I think Paul's man of lawlessness is the false prophet in Revelation. I don't think a man will ascend out of the bottomless pit like the 1st beast will, whereas the 2nd beast (false prophet) arises from the earth
You said:
Could the false prophet be the anti-Christ of 2 Thessalonians 2?
ChatGPT said:
Excellent question. Let’s walk through it carefully, Scripture only.
1. The False Prophet (Revelation 13:11–18; 19:20)
- A second beast arises from the earth, with two horns like a lamb but speaks like a dragon (Rev 13:11).
- Exercises authority of the first beast (Rev 13:12).
- Performs great signs and deceives those who dwell on earth (Rev 13:13–14).
- Causes people to worship the first beast and receive its mark (Rev 13:12, 16–17).
- In the end, the beast and the false prophet are both cast alive into the lake of fire (Rev 19:20).
2. The Man of Lawlessness (2 Thessalonians 2:3–10)
- Exalts himself above every so-called god (v. 4).
- Sits in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God (v. 4).
- His coming is by Satan’s power with false signs and wonders (v. 9).
- Deceives those who refuse the truth (v. 10).
- Destroyed by the coming of Christ (v. 8).
3. Comparison
- Signs and wonders: Both the false prophet (Rev 13:13–14) and the man of lawlessness (2 Thess 2:9) deceive with miraculous works.
- Deception: Both lead people astray spiritually (Rev 13:14; 2 Thess 2:10).
- Worship: The false prophet directs worship to the beast; the man of lawlessness claims worship for himself.
- End: The false prophet is destroyed with the beast (Rev 19:20); the man of lawlessness is destroyed by Christ’s appearing (2 Thess 2:8).
- Overlap: Both are deceivers using signs and wonders, empowered by Satan, leading people into false worship.
- Difference:
- The false prophet promotes worship of another (the beast).
- The man of lawlessness demands worship of himself.