A. The Rise of the Man of Lawlessness (2:1-4)

First, the rebellion will occur and the man of lawlessness will appear before the Parousia. Paul thinks of one complex event that seems to be a general abandonment of the basis of civil order (Bruce, 167; Marshall, 188) and is hence a revolt against God. Opposition to God has an inevitable fate: it is doomed to destruction (v.3).

Although modern interpreters have difficulty identifying the persons or events to which Paul alludes, his first readers would not. Among several plausible identifications is Gaius' (Caligula’s) attempt to have his statue erected in the Jerusalem temple. Fortunately, assassination thwarted his plan, but the attempt would live in infamy. Paul’s point is clear, however: this person or principle usurps the rightful place of God.