Are Apostates the Man of Lawlessness?

A QUESTION:

I was having a discussion with the brother that used to teach me the bible about 2 Thes 2:4 and he brought up Ezek 28:2, saying that it is the apostates. Can you please assist.

REPLY:

2Thess.2:4
"who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God."

Eze.28:2:
"Son of man, say to *the ruler* of Tyre, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: "'In the pride of your heart you say, "I am a god; *I sit on the throne* of a god in the heart of the seas." But you are a man and not a god, though you think you are as wise as a god."

You might ask, "If the apostates are ruling on the throne, how is it that un-anointed elders can expel them?".

2Thess.2:4 contains the same trait...."he sets himself up". This Greek means that he comes into power over all....not just that he thinks of himself as above others.

When Psalm 82:7 speaks of their downfall, it confirms that they were ruling. (see also Isa.14:13,14; 63:18)
Isaiah 23:8 says about this same identity (ruler of Tyre):
"Who has taken this counsel against Tyre, the crowning city, Whose merchants are princes, Whose traders are the honorable of the earth?"
Isa.23:8 brings out that they are "bestowers of crowns"/"crowning city".
Do apostates have the power to give others position and authority among the people, as the GB gives it to elders? (Rev.9:7) Do they have "princes", and "merchants" of spiritual goods under them? (Eze.28:5,6,9; Rev.13:17).
These identities fit exactly those of Rev.9 and Rev.13. There it is made very clear, that these identities are not rogue rebels, but false prophets with world-wide power and dominion....able to bring "all the earth", including all holy ones, under their power for "3 1/2 times" (Rev.11:2; 13:7; Dan.8:13; Isa.6:11), because rule over the "Temple Courtyard", has been given into the hands of these Gentiles (Jer.12:10).

Where did they receive their throne?
Rev.18:7 speaks of the Harlot as also having this power...yet if all these are disfellowshipped individual "apostates"; who is the wild beast that they control and use to hurt the holy ones?

Try to keep in mind that unless Yhwh draws someone to the truth, they will remain blind, no matter how well we may explain the truth to them (Rev.3:7; John6:44; Matt.13:11,16). All of us absolutely depend upon Holy Spirit to perceive any truth (Rev.7:10; Psalm 104:29; John 16:13).
Think of the witness the Son of God gave mankind (Rev.3:14). Jesus raised the dead!
....And in response, the religious leaders sought to kill him (John11:44,46,47,53; 12:10).
This is the outcome for all those who stand for truth in our day (Rev.13:15). This is why Jesus told us...."For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it." Mark 8:35

Rev.6:11 shows that all  the remnant, need to be "killed/slain" (Mark 8:35; Rom.6:5; Rev.6:11), in order to get sealed. How exactly is that happening, to the anointed who are in the Organization.....in the "spiritual paradise"?
As long as Satan can convince the anointed that they have "peace and security" (1Thess.5:2,3), and they are not destined to follow in the footsteps of Christ...

 (Luke22:28; Rev.14:4; Rom.6:3)  Matt.16:21,22,23
...then they will not rouse themselves from their drunken stupor, Isa.51:21,22,23; Matt.5:13

and they will "buy from those who sell" (Matt.25:9-10; Rev.13:17) rather than from Christ (Rev.3:18-19).

It is well worth dying for our reward, which is soon to come!
(symbolic-death-by-means-of-world)

Love,
Pearl
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