Posted by Elana Janson on September 17, 2025 at 13:28:46:
The “man of lawlessness”
(Answer to Susanne “How do you interpret “the man of lawlessness”. Is it an individual or man collectively?)
The “man of lawlessness” (NIV), (“man of sin” KJV) is mentioned in the second letter of the Apostle Paul to the Thessalonians.
2 Thess. 2:3-4
3 “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there shall 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 showing himself that he is God.”
“That man of sin”
Through the centuries, since the Ascension of Jesus Christ, these words have been interpreted and understood to be a sinful man that will arise before the Return of the Christ. As a result of this understanding, certain disliked leading figures through the centuries, and even recently, have been named as this ‘anti-Christ’.
Revelation
To add to this, Revelation 13:18 (referring to the “beast coming up out of the earth”) says: “for it is the number of a man”. These words seemingly substantiating a single person.
About forty years
Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians was written about AD 51-52. That is about 40 years before John wrote down the visions of Revelation that he saw on the Island of Patmos (c AD 92).
Global
With my knowledge and understanding of Revelation, it seems that now in the twenty-first century, there may be a new perception of this 'man of sin' being revealed.
The beast coming up out of the earth
The beast coming up out of the earth, is revealed in Revelation 13:11-18.
My full analysis of “the beast coming up out of the earth” is on this website in the “Chapters” section. (Readers should refer to this explanation for further clarity.)
Shortly, my understanding of the “beast coming up out of the earth”, is that the number, “Six hundred, threescore and six” (Rev.13:18) is through the word “number” (Rev.13:18) connected to specific ‘years’ within that time frame of six hundred, three score and six years. Therefore, the years: 1266,1366,1466,1566,1666,1766 and 1866; 1886,1906,1926, and 1932.
I connected the “Six hundred threescore and six” to the time 1266 to 1932. I believe that this understanding is verified by the addition of 60 years (1932 to 1992) revealed by the words “fourth part of earth” (Rev.6:8).
It is the number of a man
My understanding reveals that in the years of the above time frame, scientific discoveries as well as development and inventions from minerals taken from the earth by a specific person, would come about. For this reason, I believe, Rev.13:18 says “for it is the number of a man”.
These happenings could come about because the inhabitants of the nations were in a situation of ever greater freedom to pursue experimentation in the many branches of the sciences. Revelation reveals this total time span from 1266 to 1992 as the time that certain men would make great discoveries and, for example, launch rockets into space (“maketh fire come down from heaven unto the earth” Rev.13:13).
Two horns like a lamb, but he spake as a dragon
Taking my full understanding into account, “the beast coming up out of the earth” is revealed in a time span of specific years. Years of discovery, starting innocently but developing into enterprises in which the forces of evil (the beast) could ultimately mislead many (“He had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon” Rev.13:11).
To answer your question:
The beast revealed collectively
Therefore, I understand “the beast coming up out of the earth” as developing over the period 1266 to 1992. “It is the number of a man” Rev.13:18, refers to a specific year that a particular person made a significant discovery or brought about a significant accomplishment from minerals taken out of the earth. However, the total concept, that man would be misled by the “beast coming up out of the earth” reveals the power of evil, starting innocently, would through progress and invention from minerals taken from the earth not only empower man collectively, but also ultimately mislead mankind. Therefore “man” ultimately a collective force of evil, overtaking mankind, developing over a long period of time and growing ever stronger.
Paul’s letter.
There are certain words in Paul’s letter that also appear in Revelation. There are also concepts that coincide with understanding. For this reason, there is the possibility that Paul is actually predicting what is understood in Revelation.
“Signs and lying wonders”
2 Thess 2:9 “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and lying wonders.”
Revelation 13:13 “He doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.”
“Revealed in his time”
2 Thess.2:6 “And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.”
The words “revealed in his time” in 2 Thess.2:6 seems to predict revelation in ‘time’.
As I showed above, the beast revealed in the time span 1266 to 1932 and 1932 to 1992
“A falling away first”
2 Thess. 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.”
The words “a falling away first” can be a period of people being misled from the Faith, coinciding with the time of the development of the ‘beast coming up out of the earth’.
Man collectively
With my knowledge of Revelation, the words “that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition” seems to me, at this point in time, to be ‘man’ collectively misled by the ‘beast’.
Rev. 13:16 “And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads.”
Blasphemy
2 Thess 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.”
With my knowledge of Revelation, and inventions from the minerals of the earth, I begin to understand why the invention of AI in the twenty-first century can blaspheme: I am Jesus Christ.
Revelation substantiates blasphemy being ultimately spread through global communications (“mouth” of “the beast coming up out of the sea”). The blasphemy is not curbed by the freedom of the ruling of the nations.
Rev.13:6 “And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.”