(Happenings Ahead) the Man of Sin — Willie Mullan

The Distinctive Marks and Demands of the Last Days

This evening, this series that I've entitled Happenings Ahead, and for seven Tuesdays before the holidays, we were getting this series underway. You remember for three of those two days, we get with the last of the last days, we looked at these last days, and you remember I talked to you about the distinctive mark of the last days, the distinction of the last days.

There's a special distinctive mark about the last days of the church history, because we're going to see a great mighty image that's so firm as godliness, but that religious image, that firm, is going to deny the power of God.

And I think you know it's beginning to do all around us. Now the distinctive mark of the last days started with them saying, where is the promise of his coming? They deny the power of God, and they deny the coming again of the Christ of God.

We've looked into all the denials of the last days and found quite a host of them in the New Testament. When we look at the demands of the last days, the Lord is making special, vital demands on every believer in these days.

When we look at the dangers of the last days, we're going to go on this with you just before the holidays. And after spending three Thursdays on the last days, then we took a couple of Tuesdays looking at our Lord's return, the great mighty moment when the saints go marching in.

When the bodies of those who have died in Christ shall be raised again, we believers which are alive and remain at that moment, when we shall all be caught up together to meet the Lord in the earth, that mighty moment when the saints go marching in.

The Judgment Seat of Christ and the Security of the Covenant

And then we spent a mass two weeks before the holidays, at the judgment seat of Christ. For we believers must all stand at the judgment seat of Christ, that every one of us may give an account of the deeds of service done in the world.

And so many have come to me and said, you know, the way that you cleared up that it wouldn't be our sins that would be examined, but our purpose, have been the best things you've permitted. I shall never understand this argument of bringing up your sins again.

When my Lord died in young Josh, the old group said, when he had by himself purged our faith. What do you think it means? It means he brought it to naught. It means we're gone. And the day that I put the arms of my faith round the Christ of God, God looked at me and took me by the hand and made a covenant with me.

And the part of the covenant is, your sins and your inequities, I will remember no more. Don't you think it will ever be broken. The work of Christ will never be undone. And the covenant that God has made, will never be broken, you'll never see your sins again.

Oh, sometimes your old mind and heart goes back and you regret what you have done. Ah, yes, sometimes the old devil tries to resurrect them. The arch-infestor of us, Jehovah, finest man. They're gone.

Gone forever. And now we're going to stand at the judgment seat of Christ. And every one of us will give an account of the deeds. But these are deeds of service, done in the body. And that's where we ended just before the holiday.

The Nations Preparing for the Final Conflict

The whole church had been lifted up to meet the Lord in the earth. We were standing before the judgment seat. But we must remember this evening, that we left behind on this very planet. Nations, and multitudes, and sinners.

Now dear friends, we're going to have a look down from the standpoint where we are in our studies. And try to see the planet that we left behind. And we'll see the nations all shipping up for the greatest conflict that this planet will ever have.

Where we'll find Russia spreading light across the northern hemisphere. What a mighty, powerful, gigantic nation. If you look carefully back at the planet, you'll find that the kings of the east will all be getting together.

China and Japan will have to shake hands. And I have a feeling that India will be in a lot with them. And you just try figuring out getting China, and Japan, and India all together, and you've got quite a host.

Right out of the east. And I think that Nasser is making a pretty good bid tonight, to join the Arab states in this house. And I think he will succeed so. Because we're not very far away from the day now, when the common market will be absolutely found.

And the tenfold of Daniel's image, the United States of Europe, will be on the list. You know the stage is nearly set now. You can see this northern army. And this king of the south. And these kings of the east.

And the common market is almost gone. And when we rise to meet the north and stand at the W seat, it will be there alright. And in any of the United States of Europe, it's going to be a great parliament of ten European nations.

And I do not say this flatly. When you get Germany, and France, and Britain, and Italy, and the two of those all together, they're a mighty force. I know Russia is a mighty force, and I know putting the kings of the east together would be a mighty force.

And I know putting all the Arab regions together is a mighty force. But when you get Germany, well Germany may be quite the war on its own. Yes, when you get Germany, and France, and Great Britain, you've got like a handful, haven't you?

