The Open Scroll

What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!'
Mark 13:37

The Sign for the Bride - Part 1

Home > Beyond the Veil > There Will be Signs

Part 1 | Part 2) | Part 3

Perhaps you believe there is no sign for the church, or, perhaps you subscribe to the interpretation that the sign for the church is its own decline into apostasy. There are some facts you may not have taken into consideration, most of which are not widely known, or, if they are known, aren't often presented in this context. Because of how significant this event is in the big picture of prophetic fulfillment I count this study among the most important on this Web site! If for some of you this study seems to be slow getting to the point, hang in there, because there's a treasure-trove of complementary truths that must be brought to light before this priceless gem can be seen for what it really is.

Although there are many signs of the nearness of our Lord's coming, there is one in particular that has been declared in the scriptures to be "The" sign. What is it? The short answer is that it is the revealing of the lawless one declared in II Thessalonians chapter 2. It is the baptism of a man that will be attended by supernatural phenomena. After this event he will have a grant of spiritual authority and do supernatural works. The fruit of this work is delusion. He will be worshiped as deity so this event will be seen as his deification. Although this sign is for the church it is most particularly for the Bride, since the rest of the church won't yet understand.

So far as signs go, there are many kinds appointed for our instruction as the age comes to a close. There are signs in the heavens and signs in the earth; events like the signing of a covenant with the many, the renewal of animal sacrifice and offering officiated by a priesthood and the construction of another temple. However, there is only one declared in scripture that stands out from all others. Sure, these other kinds of signs will be recognized by the wise for what they are, but they are not The sign.

This is my story about how I came into this particular insight. For several years I had been under the impression that the Church would be “raptured” without warning. So far as I knew, no sign was going to be given to allow us to gauge the nearness of our Lord's coming. This theory seemed to work well enough until I reached a certain point in the Lord's personal curriculum. He had begun teaching me about the close of this present age. I had been enjoying a season of uninterrupted success at being led by the Revealer of Secrets into a passage and finding its secrets unraveled. Until, that is, I found myself at II Thessalonians chapter 2. Each time I came to it, I knew what I was taught about it was wrong but I had no clue what it really meant or how to tackle it. I just didn't have the tools. Since His direction wasn't immediately forthcoming as with other passages I would just move on to another passage; because I didn't want to get bogged down. I found myself being returned to 2 Thessalonians 2 over and over until I became aware He had me stuck in loop - a loop that was getting pretty short. Somewhat confused by this, I shut down the computer and retired from my study to consider this curious situation. As I recall, it was a day or so before it dawned on me. The Lord knew I didn't have what it took, and, as I prayed and explained that to Him, I felt His prompting to join Him at the computer because He was quite aware of that fact and He was going to help me! Duh! Like He hadn't already been helping. Silly me! I was ready to accept His leading in this, to break ground where I hadn't yet dared or had confidence to break ground! I just needed more tools and a bigger toolbox!

A Bigger Toolbox

The difficulty in understanding the passage in II Thessalonians is primarily due to the fact that it is cloaked, spiritually. Actually, it's not difficult, but rather impossible to understand the intended message unless the Lord opens the eyes and ears. Because it is hidden, the translation from the Greek has suffered at the hands of the translators. Translation between two languages requires a degree of interpretation and the interpretation of such a passage as this demands insight. I'm going to address the translation issue, and, although the meaning of the passage has become quite clear to some of us, the Lord himself must open your eyes before you can see it.

The passage opens with a section that seems to be translated well enough, but yet I had quite a struggle with it because I had been subject to erroneous teaching. As you know, when you're taught to think a particular way about certain combinations of words, the acquired mental habits are hard to change. Every time you read or hear the familiar words, the familiar teaching leaps into your mind. I personally had to learn to read it "new," over and over again before I broke out of my former habit of thinking - and you might need to do that too.

The passage begins:

When Paul wrote of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, he wrote about one event within a particular context, not about two distinct events. The coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is simply the broader context within which our being gathered to him will occur.

The following is one view of such an ingathering.

When I write of a harvest or ingathering I must clarify that there are three phases of harvest for the entity called the church, according to the Lord's harvest calendar. Each division will be gathered to the Lord in sequence. There are several other studies on this site with various kinds of documentation of this truth. It has come to my attention that Perry Stone has recently begun to teach this same truth based upon what the Lord revealed to him. These harvests are like unto the barley, wheat and grape and will all occur during the coming of our Lord Jesus.

