Titus-The Man of Lawlessness in 70 AD

                                         Titus-The Man of Lawlessness in 70 AD

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 The Man of Lawlessness 2 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. 5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I TOLD YOU THESE THINGS? 6 And you know what is restraining him NOW so that he may be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is ALREADY AT WORK. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, 10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, 12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness

 

 

INTRODUCTION

In 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7, the Reader can see the shift between the masculine and neuter usage of “The Restrainer.” This would indicate that this may refer to both the Roman Law and the present emperor of the time (Nero) when referring to “The Restrainer.” While Nero lives, Vespasian and Titus are “powerless” to destroy the Temple. Christianity is free from persecution until the 64 AD when Nero sets Rome on fire and blames it on Christians. Now the Mystery of Lawlessness is at work. The Apostate Jews and Romans are working together to persecute believers.

Notice the yellow highlighted passage above. It talks about events that are relevant to the 1st Century Audience. The words “Now” and “Already” indicate this strongly. The words highlighted in green have been up for much debate.  The first step in interpreting this passage is to look at the parallels and common themes in the Old Testament. For example, Daniel 7:23-28.

 

Daniel 7:23-27 English Standard Version 23 “Thus he said: ‘As for the fourth beast, there shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all the kingdoms, and it shall devour the whole earth, and trample it down, and break it to pieces. 24 As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise, and another shall arise after them; he shall be different from the former ones, and shall put down three kings. 25 He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the SAINTS (ETHNIC ISRAEL) of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time. 26 But the court shall sit in judgment, and his dominion shall be taken away, to be consumed and destroyed to the end. 27 And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the SAINTS (SPIRITUAL ISRAEL) of the Most High; his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

 

Daniel 12:7 English Standard Version 7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream; he raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven and swore by him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time, and that when the shattering of the power of the holy people(SAINTS- ETHNIC ISRAEL) comes to an end all these things would be finished

 

NOTE: We already know from Scripture and established historical documents that Rome is the Fourth Kingdom. The Ten Horns are the Ten Roman Emperors: Julius Caesar, Augustus, Tiberius, Gaius or Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and Vespasian. This passage is also in harmony with Revelation 17:10-12. Titus was different from previous emperors. First, he was a co-emperor with his Father, Vespasian. Second, he was the one prophesized to destroy the 2nd Temple of the Jews; making the Jews ironically “lawless.” In verse 25, a lot of people will easily assume that the word SAINTS mean Christian. That is somewhat correct. However, it can refer to Ethnic Israel and Spiritual Israel/Church depending on the context. Reading the context is crucial here. If you compare Daniel 7:25 and Daniel 12:7, you will notice that both words can refer to an Ethnic Jew. In Daniel 7:25, the word is qaddiysh (Aramaic) and in Daniel 12:7 the word is qodesh ‘am (Hebrew). Both words are extremely similar.

 

 They are essentially the same word. Both words mean Holy Ones/Holy People.  We know that the Jews got their power shattered in 70AD when the Temple was destroyed. In contrast, Christianity was slowly spreading throughout the world. Now someone can make the argument that it might be a Jewish Christian if you compare Revelation 11:7 with Revelation 13:7. The issue with that argument is that the Jewish Christians already made their trip up to Pella. It is a possibility that some stayed back to make a final plea for repentance to the apostates (Revelation 11:7). However, if Daniel 7:25 is a parallel passage (and I believe it is) it is best to view Revelation 13:7 referring to the Ethnic Jews (consistent with the historical record of 70 AD), not Christians.  Christians were not the focus of Titus’ persecution between 66 AD-70AD. It doesn’t mean that there were no Christian casualties. It just means that the Ethnic Jews were Rome’s primary target. With Revelation 11, it allows the possibility for a small group of Jewish or Gentile Christians (representing the Two Witnesses) to be killed by Rome.

Just like Antiochus Epiphanes IV, Titus brought military flags and idols into the 2nd Temple (See War 6.6.1, Tacitus, Histories 4.53). Jesus reused the prophetic imagery of the “Abomination of Desolation” in Daniel 11:31. Jesus mentioned this in Matthew 24:15-16, Mark 13:14, and Luke 21:20-21.

