Paul wrote this letter in 51-52 AD when the Herodian temple was still standing. The man of lawlessness is identified with the anti-Christ of John's letters.<ref>The term “anti-Christ” is used 1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3 and 2 John 7.</ref> It is a construction parallel to "Son of Man," a phrase applied to Jesus in the gospels. There is a history of identifying this character with various political figures such as a Roman emperor, pope, or Napoleon. The ''[[Geneva Bible]]'', used by the Puritans and by Shakespeare, identifies the anti-Christ with Pope Boniface VIII.<ref>''Geneva Bible'', Notes on Revelation 14:1. Boniface issued ''Unan Sanctum'' in 1302 in which he proclaimed papal supremacy over both the church and secular authority. "It is altogether necessary to salvation for every human creature to be subject to the Roman pontiff," it stated.</ref> | Paul wrote this letter in 51-52 AD when the Herodian temple was still standing. The man of lawlessness is identified with the anti-Christ of John's letters.<ref>The term “anti-Christ” is used 1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3 and 2 John 7.</ref> It is a construction parallel to "Son of Man," a phrase applied to Jesus in the gospels. There is a history of identifying this character with various political figures such as a Roman emperor, pope, or Napoleon. The ''[[Geneva Bible]]'', used by the Puritans and by Shakespeare, identifies the anti-Christ with Pope Boniface VIII.<ref>''Geneva Bible'', Notes on Revelation 14:1. Boniface issued ''Unan Sanctum'' in 1302 in which he proclaimed papal supremacy over both the church and secular authority. "It is altogether necessary to salvation for every human creature to be subject to the Roman pontiff," it stated.</ref> |