MAN OF SIN

BEHOLD THE BEAST

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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 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. 5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

So who is "that man of sin"? "The" "Antichrist"? Nero? Muhammad? It seems "that man of sin" and "the son of perdition", may be different names for the same person, but who might it be? Is he to be revealed through a "falling away", or apostasy, within the church?

Links to sections on this page include where "that man of sin" "sitteth", how he "opposeth", "exalteth", "shewing", the son of perdition, a falling away first, more on testing spirits and in conclusion.

Where does "that man of sin" sitteth? (link)

".....so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God,....."

Can we get to know that "man of sin", the "son of perdition", better, by finding out more about where he "sitteth" - that is - in "the temple of God"? We have a page devoted to the "temple of God", and it is important to note the two Greek term s that refer to it. Following are verses that reference the term "temple of God":

Matthew 21:12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,

This first verse is a reference to the literal temple (hieron) that Jesus prophesied would be torn down - every stone - as it indeed was. The same "temple of God" that is referenced in the next verse:

Matthew 26:61 And said, This [fellow] said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.

The two temples of God referenced are the physical temple, and the temple that Jesus built in three days, through His crucifixion, death and resurrection - the body of Christ.

John 2:19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. 20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? 21 But he spake of the temple of his body. 22 When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.

The temple (naos), that Jesus built in three days, is clarified in the following:

1 Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and [that] the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

1 Corinthians 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which [temple] ye are.

2 Corinthians 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

So we learn that born again believers are the temple of God, and that our individual bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit:

1Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

Ephesians 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone]; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

The corporate body of Christ - all believers - is the temple of God. The preceding verses are in literal passages of scripture that are not open to interpretation. Scripture offers no other option than believers ARE the "temple of God". Nowhere is the term redefined. So are we left with any choice but to understand "that man of sin" may be revealed in the individual or corporate body of Christ? This would be consistent with an apostasy that could only be a "falling away" from the "church" or "temple of God".

The figurative language in the following two verses from John's vision in Revelation are sometimes interpreted to suggest a literal temple, but to do so would contradict the verses that clearly locate the "temple of God" in this Christian era, that are not open to interpretation. To expect another temple would also suggest that Jesus' perfect, finished and completed work on the cross, was imperfect, unfinished or incomplete.

Revelation 11:1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.

In efforts to change the dating of Revelation, some preterists suggest John physically measured the temple, however he received this vision while he was banished to the Isle of Patmos, so he couldn't have. Consider an interpretation for Revelation 11:1-2 in the day-year "language" of prophecy, within the traditional historicist framework of prophecy, on this link.

Revelation 11:19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

That's it. The above are all the verses that use the term "temple of God". We can see that the final use of this term - in Revelation 11:19 - locates the temple of God of that verse in the heavenlies which, would be consistent with Ezekiel's account.

Ezekiel 43:7 And he said unto me, Son of man, the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever, and my holy name, shall the house of Israel no more defile, [neither] they, nor their kings, by their whoredom, nor by the carcases of their kings in their high places.

Are we really to expect God to live in an earthly temple, built by the hands of men, forever? We have assurance that He will not:

Acts 17:24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

Hebre ws 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken [this is] the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; 2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

How could any man "desolate" any future temple, that would necessarily be desolate before the first stone was laid, by God's own design? As unimaginable as it may seem, some Christians that readily recognize the new covenant and know where the temple of God is, are actually clamoring for a physical temple where Jews would resume animal sacrifice. Wouldn't a restoration of the Old Covenant that "waxeth away" be an affront to Jesus Christ and His perfect finished work and blood atonement for our sins? It would also fly in the face of a lot of scripture. Here are a few examples:

Hebrews 8:13 In that he saith, A new [covenant], he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old [is] ready to vanish away.

While some faithful Jews that may remain blind to Gospel by a sovereign act of God, could have an interest in building a temple, isn't it inappropriate for Christians to cheer it on? Their interest certainly doesn't call for a restoration of the old covenant that waxed away.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Hebrews 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

ONE sacrifice for sins FOREVER. Matthew and Mark tell us to look to Daniel the prophet - not to Paul - for help in understanding the abomination that maketh desolate. We learn from Matthew and Mark that we should expect it to "stand in the holy place" not "sitteth". We learn from Luke that it is Jerusalem that is desolated, not a temple. Please see the page dedicated to the "abomination of desolation" for more.

