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☦ Who is the son of perdition? From Christianity.com
Last edited Sun Sep 13, 2020, 01:13 AM - Edit history (1)
Satan’s offspring comes to deceive and destroy. This title “diagnoses his personality and exposes his awful character” as the “lawless” one for whom there is no depth of wickedness too low. Will be sent to cause “defection from the religion ordained by God;” apostasy. Although Judas was a deceiver, his actions were used to further God’s plans, not to oppose them, and he is not shown to have led others to ruin. Christ’s resurrection leads believers into victory over Satan’s schemes. Judas was free to repent, but the Son of Perdition is a slave to the Serpent’s purposes.4.“He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie.” [2 Thessalonians c.2 v.9] The Son of Perdition will appear “good,” to the extent that the unwary will be deceived into thinking he is from God or even the second coming of Christ. He will pretend to be religious, but also appear to be “the superman” everyone is desperate for. Many will follow this figure straight to eternal damnation, but everyone has a choice. The bible describes the behavior of one who worships Jesus Christ. Take heed of 1 John c.4 v.1 and “test the Spirits.”
5. Christians glorify God, while Satan’s evil progeny “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.” [2 Thessalonians 2:4] Jesus glorified and thanked the Father [Matthew 11:25], working in His name [John 3:5], and praying to Him [Matthew 26:36-44]. The Son of Perdition expects “divine homage” for himself. Judas coveted wealth, perhaps a place in the throne room next to a warrior king, but He did not compete for leadership.
6. Christians are unified but the serpent’s son stands alone. Paul’s letter to the Philippian church exhorts them to “striv[e] together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.” [Philippians 1:27-28] Unity offers protection, encouragement against fear, and is an identifying feature. As in nature, where a predator separates individuals from the group in order to weaken and destroy them, Satan wants to isolate believers and lure them towards apostasy.
Even a believer who maintains the faith can become discouraged and lose the peace of the Holy Spirit when he is cut off from the body of Christ. Wayne Jackson points out that the Greek word for temple in Paul’s letters is “naos” which is “used of the Christian’s body [1 Cor. 6:19] or of the church as God’s spiritual house.” Judas was guilty of trying to cut Mary off in a sense, like a villain who pulls a bystander from the crowd to shield himself from his enemy’s bullets. The Son of Perdition will behave likewise, but on a much larger scale. The disciples might have offered Judas a chance at rehabilitation; where he might have become a true believer. He threw away the opportunity to be redeemed.
7. Religiosity is the evil one’s tool. “The implication of Paul’s warning is this. This unholy being is viewed as being a ‘church’ character.” The Son of Perdition will appear to be a man of the law, yet he is the “lawless one” who has “no regard for the law of God.” Judas asked "why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages.” [Matthew 12:5] The appearance of “good” is only a show, but his protests are easily overwhelmed: “‘Leave her alone,’ Jesus replied” [c.12 v.7] and they did.
The Son of Perdition is Restrained – For Now~
God restrains the Son of Perdition for now. “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 c.2 v.7-8] Satan’s son will emerge, but only until Jesus returns. Satan’s beast might be here now, operating as a smooth politician, a benevolent multi-billionaire, or the pastor of a thousands-strong church preaching attractive lies that deceive the unwary, arrogant, or undiscerning. Judas was not a smooth-talking man of power. He was not destroyed by the breath of Christ but undone by shame. If only he had understood the promise of hope for the believer: “neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, […] nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” [Romans 8:38-39]
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