I am back from the dentist.
greendawn,
I agree with you on the statue in Daniel. That is one thing I think, for the most part, the WT got right.
As far as the man of lawlessness, he has not been revealed yet so it is just conjecture as far as who it will be. This is not Satan and not merely a political or military man but something different because he will EXALT himself above every God and claim worship for himself. Note what Paul says here:
2 Thessalonians 2:1-4
1 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. 3 Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for (that day will not come) until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God
This has not happened yet. The temple I believe refers to God's temple in Jeruselem which would have to be re established prior to this day. That is why many believe the Jews have to all return to their land and take control again and rebuild this temple. Then, this man of lawlessness will set himself up in it and claim to be God. There are many scriptures which I will share at another time showing the Jews WILL rebuild the temple in Jeruselem and rededicate it to Jehovah.
In 2 Thesslonians 2:5-12 Paul explains some of the signs and miracles that this "Man" will perform to mislead the inhabitants of the earth to worship HIM instead of God. What he is describing is very similiar and possibly the same event mentioned in Revelation chapters 13 and 14, which speak about a beast (remember beast is a symbol) who sets up an image of worship and performs miracles to mislead all the nations into worshipping it. Thos who appose it (Christ's Saints) will be killed.
I am still in the process of really studying this "man of lawlessness" but if the WT is saying that the time is maybe days away, or a short time, and Paul says this man must be revealed prior, then who are they saying is the man of lawlessness and how to they explain these miracles and most of the earth being decieved? It obviously has not happend and we don't know who it is. I have some opinions on it but don't want to share publicly yet, but as I said, it is just speculation at this time. But clealy, the end is not days away because this prophecy has not been fulfilled yet and this revealing has not taken place.