To believe that the temple of God could be anywhere but the corporate body of Christ, or within regenerate believers, is a product of doctrine (Held by a minority of the church and primarily only over the last century.). Jesus warned the Pharisees of such:

Mark 7:13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

But how does "that man of sin" manifest himself in the corporate body of Christ? We are taught there are none righteous, and that we are all sinners, so we understand that Satan can influence a Christian's life. Even though we are guided to know what's right sometimes temptation is difficult to resist. We are not likely to find Satan working an atheist convention, or focused on Hollywood, since that fruit demonstrates he already has them in his back pocket. So shouldn't we be on the lookout for Satan to be hanging around the Church, doing what he can to plunder Jesus' potential goods? Satan is the author of all unsound doctrine. The "overcommeth"ing in the second and third chapters of Revelation is about overcoming unsound doctrine, not Satan, except as he is the author of it.

1Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

There are some excellent sources to help us understand this spirit filled world in which we live. Read "Bondage Breaker" by Neil Anderson. This book is written by a Christian counselor regarding his years of experience with how "familiar" spirits can masquerade as the Holy Spirit or a benign spirit, and haunt regenerate Christians - unrecognized by the individual - and eventually cause painful, misunderstood grief, in that person sometimes over years. These unclean spirits may enter as a result of severe abuse at an early age (MPD/DID) by inadvertent invitation, and also sometimes by ancestral assignment, if there were spiritualists or Satanists in the last few family generations.

THIS IS WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND WHO "THAT MAN OF SIN" MAY BE. So that we aren't blinded by doctrine into believing it to be about the first century, as if all over and done with, or about some future someday that doesn't concern us.

Now if we can recognize where we might expect "that man of sin" to "sitteth" what should we to expect him to do?

"that man of sin" opposeth (link)

"Who opposeth....."

If the "falling away" is apostasy from the "temple of God" then how might "that man of sin" who

"sitteth" in the "temple of God" "opposeth"? Is it possible for "that man of sin" to be in a regenerate individual? Satan has no power over repentant believers, and if or when we do notice his influence, we can audibly renounce him in the name of Jesus Christ. But if we underestimate his cunning, as feeble as his power over born again believers is, we could find ourselves in hot water.

1) Consider the video at the following link, showing what appears to be the spirit of Kandalini - one of Satan's new age guises - posing as the Holy Spirit - right there within the individual and corporate body of Christ - the "temple of God".

2) Speaking in tongues is a gift of the spirit. Some Christians understand this gift and relate to it with all appropriate gravity, time and place.

1Corinthians 14:22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying [serveth] not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

If you visit a "oneness" Pentecostal Church, that teaches that speaking in tongues is the proof that a person is saved, you may be in for a pretty shocking experience. This misunderstanding obviously puts inappropriate pressure on parishioners, who haven't yet spoken in tongues, to invite any kind of spirit that will manifest itself that way.

1Corinthians 12:8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another [divers] kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

1Corinthians 14:23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in [those that are] unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

Where is "another" interpreting the tongues being uttered in churches that casually treat speaking in tongues recreationally, and receive unclean spirits, as a result of ignoring an ordinance?

1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that [spirit] of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

If we don't test or "try the spirits" we are inviting unclean spirits right into our congregation, and encouraging them to remain seated in individual temples of God, as well as the corporate body of Christ.

It's important to "try the spirit" - not the person - by asking the spirit to confess that Jesus Christ IS come in the flesh. If we incorrectly try the person the answer is subject to the will of the person. Additionally an atheist, Muslim, or evil spirit, could readily agree that Jesus Christ did, has, or was, come in the flesh, simply because it is a widely recognized historical fact. Unclean spirits can be very tricky and deceptive, once they realize they are being found out. When spirits are tried, and the unclean spirit is thus found out, the person that had been speaking that tongue may fall to the floor in fetal position, with spastic convulsions, hands curled up, etc. (More)

Here is an account of my own experience in a "Jesus only" Pentecostal church that I was directed to. when I desired to learn how to talk in tongues.

