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Someone please enlighten me, what does Paul mean in 2 Thessalonians 2:6 when he says, ‘and you know what’s holding him back’.
Discussion
85 comments
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The subject here is “the son of perdition”, Satan, the Antichrist, or what ever name you desire to use for him. He is Satan, and Satan will commit the “abomination of desolation” of Daniel 9:27; and the church will be here to see it, because the “gathering”, or Christ’s return follows this.
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The church once it has been taken he’ll come
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That he may be revealed at the proper time he can’t show up until God allows it
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The church is the. One Hindering evering thing …
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Whatever was prophesied has time to be revealed, So there Paul was talking about time for Antchrist to be revealed
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I read it was Rome , Holding back the Pope Which came to power in 538 ad. History record it. Can you not see the hold world flereing into the mountain of Judea, It all was about the jew.
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Michael is holding satan now, your proof is Jude ch 1 Michael and satan are arguing about the bones of Moses, if they are having a conversation then they are in the same place.
Revelation ch 12 Michael and his angels cast satan and his angels out of heaven, so if Michael is the one throwing him out then it makes sense that he is in control of satan.
A little common sense goes a long way. -
“But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince.” Daniel 10:21
Michael, the great prince, is presently watching over the sons of Israel. (Dan. 10:21) During the Beginning of Sorrows, this angel will be restraining the mystery of lawlessness from attacking Jerusalem. (Mat. 24:4-8, 2 Thes. 2:7)
‘At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation…’ Daniel 12:1a
In the middle of the seven-year week, Michael will stand up (stop restraining). (Dan. 12:1) This event will initiate the Great Tribulation; a time of trouble believers have never experienced. (Dan. 12:1, Mat. 24:15-22) An unsuspecting Israel will be totally caught off guard. (Ezek. 38:11)
Once Michael the restrainer is taken out of the way (2 Thes. 2:7) the Abomination of Desolation and his armies from ten Muslim nations (horns) will begin their wrath by invading an unsuspecting Jerusalem. (Mat. 24:15, Rev. 17:10-11, Luke 21:20)
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O que detém o anticristo são os cristãos no mundo cheios do Espírito Santo .Quando forem retirados e o Espírito Santo sai também o homem do pecado vai ter reino livre para aparecer ajudado pelo Falso profeta
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The Holy spirit.
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MERCY AND GRACE ARE HOLDING THE HOLY SPIRIT BACK UNTILL OUR LORD JESUS RETURNS AND RAPTURES HIS BRIDE !!
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Its GOD. Until He allows. That’s when after the anti christ is revealed .
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He is talking about the Holy Spirit who retrain the devil until the Holy Spirit is taken out of the way and then all hell will break loses
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6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
I’m going to provide an unorthodox perspective for your consideration. Hopefully it is helpful in some way. It was too long for the comments so I’m putting it in an answer.
I think to interpret this verse accurately we must first ask “what / who is being held back in verse 7”? Most people assume it’s the “mystery of lawlessness” that is being referenced, but I’m not so sure… I think this (common) interpretation may come from a consideration of the verse, but perhaps not a careful consideration of the authorial intent (as evidenced by the flow of thought in the broader context).
In context, Paul is reassuring his readers that the Day of the Lord has not yet come, and actually can not have yet come, because the lawless one has not yet been revealed. In other words, Jesus can not return until the lawless one is first revealed. This is the big point Paul is trying to make in verses 1-5.
In verse 6 I’m wondering if Paul is actually saying “…now you know what is restraining Him”; that is, what is delaying the coming of the Lord. “Now you know” because he just explained it!
Then in verse 7 he says the one doing the restraining will continue to do so until he is taken out of the way, and verse 8 talks about the Lord appearing and taking the man of lawlessness out of the way!
So in summary, perhaps it is the mystery of lawlessness that is doing the restraining, and the Day of the Lord that is being restrained. That makes much more sense to me in context.
Of course, this is not the popular interpretation. Most people seem to interpret this to mean that there is some force restraining the Antichrist from being revealed, and that this force must be taken out of the way so he can be revealed. I’ve heard that the Holy Spirit is that force. But this seems rather arbitrary; verse 6 then becomes more of a statement about how Paul’s readers had the “inside scoop”, but we’re left to assume that Paul never bothered to record this “inside scoop” in Scripture. In other words, this argument seems to be based on a claim to personal revelation more than on exegesis, since it clearly doesn’t say in the text that the Holy Spirit is restraining the Antichrist. (Someone came up with that and went back to argue that this is “what they must have known”, as referenced in verse 6.)
