There may have been threads like this already but I think it may be helpful for us to post - in list form - the prophecies in scripture that support who the "man of sin" was/is/will be (depending on your position whether preterist, historicist, futurist) while providing the identity of that man (or your best guess as to what type of man it'll be or where he'll come from).
I don't expect this thread to be too large seeing as there are probably only three points of view matching the three positions, but I think it'll help to see where certain members are coming from in other threads.
I was a futurist during my childhood and then became a historicist as an adult, and I've never been a preterist, so if others could provide the preterist and futurist lists (respectively) I'd appreciate it.
My intent for this thread is to provide passages to study and consider for each position.
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Daniel 7
- Is a different kingdom that rises after 10 smaller kingdoms
- Uproots 3 of those kingdoms
- Speaks pompous words against the Almighty
- Try to change the Almighty's times and laws
- Will conquer the Almighty's people for a "time, times, 1/2 time" (1260 days)
Daniel 11
- Will not regard the god of his fathers or any god
- Will not desire women
- Will honor the "god of fortresses" with wealth
- Will attack many governments with this "fortress god"
- Will give rule to those who acknowledge him
- Will divide land at a price
- Will fight a "southern king"
- Will invade Jerusalem
- Authority will cover many countries and he'll gain great wealth
2 Thessalonians 2
- Places himself above all gods
- Calls himself God
- Will be destroyed by Messiah's brightness
- Gained authority from satan to work lying miracles
- He is restrained until "another power" is taken out of his way
Revelation 13
- Will receive a deadly wound but will be healed
- All the world will marvel at him
- Will be in power for 42 months (1260 days)
- Another king will take his power
As a historicist, I believe this "man of sin" was and is the office of The Papacy, as it:
- Is a unique State (The Vatican; even has its own army) that rose out of the 10 kingdoms after the Roman empire (which is the 4th beast and 2 legs of iron of Daniel)
- Uprooted the Heruli, Ostrogoths, and Vandals by the year 538 AD
- Speaks pompous words like "The pope is christ vicariously" and "The pope holds the place of God on earth"
- Established the Gregorian calendar (time), set midnight as the new day (time), changed the day of rest to Sunday (law), changed 2nd & 10th commandments (law). and established new holidays (time & law).
- Initiated the Inquisition through Papal Bull (Dum Diversas), authorizing the hunting, torture & enslavement of "heretics".
- Ruled from 538 AD to 1798 AD (
1260 years) until exiled by the French.
- Takes a vow of celibacy
- Honors the statue of Cybele, the goddess of fortresses - also known as Ishtar - which was renamed "Blessed Mary, the queen of heaven". She literally has a fortress as her crown.
- Installed kings who conquered lands and nations in his name
- Was in constant battles with Saracens (
from the south) and Ottoman Turks who fought in the name of allah (king of the south) and Islam.
Bonus: By the way, a tabernacle ("Dome of the Rock") was literally established on the temple mount, fulfilling
Daniel 11:45 for a tabernacle to be planted on the holy mountain between the seas. The "Dome of the Rock" is Roman/Byzantine architecture, not Islamic.
- Invaded the holy land to take it from Muslims during The Crusades
- Has gained vast wealth and would rule over many countries of Europe
- Gained its power from the Roman Emperor.
- Presents "miracles" to the world from Mary and saints.
- Was
restrained in power until Pagan Rome was conquered and taken out of the way. Paul wouldn't need to be cryptic about the Holy Spirit if that is Who was restraining the "man of sin", he would just speak plainly as he has about the Holy Spirit in many other letters. But Rome was still in power at the time of his letter, and there's no telling who would read his letter before it reached his intended audience...especially if he was in custody.
- Was said to have had it's "wound healed" when the papacy's temporal power was restored in the Lateran Concordat of 1929
- Hasn't restored itself to its former level of power and leadership in the world because another world-leading power has currently taken over that role.
- Has many people wondering after him in awe (no matter who sits in the office), seeking an audience with him or a blessing from him
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So historically, the office of the papacy checks all the boxes for me. And I believe it will not be destroyed until the Messiah comes to burn it away with the brightness of His coming.