“That Wicked”

“Let no man deceive you by any means; for that day [the coming of Christ] shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.... For the mystery of iniquity does already work; only he who now lets [restrains now, R. V.] will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked [lawless one, R. V.] be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3-8.ChSa 171.1

Here the same blasphemous power is presented which is referred to in the scriptures already considered. He comes to the same end at the great burning day, when Christ comes. There (Daniel 7:25) he speaks great words against the Most High, and attempts to change his law; here he opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God and sits in the temple, i.e. the church, of God, claiming God-like power. He is the “lawless one,” i.e., one who places himself above all law, is amenable to no law. He can do as he pleases.ChSa 171.2

We know of no other power on earth that claims such prerogatives as the papacy. As we have already seen, the Catholic catechisms and doctrinal books, and eminent authors of that faith, boldly put forth the claim that their church has changed the Sabbath. Indeed, they cite this act as the one above all others which demonstrates their authority, their right to be considered the one infallible church which can command the consciences of men. The fact that the whole religious world follows the practice of the church, with really no other authority for so doing than that of the church, is boldly presented as proof of its power to change the law of God.ChSa 171.3

Thus we see fulfilled the plain predictions of the Scriptures, that such a power should arise, and should think itself able to change the law of God. And after centuries of effort put forth to accomplish this very object, the power in question stands forth before the world, and boldly claims to have done it. He “exalts himself” in this very way above God himself. Indeed, it seems he could exalt himself above God in no other way. He could not ascend into the heavens, and seize the throne of the Highest. He could not grasp the dominion of the universe, command the forces of nature, or keep the vast machinery of creation in orderly motion. But by really succeeding in making millions of professed Christians, believers in the inspiration of the Bible, accept the memorial of sun-worship in place of the Sabbath of the Lord God, thus seeming to change the law of the Most High, he has indeed “exalted himself” above God, as the apostle declared he would.ChSa 172.1