3) Other examples are some charismatic movements like the "Toronto Blessing", with "laughing in the spirit" and even crawling around on all fours and barking like dogs, and more recently Todd Bentley's "healing" ministry. As many as 15,000, mostly Christians, attended this evening event, with at least many thousands in addendance every night for months. It was broadcast every night on God TV in full (except the last part of each evening where they intensively shilled for cash). One of Bentley's claims was that he healed an old woman that was standing in front of the stage by "kicking her in the face" with his "biker boot". He was known to lay down on the stage with his whole body vibrating unnaturally, and also had uncontrollable shaking and nodding of the head, as is manifest by the spirit of Kandalini. He also claimed to be in communication with a large apparition that appeared as an angel named Emma.

Eventually his "ministry" crashed and burned in part from an adulterous affair with a coworker. The bible instructs Christians to go to our elders for the laying on of hands for healing. The plural most likely suggested so that no individual can take credit for the work of the Holy Spirit.

4) Regenerate believers with multiple personality disorder sometimes have a host of spirits, some unclean and some demonic, while others operate in the capacity of guardians or protectors, doing their best to maintain order within the community of alternates. In the vast majority of cases these folks were physically or sexually abused at extremely early ages and created an alternate reality as a means of escape. As many as 1 in 100 of us - mostly women -may suffer from MPD. The only indication to the sufferer is that large blocks of time are unaccounted for.

"Shining Man With Hurt Hands", by Ellis Skolfield details his online ministry that has helped many sufferers with MPD, recover their monominds, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Mr Skolfield spent over 8000 hours in online chat with MPDs toward that effort. He worked with one sufferer that had as many as 350 alternate personalities. This is a very emotionally moving book. It offers the reader a view straight into the spirit world. It is available FREE in PDF directly at this link: Shining Man With Hurt Hands

In conclusion, with some folks believing "that man of sin" "opposing" to have been all over and done with in the first century, and others relaxed in the belief that it regards some future someday after they have been removed from earth during a "pre-trib" "rapture", is it any wonder the "church" is blissfully unaware that the "man of sin" may be seated right there within the body of Christ? If you doubt this visit a Oneness Pentecostal church for yourself and count the number of times they "interpret" or "try the spirits" (but be advised not to let anyone lay hands on you).

That "man of sin" "exalteth" (link)

".....and exalteth himself above all that is called God...."

Besides the covert operations of Satan manifest in deceiving spirits that oppose God, what about men that Satan drives through their egos, while convincing them it is "reason"?

5) The motto of the ECUSA is "scripture, tradition, reason". So it shouldn't be a surprise to find that a majority of nicolaitans in their "House of Bishops" "reasoned" their way into ordaining a homosexual divorcee as bishop - who had abandoned the home of his wife and two minor daughters and was shacked up with his boyfriend when ordained - in spite of the requirements for Bishop clearly detailed in scripture. Believing themselves to be wiser than God's Holy Word they went exactly contrary to the minimum qualifications for bishop. Didn't they exalt themselves above "all that is called God"?

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Were they acting as God by ignoring God's Holy Word and instead acting upon their "reason" as if it were the Word of God? ".....he as God sitteth in the temple of God....."

For those who aren't familiar with God's requirements for Bishop they can be found in 1Timothy 3 on this link to the BLB.

It should have been no surprise then, that just as the bishop related scriptures indicate, it seems the ECUSA bishop was prone to the "snare of the devil", as he checked himself in to an alcohol rehab center just a couple of years after his ordination.

While the church has been dead in Europe for some time, the falling away or apostasy has been accelerating in the U.S. since 1948 and our likely entry into Daniel's "time of the end", punctuated by the founding of the socialist World Council of Churches in 1948 which is perhaps best known for spending Church funds to prop up tin-horn dictators and leaders of communist countries that oppress their people, and in particular Christians. Also coincident in the U.S. with entry into the "time of the end" was the Everson decision in 1947 with the so-called "separation of Church and State" (which had only been brought before the courts on two other occasions in the prior 150 years), followed by the McCollum decision in 1948, which ended religious instruction in schools. It is much more difficult to understand the falling away or apostasy, if we understand that the man of sin to be some individual of the past or future, as a result of our failure to understand where expect the "man of sin" to sitteth.

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.

6) As a result of Roman church styled replacement theology or punitive supersessionism, some Christians don't hesitate to proclaim God's judgment on faithful Jews, from whose eyes the Lord may not yet have lifted the "spirit of slumber" (and for some will not lift it until the fullness of the nations comes in), and as a result may not yet recognize Jesus as their Messiah.

