II Thessalonians 2:5-12 Antinomianism Is Apostasy.
The word used for sin above can also be rendered lawlessness-the man of sin is the man of lawlessness, the son of perdition. Paul reminded his readers that he had already told them about the coming of the Day of the Lord which would be a time of judgment which would arrive unexpectedly for many (v. 5 Cf. I Th. 5:1-11). This son of perdition would be “revealed in his own time” (v. 6). However, the mystery of lawlessness was still at work. What restrains him is both impersonal and a person (vv. 6-7). Paul may very well have in mind both the Roman state and emperor. This one will ultimately face judgment (v. 8). One thing is certain-sin is lawlessness, which is also “the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders” (v. 9). Essentially, to deny the continuing validity of God’s law is Satanic. Only those who love the truth will be saved. To love the truth is to love God’s law. Lawlessness is taking pleasure in unrighteousness (vv. 10-12). The church has spent so much time and energy debating who the man of sin is that she has missed the main point here-that the denial of the continuing validity of God’s law is the essence of apostasy.