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What is restraining here is GRACE and when it is offer then God mystery will be revealed
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The restrainer is the power of God working thru the Bride of Messiah. God thru the Bride restrains sin. The Bride is salt and light. Salt prevents sin and light exposes sin.
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This post illustrates the problem with asking this type of question.
You have been given lots of contradicting answers to your question.
Since the answers contradict one another, they cannot all be right.
Therefore everyone’s opinion is irrelevant. My opinion is irrelevant. Your opinion is irrelevant. Your pastors opinion is irrelevant. The only opinion that matters is what did the Holy Spirit intend when he the inspired the author to write that text?
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There are a number of factors at play which keep the devil from unleashing all his will on the world the way he may like. Take the Mark of the Beast, for example. We see from world affairs that secular countries like Sweden have no problem at all with phasing out cash in favor of biometric money. But America, because of its religious influence, would largely protest such a wide-spread step at this point. Of course if you know about the wings of the eagle being ‘plucked’ (Daniel 7), or the “whore of Babylon” being “destroyed in an hour” (Revelation 17 & 18), you know that the devil still has ways to work around those who may try to stop him. At the end of the day, though, God still wins; and the devil and those who follow him are merely God’s sock puppets. They have no power, save what God allows them.
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Michael
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he must die to be revealed and he must defile the temple
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What that means is Paul didn’t want to leave them because he was telling them about the Lord Jesus that he said it was better for them for him rather just stay with them even though he wanted to be with the Lord it was better than the state for him to stay there so they could be taught the word of God but you said it would be better for him if he could be with the Lord but even though we want to be with the Lord we’re still down here because there’s people that need us to tell them about the Lord we would love to go and be with Jesus but it’s need be that we stay here to bring people to Christ
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good ole Paul gave us something to speculate on and argue about.
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Archangel Michael and the hosts of God’s heavenly angels are the agents appointed by God to defend the territories of heaven, to protect the saints of both the Old Testament Church of the Israelites and the Christian saints of the New Testament Church and he, Michael and his angelic troops are the ones holding Satan at bay. Once he’s recalled up to heaven with his angels to repulse Satan’s last attempts to storm heavenly abode of God as taught in Revelation 12, Satan and a third of his angels are defeated by Michael and are cast down to the earth where the last days demonic alien activities of fallen angels will be increased and the Antichrist Beast, the Son of Perdition and Man of Lawlessness will be manifested who shall persecute the elect remnants who shall refuse the mark, name and number of the Beast.
Maranatha!
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God withholds Satan back using Michael the Arch angel who guards over Israel. When Michael is taken out of the way, then the enemies( under Satan) will attack of Israel in the Last days
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2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
Revelation 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
The true believers of the Gospel are the ones that hold the Antichrist back from acting with full authority in the earth,
Once they are taking out of the way, by rapture then shall the wicked one be revealed, those in heaven will rejoice but those on earth will be in tribulation because the devil know his time is short,He will persecute Israel the women, and the remnant that missed the rapture of her seed that is members of Christ the seed,
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Just read the whole verse and see where the story is coming from
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Isaiah 59:19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.
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He is taking about “The Church -The Ministry Power of The Holy Spirit”..as soon as The Church are removed .the anti christ will be revealed…The Holy Spirit can’t be removed.HE was here before creation & will be allways on Earth…
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It’s talking about the time when the antichrist will be released there’s going to be a massive delusion over people like we’ve never seen before or even Christians are friends people that we know they’re going to believe the lies that are being told to them just because everybody else is believing them but that just means for us to stay firm in our hope that Jesus is on his way and he is the corner stone not Satan who is going to try to set himself up as the Kornerstone but we all know that Satan has been defeated and he’s just trying to take whatever he can with him
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Who is the great multitude from every nation?
‘After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” Revelation 7:9-10
Our Jesus promised to shorten the days of the great tribulation by gathering His elect from the wrath to come; the day of the Lord. (Mat. 24:21-31, Rev. 7:9-14, 1 Thes. 1:10) At the coming of the Son of Man, between the 6th and 7th seals, a great multitude from every nation will come out of the great tribulation to heaven. (Mat. 24:29-31, Rev. 6:12-17; 7:9-17)
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Teboho Mohale I don’t know it, but I know an ebook about future events in the Earth and how to get ready from them. If you are or anybody is interested in the ebook, give me an email address (type it here or by Facebook private message to me) and I will send you the ebook for free
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Well thank you all for your input, this was quite a learning experience and to some maybe a call to check your conduct in the light of God’s word, having said that as I began to search the scripture, through the inspiration of some comments, I came across the scripture in Revelations 7:1-3 where it shows that some Angeles are restraining back the wind from destroying the earth until the servants of God are sealed, which can be safe to conclude that is the restraining 2 Thessalonians 2:6 is talking about. And please saints let’s exercise self control, it is my opinion not what someone told me. What’s your take?
