NT Text: 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
OT Source(s):
Source: Beale & Carson (eds.), Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament (2007); Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Reference Type: Allusion
Connection Method(s): Typology
Significance: Paul's composite description draws from multiple OT texts: "man of lawlessness" from Psalm 89:22 and Isaiah 57:3-4 (Semitic idiom designating essential character), "exalts himself" from Daniel 11:36's description of Antiochus Epiphanes who desecrated the temple, and "takes his seat in the temple" from Daniel's temple profanation prophecies (8:9-14; 9:26-27; 11:31) combined with Isaiah 14:13 and Ezekiel 28:2's rulers claiming divine status. Paul employs typological interpretation where Antiochus and the arrogant kings of Tyre and Babylon become archetypal patterns for the eschatological "man of lawlessness" who embodies all characteristics of God's enemies in concentrated form. This provides the Thessalonians with objective, observable criteria—since the man of lawlessness has not yet appeared and desecrated the temple, the day of the Lord cannot have already come. Paul grounds his correction in authoritative OT teaching, demonstrating the importance of OT literacy for understanding NT eschatology.