And the stage is set. And of course when we get the common market, we'll have to have common policies among us. We'll have to have a common parliament, and before we get very far in these studies, we'll have to have a common church.

And I can see the United States of Europe appearing even at this moment. Britain, of course, is knocking at the door, and she will get in. And I believe that out of this great parliament of Europe, there will come a president to be a mastermind.

The Man of Sin and His Appearance

Everybody's looking for a sort of mastermind. Some folks will even say we would need one for us for this moment. And I believe that anybody who could come along and try to solve any problems would be taken by the hand.

But there is a mastermind, a superman, coming out of the United States of Europe. And this old book that we're dealing with calls him the Man of Sin. And we're taking a break in our studies to take a night or two looking at the Man of Sin.

Trying to have a good look at him. Tonight we're only looking at the time when he appears. And the counsels, the Holy Ghost has given to him in this book. That's all we're looking at this evening, and it would be quite enough for us.

Just at the time and titles of this chapter. And we're going to start our studies this evening in 2 Thessalonians chapter 2. First letter to the Thessalonians, the second letter, and at the second chapter.

And I would ask all the nuns of the flock, all the young believers, make sure you find the place, they'll look on you. And to read it very carefully. We do Bible readings of course, and we make the Bible do the work.

Now we're at 2 Thessalonians, and at the second chapter, Paul the great apostle writing to this young church at Thessalonica. Saying in verse 1 of the second chapter, Now we beseech you brethren. Always in this, that lovely little word brethren.

You get it everywhere in the letter. I think he's just right, and I think he's getting right. He never forgets for the moment that he's dealing with his brethren. I think this should be ever the teacher's attitude.

I care not what flag you fly, or how much you differ with me. You're my brother and sister, and I'll help you as much as I can. You'll find that God will tell after a while. Even when Paul was writing to the Corinthians, and they said everything they could about him.

My, they despised him, they belittled him. They said his speech is contemptible, and his brotherly presence is meek. What we always called them brethren, and then we went a bit further, and we said my beloved good sir.

That's the picture. But it also not acts to act the preacher's speech this evening. Because we see quite clearly that he's bashing the believers. Do you know who he's bashing sir? He's besieging! He's besieging the believers, young believers, etc.

He says, now we besiege you brethren. He was making an appeal to them there. What was he appealing to them about? Miss the last part of the first verse, and go to the first part of the second verse. He says, now we besiege you brethren.

That ye be not too shaken in mind, or be troubled. You know we have heard the way things are. We have heard that the believers, etc. were shaken in mind and they were troubled. And he's besieging them.

He's besieging them not to be troubled, or not to be shaken in mind. Now what had troubled them? What had given them this trembling, fearful attitude? He says, now we besiege you brethren. That ye be not too shaken in mind, or be troubled.

Neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us. That the Lord Christ is in heaven. And some of the old manuscripts, that the Lord says like this. Or that the day of the Lord is at hand. Now this is what disturbed these young believers.

Somebody had written a letter to them. Had sent them a special word as it might be called. And they had sent it in cold name. Or from us it's called. And it was written in the very spirit of Paul. How Paul would write.

And it disturbed these young believers. Because it seems now that Paul was saying to them. The day of the Lord is at hand. And that troubled them. Because if the day of the Lord were at hand tonight. What it would mean?

That the great day of his wrath is about to come on this world. The great day of his wrath is coming. That's the beginning of the day of the Lord. It's the day of his wrath and then it goes on into the day of his reign.

Because we will deal with those nations that we will be looking at. In their acts. And then he will come back to this world and take the kingdom. And he will reign on this very planet for one thousand years.

That is the millennial reign. And these young believers knew. That if the day of the Lord is at hand.

We must submit to that too.

And our sin has given the truth. And they would struggle every night to decide. Because Paul had taught them all about the rapture. Because the rapture will be missed in some way. The Lord must come to the end and not the day of the Lord is at hand.

But you notice that he not only made an appeal to them. And that he made an appeal to them about the troubled mind. And who knew that it caused it. This letter asked him. In his own spirit if it were.

