What is the Catholic interpretation of 2 Thessalonians 2:3?
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The English translation of 2 Thes. 2:3 according to New American Bible, Revised Edition :
>3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For unless the apostasy comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one doomed to perdition, NAB, 2011
The Greek text of 2 Thes. 2:3 according to the Textus Receptus states,
>Γ μή τις ὑμᾶς ἐξαπατήσῃ κατὰ μηδένα τρόπον ὅτι ἐὰν μὴ ἔλθῃ ἡ ἀποστασία πρῶτον καὶ ἀποκαλυφθῇ ὁ ἄνθρωπος τῆς ἁμαρτίας, ὁ υἱὸς τῆς ἀπωλείας TR, 1550
For the purpose of this question which requests an answer from Catholics, let us assume Catholicism represents the true Christian faith.
1. Has the “the apostasy” (ἡ ἀποστασία) already occurred? If so, what is it, and when did it occur?
2. If not, what criteria would the Pope and magisterium use to identify the apostasy when it occurs?
3. Has “the man of sin, the son of perditionÌ (ὁ ἄνθρωπος τῆς ἁμαρτίας, ὁ υἱὸς τῆς ἀπωλείας) been revealed? If so, who is he, and when was he revealed?
4. If not, again, what criteria would the Pope and magisterium use to identify this individual when he is revealed?
*Note*: The text seems to imply that “the apostasy” is not simply one individual’s apostasy, as individuals have been apostasizing since the beginning of the Church. Rather, it appears more evident, easily discernable, not *en masse*, but certainly more than a handful of individuals apostasizing from the Catholic Church (assuming the Catholic Church is the Church, the body of Christ).
Asked by Der Übermensch
(549 rep)
Jan 3, 2015, 05:23 AM
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