Antichrist: Understanding Lawlessness

I can remember that as a child growing up in a Christian home, there was perhaps nothing more terrifying than the idea of the antichrist - an insanely powerful and terrifying political figure who would emerge in the not-too-distant future, oppose Christianity, set up shop in Jerusalem, initiate a violent apocalypse, and prompt Jesus Christ to return.  

This idea of the antichrist is still a very prominent idea in modern Christianity thanks to certain mainstream Christian media (Left Behind, I’m looking at you). 

What we’ve done is taken this concept of the antichrist and we’ve projected it upon our current political realities in both the east and west. We go as far as to label certain individuals or even whole countries as the antichrist. Of course, who gets labeled as such is usually suspiciously dependent on our cultural and political convictions, rather than spiritual reality.

Is this antichrist mania really in line with what the scriptures actually indicate? We’ll explore this topic in this teaching and I’ll be giving my unconventional (but logical and scriptural) perspective on the antichrist. 

I feel this perspective is much more grounded in spiritual reality and helps disarm the fear and hysterical superstition surrounding this issue. It will also give us a clearer prophetic picture of what to expect in the future.  

We’ll begin with an analysis of a passage on the antichrist from 2 Thessalonians and will conclude with some additional insights from 1 John. What you’ll need to do is open your mind and understanding to consider these passages in a different way. 

Let’s look at the passage and break it down.

“Do not let anyone deceive you in any way, for [the coming of Christ] will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness (sin) is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He 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… you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3-6 (NIV) 

Paul immediately establishes a connection between rebellion, lawlessness (sin), destruction, and a presumed figure who will embody these characteristics. This mysterious figure will “exalt himself” over God, including taking up residence in God’s temple, which we presume to be the Jewish temple in Jerusalem at the time of this writing, if we are interpreting this passage through what I consider the classical understanding. The theme here is desecration - damage to something that is considered important spiritually or religiously. 

Lastly, Paul says, “you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time.” Here we are first introduced to the idea of a being or force that restrains the man of sin from coming into full revelation or manifestation. This is something to keep in mind as we continue analyzing this passage. 

Now what I will do is present the idea that Paul does not have in mind a specific figure (such as a Roman emperor - although there are historical considerations which have value here), but rather a spirit or force in operation in humanity, which finds its manifestation through us. This approach is highly logical given the rest of the passage:

“For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. 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.” 2 Thessalonians 2:7-8 (NIV)

What the NIV translates as “secret power” is the Greek word "μυστήριον" (mysterion), which is used elsewhere to describe divine or spiritual realities. So, there is a spiritual reality of lawlessness or sin at work. However, this power is being held back until a certain time or season - a “proper time.”

I would contend that the “one who holds” the power of lawlessness back is an angelic presence that helps mankind maintain spiritual equilibrium. In other words, this “restrainer” prevents mankind (both individually and collectively) from rushing headlong into rebellion and delusion, so that we are still able to receive the light and power of God and grow into the divine image. 

This is because, despite having the divine image at the center of our being, mankind’s natural impulse is towards darkness, not light. This is another sobering spiritual truth and yet another reason why spiritual effort, not just knowledge, is necessary on the true path to God.

Paul contends that this presence will be taken out of the way by God, so that the man of sin can come into revelation or manifestation. However, this has a purpose: a greater revelation of the presence and power of Jesus Christ. 

Paul draws on prophetic language (“the breath of his mouth”- see Isaiah 11:4) to describe the coming of Christ. Another word for “breath” here is spirit - so we also have in mind the Holy Spirit. As I say often, this coming of Christ is the manifestation of the presence of Jesus Christ in our human experience - in mind, body, and spirit. 

This Coming will destroy the man of sin through “splendor” - which is the glory or manifestation of the presence of God.  

To solidify our understanding so far: 

• The proverbial “coming” of Christ is preceded by a revelation of the man of sin.  

• The “man of sin,” “man of lawlessness” or “antichrist” is a spiritual power present in mankind, both individually and collectively.

• This spiritual power considers itself God, setting itself up in God’s temple, which we know in the New Covenant is the human mind, body, and spirit.

• This power is held in check by a “restrainer” - an angelic presence. This presence holds back the manifestation of evil so that mankind can continue to know and grow into God. This angelic force upholds God’s law.  

• In God’s timing, the restrainer (God’s law) must be taken out of the way to allow for the manifestation of evil. However, this manifestation must occur for Jesus Christ to bring healing, restoration, and renewal in mind, body, and spirit. Healing and renewal cannot happen until poison is drawn from the wound. 

