Biblical scholar and recent president of the Evangelical Theological Society, Dr.
When seeking to understand an ancient text, it is essential to search for the author’s intended meaning, and for a first-century Jew, this description was literal. According to theologian Fred Dickason’s angelology, “This title might be rendered ‘the ruler of the empire of this atmosphere.’ It pictures Satan’s position and activity as a dominating leader operating a kingdom that centers in the atmosphere of the earth.” While more liberal interpreters might think we are pressing a metaphor too far, this is certainly the preferred reading. This title speaks to the abode of the fallen angels. Paul’s description of Satan as the “prince” ( archōn) “of the air” ( tou aeros) or “prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2) is indicative of where this deception will originate. Of course, Paul is unequivocal that Satan and his rebel angels will carry this out, and, according to biblical theology, the realm they will operate from is the sky.
According to Paul, this tyrant’s appearance will be accompanied by unprecedented signs, and God will allow the unbelieving world to fall under a “strong delusion, that they should believe a lie” (2 Thessalonians 2:11). The title, “God of gods,” is revealing, as we believe these events will entail a showdown of divine beings who exercise untold power and influence over this world. In addition, Daniel wrote of a king who would “magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods” (Daniel 11:36). This “man of sin” is widely considered to be the Antichrist or the “the Beast” in the book of Revelation (Revelation 13, 17). Confirming this idea, Paul taught the Thessalonians that prior to Christ’s return there will be an apostasy and appearance of “a man of sin” who will proclaim to be God (vv. Although the “latter days” ensued at Pentecost, the temporal language implies a progression culminating in a distinctively universal demonic seduction. Paul wrote to Timothy that during the last days, people would depart from Christianity and fall prey to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons (1 Timothy 4:1–3). Paul’s writings confirm the teachings of Jesus. At this time, the deception will become so convincing that “if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect” (Matthew 24:24).While it is clear that the time prior to His return will be one of unmatched deception, Jesus’ prediction concerning “men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken” (Luke 21:26, underline added) seems to infer something believed to be not of this world, i.e., extraterrestrial. Jesus predicted a false messiah would come in “His own name” and would be accepted by the Jews (John 5:43). While those warnings apply generally to false doctrines and religions, He narrows His focus explicitly to a time: “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:21), which is necessarily connected to the general resurrection of the dead in Daniel 12:1 and cannot be relegated to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, as preterists erroneously assert. He warned of increasing numbers of false prophets (Matthew 24:5, 11). When Jesus’ disciples asked Him about His coming at the end of the age, He began with, “Take heed that no man deceive you” (Matthew 24:4).
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