Deception and the Coming of the Lawless One
The Bible describes deception as a significant characteristic of the "lawless one" and those who promote false teachings. This figure, also called the "man of lawlessness" or "son of destruction," will be revealed before the coming of the Lord [3]. His arrival will be marked by the working of Satan, manifesting "every kind of power, sign, and false wonder" [2].
Such deceptive acts are not new to biblical narratives. Throughout scripture, miracles performed through evil agents are attributed to the power of the devil [1]. Examples include the magicians of Egypt, who mimicked some of Moses's signs (Exodus 7:11, 22; 8:7), and Simon Magus, who used sorcery to deceive people (Acts 8:9-11) [1]. The Old Testament also warns against prophets who might perform signs or wonders to entice people to follow other gods, explicitly stating that such individuals should not be heeded (Deuteronomy 13:1-3) [1, 6, 7].
Jesus himself warned of false Christs and false prophets who would arise and perform "great signs and wonders" with the aim of deceiving even the elect, if possible (Matthew 24:24; Mark 13:22) [4, 5]. This theme of deception through miraculous displays is consistently linked to apostasy and the ungodly [1]. The lawless one's deceptive power is intended to deceive those who are perishing because they refused to love the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12) [1].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Miracles Through Evil Agents — Performed through the power of the devil -- 2Th 2:9; Re 16:14. Wrought In support of false religions. -- De 13:1-2. By false christs. -- Mt 24:24. By false prophets. -- Mt 24:24; Re 19:20. A mark of the Apostasy -- 2Th 2:3,9; Re 13:13. Not to be regarded -- De 13:3. Deceive the ungodly -- 2Th 2:10-12; Re 13:14; 19:20. Exemplified Magicians of Egypt. -- Ex 7:11,22; 8:7. Witch of Endor. -- 1Sa 28:7-14. Simon Magus. -- Ac 8:9-11.”
- II Thessalonians “II Thessalonians 2:9 (BSB) — The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder,”
- II Thessalonians “II Thessalonians 2:3 (BSB) — Let no one deceive you in any way, for it will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness—the son of destruction—is revealed.”
- Matthew “Matthew 24:24 (Geneva1599) — For there shall arise false Christes, and false prophets, and shall shewe great signes and wonders, so that if it were possible, they should deceiue the very elect.”
- King James Version “[KJV] Mark 13:22 — For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.”
- Deuteronomy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Deuteronomy 13 (introduction): ENTICERS TO IDOLATRY TO BE PUT TO DEATH. (Deu 13:1-5) If there arise among you a prophet--The special counsels which follow arose out of the general precept contained in Deu 12:32; and the purport of them is, that every attempt to seduce others from the course of duty which that divine standard of faith and worship prescribes must not only be strenuously resisted, but the seducer punished by the law of the land. This is exemplified in three cases of enticement to idolatry. a prophet--that is, some notable person laying claim to the”
- Deuteronomy (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 13:1: Here is, I. A very strange supposition, Deu 13:1, Deu 13:2. 1. It is strange that there should arise any among themselves, especially any pretending to vision and prophecy, who should instigate them to go and serve other gods. Was it possible that any who had so much knowledge of the methods of divine revelation as to be able to personate a prophet should yet have so little knowledge of the divine nature and will as to go himself and entice his neighbours after other gods? Could an Israelite ever be guilty of such impiety? Could a man of sense ever be guilty ”