However, if Paul’s words do refer to a yet-future coming of an antichrist, as futurists believe, the following are some of his basic characteristics: • He’ll arrive before Christ’s return and the day of the Lord (v. 2). • He’ll be associated with that apostasy or “rebellion” (v. 3). • He’ll be shown to be a man of sin or “lawlessness” (v. 3). • He’ll exalt himself against all faiths and God himself (v. 4). • He’ll sit in the temple of God, claiming to be God (v. 4). • His coming is restrained until
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