Now here is what he appeals to them. This is the ground that they asked him to set their fear down. And he did all that he could. Now he bespeaks to them. By the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. And by our coming unto him.

That he be not soon shaken in mind. Now that is what that is. What he is getting all flustered about. Sure you know that Christ will come for us first. And we will gather round to him. Now here is the appeal that is being made.

He is appealing to these troubled young believers. Who have got a letter from somewhere. That didn't come from Paul. Saying that the day of the Lord was at hand. And it troubled them. Which means we beseech you brethren.

By the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. And by our gathering together unto him. That he be not soon shaken in mind of the trouble. You don't need to be troubled. The truth is that Christ will come for us first.

And we will be gathered unto him. Long before the tribulation period comes. And before the day of the Lord commences. Now this is a wonderful appeal isn't it. And he went a little bit further with this.

He said in verse 3. Let no man deceive you by any means. So somebody was deceiving these young believers. Writing these letters in 12 names. And with 12 very spirits. He said let no man deceive you by any means.

For that day. The day of the Lord shall not come. Except there come a falling away fast. And that man of sin be with you. Now I want you to get the hold of this. You know before we see this man of sin.

Or before this world sees this man of sin. You know there must first of all. Be the translation of the truth. There must be first we must gather together unto him. And there must also be a degeneration among the religious folks.

That's going to be left behind. You know we used to have all religious folks stuck in the churches. And for many years in my early childhood days. I learnt them by the door. Well I know they were only religious.

But they were propagation. But now you know we've got a lot of old religious folks stuck in the churches. And in the pulpits. And they don't believe this book of hell. You know they asked him so. That religious pharisee or apostate.

Presbyterian minister. You know he said we don't believe in miracles didn't you. Well they said second. Of course we're going to have a degeneracy. Oh yes there's an apostasy coming. And we'll have to have a translation.

And a degeneration among these religious pharisees. Before the revelation of the man of sin comes. I get it in that order and you'll never get out of it. We must be gathered together unto him. Degeneration.

There'll be parts of the faith. Then will come revelation. The man of sin shall be revealed. I don't think you need to worry too much about that. I want you to notice this man of sin for the moment. That man of sin be revealed the son of tradition.

Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God. Or that is worshipped. So that he is God sitting in the temple of God showing himself that he is God. If we come around to the Greek and they said we'll have to deal with the temple won't we.

Don't devoid it one of these days. They'll be wearing the mask of Oman. I was so frustrated that the Jews did this. And they'll build a temple there. In the not too far distant Sicily. Never mind about that.

He's going to sit in the temple of God showing himself that he is God. And Paul said to them remember ye not that when I was yet with you I told you these things. You know you do this sometimes. You sit in the class and you try to settle them down and you try to pass it out.

And then two days later you know after we have done tonight. Somebody will come down to the door and knock and say Mr. Moran. Look at what you said about the non-sin. You know I could really eat the ears of some of you when you come round and settle them down.

You have to listen now and not sleep. Try and get it. Now if there is something that I mean by it then you'll probably be back at the chaplain's field. Sitting there climbing up there. And it was something that I had honestly omitted then.

Then I was able to tell them on the telephone. That's quite alright. That's natural. But Paul had a thought like this. He said remember ye not that when I was yet with you I told you these things. Then he points out to them.

Now ye know that which holdeth. Something keeping this non-sin back. That he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity that already works. Only he whom thou lettest will not. You know the word lettest means holding back.

You have heard somebody saying you know he held on to me. He wouldn't let me go. He was holding me back. That there is something holding this whole thing back to me. And this non-sin will not be revealed until he whom thou lettest will it.

What's this? For the mystery of iniquity that already works. Only he whom thou lettest will it. Until he be taken out of the way. And then shall not Richard be revealed. We know a lot of arguments about this.

And I can't see them at all. You see when we get into the practice study of the Antichrist. The man of sin next week. And begin to see him as the politician and the leader and so on. You will find that he is a mighty character.

With mighty power and great wisdom. Absolutely truthful. Truth can't be taken back. Isn't anybody that I know who can take him back. The only person who can take him back would be the Holy Spirit. The God of the Church is God the Earth.