1. The Bride
2. Those who wash their robes and make them white in the blood of the Lamb
3. The remainder who soil and refuse to wash their robes

Now, when in verse 2 Paul uses the expression "the day of the Lord," he refers broadly to the Sabbath millennium but more specifically to what he referenced earlier; our being gathered to him. In verse 3 he mentions "that day," referring to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in the day of the Lord when we will be gathered to him. Again, precisely when that is depends on our individual status. According to 1 Corinthians 15:22-23 each of us will go in turn, in that particular harvest to which we attain. It is based upon worthiness.

When we read, "that day will not come until," it's plain that none of these three harvests are going to come until AFTER what's about to be described. So, whatever is going to be described precedes the first harvest. It is thus a sign that none of the ingathering harvests have yet come to pass. After the sign is brought forth, then and only then should we expect the harvests!

Now, of what use is a sign like that if our gathering to Him follows afterward by a lengthy span of time? The sign is to be an indication of a harvest's near approach, as confirmed by a number of antitypical patterns described elsewhere on this site.

Here is a key question: How much confidence can we have in a sign if it is vague or disputable? Not much, right? If one can have the confidence to refute even a prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from the highest appointed authority in the church in the absence of the sign, we must be able to have a very high degree of confidence in our ability to recognize it for what it is in truth. It is clear, then that we should know what to expect! We must be able to know in advance of the sign enough about it to be really sure it hasn't happened yet! And then, when such a sign does happen, you can bet your life it will be recognized for what it is!

Let's read verse 3 again.

So, the message that there will be no ingathering until after this sign occurs should now be powerfully evident. First comes a sign, then the event signified. When the warning that begins the verse is considered, "Don't let anyone deceive you in any way," you can be certain most will be deceived, and, it is a fact that many have been about even such a simple thing as this crucial sequence!

Ok, with all that said, now let's begin to get into the meat of it. Regarding verse 3, whatever it is that the NIV refers to here as "rebellion" [Greek: “apostasia”] is one and the same as the revealing of the man of lawlessness. One single thing is in view and not two. If I were to say, "We will not take the train until the accident happens and the car is wrecked," it's obvious the car is wrecked in the accident and not some time after. This is how to understand verse 3, which declares the revealing of the man of lawlessness doesn't follow the “apostasia” in time but rather these are one and the same.

While it may be you learned it differently there's no scriptural basis to suggest otherwise. Have you accepted the mainstream teaching that rebellion or falling away or apostasy refers to a movement in the church where many defect from or depart from the faith?. You will soon see, if you remain a willing student at the Lord's feet, that an honest interpretation of the Greek word “apostasia” that takes its literal meaning and exact context into account shows it has everything to do with the revealing of the man of lawlessness but yet nothing to do with rebellion or with any kind of trend of the church! “Apostasia” literally means "standing away from." That's it! That's all it means! Now, the English word “apostasy” is derived from the Greek word “apostasia.” This English word means "the abandonment or renunciation of religious faith," but it will soon become apparent to you that, as odd as it might seem now, the very meaning of the English derivative has come from an misunderstanding of 2 Thessalonians 2:3! “Apostasia” simply means "standing away from." Whatever it is that might be standing away from what other thing must be gleaned from the context.

Now, please understand, I'm not denying that the church has apostatized or departed from the purity of the faith delivered to the first Apostles. In truth, we should acknowledge the biblical declaration of this condition, that it has been thus for a very long time, really, since the season of the latter chapters of the book of Acts! The church has become as pictured in Matthew 13; It is Mystery Babylon and that means a confused mixture of truth and error - clearly apostate. Yet, neither the condition of the church nor any trend associated with it can honestly be connected to this sign for the Bride.

Because so many have been deceived on this point, let's digress slightly to address how this word “apostasia” has become associated with the abandonment or renunciation of religious faith. There is another place this word is used in the Bible and it appears this was drawn upon for the translation effort in 2 Thessalonians 2. The other occurrence of the exact form of the word “apostasia” is in Acts 2, where it is translated as “forsake.”

There is one slightly different form of the word, used three times. The word is Strong's #647 apostasion {ap-os-tas'-ee-on} 1) divorce, repudiation 2) a bill of divorce.

The word “apostasia” has the meaning of “standing away from,” describing a relationship between two entities. From the context of biblical usage we see that it indicates a condition of separation by some distance. Entities that had once been together, joined or closely associated in some way become in some way separated from each other. One is then standing away from the other. What things are separated must be derived solely from the context of the use of the word because there is nothing implicit in the word to suggest anything beyond their positional relationship.