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Who is the HE that witholds ?
“he” is a pronoun for the noun “man of sin , son of perdition”
CORRECT TRANSLATION : For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he just now holds back , until he comes into being in the midst◄ 2 Thessalonians 2:7 ►
NASB Lexicon
he who now ἄρτι arti 737 just now
he is taken γένηται genētai 1096 to come into being, to happen , to become
out of the way. μέσου mesou 3319 middle, in the midst CORRECT TRANSLATION : For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he just now holds back , until he comes into being in the midst◄ 2 Thessalonians 2:7 ► NASB Lexicon he who now ἄρτι arti 737 just now he is taken γένηται genētai 1096 to come into being, to happen , to become out of the way. μέσου mesou 3319 middle, in the midst -
Craig Theisen how can the son of perdition be the one restraining himself? It’s like being citizen and a police or a student and a teacher at the same time marking himself at his discretion. New Living Translation reads, 6Don’t you know what is holding him back. 7For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one holding it back steps away. 8Then the man of lawlessness will be revealed, but the Lord Jesus will kill him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him by the splendor of his coming.
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He is speaking of the Holy Spirit that holds back the day of judgment!!
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I believe it will be the church even tho the church is called the bride denoting female the body of Christ could be referd to as he or male
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“he” is a pronoun for the noun “man of sin , son of perdition” O:)
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There is no pronoun “he” in that verse. You are basing your argument on the VERB katechon which is properly translated as “one detaining” where the “one” is assumed in the action of “detaining”. It is NOT a specific pronoun and therefore not meant to pertain to the “man of sin” or “son of perdition” specifically. Especially when you are taking the “man of sin”, “son of perdition” from verse 3 which is in another thought that ends in verse 4 and a new thought begins in verse 5. Its the same word, katechon, in verse 6 which uses the term “WHAT withholdeth”. The same is true for the Greek VERB genetai which is properly translated “it may be becoming”. So it PROPERLY reads… “the ONE detaining now until out of the way IT may be becoming”. Understood correctly there is no specific pronoun … SOMETHING is restraining until IT is moved away and not restraining anymore. To claim the restrainer is restraining himself is completely in error and to go further to assert “he” is the “man of sin”, “son of perdition” is absolutely contrary to what was written.
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2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that “man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition”; 4 “Who” opposeth and exalteth “himself” above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that “he” as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing “himself” that “he” is God. 5Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6And now ye know what withholdeth that “he” might be revealed in “his” time. 7For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only “he” who now letteth will let, until “he” be taken out of the way.
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>>>The antichrist cannot be revealed until the believers of Christ are raptured from this earth, becos the said believers all over the world are now constantly praying against him day & night, ok ?
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Does this sound like a thief or a secret rapture ?
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14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.2 Thessalonians 2 King James Version (KJV)
2 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,
50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
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This is the restrainer. The identity of the restrainer is revealed in Daniel 10:20.
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Who is the HE that witholds ?
“he” is a pronoun for the noun “man of sin , son of perdition”
CORRECT TRANSLATION : For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he just now holds back , until he comes into being in the midst◄ 2 Thessalonians 2:7 ►
NASB Lexicon
he who now ἄρτι arti 737 just now
he is taken γένηται genētai 1096 to come into being, to happen , to become
out of the way. μέσου mesou 3319 middle, in the midst -
2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that “”man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition”” ; 4 “Who” opposeth and exalteth “himself” above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that “he” as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing “himself” that “he” is God. 5Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6And now ye know what withholdeth that “he” might be revealed in “his” time. 7For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only “he” who now letteth will let, until “he” be taken out of the way.
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Daniel 10:20-21 Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia (Greece) shall come.
But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=kjvstudybible.bible.kjv.bibleverses.bibleoffline
What I found intriguing is how Gabriel and Michael is working together to restrain the principalities yet Gabriel is in charge of gospel. Having established that this is a prove that the son of perdition is restrained by Michael until the gospel is preached to every soul and the servants of God are sealed. Mind blowing.
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There is no pronoun “he” in the Greek text of 2Thess… it is the definite article translated “THE”. In addition, “the” is in the FEMININE form… so there is NO WAY the restrainer is a HE even if you want to replace the article with a pronoun. That would eliminate both the “son of perdition” and Michael! But also, the word “holdeth” in Dan 10 simply means steadfast… not to restrain or to hold… it’s an adjective, not a verb.
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Steve Conley says:
A short exposition of 2 Thessalonians chapters 1 and 2
When Paul wrote his second epistle to the Thessalonians, he let us know that they were experiencing persecutions and tribulations.