And the Spirit is abiding in every believer. And we are united by that one Spirit from the Heaven and Heaven. And by the Spirit of the Church you see. He will not be revealed. Not until the Holy Spirit is taken out of the way.

And then. When he has been come and risen. Has come to a halt. The Holy Ghost has left this world. Then. Shall not Richard be revealed. At some time. I think it's perfectly clear. But it's not so much the time of the titles.

Titles of the Antichrist

Given to this man in this book that you can say this is evil. Because titles are the census thing. But the Bible has certainly a manuscript once. On the side of the book set. And we have a title of Christ.

For every day in the year. 365 of them. Then I'm going to write a little booklet below. With a page for every day in the year. And a title of Christ. And you know when you get all the titles of Christ together.

You begin to see the wonder. And the glory. And the beauty. And the majesty. And the eternality of the person. These titles are like a divine. Picture. That you put together. And you begin to see. The person.

And this is what we are going to do with the titles. Of the man of sin. We are going to gather them together. And we are going to put them. So that we'll see. This satanic superman. That's coming out of the United States of Europe.

If you want to go into this very fully. You find that Dr. Arthur W. Finch. Has a little booklet. And it's entitled The Antichrist. And if I have counted them correctly. He has 32 titles. Of the Antichrist listed.

In one chapter in my book. Dr. Finch I believe is one of the greatest expositors that ever lived. And yet I don't think that. All the titles he's gathered together in that chapter. Belong to the Antichrist at all.

I think he's got too many of them. So he allowed this for a little bit. Some of his I would question. So I'm only taking one this evening. That are absolutely beyond doubt. And I'm questioning. Absolutely one or two.

Of Dr. Finch. And one or two that I believe are quite right. I will look at some. Five for the moment. These are the type of titles belonging to the Antichrist. That the ordinary reader would miss. Psalm 5.

And I'll read the portion of the psalm. That he'll be with us. And then I'll show you what he means. Psalm 5 verse 1. Give ear to my words O Lord. Consider my meditation. I can open the voice of my cry.

My King and my God. How good thee will I pray. My voice shall thy hear in the morning O Lord. In the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee. And will look up. For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness.

Neither shall evil dwell with thee. The foolish shall not stand in thy sight. Thou heekest all the workers of iniquity. Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing. The Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.

And we believe that that is one of the titles of the Antichrist. The bloody and deceitful man. You see he's taking a sign of the morning to the tribulation period. And he's taking some of the witnesses.

In the tribulation he's praying to God every morning. And he's taking them a sign that God will not sit up. With the bloody and deceitful man. Now we believe that's one of the titles of the Antichrist.

You can have a man that does not speak leasing. Psalm 62. Psalm 62. Psalm 62 that man. Why dostest thou thyself a mistress O monster man. And we believe that's one of the titles. And we believe that the Antichrist will burst.

About all the mischief that he has done. He says, thy tongue devises mischief. Like a sharp razor working deceitfully. Thou lovest evil more than good. And lying rather than to speak righteousness. Thou lovest all devouring words.

O thou deceitful tongue. Dr. Pink has picked up a lot of these right through the book. And I think I'm right in saying that he is about 50 or 50 ,000. I don't expect to know. But I'm going to pick a few out for you tonight.

And there are no doubts about it. Clearly it belongs to the Antichrist. Let's go back to where we were there. We're at second Thessalonians. And at the second chapter. And in the middle of the third verse Paul said to these Thessalonians in the tribunes.

For that day shall not come. Except there come a falling away Christ. On that man of sin be revealed. Now that's one of the titles of the Antichrist. He's called the man of sin. You know every man that ever dwelt on this planet except our Lord Jesus Christ.

Was a sinner. Yet by one man. He entered into the world and all have sinned. And every man that ever dwelt besides apart from our Lord Jesus Christ. Was a sinner. But this one that's coming. Is called the man of sin.

I think that this is a very significant capsule. You know it seems. That the whole man. Is enveloped. And conquered. And dominated. And controlled. By sin. I think his lips. Will be sinful. You know one of the things that he says.