Consider the simple logic in this argument against apostasy as a sign. The degree to which apostasy might exist and thus become a sign is subjective and thus a disputable matter. How can messages asserted to be from authoritative sources be refuted by judgments about the degree of apostasy of the corporate church? That's absurd, when you really think about it. Knowing the history of the church and how it so rapidly fell into decline and corruption in spite of the diligent effort put forth by the early day apostles to establish and maintain its purity, would you have argued at any time against a charge that the church had already fallen into a deplorable condition of apostasy? And, if it had so early reached such a degree of apostasy, how could such an argument possibly convince any who remain at such a time as this? An apostasy sign is no sign at all, and to suggest that it is renders the message of 2 Thessalonians 2 impotent. The truth, friends, is that it is viable, potent, powerfully relevant and a necessary guard against deception!

With that said, let's continue learning about the coming sign for the church. What is it that will be standing away, and, away from what it will be standing? It would have been a simple matter for the author of the scriptures to include that information right here in the verse, but He didn't. It's a riddle!

It's necessary to get a bit technical, to consider the mechanics of language and figures of speech. In ordinary literature and speech, it is common to communicate with required elements of language missing, using a figure that has been called Ellipsis - omission. Without giving it a second thought, when we come upon such a figure we simply furnish the missing element based on our knowledge of the context. However, if our knowledge of the context is incomplete, our interpretation may be flawed. When a communication comes from God, we can make certain assumptions about the use of Ellipsis. It is used with specific intent and is always perfectly executed. Agreed? By means of such a figure of speech, the Author omits certain information and places it elsewhere. This is one means of encrypting a secret message, if you will, of concealing the meaning. This is what He has done with regard to "apostasia." This is a message of such consequence that it needed to be secured! We can infer from how this is done is that He intends the message to be understood with a very high degree of confidence! (Luke 8:17) So, how do we correctly and confidently find the displaced elements and discover the meaning of this valuable message?

As I mentioned earlier in this study, this passage in 2 Thessalonians 2 was like an obstacle I just couldn't get around. The Lord showed me how to deal with it by teaching me a special way to look at context. I'm not the only one to know about this interpretive tool but what little I knew about it beforehand was wholly inadequate. The technique I learned was to discern and analyze the thematic patterns of the biblical text. I had seen examples of such structure in Bullinger's work - the Companion Bible - but had never considered the possibility that it might be the aid to interpretation it truly is. When we're able to discern the thematic structure of the passage, we may then say that we understand the context, and, on that basis, we can properly identify the displaced linguistic elements! What an awesome tool for mining truth from the depth of the Bible!

Here's the phenomenon, in brief. When a passage's themes are examined closely they are found to flow naturally in an orderly fashion, with balance and symmetry. Themes are repeated, creating matched pairs and sets. The matching elements may be compared in their points of agreement or contrast, which, at times, brings to light certain matters that wouldn't otherwise be discovered. The information missing in one element may often be found in its companion element or elements. This is the tool the Lord added to my growing toolbox. This is what I needed to know to begin to understand the sign for the Bride!

Now, what follows is an interactive exhibit of the passage under study. (If you haven't yet seen this animated presentation about the beautifully simple fourth day of creation, you may find it a helpful complement. Encoded messages Found in the Bible's Literary Structure.)

As you study using this tool, try to find all eleven comment windows. Please take as much time as you need to become familiar and comfortable with it.

When you're ready, we're going to focus our attention on the elements you see highlighted below. A consideration of the passage's structure reveals that the theme they hold in common is less apparent than in the other pairings. This naturally draws our attention, inviting us to make a diligent search to discover the common theme. What is the more hidden is of the greater value.

These elements afford us a view of the spiritual reality and dynamic behind the revealing of the lawless one. We are assured by our analysis of the thematic structure, by our concise grasp of the context, that the Author has linked and locked these two elements together. What we have is like a mathematical equation that says A is equal to B. We may compare one side to the other. Now we know where to find help solving the "apostasia" riddle! We simply look to the companion element to supply what was omitted!

When I first compared these companion texts I could tell there was more research to be done but the big first step in the process had been accomplished. The rest of the pieces of the puzzle came together without delay as the Lord led me to build a foundation of essential insights about the lawless one, the secret power of lawlessness and the matter of revealing. We will return to address the translation and the meaning after we have acquired the appropriate background.