2Th 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
2Th 1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:He encouraged them, thanking God that they responded rightly to the tribulations (pressures) and persecutions, which resulted in their faith and love abounding.
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He informed them that the persecution that they suffered was an indication of their worthiness of the Kingdom of God. He also encouraged them concerning their future deliverance at the REVELATION (apokalupsis) of Jesus Christ. Paul said, that it would be at that time, that God would RECOMPENSE TRIBULATION (thlipsis) upon those who have persecuted them.
2Th 1:5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
2Th 1:6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
2Th 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,Please note, that it is to His REVELATION that Christ refers when He makes clear that His coming will take place upon the same day that His own are rescued (raptured) and on the same day that He begins to pour out His wrath in recompence upon the earth-dwellers (Luke 17:26-30; Matt 24:37-39). It should also be noted that Paul makes a clear reference to the eschatological day of the Lord theme of RECOMPENSE (vs 6) and VENGEANCE (vs 8).
Isa 34:8 For it is the day of the LORD’S vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion.
Isa 35:4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.
The revelation of Jesus Christ happens right after the sun, moon, and stars go dark and right before the resurrection of the just and the rapture (Luke 21:25-28; 17:30; 1Cor 1:7; 1Pet 1:7).
Rev 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
Mat 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
Mat 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Mat 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.Note: The Revelation 19:11-21 description of Christ takes place after the trumpet and bowl judgements, His revelation referred to above takes place before the trumpet and bowl judgments following the events that John witnesses at the opening of the sixth seal.
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At His revelation His VENGEANCE will BEGIN to be poured out upon the unbelievers, the ultimate result of which, will be their everlasting destruction.
2Th 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
2Th 1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;————–
Paul says all this will take place when Christ comes to be glorified in (with) his saints.
2Th 1:10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
The saints here are distinguished from all those who believe. The saints are those who Jude spoke of when quoting Enoch, as recorded in 1 Enoch 1:9.
Jud 1:14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
Jud 1:15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.The saints are those who came with the LORD when He appeared to the children of Israel at Sinai.
Deu 33:2 And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them.
The angels are said to be holy (hagios), they are the saints (hagios) that Jesus comes with.
Mat 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his GLORY, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
Mar 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the GLORY of his Father with the holy angels.
Luk 9:26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own GLORY, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.
This is appearing in glory with the mighty and holy angels is Christ’s REVELATION (apokalupsis).
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Paul said that he prayed that the Thessalonians would be counted worthy to suffer for Christ and that Christ’s name might be glorified in them, and they in Christ.
2Th 1:11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
The calling is to suffer for Jesus.
Act 5:41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
Php 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
1Th 3:3 That no man should be moved by these afflictions [thlipsis]: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
2Th 1:12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The martyrdom of the believer glorifies God. Here, we see that Jesus spoke of Peter’s future martyrdom.
Joh 21:19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
Chapter 2
Chapter 2 is a significant portion of Paul’s eschatological teaching. Paul says concerning Christ’s coming [parousia] and the resurrection/rapture don’t be shaken or troubled that it, the day of Christ (the Parousia, and rapture), is at hand or near in time. This is one of the 17 times in the New Testament where we see the semi-technical term parousia referring to Christ’s arrival and continuing presence.
2Th 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2Th 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.The English expression “is at hand” was given by the KJV translators to represent the Greek word ἐνέστηκεν from the root ἐνίστημι (enistēmi) in this context. The expression “at hand” is defined as “near in time or not distant”. Paul is correcting the misinformation that the Thessalonians had received, telling them that the day of Christ (the parousia and rapture) are not near in time.
Notice that there is nothing said in the text about the Thessalonians “thinking that they missed the rapture”. That is an extrapolation of those who interject a secret rapture, before the beginning of the week, into the text. Such a pre-trib rapture has no support from the text. They were experiencing severe persecution. They were erroneously told that it was the great tribulation (unprecedented persecution) that Jesus said would precede His parousia. So, they expected the day of Christ to come anytime.
The day of Christ involves His coming and our gathering together unto Him. This future day (period of time) is also called the day of the Lord. The expression day of the Lord emphasizes Christ’s interaction with the unbelieving, Beast worshiping, earth-dwellers. Whereas, the day of Christ emphasizes Christ’s interaction with His church. The expression day of the Lord doesn’t change what Paul is communicating, because immediately after His revelation (the first of many acts upon that day), our resurrection, and rapture He BEGINS to pour out His fierce wrath upon the unbelieving, Beast worshiping, earth-dwellers. This fierce vengeance comes sequentially in the form of the trumpet and bowl judgments. Below we see various references to the day of Christ.
