Christ’s Authority vs. The Man of Sin

Question from Social Media:

When Jesus declared, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" (Matthew 28:18). Did he, "exalt himself over everything that is called God so that he sets himself up in God’s temple proclaiming himself to be God" (2Thessalonians2:4)?

Answer:

When Jesus declared, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matt.28:18), He was not exalting Himself in rebellion. His authority was given by the Father. Scripture confirms this: “As thou hast given him power over all flesh” (John 17:2), and “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him” (Phil.2:9). Christ’s exaltation is the Father’s act, rooted in His obedience unto death (Phil.2:8). He is the rightful Lord, seated at the right hand of God (Heb.1:3), and in Him “dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily” (Col.2:9).

By contrast, 2Thess.2:4 describes “that man of sin…who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God.” His authority is self-claimed, energized by Satan, and mirrors the pride of Isa.14:13–14: “I will exalt my throne…I will be like the most High.” He sits in the earthly temple, deceiving men, pretending to be God. His end is destruction: “Whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming” (2Thess.2:8).

The difference is important to note. Christ’s authority is bestowed; the man of sin’s is usurped. Christ’s exaltation leads to every knee bowing and every tongue confessing Him as Lord (Phil.2:10–11). The man of sin’s exaltation leads to judgment and ruin. Jesus is the obedient Son exalted by God, the other is the rebellious deceiver exalted against God.