You will find no shortage in the Church that will state flat out that Jews are headed to perdition if they don't recognize Jesus is their Messiah. It isn't hard to count two groups in the following:

1Corinthians 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and [that] no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

At worst protestants of my folks generation would have chalked it up as the mystery that it is, since they knew that faithful Jews were God's chosen people, and He had everlasting covenant s with them. But as the Church moved deeper into the falling away, beginning about mid-20th century, things changed. Who on earth has the authority to judge faithful Jews or anybody else?

Romans 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable [are] his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

Has the Christian that proclaimed judgment on our Jewish Brethren "opposeth" by going directly against what we learn from God's Holy Word?

Did he "exalteth himself above all that is called God"? John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

And by so doing "shewing himself that he is God"? (See number 7 for Strong's "to point away from oneself")

Does he take God's place by standing in judgment as God? Has that Christian allowed Satan to sitteth in his temple of God? Does it even occur to the 20th century Church to take an introspective look for the man of sin, or is it too busy picking up a torch and pitchfork, and chasing after some silver screen future boogeyman?

7) When pondering the subject verses, consider a Christian that proudly declares he is a "self-made man", as if Christ were not in the picture.

"that man of sin" "shewing" (link to this spot)

"shewing himself that he is God."

New Testament Greek Definition:

584 apodeiknumi {ap-od-ike'-noo-mee}

from 575 and 1166;; v

AV - approve 1, prove 1, set forth 1, show 1; 4

1) to point away from one's self, to point out, show forth, to

expose to view, exhibit

2) to declare, to show, to prove what kind of person anyone is,

to prove by arguments, demonstrate

When Christians make judgments in regard to other persons, particularly when judging the condition of another person's heart, like Christians that tend to be "wise in your own conceits" regarding our Jewish brethren for example, have we then assumed the role of God, since we cannot know God's judgments? When we judge other persons don't we exalt ourselves above God by so doing? Have we then seated the man of sin in our temple?

Romans 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable [are] his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

The "son of perdition" (link to this spot)

".....that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition....."

When we search "son of perdition ", for an adjacent hermeneutic, we find our subject verse from 2 Thessalonians plus one more:

John 17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

Jesus is speaking about the apostles here, and not having lost any except - the "son of perdition" - Judas Iscariot. The "man of sin" from the verse in our study is also referred to as the "son of perdition". If we are to insist "that man of sin" is to be an individual might it need to be a resurrection of Judas? Or have we previously seen the way "that man of sin" is manifest in men, is something more like a spirit of betrayal that drives them, paralleling what Judas did? Is it a title for men, through whom Satan works, like Judas? Here's what happened to the "son of perdition":

John 13:26 Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped [it]. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave [it] to Judas Iscariot, [the son] of Simon. 27 And Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.

When we sin, don't we betray Jesus, through Satan's influence? We can say that we didn't do it with intent or malice, even perhaps that we lost control, but isn't that just a feeble excuse? Regardless of the temptation we are still responsible for our actions. The result is we still betray Jesus, because we oppose, what we know in our heart He expects of us. What about those who are influenced by Satan to betray Jesus in the corporate "temple of God", particularly as leaders and overseers while doing kingdom business, as in the preceding examples?

In the verse we find that Judas' role was so that scripture might be fulfilled. Did Judas act with malice? Judas betrayed Jesus for money - from greed. Do some that believe themselves to be Christian men - temples of God - betray Jesus for money in today's world? Pulling the fast business deal or making the fast buck at someone else's expense. What about those that clamor for a job working for a Christian brother but then let him down on the job?

Might Judas have betrayed Jesus because he expected minimal consequence? Perhaps figuring Jesus would perform a miracle and get Himself off the hook? Scripture reveals that as soon as Judas saw the real consequences of his betrayal unfolding, he tried to undo the deal, by giving the money back. Then when Judas realized the full gravity of his transgression he hanged himself.

Consider the dishonest business deal, or taking unethical or unfair advantage of a person or group, for money. Might this even be worse than Judas' betrayal, since the party engaging in it fully expects dishonest gain, or he wouldn't have taken that advantage in the first place? This followed by going on to enjoy the spoils - unlike Judas. What about declaring bankruptcy and not repaying those that trusted a person? Or the usury of banks and lending institutions, who intice via advertising and promotion, then impose obscene interest rates in credit card debt onto the backs of the unwary who can least afford it? What about theft of copyrighted material like music?