With these points in mind, we continue:  

“The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed in truth but have delighted in wickedness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 (NIV)

First, a more literal interpretation of this first line is “the coming of the lawless one will be brought about through the operation of Satan.” So, it is the devil here that is using all sorts of signs and wonders that serve “the lie,” “wickedness,” and “deception.”  

The “lie” is sensual illusion and slavery to pleasure, offering a reality without God’s presence. These “signs and wonders” are perhaps not literal miracles, as modern antichrist mania would have us believe, but images of any kind that glorify sinful craving and ensnare our eyes, minds and bodies to pleasure. 

We don’t have to look far to see these “signs in wonders” in our modern experience. In seconds, I can have access to any gratification and pleasure I want through a few swipes of my fingers on my phone. 

We are absolutely inundated with highly curated images and videos on television and social media trying to get us to believe a reality that opposes God’s reality (the kingdom of God). The purpose is to enslave us to comfort, pleasure and earthly pursuits without God’s wisdom or empowering presence. In a word: idolatry. 

The result of this deceptive pursuit is the rejection of God’s wisdom and healing (“salvation”). As a result, we fall out of alignment with God’s reality and live in delusion. This decision to live out of alignment with God’s reality has its consequences - we bring evil, sin, sickness, and decay upon ourselves. On the surface, Paul writes that God sends us this delusion, but it is really us that choose and pursue the lie.

In psychology, there is the concept of the shadow, developed by Carl Jung. The shadow is a part of our individual and collective unconscious but influences our behavior. The shadow contains, amongst other things, evil urges that we suppress or otherwise would not acknowledge.

A scriptural analogy for the shadow is what Paul calls the “flesh.” This is the part of our pre-Christ nature that, although dead, can exert its influence on our mind, body, and spirit, drawing us back out of God’s truth reality. Satan exerts influence on us through the flesh (“the coming of the lawless one will be brought about through the operation of Satan.”)

I believe this passage from 2 Thessalonians addresses our spiritual shadow, both individually and collectively. The antichrist, therefore, is in you and me. This is the rebellious element of us that reject’s God’s love and truth, preferring instead sin and rebellion (“he will exalt itself as God and set himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God”). Because this antichrist is a hidden spiritual reality, Paul calls it a “mystery.” 

God’s goal is the healing and restoration of all humanity. This healing is impossible without the revelation of our inner darkness, which is drawn out of us through spiritual process and temptation. Carl Jung stated, “one does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious.” 

When we become aware of our own inner darkness, the breath of God can come and bring healing and renewal (“Jesus will overthrow evil with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his manifestation”). This healing, this salvation, is available through the wisdom and enlightenment of Jesus Christ. 

Elsewhere, Paul states that we can be “handed over to Satan” for the “destruction of the flesh” (1 Corinthians 5:5, 1 Timothy 1:20). This corresponds to what we see in this passage from 2 Thessalonians. Evil within us must be allowed to manifest (“the restrainer will be taken out of the way”) so that elements of our pre-Christ nature may manifest into our experience. 

This process is accelerated by the pressure of Satan and carnal illusions (“signs and wonders that serve the lie”). All of this process is ultimately allowed by God to accomplish His saving purposes in both us and humanity as a whole. 

With all of this in mind, we arrive at a spiritual yet logical interpretation of the antichrist, which is a presence in all of us. This antichrist denies Jesus Christ , preferring evil, selfish ambition, and the subjugation of the will of others (1 John 2:22, 1 John 4:3, 2 John 1:7). This antichrist proclaims itself as God, which is essentially what we do in our rebellion and rejection of God.

John states that the first century church was in the “last hour” because the antichrist “is coming and already has come” (1 John 2:18). John uses this phrasing because, through union with Christ and the presence of the Holy Spirit, we are all being transformed into the image of Christ, inheriting the kingdom of God in mind, body, and spirit. The old is gone, the new is here (2 Corinthians 5:17). However, many reject this reality and manifest antichrist with varying degrees of intensity and public visibility.

The age of the new creation, the age of the Holy Spirit, is upon us. However, this kingdom comes into manifestation through the removal of darkness out of humanity. We often choose to reject this reality, preferring our sin, delusion, and carnal pleasure. 

In conclusion, the antichrist, the “man of sin,” is a power at work in all of us, from the greatest to the least. This hidden power must come into the full light of day, so that Jesus Christ can bring healing, alignment, and judgement through the Holy Spirit. 

Therefore, even in the face of what can feel like terrifying or apocalyptic world events, we need to let go of fear and let the Word of God operate in our experience. All world events are serving and will serve God’s purposes.