The Lawless One and the Anti-Anointing

Verse 4 tells us that this man of lawlessness is doomed to destruction and that he will be the one who sets himself up in God's temple proclaiming himself to be God. This is the man of Daniel 9:27 and Matthew 24:15. The man of lawlessness is a term that describes the false and counterfeit messiah to come who is given such authority that he seems above law, a law unto himself. He will be as a rod for chastising the Lord's people, a refiner's fire to purify them as metal. He is seen extensively throughout the Bible in typology. Found in the book of Revelation as the Beast seen coming out of the sea, he is known in Daniel as the little horn, a stern faced king, the ruler who will come, and the desolater. In Judges 9 he is the bramble, in Micah 7 the great and their best one as a briar, the most upright like a thorn hedge. In Isaiah, the Assyrian, in Zechariah, the foolish and worthless shepherd. Psalm 92 pictures him as the senseless man, and Job 15 as the wicked man. He's also the embodiment of what is called the serpent's offspring in Genesis 3:15. There have been many men throughout history foreshadowing this man. The Egyptian Pharaoh who would not let the people of Israel go was a type, as was the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel chapter 3. Haman in the book of Esther and Goliath the Philistine are also prophetic profiles of this man. Judas Iscariot, Antiochus Epiphanes, Caesar, Herod, Nero, Napoleon and even Hitler foreshadowed the wicked one to come. There is no lack of biblical and historical evidence to sketch a fore view of this man we know in II Thessalonians as the lawless one. Most commonly today, a term introduced through the Apostle John is used to refer to this character - Antichrist - yet this is not technically correct. The term applies more particularly to the spiritual than the physical.

A good definition of the Greek prefix "anti" comes from Webster's definition 1 a: “of the same kind but situated opposite, exerting energy in the opposite direction, or pursuing an opposite policy ” This establishes the purpose or effect of antichrist. To be "of-the-same-kind" indicates one characterized by this spirit will be Christ-like in his attributes and activities. An antichrist is therefore like Christ yet opposing and imitating as a counterfeit, an impersonator or impostor. The words "christ" and "messiah" mean “anointed.” The ultimate manifestation or embodiment of “anointed” was and is in a man, and so shall it be with “anti-anointed” or “anti-christ.” This anti-messiah will be a man I most frequently refer to as the lawless one. The spirit of antichrist as the Unholy Spirit will indwell this man as the Holy Spirit indwelled our Lord.

The translation of, "This is the spirit of the antichrist," is more literally, "and this is that of the antichrist." Why have the translators added the word "spirit"? By Ellipsis, they furnished the word from the context. Correctly? Yes. While you're looking at the context, make note that the spirit of antichrist is not an attitude or mood; not something akin to “team spirit” or “the spirit of 1776.” The context reveals that the spirits are supernatural beings - angels or demons. The beings connected with the antichrist are demons. Demons can and do possess people, indwelling them, causing them to bend to their will and take on their characteristic demonic attributes. An antichrist is a man with whom antichrist demons reside and who takes on their nature. The nature of this spirit is to deny that Jesus is from God, as seen in 1 John 2. In 2 John 1:7, an antichrist is shown to be a deceiver who does not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. The power of antichrist is a spirit of antichrist, a spiritual power, a demonic entity. It is the counterpart to the holy spirit, the antithesis of the spirit of Christ, the pneuma christos. (Romans 8:9 and I Peter 1:11) The demonic forces who have that "antichrist" nature or function are those spoken of by the Apostle John. The man who is soon to be revealed as the lawless one will have what might be considered their “5 star general,” or, “commander in chief,” the full force he represents in residence.

After the pattern of the genuine Christ, there must be a man with a body of flesh that will be in relationship to this antichrist as a host. He was bred for this destiny, genetically groomed and therefore having to the highest degree possible what might be considered as the body and blood and the soul life of his father the devil. This man will fully embrace the indwelling of the antichrist.^#1 This host arrangement will bring forth a concrete physical manifestation of Satan's power and presence in the earth!

John's declaration in the following verse echoes Paul's from 2 Thessalonians. In its proper context and application, we should see that the coming of antichrist will be the sign that it is the last hour!

As I stated earlier, this sign is to be an indication of a harvest's near approach, that it is the last hour.

The second chapter of 1 John holds many parallels to 2 Thessalonians 2 - you may want to become very familiar with it.

Baptism Reveals

We must expect certain similarities between the antichrist and the Christ, points of comparison that from certain perspectives have little difference between them. The most obvious point of comparison is the anointing due to the use of the word in the common descriptive anti- anointing or christ. It should be no surprise that the genuine was anointed when he was baptized. Now, you may not have paid much attention to this particular feature, but, the baptism of John was actually a sign, an event that revealed! The sign that is the revealing of the lawless one will be his baptism - the event at which he will be anointed!

