reality that I just observed on CNBC's special program and it is still freaking me out.
ReplyDeleteBut what really alarmed me was the coolness and acceptance that "She" was presented with. Just a matter of progress and no hint of the real danger that is staring us directly in the face right now. So, in reality Revelation 12 is progressing right along day by day and the world is none the wiser. Then suddenly I recall IIThessalonians 2:" 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
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.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."
So, if I shout too loud and make anyone nervous because of my very strong voice, better to be ready and waiting than to be seeking some OIL for our Lamps when the call comes out from God Almighty.
GG5/SHALOM
Oh my goodness! I feel so dumb. Forgot all about Daniel 9:26, and Rome destroying
ReplyDeleteJerusalem and the Temple. Forgot the lesson the Bible interprets the Bible. At least I won't have pride in my knowledge of scripture. Not sure if I even dare to watch the link Lance shared? The home where I babysit in the afternoons have Alexa. The
children of today think nothing about talking to machines! I wonder if she (Alexa) is spying on the family I work for?
So, and speaking of the Antichrist, when is he revealed:
ReplyDeleteA) When he confirms a covenant among many?
B) When he forcibly usurps 3 kingdoms of the 10 for himself?
By the way... the above is not a trick question.
ReplyDeleteI believe it is "B". When he confirms a covenant, that starts the 7 year trib...correct? If the 70th week starts, and a person is still here to witness the convenant....problem.
ReplyDeleteAs we covered above, we can know his identity before the 70th week starts, so "B" is the only option that is pre-70th week.
I'm going with (A).:)
ReplyDelete2 Thess 2:7,8 He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.
8And then the lawless one will be revealed,
Sean,
ReplyDeleteI think B., happens before A.,... so it's B. If I'm right in my logic here... I remember the Bible saying that as the AC emerges to power he plucks 3 other horns out. The others *kings* surrander to him on their own volition. The more I think on this subject the more I could not imagine the AC appearing seemingly "out of nowhere" confirming the covenant with many. I think it is much more possible that he has already established himself by the time when the confirmation of the covenant happens.
Ok, three fish, er, I mean victims, er, I mean responders to the question...
ReplyDeleteJmoll got it...A is correct.
According to the Archangel Gabriel, the Antichrist will reveal himself to those who know the Bible by plucking (usurping) out by the roots 3 of the 10 kingdoms. He is the leader of an 11th kingdom who rises up among the 10.
This usurpation is the first thing the Antichrist will do.
Antichrist confirms the covenant among many (an alliance or treaty involving Israel) after he's established in his 7 kingdom forth empire.
I believe the covenant among many is a post-Ezekiel 38/39 security/alliance treaty. Ezekiel 38/39 is also very likely a limited nuclear exchange and will require a treaty/alliance of some sort to establish a global order which he will control.
Sean,
ReplyDelete"This usurpation is the first thing the Antichrist will do."
I said the same thing as you here! You put point B. as the plucking out of the 3 horns and point A., as the confirmation of the covenant. I said that point B is the first with plucking out of the 3 horns! I used the same logic as you. (Jmoll's answer was point A which is the confirmation of the covenant.)
Nora,
ReplyDeleteReally, it's ok... it's okay.
Whoever chose "B" chose correctly, and that was Lance and yourself. I was just testing to see who was paying attention to what they were reading.
My respone above said "A" but screamed that "B" was truly the correct choice. So you two get the kudo's along with others who chose "B" but didn't do so in a public comment.
I heard something yesterday morning during a FoxNews broadcast report about Benghazi which was completely, absolutely and totally wrong, but because it was put right in between two totally truthful statements it went unchallenged by anyone. It was accepted as fact.
I wondered how often this kind of disinformation occurs in other "mass communication" venues, including Christian sites or broadcasts because information greatly shapes how people think; it solidifies what people believe to be true; to be established as fact.
Disinformation, such as deluding comments presented in concert with truthful things, is more harmful than just a naked lie. It is a big problem.
Moving on to the next Global SITREP - posting later today... events are moving quickly towards the over-arching Psalm 83 scenario... there are no "time out's" when it comes to in-progress Bible prophecy...
ReplyDeleteSean,
ReplyDeleteTotally agree on the mis-information point. Who is known as the prince of the air (or something to that effect), and then you couple that with idiom for broadcasting (coming to you "over the air", we're "on the air", etc, etc). It's clear there is so much garbage swirling around that one has to have their anchor firmly established to THE Rock. Looking forward to the next Sit-rep!
Oh okay, Sean. I didn't know that you tested how much we're paying attention.
ReplyDeleteActually, I do now, and although it was a test of sorts, a more correct name to use would be along the lines of "high-level discernment."
ReplyDeleteSay it's one thing but provide hard facts that it's actually something else.
Deception is one of the over-riding prophetic themes of these 'last days' and the enemy is masterfully deceptive. Did it to Eve in Eden, doing it to millions of people today.
As the Lord has warned, even the elect might buy into the deception, so convincing will it be.
Interesting question.....when is the AC “revealed”. You gave two options, but could there be a third option...C. At the abomination of Desolation.
ReplyDeleteNotice 2 Thess 2:
3Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessnessa is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.
Is it possible v. 4 answers the question about when the man of lawlessness is revealed (v.3)? I always thought v.4 did follow v.3 nicely and made it clear to us exactly when the AC would be revealed. Of course, this is the AC being revealed with Satan now empowering him, not just some political ruler who has won a few battles and initiated a Mid East peace treaty. So I guess you could say, I go by the revealing when the AC shows his true colors....at the Abomination. Up until then, you really don’t know how evil he really is or can be.
I guess this perspective is in the minority. I am very open to receive instruction as to why this perspective is in error. Thanks.
Shalom