If Titus is the Man of Lawlessness, doesn’t Jesus kill him in the end? The issue with this is that 2 Thessalonians 2:8, the words “kill” and “bring to nothing” can be interpreted many ways. Those translations are not limited to those words alone. The Greek word for “kill” is Anaireo and the word for “bring to nothing” is Katargeo. Anaireo can also be translated into overthrow, put out of the way, get rid of, or to remove. We see a similar thematic passage in Isaiah 27:8. Therefore, it is not a foreign concept that the Lord can use his breath to remove the enemies of Israel. Also, we see that the Lord talks about driving and casting away Israel’s enemies without completely killing them instantly (See Exodus 23:30,34:11; Leviticus 18:24; Psalm 68:2; Jeremiah 27:10; Deuteronomy 7:22).

Isaiah 27:8 English Standard Version 8 Measure by measure, by exile you contended with them; he removed them with his fierce breath in the day of the east wind

For the word Katargeo, it can be translated to bring to an end, to disarm, render powerless, to send away, to make disappear, and/or do away with. Look below for support.

 

ANAIREO-To be Inactive or overthrow


Acts 7:21 New King James Version 21 But when he was set out, Pharaoh’s daughter took him away and brought him up as her own son.

 

Hebrews 10:9 New King James Version 9 then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second.

 

NOTE: As you can see, the word anaireo is not strictly reserved for killing. It can be taken away, removed, and/or released.

 

Kartageo-Do away with/ release-removal him/ make him disappear



Galatians 5:4 English Standard Version 4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.

 

1 Corinthians 13:10 English Standard Version 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.

 

Romans 7:2 English Standard Version 2 For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage.

 

2 Corinthians 3:7 English Standard Version 7 Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses' face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end

2 Corinthians 3:11 English Standard Version 11 For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory.

 

2 Corinthians 3:13 English Standard Version 13 not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end.

 

Romans 7:6 English Standard Version 6 But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.

 

Romans 6:6 English Standard Version 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.

 

1 Corinthians 6:13 English Standard Version 13 “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.

 

2 Corinthians 3:14 English Standard Version 14 But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away.

 

NOTE: As you can see, the word Katargeo is not strictly reserved for bringing to nothing. It can refer to being inactive, to make idle, to do away with, etc.

 

                                          How did Christ make Titus inactive or inoperable?

After the Siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD, Titus left Jerusalem for Rome. In conclusion, this shows that Titus was “removed” and “sent away” by Christ because the Temple was destroyed and there was nothing more to do to the Jews. Titus returned to Rome in order to celebrate his triumphant victory. Below is an ideal translation if the correct words were translated into 2 Thessalonians 2. They are highlighted in green. Lastly, when we compare Daniel 7:26 with 2 Thessalonians 2. We can see  similar words to consume and destroy are used. The only difference is that Christ takes away his dominion, He is not killing Titus. You can take away someone's dominion and not kill them. Use the Old Testament in order to interpret the New Testament. 


Daniel 7:26 English Standard Version 26 But the court shall sit in judgment, and his (Man of Lawlessness) dominion shall be taken away, to be consumed and destroyed to the end.

 

IDEAL TRANSLATION

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 The Man of Lawlessness 2 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. 5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I TOLD YOU THESE THINGS? 6 And you know what is restraining him (TITUS) NOW so that he(TITUS) may be revealed in his (TITUS) time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is ALREADY AT WORK. Only he(IMPERIAL ROMAN LAW) who now restrains it will do so until he (EMPEROR NERO) is out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will remove with the breath of his mouth and send away by the appearance of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, 10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, 12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness

***********************************************************************************BONUS-Alternative View

Although incorrect, you can make a small argument for King Herod from Acts 12:11 and 12:22-23 as the Man of Lawlessness. The problem is that when you parallel it with Daniel 7 and Revelation 17 the whole argument falls apart. It is an interesting theory. However, Paul was writing about the “Great Falling Away.” King Herod was dead already in the Book of Acts before this event. This rules him out as the Man of Lawlessness that Paul was writing about.

Acts 12:11 English Standard Version 11 When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”

Acts 12:22-23 English Standard Version 22 And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” 23 Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.


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