Striking parallels to the eschatological truths of Daniel 8 are set forth in 2 Thessalonians 2 related to the man of sin, the restrainer, the mystery of iniquity, and the parousia (the second coming of Christ; 2 Thess. 2:8). These are summarized in the following table.
Eschatological Parallels
of Daniel 8 and 2 Thessalonians 2
| 2 Thessalonians 2 | Daniel 8 |
| 1. Man of Sin Papal Rome |
1. Horn (feminine) papal phase |
| 2. The Restrainer Pagan Rome |
2. Horn (masculine) pagan phase |
| 3. Mystery of lawlessness Self-Exaltation |
3. “The Daily” & “The Transgression Desolating” |
| 4. Parousia (Second Coming of Christ) Sanctification by the Spirit Belief in the Truth |
4. Sanctuary put right (cleansed) |
The eschatological parallel of urgent significance is the relationship of the cleansing of the sanctuary to the parousia. Those who stand at the second coming of Christ, with their hopes fulfilled, will have received the love of the truth of righteousness by faith through the sanctification of the Spirit (2 Thess. 2:12-13). In order to bear witness to this truth, Christ, the Author of truth, was born of a woman and came into this world that He might be the King of righteousness (Jn. 18:36-37), righteousness which comes from God by faith. Belief in the truth encompasses the point-counterpoint parallel of 1) the sanctuary, both the heavenly and the human heart, being put right and cleansed, and 2) sanctification by the Spirit in 2 Thessalonians 2 of those who at the parousia believe the truth which was witnessed by the King of Righteousness, the Savior of all men especially those who believe.
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