Paul says here that the good work of partnership in the Gospel will be performed until the day of Jesus Christ.
Php 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Paul says we are to be sincere and without offense till we see Christ. The day of Jesus Christ is when we see Him.
Php 1:10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
1Jn 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
1Jn 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.————–
Paul tells the Thessalonians that two things must happen before that day can come: a falling away and the revelation of the man of sin. Remember verse 1 tells us of the events which characterize that day, the second coming [parousia] and resurrection/rapture gathering unto Christ.
2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
The falling away is described in detail by Christ in the Olivet Discourse (Matt 24:9-11, 24). In Christ’s description of the period of unprecedented persecution and supernatural deception that takes place prior to His coming, He says that many will be offended (fall away) and many will be deceived. The falling away is due to the severe persecution, false Christs, false prophets, and supernatural deceptions. Jesus said that the deception will be so great that if it were possible even the truly elect would be deceived. This departure from the faith is illustrated in the parable of the soils in Matthew 13:20-21. There we see that the word was received with joy but when persecution and tribulation came they were offended, that is, they forsook Christ. There will be a notable falling away during the great tribulation.
In the recent history of pretribulationism many have begun to claim that “falling away” is a mistranslation and instead the word apostasia should be translated “departure”. They say this departure is the rapture of the Church. This is just the latest attempt by the pretribulationists to find a pre-seventieth week rapture in the text of Scripture. This novel interpretation is not only contrary to the history of teaching on that text, but it makes what Paul is saying nonsensical. If apostasia refers to the rapture, Paul would be saying, “the rapture will not come until the rapture comes first.”
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The revelation of the man of sin will involve the Antichrist (Beast) in the Temple demanding to be worshiped as God. Jesus referred to this as the start of the great tribulation (Matt 25:15, 21) which Daniel testified will take place in the middle of the week (Dan 9:27).
2Th 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
This is none other than the Beast that arises out of the sea (Rev 13), because it is he that worship is directed toward on behalf of the Dragon. There is no Scriptural indication that the false prophet receives worship on behalf of the Dragon.
————–Paul says that he told the Thessalonians these things before.
2Th 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
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What Paul says in verse 6 is often misunderstood. It is usually taught that it refers to the same restrainer that is spoken of in verse 7. However, there is good reason to make a contrary conclusion. To see this verse correctly it must be understood that it is implicit that Christ’s revelation takes place at His arrival on the day of Christ (day of the Lord). So, the Thessalonians “now” know, having just been told “WHAT” was preventing the revelation of Christ from being at hand (near in time), that being, the apostasia and the revelation of the man of sin must come first. This view is further reinforced by the use of “what” in verse 6 as opposed to “he” in verse 7 for the restrainer. The absence of the revelation of the man of sin and the precipitant apostasia are preventing the day of Christ (involving Christ’s revelation) from being at hand (near in time).
2Th 2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
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In verse 7 the one withholding is a “he” not a “what”. It should be noted that the same Greek word is used for “withholdeth”, “letteth”, and “let”. Each expresses the idea of hindering or restraining. It should also be noted that the word translated “the way” is the Greek word “mesos” which means middle. Additionally, we should consider the unusual translation of “ginomai” in this text. Of the 672 uses of the word in the NT, only once, here in this text, is it translated “be taken”. What does all this mean? It means that we must with great care be diligent to not err concerning who this restrainer of the mystery of iniquity is. Who is presently restraining Satan from giving power unto the man of sin that he may reveal himself?
2Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
The restrainer is Michael the archangel that Daniel said would stand up (stand aside) after which would be a time of unparalleled trouble. This unparalleled trouble is that same period of persecution that Jesus called great tribulation. It is that same period that Moses referred to in Deut 4:30 and Deut 32:36, and Jeremiah spoke of in Jer 30:7. The revelation of the Beast in the Temple takes place in the middle of the week. Michael stands aside in the middle of the week. Satan is cast out of heaven by Michael in the middle of the week. The middle is very significant.
Dan 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
Dan 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.Dan 12:7b … it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
Mat 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Mat 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Dan 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
Michael is specially equipped to deal with Satan.
Jud 1:9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
Rev 12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
Rev 12:8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
Rev 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.Rev 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
Dan 10:13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
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When Michael casts Satan to the earth in the middle of the week (Rev 12) the Antichrist shall be revealed. His end is to be consumed in the brightness of Christ’s presence.
2Th 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
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Satan gives the Beast his power and lying wonders are performed by the False Prophet. Those who choose not the love of the truth are deceived and perish.