In another night. I think his eyes. Will always be looking for sin. I think his whole mind. His imagination. It will be dwelling on sin. His memory will be remembering sinful things. It is always standing.

It will just go out. For sin. This man. Is absolutely. Controlled. By sin. Dominated. This is the man. Of sin. I think we are going to get the hold of this fact. And there is another one just a moment ago.

Who is not only the man of sin. He is the son. Of tradition. You know what tradition means don't you? It means as you look at this man. Absolutely. Not. Because you know that this belongs to Judas Iscariot too.

He was the son of tradition in a certain sense. You know I think we want to get this tidied up for the young folks. Let me take a minute before I take this for the young folks. I think to see one Sunday evening.

Judas Iscariot, Foreknowledge, and Human Responsibility

On the torch that Judas made. Judas Iscariot sitting at the top of the table. Opposite to our Lord Jesus. And he was plumbing the bubble that was working with him. He was plumbing to betray and to sell Christ.

And the Lord Jesus bit the shaft and handed it to him and said. That's God's will. To put him. And Judas Iscariot arose and went out. Strictly said it was night. And he went about that diabolical business of selling Christ.

For thirty pieces of silver. Now I talked about the choice. That Judas made. He was very able and learned. And friendly. Schoolmaster from the royal school. Lamar. In the meeting he went to the Dutch school and said to me.

I've never heard you talking nonsense until tonight. He was honest about it anyway. I said sit down. What sort of nonsense is this? If you Judas have no choice. How's that now? Oh he said you know that well it's said in the book of Psalms.

That Judas would go to his own place. That he would do these things. And if God seven hundred years before the man was born. Said in the book you cannot say that he would go to his own place. Then he must go to his own place.

I said master do I understand that you're telling me that God banned Judas without a choice? How could you tell me? That he would ban this man? That he would never have a choice? That's what you're saying?

That's why I told you. You know I can tell you right at this moment that you cannot see properly. So I hope you've got to explain it better. For the Lord. I can tell you what you'll do. I'll pretend to be God.

That the day I passed mine on a Sunday night. I said I'm God. And I'm the only thing I know the way from the beginning don't I? Yes. Alright I'll prophesy. That two hours later. Half past eleven. There will be two cars.

In the main street. One coming in the main street. One in the main street. And there will be a crash. I'm prophesying. So I said master you've got to understand. That because I'm God there's bound to be the crash.

And the cars won't come. And the other one comes at half past eleven. And there's a crash. And they can open up you. And then they send for the police. And then you go up and say look. These men are not to be involved.

The fellow said it would be done. And it couldn't be any worse. I said you know they took you to R &R but they're not going to let you in. No my dear fellow. You see God so much. Does not alter a man's responsibility.

Any more than absolute knowledge would alter it. You see man's full knowledge of the accident. Doesn't alter the rules of religion. Nor does it take the wheel out of either man's hand. They are just responsible.

It's just that I happen to know what they're going to do. It isn't because God prophesied. It's because you couldn't do anything. God prophesied because you couldn't do anything. And if you learn the difference between wouldn't and couldn't.

You'll be a man no longer solving your election problems. Because God knew that you just wouldn't. But he didn't make it that he couldn't. Oh no. When the Lord Jesus came to the nation he said. I asked him.

Would I have gathered you together as a hand of God or have you gone the wrong way? But he would not. He said he could not. Oh no. And you know God loves doing sons of tradition. These men live on the left hand.

These men live because they want to go that way. Yes this is the son of tradition. I'll tell you this. There's a sinfulness about this man. He's denying a sin. And there's a corruptness. Absolutely corrupt.

He's determined to give himself to the devil. I want you to notice this about this. Paul said to these people who live. Go to heaven. For the mystery of iniquity that already works. And we'll go into the mystery of iniquity in another minute.

The Mystery of Iniquity and the Wicked One

We know what the mystery of godliness is. Don't you? Yes. Quick now. The mystery of godliness is God manifest in flesh. The mystery of iniquity is the devil manifest in flesh. And it's already working Paul says.

Only there's somebody keeping it back. And when he's taken out of the way. Then that wicked. And in the old original it is. Then that wicked one. Shall be revealed. And that's another title. The capital W there.