In a broader sense, Jesus is referred to as the Son of man or Son of God, so who is the puppeteer of the "son of perdition", if not Satan? Who "opposeth" and "exalteth himself" above God more than Satan?

Matthew 4:9 And saith unto him [Jesus], All these things will I [Satan] give thee, if thou [Jesus] wilt fall down and worship me.

That was Satan offering Jesus his own crooked business deal.

a falling away first (Link to this spot)

2Thessalonians 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

"except there come a falling away first"

So the "man of sin" that "sitteth" in the "temple of God", may be revealed through a "falling away" or apostasy from that temple, which is the corporate body of Christ.

Strong's G646 - apostasia

1) a falling away, defection, apostasy

Authorized Version (KJV) Translation Count — Total: 2

AV - to forsake + 575 1, falling away 1

Our most updated resource on the subject of apostasy can be found on the "Falling Away or Apostasy" page at ChristianEschatology.com. From that page:

From Soeren Kern at the Gatestone Institute, with excerpts from his article at this link titled "Muslims Converting Empty European Churches into Mosques":

"Muslims in Europe are increasingly converting empty Christian churches into mosques.

The proliferation of mosques housed in former churches reflects the rise of Islam as the fastest growing religion in post-Christian Europe."

"As Islam replaces Christianity as the dominant religion in Europe, more and more churches are set to become mosques, which increasingly serve not only as religious institutions but also function as the foundational political building blocks for the establishment of separate, parallel Muslim communities in Europe that are based on Islamic Sharia law."

In the 1950s women wore head coverings in church, as they had for over 1900 years, but where are those head coverings today? How many churches in which "tongues" are spoken typically have "another" person interpreting the tongues? Are those tongues for the benefit of non-believers or little more than recreation for believers? How often are those spirits tried or tested, when they are giving utterance, to know whether they are of God? Did apostasy accelerate as a result of the "church" ignoring ordinances? A good read on this subject is "Demons in the Church", by Ellis Skolfield, available free online at this link to IsraelinBibleProphecy.com.

As we moved into Daniel's "time of the end", 1948 heralded the founding of the ecumenical anti-Israel World Council of Churches, which champions socialism and communism. The year 1947 heralded the Everson decision, or so-called "separation of church and state", when the U.S. divorced herself from God. Prior to that time any question of our country's having been founded in God, who is recognized as the source of our rights, had only been brought before the court on two occasions in the prior 150 years ("Original Intent" - Barton). Close on the heels of Everson came McCollum in 1948 which ended religious instruction in school.

Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

In the Olivet Discourse, as Jesus paints a miniature picture of the Christian era, we may find this apostasy referenced as a darkening of the Sun (Malachi 4:2) and stars falling (Revelation 1:20). Today part of the Presbyterian Church has been ordaining women and homosexuals for quite some time, and their anti-Israel leaders being duped by Islamic taqiyyah into meeting with the leaders of Hezbollah, the internationally recognized Islamic terrorist organization.

This part of the Presbyterian Church has also divested of Israeli assets, and were followed by the World Council of Churches and United Church of Christ, while the New England Conference of the United Methodist Church urged divestment. Others that have at least been compelled to vote on doing so include the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the United Methodist Church, with the Episcopal Church sticking its nose in by supporting “a negotiated two-state solution”, and so-called “positive investment” rather than divestment, which might result in little more than funneling funds to "Palistinian" terrorists, which are the government of Gaza. Who else fruits the tree, of those that reject that the return of Jews to Israel, is of the Lord?

Consider also the ECUSA ordaining women and homosexuals as bishops that considered divestment as well.

Life a half-century ago (anecdotal for young people, no need to spend time on this section)

When I was growing up in a middle class urban neighborhood, on the northwest side of Detroit, parents worked hard to put food on the table and support their families. Women still wore head coverings in church, and girls, "babushkas". Phony money had not yet become quite so phony, and my dad bought our first house for $6,000 cash, by saving up for it. Socializing in the form of "partying", was far less common than today, except perhaps punch and cookies in fellowship with one's faith based community. Folks might take a stroll and visit with neighbors up and down the block on a warm summer evening, and kids could be seen visiting with a neighboring widow, enticed by the prospect of fresh baked cookies.

