2nd Thessalonians 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; 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.
This passage of scripture gives us some identifying characteristics of the son of perdition, who is the second person in the counterfeit God-head, with the devil being the first person, or the father. The passage clearly states that the last day will not come, except the son of perdition is revealed, and then the apostle Paul goes on to describe the work and character of the one being spoken of. Beginning with verse four, Paul states that we should look for one who opposes God, exalts himself, and sits in the temple of God, pretending or trying to be like The Most High. So let's start with the first qualifying characteristic, that of opposing God.
Every pope that has come upon the face of action has opposed God, and there is quite a long staggering history of repression of Bible truths, to the sale of indulgences to build cathedrals, to the many martyrs who were slain for their faith in Christ. The 1260 years of papal supremacy was stained with the blood of between 50 million to 100 million martyrs, who refused to surrender their unique faith in God. And in addition to these horrendous atrocities, the Bible itself was chained to the walls of monasteries, and it was declared that only popes and priests, could understand and explain the word of God, and thus, the light of truth was deliberately shrouded in darkness and withheld from the masses so as to keep them ignorance.
But Paul also states that the son of perdition assays to sit in the temple of God, showing that he is God, and this latter description is a clear representation of the pope's claim to forgive sins. All men are in need of God's forgiveness, and therefore, for a sinner like ourselves to assume the right to forgive sins, is not only an affront to God, but is the very worst kind of sacrilegious blasphemy that can be practiced by any mortal man. The recent fiat issued by pope Francis puts him squarely in the category of the son of perdition, for he has now given his priests the authority to forgive abortionists, and divorcees, thus taking these weighty moral issues out of the hands of Christ. Let's read:
Mark 2:7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?
2nd Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
(The New York Times) Pope Francis announced this month, that for a year, beginning in December, women who had terminated pregnancies could be granted forgiveness from Roman Catholic priests, instead of facing potential excommunication for their sins.
Now no one is saying that women should not be forgiven of their sins, for we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. The problem arises when the authority to forgive is taken out of the hands of Christ, who is the only one to shed His blood for the remission of sins, and since no other human being has ever done this, then Jesus Christ must have the first and final word on the forgiveness of abortion, and all other sins. By assaying to forgive, the pope is subtly usurping the authority, praise and worship that is due to God alone, hence the reason why the final conflict will center around the issue of worship.
It is therefore necessary that all honest-hearted Catholics and protestants be not deceived by the masquerade of love and mercy, which have become the cornerstones of the son of perdition, in his efforts to stand in the place of God, for all who deliberately subscribe to his overtures, will be found wanting at the last great day. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which confirms this truth, and it is the will of God, that all Christians and honest in heart, be now turned to Christ alone, who can save us from our sins. Let's read:
1st John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word. God bless!