John 1:31 records John the Baptist's declaration.

Baptism is for the purpose of revealing! It makes manifest the one baptized - it is a sign!

Now, consider this: The identity of Jesus became known to John personally as he testified in the verses that follow his declaration of verse 31.

So, the identity of the one upon whom the spirit came became known to John at his baptism, and, John's baptizing with water revealed their Messiah to Israel. Could it be more plain? Just as the Messiah was revealed by baptism, in like manner will the antiMessiah be revealed! At his baptism, Jesus was anointed with the spirit coming down from heaven. It was at that time Y'shua became in reality the anointed one, the Christ - HaMashiach. This is the pattern for the coming impostor.

Just as there was supernatural phenomena attending the baptism of the true God's son, so will it be at the baptism of the false god's son. When our Lord was baptized there were supernatural manifestations of kinds both visible and audible. The spirit was seen descending like a dove and remaining upon the one being baptized. A voice from heaven was heard announcing the relationship of the One baptized to the One speaking and further declaring His love and approval.

Following that, verse 23 states, "When He began His ministry, Jesus Himself was about thirty years of age..." Thus, the beginning of the ministry is marked at the anointing. The supernatural anointing empowers the man to minister supernaturally. As it was with the Messiah, so it will be with the antiMessiah.

Beyond the event that is the baptism, what will further establish this lawless one's identity is the fruit of his ministry as he exercises his newly acquired authority, and, of course, for those who can hear it, the testimony borne by those who are committed to the truth even unto death.

A counterfeit is recognized as such by way of intimate familiarity with the genuine. I've addressed the genuine baptism event very thoroughly in the "Beyond the Veil" Appendix called Baptism - The Prophecy. Here's what is most pertinent.

There are three distinct entities directly involved in the event that can be thought of as the giver of a gift, the recipient and the gift itself. Yes, these are commonly known as Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Jesus is seen in the account as the recipient of the spirit that descended upon him. The spirit is the gift from his Father, whose voice came from heaven. This was an anointing of holy spirit, authenticating, authorizing and empowering Jesus. From that time forward, his ministry began to be punctuated with many notable miracles.

This baptism revealed Jesus' identity and was thus a sign. The sign that will reveal the counterfeit follows that pattern. There will be a baptism, an anointing involving three entities. A spiritual gift will be given to a man from his “father.” The gift is UN-holy, the spirit of antichrist, the counterpart to the holy spirit, given by the devil to his “son.” The demonic spiritual power antichrist will empower the man's ministry at that time, the fruit of which will reveal him as the man of lawlessness. Just as the baptism of the holy Anointed one revealed him, the baptism of the unholy anointed one will reveal him. This is the sign for the Bride!

Before we return to 2 Thessalonians there is yet a little more background to cover.

Concerning the antichrist demonic power that will indwell this man, we must know where it is and what it is doing. As we read earlier in 1 John 4:3, "This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world." It is already in the world (kosmos) and is also said to be coming, so there is appointed a change in influence, authority or realm of abiding.

The word “kosmos” has a broad range of usage. In the very relevant second chapter of 1 John it is used six times in three verses.

The antichrist is already in the kosmos by way of influence and by way of inhabiting the assigned realm in the present time. The spirit of antichrist against which we struggle is currently active among spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

When John wrote that it is coming, he wrote of such a time when its influence, authority and realm of residence would change at the revealing of the lawless one. For now, the demonic entity referred to as antichrist is in a state or season of preparation; the coming change awaits the proper time and conditions. It is “waiting in the wings,” so to speak, until it is brought center stage and the curtain goes up on this act in the drama of Satan's grand offensive.

Another relevant piece of information concerns where the man will come from. I'm not going to address a physical location or genealogy yet, but, rather that he will arise from association with the church, established in the following verse.

The antichrist host will have been accounted as a member of the church though not truly belonging, just as Judas Iscariot was accounted as one of the 12 yet did not belong to the others. Here are the verses that follow the one above.

In verse 20 (as well as 27) the word “anointing” is used because factors as a primary issue in the context of the antichrist.

The final piece of information I want to establish before we return to 2 Thessalonians 2 concerns who has authority over the antichrist in matters of timing, etc. I'm getting ahead of myself here a bit, but in the Judas Iscariot pattern, the revealing began at what we call the last supper. From John's gospel record, we read the relevant verses from chapter 13.

First, Judas was prompted by the devil, but he wasn't released until Jesus gave him the bread he dipped and gave him command. The point? Our Lord has the authority in this matter of the baptism of the lawless one.

