The Man of Sin: Identifying the Papacy in Prophecy

The papacy is identified in prophecy as the "man of sin," a system that has not changed and cannot change because its fundamental doctrines forbid itAMS January 18, 1894, page 18.11+1. This power is the representative of Satan on earth, exalting itself above God by claiming the authority to change the divine law7BC 910.3+1.

The Identity of the Man of Sin

• Apostasy and Rise: The man of sin is the result of a great falling away from the purity of the gospel that began even in the days of the apostles 2 Thessalonians 2:3SITI October 25, 1883, page 473.9+1.

• Usurpation of God's Place: This power sits in the "temple of God"—the Christian Church—claiming honors, attributes, and a level of homage due to God alone 2 Thessalonians 2:4SITI October 25, 1883, page 473.9+1.

• Character of the System: History reveals the papacy as a dynasty that has fostered superstition, ignorance, and a half-heathenish system of Christianity that holds millions in spiritual darknessAMS January 18, 1894, page 18.11+1.

The Attack on God's Law

The most defining act of the man of sin is the attempt to change the times and laws of JehovahTMR 106.2+1.

• The Fourth Commandment: He aimed his blow at the root of God's authority by striking out the fourth commandment, which points to the true God as the Creator Exodus 31:13ARSH September 16, 1852, page 74.19+1.

• The Spurious Sabbath: In place of the seventh-day Sabbath, the man of sin instituted the first day of the week—Sunday—as a sign of his power above God Daniel 7:255MR 45.2+1.

• The Mark of the Beast: Understandingly keeping this changed law constitutes a mark of allegiance to the papacy rather than to God Revelation 13:16-17GC 446.1+1.

The Final Conflict

• A National Apostasy: In the future, the United States will lead a movement to enforce the observance of the Sunday sabbath, forming an "image" to the beast Revelation 13:11-14GC 578.3+1.

• Protestant Confederacy: Professed Protestantism will unite with the man of sin to restore his lost ascendancy and make void the law of GodLDE 130.3+2.

• The Remnant Message: God has raised a people to "repair the breach" in His law and warn the world against worshiping the beast and receiving his mark Revelation 14:9-12ARSH January 12, 1860, page 57.13+2.

Steadfast Faith

True believers must not bow to the man of sin or accept Satan's bribes, but must manfully choose naked duty and loyalty to the Redeemer17MR 81.1+1. While many have kept Sunday in ignorance and do not yet have the mark of the beast, the time is coming when the issue will be clearly before all peopleDAR1909 607.1. We are called to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, treasuring the precious truths of His Word to stand firm in the day of the Lord Hebrews 12:14Pr 275.1+1.