Myer Pearlman (1898-1943) was one of the foremost educators and writers in the early Pentecostal movement. Born into a Jewish family in Edinburgh, Scotland, he was a prolific writer and the premier Assemblies of God systematic theologian of his era. Along with the English language, he was fluent in Hebrew, Greek, French (which he taught himself at 14 years old), Spanish, and Italian. What an incredible linguist!
In his classic book (which was one of my textbooks in college), “Knowing the Doctrines of the Bible”, Pearlman describes the Man of Sin and includes many Scripture references to support his statements.
“The spirit of Antichrist is already in the world (1 John 4:3; 2:18, 22) but there is a final Antichrist who is yet to come (2 Thessalonians 2:3). In the last days he will arise from the old world (Revelation 13:1) and become ruler over a resurrected Roman empire achieving world dominion. He will assume great power politically (Daniel 7:8, 25), commercially (Daniel 8:25; Revelation 13:16-17), and religiously (Revelation 17:1-15). He will be anti-God and anti-Christ, and will persecute all believers in an attempt to completely destroy Christianity (Daniel 7:25; 8:24; Revelation 13:7, 15). Knowing that man must have a religion of some kind, he will establish one based on the divinity of man and the supremacy of the State. As the embodiment of the State, he will demand worship, and will appoint a priesthood to enforce and foster this religion (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10; Revelation 13:12-15).
Antichrist will carry to its extreme the doctrine of the supremacy of the State – which teaches that the government is the supreme power to which everything – even man’s conscience – must be subordinated. Since there is no higher power than that of the State, God and His law must be abolished and the State worshipped.
…The New Testament regards human government as divinely ordained for the maintenance of order and justice. The Christian therefore owes loyalty to his country. Both Church and State have a part in God’s program, and each is to work in its own sphere. God is to receive the things that are God’s, and Caesar is to receive the things that are Caesar’s.
But very often Cesar has demanded the things that are God’s, with the result that the Church has, against her desire, found herself in conflict with the government.
The Scriptures predict that this conflict will one day reach its culmination. The last civilization will be anti-God, and the Antichrist its head, the world-dictator, will make the law of the worldState supreme above every law, and will claim worship as the embodiment of the State. The same Scriptures assure us that God will triumph and that upon the ruins of the anti-Christian world-empire He will establish a rule where God is supreme – the Kingdom of God (Daniel 2:34, 35, 44; Revelation 11:15; 19:11-21.) Hallelujah! We will rule and reign with Him forever and ever!
This Sunday, November 10, we will continue our study series through Paul’s letters to the church at Thessalonica entitled “Live READY!” with the topic, “The Man of Sin!” (2nd Thessalonians 2:1-17). Please invite someone to join you at 10:35am in the building or online for the Live broadcast on either Facebook (Honolulu AG) or our YouTube channel (Honolulu Assembly of God). We Livestream every Sunday at 10:35am to both locations and would love to have you join us.
By the time you receive this, the 2024 Election will be over. Your favored candidate(s) may have been elected or defeated, but it is imperative that we intercede for those in authority over us (1 Timothy 2:1-4). Don’t criticize the ones you don’t like; instead pray for them. And remember that government is not the solution; Jesus is the Answer!
On Sunday, November 24, Honolulu Assembly of God will celebrate “50 years of Aloha!” with a special service at 10am featuring special speaker Renee Lo. By the time you receive this we will have needed to give a confirmed count to the caterer. If you have not yet registered for the lunch, it will be too late for that, but you are still welcome to join us for the celebration service that day. Mahalo!
Aloha ke Akua!
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