Returning to II Thessalonians...

Now, the essential foundation has been laid upon which to build in 2 Thessalonians 2.

As a reminder, these two elements match by means of their location in the structure of the passage. They expand upon the revealing of the lawless one as the sign for the church.

Numerous poor translations mark verses 6 and 7 for the same reason “apostasia” was poorly translated; poorly supplied ellipsis due to a failure to understand the meaning. I'll address translation issues first and then offer an expanded version of the passage.

The pronoun “him”in the phrase “holding him back” was supplied by ellipsis. Similar, but not identical to the word from which “holds it back” is translated, it literally means “holds back or restrains.” The expression “secret power of lawlessness” has had the word “power” supplied by ellipsis; the expression being more literally “secret of,” or, “mystery of lawlessness.” The phrase “taken out of the way” is literally “gone from among.”

Here's how the Newberry interlinear renders it. And now that which restrains ye know for him to be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already working; only [there is] he who restrains at present until out of [the] midst he be [gone]. The literal is pretty difficult to understand. Given the background of information I've assembled so far, you should have a pretty good idea about how an interpreted version might read. And now you know that which restrains the man of lawlessness from being revealed until his appointed time (It is Jesus who wields the authority and awaits the appointed time when all the elements are perfectly prepared. John 13:27), for the mystery of lawlessness (the spirit of the antichrist and attending demonic influence) is already working. (in its presently assigned heavenly realm, exerting influence in the world to the extent of its presently appointed limits) Now, what about the balance of it? Here is where we require the continued benefit of having discerned the structure of the passage!

We know these elements match because analysis of the structure reveals it plainly. What is left for us is to identify the common theme. Both elements in the pair exhibit ellipsis where the missing pieces seem to be the same on either side of the equation. On the one side we have Newberry's literally interpreted phrase “unless shall have come the standing away from (apostasia) first,” and, on the other side, “until out of midst he be.” Here is the link. The “unless...first” and the “until” are equivalent, right? the “standing away from” and the “out of the midst he be” are also equivalent. These describe the baptism event that reveals the lawless one, the event with three entities involved. The action involves the giving of a gift from the father to the son. I see the description from two perspectives - the spiritual and the material. First, from the spiritual perspective: When the demonic counterpart to that which was seen descending like a dove upon the Son of God departs from wherever it had been, it is obvious that it will no longer be where it had been. It will have come to the condition of positionally “standing away from” its former abode. This former abode was a place Ephesians 6:13 called “the heavenlies.” This is the “apostasia,” the “standing away from.” A literal of 2 Thessalonians 2:3 can be rendered as: “...unless shall have come the standing-away-from first and shall have been revealed the man of lawlessness." From 2 Thessalonians 2:7-8, Newberry's literal (excluding the suggested ellipsis furnishing) reads, “...until out of midst he be, and then will be revealed the lawless.” (not “then” as in afterward but rather “then” - with the result that.) The demonic power antichrist will have been restrained within certain limits, abiding with “father Satan” in the midst of the other demons in some assigned realm. At the appointed time, when no longer restrained by the Anointed Son of God who alone has been granted the authority - “from out of the midst he be” - he is - he becomes! He, the one appointed to become the lawless one is anointed with this gifting of unholy antichrist spirit and is thereby revealed in this baptism event as the lawless one! At last - the big debut!

And so goes the interpretation of a difficult but key passage, one that relates information of inestimable value about the sign for the Bride. The difficult phrases that compose the paired elements whose common theme is hidden and whose meanings have been the subject of much debate and controversy provide us with crucial insight into the spiritual realities of the revelation event. The revealing of the lawless one takes place when the man is anointed with power and authority at his baptism. The man groomed for this particular destiny and who willingly accepts it will thus be identified as the lawless one to the watchful among the church who are the Bride and to the 144k sons of Israel, but the attendant deception unleashed will mask his true identity from all but the very elect. He will be hungrily received by the world as their own! The unveiling of his identity to those who are alert and watching is given in part for us to know that our present trouble and abode in the flesh is about to pass away. Following this signal event, the Lord will shortly gather his Bride to himself, stealing her away in the night! But this is not the cue for a going-away party filled with irresponsible merriment, for that is not the way of the Bride. She will understand what the sign portends and will joyfully express the character of her love, sounding the alarm, alerting all who will hear about the deception that will have just broken forth.