The middle class was so large it seemed like the whole world was in it. Norman Rockwell was painting images of our American landscape that graced the cover of the Saturday Evening Post, which must surely look like works of fiction to today's youth, except perhaps those that are home-schooled by conservative parents and live out in the country without TV. Everybody whether Christian or Jew, and even the secular community, did their best to at least appear to be decent upright members of society regardless of their economic situation. The black community was fiercely family oriented. Leave it to Beaver was a prime-time show that taught kids valuable life lessons - particularly in homes where the parents were not well equipped with parenting skills - by exploring issues and circumstances that might arise in a child's everyday life. It warmed the hearts of both young and old alike.

Today's prime time is characterized by American Idol through which the world idolizes indivudual performers. Athletes, both active and retired, are also idolized. Other idols might include the next door neighbor's house, car, vacation home or yacht.

Church attendance is down in many denominations, exampled by the Episcopal Church, after having ordained a homosexual priest as a bishop. Churches in Europe have been dead for decades with hundreds being converted into Mosques. Churches in the U.S. are also being sold and leased out for use as mosques. Religious "practice" for some that describe themselves as Christians, rather than being described by a dynamic relationship with our Creator, is limited to shuffling into Church on Sunday or perhaps just on Christmas and/or Easter and living of the world the rest of the time.

Our now secular Federal Government imposes itself on states while demanding that the Ten Commandments be removed from courthouses and other public displays of relationship with our Creator banned, while some "Christians" approve of abortion on demand and kick back in Lazy-Boy chairs watching Desperate Housewives, while believing a falling away to have been in the past or reserved for the future - when the church would seem to be in the heat of apostasy today. Many may not be able to see the "man of sin" - the "son of perdition" - setting up shop right there in their temple from having been rendered blind by unsound 19th centu ry pop-eschatology.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

More on Trying Spirits (link to this spot)

Pick up a book like "Bruchko" regarding Bruce Olson's evangelization of tribes in the heart of a South American jungle, and you can read an account in which one tribe evangelized another tribe - while Bruce was out of the area briefly - without even knowing a word of the others language. While a gift of the Spirit, Christians need to be vigilant regarding unclean spirits which is why we are commanded to try or test the spirits by asking the spirit when it is giving utterance - not the person - to confess that Jesus Christ IS come in the flesh. An atheist, Muslim, or evil spirit, can readily confess that Jesus Christ did, has, or was, come in the flesh, simply because it is a widely recognized historical fact. A person can also be deceived or lie. If a spirit that's being tried seems to be elusive and says something like "Jesus Christ did come in the flesh", or "I am he", try asking "Are you the Holy Spirit of God the Father who sent His Son Jesus Christ, who was crucified died and was buried, and was resurrected in the flesh, and ascended into Heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father?" For example, after being tried with that, one unclean spirit replied with a loud guttural "Nooooo" and the afflicted parishioner fell writhing on the floor with limbs all curled up in spastic convulsion. Delivering folks from unclean spirits and demons needs to be done by someone who is called to do it, through proper procedure, not only in regard to how to cast out spirits but where to then send the spirits once the person is delivered. The book "Bondage Breaker" by Neil Anderson is a good place to get some education, as he has delivered hundreds of Christians.

In Conclusion (link to this spot)

The "man of sin" as discussed here may be inconsistent with what preterism and futurism teach, even as the verses that describe the location of the temple of God, are not open to interpretation. The preceding is, however, easily recognized through present day reality and the traditional historicist approach to prophecy. Simply watch this video and decide if you believe it describes: Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what [is] good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

Wouldn't Satan prefer that we believed "that man of sin" was all over and done with in the first century (preterism) or was about some future someday (futurism) rather than Christians trying the spirits, obeying church ordinances, and practicing good housekeeping in the "temple of God"? 1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits.....

The enemy is attacking the Church whether we wish to believe it or not. Please review Revelation Chapter 2-3. All the "overcommeth"ing is about overcoming unsound doctrine, not Satan, except as he is the author of it. Again, read "Bondage Breaker" by Neil Anderson, or "Shining Man With Hurt Hands" by Ellis Skolfield free online at the prior link.

(link to next page on antichrist)

Other Skolfield papers:

By ministry partner:

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

"God is truth, so how well a person serves the Lord is not dependent on how artfully he can defend his doctrines, but on his willingness to seek out and follow the truth." - Ellis Skolfield.