Did Paul ever use the expression "the man" in any of his other writings in such a way that it does "not" refer to only one man? Yes, Paul wrote, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that "the man" of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Tim. 3-15-16). Here "the man" of God does not refer to only one man, but rather to a succession of godly men throughout history who follow the scriptures. Paul also used the phrase "the minister" of God ( Romans 13-4) to refer to all civil officers throughout history who restrain evil. Thus Paul's mysterious phrase, "the man of sin", which is the same as the "little horn" and "the beast", properly refers to an actual "kingdom" with "eyes like the eyes of a man" (see Rev. 4-6-7), a kingdom in a historical succession of supremely exalted "men" who contrary to the scriptures, are part of the "mystery of iniquity."
In 2 Thess. 2-4, Paul tells us that "the man of sin" opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, so that "he as God sits in the temple of God showing himself that he is God." The many today who teach, preach, and make others believe those views, apply 2 Thess. 2-3-4 as being an individual called anti-christ who will enter a literal rebuilt temple in Jerusalem, desecrate it, and cause the re-instituted animal Jewish sacrifices to cease there. For this teaching they refer to Dan. 9-27, of what anti-christ would fulfill in the midst of that seven. Though it mentions there "he causes the sacrifice and offerings to cease," this does not indicate it is speaking of a re-institution of animal sacrifices that he causes to cease. Nor does it speak there of a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem, where these sacrifices and offerings are caused by "him" to cease. This verse mentions nothing of a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem, nor are these sacrifices to be taken as a re-institution of Old Testament Jewish sacrifices. Also, when looking to this verse, one must take into account the New Covenant which would be in effect when this prophecy would come to fulfillment. The proper translation of this verse is, "---in the midst of the seven he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation (offering) to cease, and for the "overspreading of abominations" he shall make desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate." Yet they teach otherwise things that are contrary to the scriptures. Lets go to Paul to see is this really what Paul had in mind, as the many teach?
The Greek word for "temple" in 2 Thess. 2-4 is "naos." He used the very same Greek word in 1 Cor. 3-16. Writing to "the church of God" (1 Cor. 1-2), Paul asked, "What! Do you not know that you are the temple (naos) of God?" Here Paul defined the "naos" or "temple of God" to be the church. In fact, in all of Paul's writings, every time he used the word "naos" (see 2 Cor. 6-16 and Ephe. 2-21-22) he always applied it to the Christian church, and never once to a literal Jewish temple in Jerusalem. When Jesus Christ died, his death put an end to all earthly sacrifices. He became the final sacrifice (Heb. 10-12). Also, could such a rebuilt Jewish temple, which by itself would be a denial of Jesus Christ, be called here by Paul "the temple of God?" No, such a temple, even if it were to exist could not be God's temple, for it would be an open denial of his Son. The correct interpretation of 2 Thess. 2-4 based on Paul's own usage of the word "naos" is that "the temple of God is the church, the body of Christ." This means that "anti-christ", to mean "many," will subtle and deceptively, as predicted, enter Christianity, the body of Christ, and cause the "falling away"; the sacrifice to cease because of the abominations in it predicted for the end time. This is seen in Dan. 8-11-12;9-27;11-31 and 12-11.
In 2 Thess. 2-4, we read anti-christ will sit in the temple (naos) of God. This does not mean he will "sit down" in some building. After Jesus' sacrifice, when Jesus ascended to heaven, he "sat down on the right hand of God" (Heb. 10-12). This doesn't mean that Jesus has been "sitting down" for 2000 years, but rather that he is now seated in office, in a "position of authority" at God's right hand. It is in this way will anti-christ "sit" in a "position of authority" inside the Christian church, the body of Christ. This anti-christ will "sit" "as God--showing himself that he is God." Multitudes to day interpret and believe this to mean that "the anti-christ," as a person, will literally walk into an actual rebuilt Jewish temple in Jerusalem, sit down, and openly say he is God. Yet this is not what Paul wrote, for anti-christ will not actually say "I am God," but rather as Paul wrote, he will sit "as God", "showing himself" that he is God; by his deceptive claims, statements and actions. In other words, the biblical anti-christ will sit "as God" inside the temple of God, which is the church, the body of Christ, assuming the very authority of God himself.
Those who hold to these views and teachings also refer to Rev. 11-2 as further confirmation that a literal temple will be rebuilt and exist "in Jerusalem" with re-instituted Jewish sacrifices in progress, as the anti-christ comes to power.One reason being, as is seen there, this temple is to be "measured." That is the temple, the alter and those who worship therein. But the outer court, the temple's outer precincts, is not to be measured, for it is to be given over to the Gentiles, the unbelievers. So we see this indicates and speaks of a literal temple to be measured, where its outer courts are to be trampled on. And where this temple of God will exist is called in Rev. 11-2, "the holy city." So they see Rev. 11-1-2 as being a literal rebuilt temple "in Jerusalem" with Jewish sacrifices in progress. For they see the phrase "the holy city" being trampled underfoot as being "the holy city of Jerusalem." But is that what John really means here? Lets see what John actually writes here in Rev. 11-1-2. "---rise, and measure the temple of God, and the alter, and them that worship therein."
The Greek word "temple" used here is "naos", the same word used by Paul in 2 Thess. 2-4;1 Cor. 3-16;2 Cor. 6-16; and Ephe. 2-21-22. So here we read, "Rise and measure the "naos" (temple) of God," the "holy place" or "sanctuary of God" and the alter. But not its outer courts or precincts, for they are to be trampled on. "And those who worship therein " is a figure of speech, for a building can be measured but "not persons." So here, "take account of" should be supplied. "And take account of those who worship therein." But the "court that is without (the outer precincts) the Naos (temple) cast without, and measure it not; because it is given up to the Gentiles (unbelievers); and the holy city shall they thread underfoot forty and two months." The word "reed" like a measuring rod, is the Hebrew "shevet," a "staff," which also means a measuring rod, and is the same word used in Ezek. 40-3. Where we see the angel there using to measure the temple that would be built. So here, in Rev. 11-1-2, as in Ezekiel, it can be seen that there is to be a literal temple (naos) of God that is to be built and measured. But its outer court and the rest of the city where the temple sanctuary sits is to be trampled on; and this "city" is called "the holy city."