Views From the Revelation to John

The Papal AntiBaptizer

When I previously discussed the three entities involved in baptism there was actually a fourth that I'd now like to address; the counterpart to John the baptizer. As John was well known to be the true prophet his counterpart is one referred to as the false prophet. (See Who is Pope Benedict XVI?) He really needs to be brought out of the shadows at this point because he appears prominently in the prophetic scenarios that are about to be presented.

There are prophetic views in the Book of Revelation of the baptism that I'd like to present for confirmation and further insight as the scroll of the book continues to open and we see further beyond the veil. All the elements of the baptism as they have been presented to you are evident.

Here is a snapshot of the sign to the Bride being followed by the Bride Theft.

The dragon is “father Satan.” The beast (who came out of the sea) is the lawless son. The false prophet is anti-John-the-Baptizer. The three unclean spirits are that spirit of antichrist that goes out through their lies, now performing signs and fulfilling the appointed mission. Another feature common to both the true and false Messiahs is in view here. After baptism the disciples are assembled. (John 1)

Here is another snapshot - a very important one!

Recall from John 21 when Y'shua stood on the shore and someone else was seen emerging from the sea? It was all about resurrection. Death and resurrection is what baptism pictures. The beast coming up out of the sea is a baptism and resurrection symbol. The anointing occurs when the one baptized comes up out of the water. This is when the dragon-father-Satan gives the gift of Un-Holy Spirit to the beast-son, giving him his power and his throne and great authority.

The resurrection numbered third verse caps it off as a resurrection sign. The whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast because this event that is also a sign to the world and worldly will come forth in an exhibition of supernatural power. It won't be a genuine resurrection event, as we see the head appointed for this aspect of the sign is seen "as if it had been slain," which is to say it was not actually slain and therefore in reality dead. The event is a faking and masquerading, yes, accompanied by signs and wonders, but lying signs and wonders, plenty convincing enough for most folks to take the flashy bait and swallow the barbed hook.

Let's take a moment to explore the matter of "coming out of the sea" a little further.

The sea holds dead people that are different from the dead that come out of death and Hades. The kind of people in the sea are dead in one way but not another. They lack eternal spiritual life but yet have the temporal body-animating life that is a “death life.” They are the “sea of humanity.” This kind of temporal flesh life is what Y'shua had, and when he was immersed by John in the waters of the Jordan it was fully his. When Y'shua came up out of the water, He received the anointing and had the seal of new life that is life eternal. When the beast is seen coming out of the sea, it is after this same pattern. This is the unveiling revelation - the sign. Consider also how coming out of the sea separates the beast from the others who remain in the sea. As he arises out of the sea it is such that, as on the spiritual plane, so it is on the physical; “out of the midst he be”!

The passage continues the post-baptism account relating another version of what should be a familiar story. (told in The Night of Seven Watches studies)

Immediately following that passage comes another view of the false prophet, pictured as a second beast coming up out of the earth. He is an anti-John-the-Baptizer. This papal beast will exercise High Priest authority. (v-12) As John the Baptizer was an Elijah figure, and, it was Elijah who called down fire from Heaven, so it is that we see this antiElijah the false prophet in verse 13. As John the Baptizer directed worship to the one baptized, so it will be with this second beast in verses 14ff. (See Who is Pope Benedict XVI? for more insight)

This view of the revelation of the lawless one in the thirteenth chapter of Revelation follows one from the twelfth. You can look this chapter up yourself and see that, now, the woman is a particular faction of Israel who parallels Jacob going to Goshen for protection in Genesis 46. The son brought forth is Y'shua, and from another perspective those pattern sons after His kind. In one perspective the son is the pattern son Bride, brought forth out of the side of the body of the last Adam and truly being born from the labor of Israel the cultivated olive tree. But this son is also the 144k sons of Israel. The celestial sign attending the revelation of the lawless one will be the red dragon sign. When the ancient dragon is hurled to the earth and his angels with him, this pictures the change of abode seen in II Thessalonians 2:7. This all marks the beginning of the three and a half years of great tribulation spanning from year 2.5 to year 6 of the week. The 1260 days of verse 6 begin at the time of the Bride Theft, for which the revelation of the lawless one is appointed for a sign. When verse 7 begins with "and," what is then described does not follow after in sequence what was previously described but rather is concurrent with it. The "apostasia" or "standing away from" is first seen in the passage as the dragon's tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. Another view appears in verses 7-10 as Satan is hurled to the earth and his angels with him (the aforementioned stars). His hurling down is the cause of woe to the earth and the sea. The announcement in verses 12:10-11 affirms what we have learned to be true, as the prerequisite revelation of the lawless one has now made provision for the subsequent Bride theft and sealing of the 144k. The revelation of the lawless one is a sign to the bride that comes very shortly before the Bride Theft

How Will We Recognize the Sign?

