Son of Perdition
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Son of Perdition can be found in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 and John 17:12 and is a name commonly associated with the Antichrist and the biblical term of the Devil's Advocate mentioned in 1 and 2 John. Some commentators have linked the term and identity to the Roman Catholic Church and the Pope (See Free Presbyterian Church, Ian Paisley and Historicism). The Eastern Orthodox tradition considers him to come at the time of the End of the World, when the 'katechon' (the one who restrains) will be taken out. Some understand 'katechon' as an Orthodox emperor, some as a secret mysterious organization, that keeps on restraining the Evil after the fall of all Orthodox empires.
Son of Perdition is also well known as a term used by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes referred to as Mormons) to describe a person who will not take any part in the glory of God in the afterlife. This is in contrast to most people, who will receive a "kingdom of glory" after the Final Judgment, and enter into either the Celestial, Terrestrial, or Telestial Kingdom. Most Latter-day Saints believe that the Sons of Perdition will be cast into outer darkness; the scriptures do not use this term in connection with the Sons of Perdition, but state that they "shall go away into the lake of fire and brimstone, with the devil and his angels."[1]
Mormons believe that free will is one of the greatest gifts of God, and therefore that there could be some who completely reject Jesus Christ and salvation. God will not force someone, for example Satan, to be saved if Satan desires not to be saved. Sons of Perdition are not so much punished in Mormon theology as allowed to walk away from God and live in whatever amount of darkness feels comfortable to them.
In an LDS context, the name Perdition refers to either Lucifer (D&C 76:26) or Cain (Moses 5:24), both of whom are symbols of ultimate evil.
According to LDS theology, there are two classes of persons who will become sons of perdition:
- The pre-mortal hosts (or followers) of Satan. It is taught that, in the pre-mortal life, they chose to follow a plan proposed by Satan, rather than God and Jesus' plan. Thus ensued the First War in Heaven.
- Those in mortal life who "deny the Holy Ghost," which is generally interpreted as leaving and fighting against the LDS Church after receiving a personal witness of the truthfulness of the Gospel from the Holy Ghost. It is frequently—though not universally—added that a son of perdition must have a "perfect knowledge" of the truth of the Church (mere faith is not enough). Generally, the requirement of perfect knowledge is only fulfilled by a personal visitation from Jesus Christ or an angel of the Lord. This was taught by LDS Church President Spencer W. Kimball.
In The Doctrine and Covenants, Covenant 88:24, they are described as inhabiting "a kingdom which is not a kingdom of glory." The most comprehensive exposition of the phrase can be found in Section 76 in the Doctrine and Covenants (The Doctrine and Covenants, Covenant 76).
[edit] References
- ^ The Doctrine and Covenants, Covenant 76:36