2Th 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.————–
Because they didn’t love, but instead rejected the truth, the earth dwellers will be convinced by the miracles performed by the False Prophet and worship the Beast, receiving his mark and thereby be eternally damned. God gives those, who refuse the truth and love their sins, a convincing lie that they might be damned.
2Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2Th 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. -
Steve Conley There is no pronoun “he” in the Greek text of 2Thess… it is the definite article translated “THE”. In addition, “the” is in the FEMININE form… so there is NO WAY the restrainer is a HE even if you want to replace the article with a pronoun. That would eliminate both the “son of perdition” and Michael! But also, the word “holdeth” in Dan 10 simply means steadfast… not to restrain or to hold… it’s an adjective, not a verb.
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Troy Day
Amad
The Hebrew term amad means to “stand aside,” “stand still,” “desist,” or “be inactive.” Here are some examples:“Must I wait, now that they are silent, now that they stand there [stand still or desist] with no reply?” (Job 32:16).
“Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up [arose and kept quiet or stood still]” (Nehemiah 8:5).
“The king said, ‘Stand aside and wait here.’ So he stepped aside and stood there [stood aside or stood still]” (2 Samuel 18:30).
“At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise [step aside or stand still]. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered” (Daniel 12:1).
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A short exposition of 2 Thessalonians chapters 1 and 2
When Paul wrote his second epistle to the Thessalonians, he let us know that they were experiencing persecutions and tribulations.
2Th 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
2Th 1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:He encouraged them, thanking God that they responded rightly to the tribulations (pressures) and persecutions, which resulted in their faith and love abounding.
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He informed them that the persecution that they suffered was an indication of their worthiness of the Kingdom of God. He also encouraged them concerning their future deliverance at the REVELATION (apokalupsis) of Jesus Christ. Paul said, that it would be at that time, that God would RECOMPENSE TRIBULATION (thlipsis) upon those who have persecuted them.
2Th 1:5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
2Th 1:6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
2Th 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,Please note, that it is to His REVELATION that Christ refers when He makes clear that His coming will take place upon the same day that His own are rescued (raptured) and on the same day that He begins to pour out His wrath in recompence upon the earth-dwellers (Luke 17:26-30; Matt 24:37-39). It should also be noted that Paul makes a clear reference to the eschatological day of the Lord theme of RECOMPENSE (vs 6) and VENGEANCE (vs 8).
Isa 34:8 For it is the day of the LORD’S vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion.
Isa 35:4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.
The revelation of Jesus Christ happens right after the sun, moon, and stars go dark and right before the resurrection of the just and the rapture (Luke 21:25-28; 17:30; 1Cor 1:7; 1Pet 1:7).
Rev 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
Mat 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
Mat 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Mat 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.Note: The Revelation 19:11-21 description of Christ takes place after the trumpet and bowl judgements, His revelation referred to above takes place before the trumpet and bowl judgments following the events that John witnesses at the opening of the sixth seal.
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At His revelation His VENGEANCE will BEGIN to be poured out upon the unbelievers, the ultimate result of which, will be their everlasting destruction.
2Th 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
2Th 1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;————–
Paul says all this will take place when Christ comes to be glorified in (with) his saints.
2Th 1:10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
The saints here are distinguished from all those who believe. The saints are those who Jude spoke of when quoting Enoch, as recorded in 1 Enoch 1:9.
Jud 1:14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
Jud 1:15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.The saints are those who came with the LORD when He appeared to the children of Israel at Sinai.
Deu 33:2 And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them.
The angels are said to be holy (hagios), they are the saints (hagios) that Jesus comes with.
Mat 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his GLORY, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
Mar 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the GLORY of his Father with the holy angels.
Luk 9:26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own GLORY, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.
This is appearing in glory with the mighty and holy angels is Christ’s REVELATION (apokalupsis).
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Continued from above
Paul said that he prayed that the Thessalonians would be counted worthy to suffer for Christ and that Christ’s name might be glorified in them, and they in Christ.
2Th 1:11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
The calling is to suffer for Jesus.
Act 5:41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
Php 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
1Th 3:3 That no man should be moved by these afflictions [thlipsis]: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
2Th 1:12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The martyrdom of the believer glorifies God. Here, we see that Jesus spoke of Peter’s future martyrdom.
Joh 21:19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
Chapter 2
Chapter 2 is a significant portion of Paul’s eschatological teaching. Paul says concerning Christ’s coming [parousia] and the resurrection/rapture don’t be shaken or troubled that it, the day of Christ (the Parousia, and rapture), is at hand or near in time. This is one of the 17 times in the New Testament where we see the semi-technical term parousia referring to Christ’s arrival and continuing presence.