How will we recognize the sign? That's a great question! We should know what to expect in advance so when it comes we discern it with confidence. That's why the Lord is revealing so much detail about it, so it will be recognized and correctly interpreted when it happens. Watch for a baptism and apparent death and resurrection, and watch for it to occur on the appointed day. What we have just learned in this first part of the study about the baptism is a crucial foundation, but just that. What you'll learn in the second and third parts (linked at the bottom of this page) will make it even more plain. It HAS to be plain, really, because it is not enough that we should have confidence only after seeing the sign. The reality is that the wise will have such confidence in their ability to discern it properly that it will be just as indicated in II Thessalonians 2:2, that the fact of not having observed it yet will enable one to confidently refute statements to the contrary made by the highest authorities in the church body, even a prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from an apostle! Are you with me on this?

The revealing is far more than guessing this man's identity. The church has for years identified antichrists by name, and rightfully so. But even now when the man who will ultimately fulfill the role of the lawless one walks among us in the public eye it is not enough to know him by name, though we should. Yes, we should be watching the candidates who may be known by the features set forth in the scriptures. The early saints pegged Nero. More recently, Hitler was acknowledged to be an antichrist. We know facts like the number of his name will be 666, a number probably calculated by gematria. We know details about his lineage. His participation in the "Daniel 9:27 covenant," is yet another clue. Yet, meeting these criteria and even being identified correctly by name does not mean he has been revealed. It requires the baptism to reveal.

To some of you, this may seem pretty far out, but with regard to the nature of the unveiling event it has become more and more apparent that the lawless one will be involved in some kind of "alien" encounter. Otherwise, Satan will have squandered vast resources on a useless diversion, and I assure you that is never the case! These beings are only "alien" in that the supernatural beings are not of this physical realm. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. These are demonic sons of God. I expect that at his baptism these beings will endow the lawless one with the authority to rule. ^#2 This man will rise from whatever position of organizational, governmental and/or military authority he holds to a vastly elevated position in the world's eye. Aha, Prince Charming - Mr. Perfect. Infatuation will be the order of the day. It will be as a deification. This man will without hesitation utilize the throne and authority given by the dragon to make a decree that will bring persecution upon those of us who are not deceived. (Patterned after Haman and Herod, as we shall see) This is our destiny, who have eyes to see and ears to hear. But don't worry about it - the Lord will see you through to your appointed end as you commit your life to Him! Unless you haven't committed and are not now committing your life to Him, in which case, do more than worry! Repent!

So, with what you now know (and the testimony of the prophets and the conviction of the holy spirit), the man's identity at his revelation should be recognizable, but will the Bride be able to substantiate her testimony with credible, tangible and persuasive documentation? There are some very skeptical Jews out there who demand proof - and some very sleepy Christians! Imagine for a moment what kind of impact our testimony might have if we have sound evidence of advance knowledge of the very date of his revelation? Although I never set out to find a date in this matter that's what I found. Advance knowledge of the date is not only an ingredient for a powerful witness but the very kind of evidence necessary to be an irrefutable sign to the Bride!

End notes

There are probably two levels of interpretation of the focal passage in 2 Thessalonians addressing two distinct instances of revealing; one for each of the appointed times for the division of the church. The first instance of revealing is the one I'm primarily addressing, according to the insight I've received. I must allow that there may even be a third such instance of revealing before the final harvest.

1) The Nephilim (Genesis 6) were the products of genetic tampering of the descendants of Adam by the evil angels and were seemingly wiped out in the Noahic flood, but the problem didn't end there. By reason of the reappearance of such a people as the Rephaim after the flood, it's clear beings of such a nature still exist. The books of Jude and the Boot of 1 Enoch it references are filled with insight into this topic. Bullinger offered an interesting commentary on these corrupted people in Appendix 25 of the Companion Bible.

For Further Study

Solving the Riddle of Ezekiel’s Wheels - by Frank E. Carlisle

The Book of Enoch

What was it that is called the Star of Bethlehem

Heaven's Vehicles

return

2) I recommend reading books such as one by Dr. David lewis and Robert Schreckhise called: UFO, The End-Time Delusion return

Part 1 | Part 2) | Part 3

Home > Beyond the Veil > There Will be Signs

Home | Site Content | Video & Interactive | Other Links | Contact Us | Scripture Search

Beautiful images courtesy of Ernst Schütz · Design by Bob Schlenker · based on a Andreas Viklund original