I want you to watch this. That wicked one. Whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth. He shall destroy with the brightness of his coming. That is when he comes to the earth. And his feet stand in that day on the mount of Olives.

He will deal with this person. And when he talks about this wicked one again. Even him whose coming is after the working of Satan. You know Satan is going to show him his power. Cause he's going to be.

So too. Manifest in flesh. Well this is a tremendous thing. I want you to get this. Even him whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders. Wonders of a lot of folks going for signs.

There's a lot of folks that love the book to me about wonders. And there's a lot of signs and wonders that belong to the devil. And some of you youngsters getting ready for the missions. You've been playing at this too much.

We've gone to many other places and done the missions for the rest of our youth. Don't know how the Lord called us. He said well I wanted to go and I've just gotten the reason sent to the Lord. That he sent me next week.

And that's in two times. I'll take it as a sign he wants me to go. And I'll get it. Because the devil could send me. I don't think you should be going out with the Lord at all. Don't be that balloon. I think you should be sitting down at Christ's feet and hearing it work.

And when he talks to you you'll know what he's saying. I think he's going to do it. Sure as well. Cause I walk through all things and I walk through all time. Sometimes you're walking under the devil's hands.

But you're in it now. I'll tell you there's a whole lot of wonders that they talk about in some of these missionary magazines. And healing magazines. And wonders of the devil's mind. There are a lot of wonders.

There's a few in this book and I didn't think of this. And all the works he wrote for that book. Now I want you to get this. Let's get the bones of this. Even when my coming is after the working of sin with all power and signs and lying wonders.

And with all deceivableness. Of all righteousness in men that perish. The God who received not the love of the truth that the light beseeched. And for this God, God shall send them strong delusion. And strong delusion that they should believe and the good should be in capital B.

Capital T. Capital L. Because this is one of the titles. He is the wicked lie of Satan. He's the wicked one. And he's a liar like his master. But he's the liar. And it will be written that the devil is guiding him.

Oh that's such a thing you see. It will be a terrible case. This world. When the Holy Ghost is gone. And the church has gone. And the light of the glorious gospel is gone. And the old devil has no body to keep him back.

And the man of sin, the son of perdition appears. That wicked one. The liar. Who will be energized by Satan through the sin. And on the top of that. God. Sending. Strong delusion. You have a good time.

Mind you when God starts to send delusion to this world of darkness. You are wishing yourself. For the young people. Who are ready. You get the word send from one of these days. Now get yourself in the spark of it and you go on after that.

Do you remember that John the Baptist. Was a man sent. From God. You know what he was sent for? To prepare the world for its preparation. Remember the father sent the son. That's all. To be the son of this salvation.

Remember the Lord Jesus talked about. The Holy Ghost. Who my father was sent for. Do not reach me for conviction. And remember this. That Paul talked about how the rest have been. Inventing and haunting you with this word of salvation sent.

Is an indignation. And remember. I have just got up from the school of death. And God. Will wash your face. Through the school of delusion. It may help you with your faith. It may object you. It may kill you see.

That's what evangelizing is. But watch this.

I tell you this. God is going to tell. Paul.

He will tell you. That people must abound. What a day it will be. This man of sin. This son of perdition. This wicked liar Satan. Even at that time. Have a look at the book of Revelation. Chapter 13. Revelation.

The Beast of Revelation 13

Chapter 13. I must tell you a little bit of this. Because I will come back to this again next week. John was getting a revelation. And he said. And I stood upon the hand of the faith. And I think that when you come to deal with the sea here.

You will find it was the Mediterranean Sea. And of course that is bringing us. Out of the very surf of the common market. And I saw a beast rise up out of the sea. Having seven heads and ten horns. Ten horns, ten canes.

And upon his head the name of blasphemy. Beast which I saw was like unto a leopard. And his feet were at the feet of a bear. And his mouth was the mouth of a lion. I will show you that in a moment. And the dragon gave him his power and his feet.

And great authority. Because the dragon is the old devil. So one of his heads was very wounded to death. And his deadly wound was healed. And all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast.