Two events will happen before the Day of the Lord (2:2).
Both Jewish and Christian teachings predict a great rebellion against God before the end of time (Matthew 24:11–14; 1 Timothy 4:1).
the man of lawlessness: He is without law or against law. Sin defines his character.
the son of destruction: The focus is the lawless man’s own destruction, not just on the destruction he causes (2 Thessalonians 2:8).