Gr. antikeimai, “to be adverse to,” “to withstand,” “to oppose.”

Gr. huperairomai, “to lift [oneself] above,” “to raise [oneself] up over” something.

Or, “against.”

Gr. sebasma, “an object of worship,” “whatever is religiously honored.” Paul‘s words depict an arrogant power that opposes all competitors in the filed of religion and permits no rival to receive the worship he claims for himself.

This rightly includes all forms of deity, both true and false, and should not be limited to the Christian‘s God.

Gr. apodeiknumi, “to point out,” “to exhibit,” “to declare.” His taking his seat in the inner sanctuary of the temple reveals that he claims to sit “as God,” that, indeed, “he is God.” Blasphemy can go no further.

 To informed students of the Bible, the marks of identity enumerated in vs. 3, 4 are already familiar, since they are found elsewhere in the Inspired Word. A comparison with Daniel‘s prophecy of the blasphemous power that succeeds that of pagan Rome (see on Dan. 7:8, 19-26), and with John‘s word picture of the leopardlike beast (see on Rev. 13:1-18), reveals many similarities between the three descriptions. This leads to the conclusion that Daniel, Paul, and John are speaking of the same power, namely, the papacy (GC 49-54, 356). Many commentators apply the term Antichrist, “one who opposes Christ,” or “one who stands in the place of Christ” (cf. on 1 John 2:18), to the power here described. For extended comment on the various marks of identity see on the above-mentioned passages in Daniel and in Revelation.

 In a larger sense the power here described may be identified with Satan, who has long striven to be “like the most High” (see on Isa. 14:14). “Satan is working to the utmost to make himself as God and to destroy all who oppose his power. And today the world is bowing before him. His power is received as the power of God” (6T 14). “The determination of antichrist to carry out the rebellion he began in heaven will continue to work in the children of disobedience” (9T 230). “In this age antichrist will appear as the true Christ, and then the law of God will be fully made void.... But the true leader of all this rebellion is Satan clothed as an angel of light. Men will be deceived and will exalt him to the place of God, and deify him” (TM 62). “The last great delusion is soon to open before us. Antichrist is to perform his marvelous works in our sight” (GC 593).

 Gr. naos, the inner sanctuary, or shrine, contrasted with hieron, which designates the entire temple complex. Some, on the basis of 1 Cor. 3:16; 2 Cor. 6:16; Eph. 2:21, believe that “temple” here refers to the church; others, that Paul is using the term temple figuratively to represent a center of religious worship. In a place presumably dedicated to the worship of the true God the wicked one sits soliciting worship of himself.

Literally, “into,” indicating both the entrance of this power into the temple of God and his seating himself there.

Important textual evidence may be cited (cf. p. 10) for the omission of these words. Such omission does not seriously affect the meaning of the related passage, since the thought is implicit in the words that follow. The overbearing power assumes divine prerogatives, with reference to the true God and not simply pagan deities.

These words serve to indicate the purpose of the actions of the haughty power.