2Th 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2Th 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.The English expression “is at hand” was given by the KJV translators to represent the Greek word ἐνέστηκεν from the root ἐνίστημι (enistēmi) in this context. The expression “at hand” is defined as “near in time or not distant”. Paul is correcting the misinformation that the Thessalonians had received, telling them that the day of Christ (the parousia and rapture) are not near in time.
Notice that there is nothing said in the text about the Thessalonians “thinking that they missed the rapture”. That is an extrapolation of those who interject a secret rapture, before the beginning of the week, into the text. Such a pre-trib rapture has no support from the text. They were experiencing severe persecution. They were erroneously told that it was the great tribulation (unprecedented persecution) that Jesus said would precede His parousia. So, they expected the day of Christ to come anytime.
The day of Christ involves His coming and our gathering together unto Him. This future day (period of time) is also called the day of the Lord. The expression day of the Lord emphasizes Christ’s interaction with the unbelieving, Beast worshiping, earth-dwellers. Whereas, the day of Christ emphasizes Christ’s interaction with His church. The expression day of the Lord doesn’t change what Paul is communicating, because immediately after His revelation (the first of many acts upon that day), our resurrection, and rapture He BEGINS to pour out His fierce wrath upon the unbelieving, Beast worshiping, earth-dwellers. This fierce vengeance comes sequentially in the form of the trumpet and bowl judgments. Below we see various references to the day of Christ.
Paul says here that the good work of partnership in the Gospel will be performed until the day of Jesus Christ.
Php 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Paul says we are to be sincere and without offense till we see Christ. The day of Jesus Christ is when we see Him.
Php 1:10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
1Jn 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
1Jn 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.————–
Paul tells the Thessalonians that two things must happen before that day can come: a falling away and the revelation of the man of sin. Remember verse 1 tells us of the events which characterize that day, the second coming [parousia] and resurrection/rapture gathering unto Christ.
2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
The falling away is described in detail by Christ in the Olivet Discourse (Matt 24:9-11, 24). In Christ’s description of the period of unprecedented persecution and supernatural deception that takes place prior to His coming, He says that many will be offended (fall away) and many will be deceived. The falling away is due to the severe persecution, false Christs, false prophets, and supernatural deceptions. Jesus said that the deception will be so great that if it were possible even the truly elect would be deceived. This departure from the faith is illustrated in the parable of the soils in Matthew 13:20-21. There we see that the word was received with joy but when persecution and tribulation came they were offended, that is, they forsook Christ. There will be a notable falling away during the great tribulation.
In the recent history of pretribulationism many have begun to claim that “falling away” is a mistranslation and instead the word apostasia should be translated “departure”. They say this departure is the rapture of the Church. This is just the latest attempt by the pretribulationists to find a pre-seventieth week rapture in the text of Scripture. This novel interpretation is not only contrary to the history of teaching on that text, but it makes what Paul is saying nonsensical. If apostasia refers to the rapture, Paul would be saying, “the rapture will not come until the rapture comes first.”
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The revelation of the man of sin will involve the Antichrist (Beast) in the Temple demanding to be worshiped as God. Jesus referred to this as the start of the great tribulation (Matt 25:15, 21) which Daniel testified will take place in the middle of the week (Dan 9:27).
2Th 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
This is none other than the Beast that arises out of the sea (Rev 13), because it is he that worship is directed toward on behalf of the Dragon. There is no Scriptural indication that the false prophet receives worship on behalf of the Dragon.
————–Paul says that he told the Thessalonians these things before.
2Th 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
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What Paul says in verse 6 is often misunderstood. It is usually taught that it refers to the same restrainer that is spoken of in verse 7. However, there is good reason to make a contrary conclusion. To see this verse correctly it must be understood that it is implicit that Christ’s revelation takes place at His arrival on the day of Christ (day of the Lord). So, the Thessalonians “now” know, having just been told “WHAT” was preventing the revelation of Christ from being at hand (near in time), that being, the apostasia and the revelation of the man of sin must come first. This view is further reinforced by the use of “what” in verse 6 as opposed to “he” in verse 7 for the restrainer. The absence of the revelation of the man of sin and the precipitant apostasia are preventing the day of Christ (involving Christ’s revelation) from being at hand (near in time).
2Th 2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
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In verse 7 the one withholding is a “he” not a “what”. It should be noted that the same Greek word is used for “withholdeth”, “letteth”, and “let”. Each expresses the idea of hindering or restraining. It should also be noted that the word translated “the way” is the Greek word “mesos” which means middle. Additionally, we should consider the unusual translation of “ginomai” in this text. Of the 672 uses of the word in the NT, only once, here in this text, is it translated “be taken”. What does all this mean? It means that we must with great care be diligent to not err concerning who this restrainer of the mystery of iniquity is. Who is presently restraining Satan from giving power unto the man of sin that he may reveal himself?
2Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
The restrainer is Michael the archangel that Daniel said would stand up (stand aside) after which would be a time of unparalleled trouble. This unparalleled trouble is that same period of persecution that Jesus called great tribulation. It is that same period that Moses referred to in Deut 4:30 and Deut 32:36, and Jeremiah spoke of in Jer 30:7. The revelation of the Beast in the Temple takes place in the middle of the week. Michael stands aside in the middle of the week. Satan is cast out of heaven by Michael in the middle of the week. The middle is very significant.
Dan 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
Dan 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.Dan 12:7b … it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
Mat 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Mat 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Dan 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
Michael is specially equipped to deal with Satan.
Jud 1:9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
Rev 12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
Rev 12:8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
Rev 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.Rev 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
Dan 10:13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
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When Michael casts Satan to the earth in the middle of the week (Rev 12) the Antichrist shall be revealed. His end is to be consumed in the brightness of Christ’s presence.
2Th 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
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Satan gives the Beast his power and lying wonders are performed by the False Prophet. Those who choose not the love of the truth are deceived and perish.
2Th 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.————–
Because they didn’t love, but instead rejected the truth, the earth dwellers will be convinced by the miracles performed by the False Prophet and worship the Beast, receiving his mark and thereby be eternally damned. God gives those, who refuse the truth and love their sins, a convincing lie that they might be damned.
2Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2Th 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. -
Troy Day The teaching is my own exposition of the text. I post the short versions because few have the discipline to work through a comprehensive exposition of these eschatological texts. I’m sorry that the short version is too long for your short attention span.
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Steve Conley Angels have boundaries set of God that they may not cross.
Michael could only say to Satan ,- “The Lord rebuke thee.”
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The restrainer is an empire.
The one that existed when the prophecy was given.
One which the apostles were reluctant to speak about explicitly, because the emperors were ruthless despots – Tiberius, Caligula, Nero. -
1. Contemporary Jewish literature during Paul’s time viewed the characteristics of Michael having eschatological pre-eminence as the chief opponent of Satan and Restrainer of God’s people.
2. Michael is viewed as a celestial restrainer of God’s people in Daniel 10–12, the passage serving as the source for Paul’s exposition in 2 Thessalonians 2:3–8.
3. Daniel’s use of the Hebrew term ʿmd comports with the ceasing activity of the restrainer in 2 Thessalonians 2:6–7.
4. The Greek term parerchomai in Daniel 12:1 of the Septuagint (LXX) means, “to pass by,” which corresponds with the ceasing of restraint in 2 Thessalonians 2:6–7.
5. Early Rabbinic interpretation of Daniel 12:1 perceived Michael as “passing aside” or “withdrawing” just after Antichrist’s establishment near or at the temple mount (Dan 11:45), and just before the eschatological unequaled tribulation against God’s people (Dan 12:1).
6. Revelation 12:7–17 supports viewing Michael as the Restrainer because it links the cessation of Michael’s war against the dragon with the unprecedented persecution of God’s people, which is consistent with 2 Thessalonians 2:6–7 and Daniel 11:45–12:1.
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Troy Day Well its not heretical to the early church fathers, and rabbinic literature.
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Troy Day it’s not a video it’s an article, respectfully did you even read it?
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Daniel Finlay what point? I am merely asking a question in this OP and one that seems you cant even answer
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Troy Day
Revelation 12King James Version
12 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:
2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Daniel’s use of the Hebrew term ʿmd comports with the ceasing activity of the restrainer in 2 Thessalonians 2:6–7.
Now at that timeוּבָעֵ֣ת
(u·va·’et)6256: timeprobably from anahMichael,מִֽיכָאֵ֜ל
(mi·cha·’el)4317: “Who is like God?” an angel, also a number of Isr.from mi, a preposition prefix and elthe greatהַגָּדֹ֗ול
(hag·ga·do·vl)1419: greatfrom gadalprinceהַשַּׂ֣ר
(has·sar)8269: chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, princefrom an unused wordwho standsיַעֲמֹ֨ד
(ya·’a·mod)5975: to take one’s stand, standa prim. root[guard] overעַל־
(al-)5921: upon, above, overfrom alahthe sonsבְּנֵ֣י
(be·nei)1121: sona prim. rootof your people,עַמֶּךָ֒
(am·me·cha)5971a: peoplefrom an unused wordwill arise.הָעֹמֵד֮
(ha·’o·med)5975: to take one’s stand, standa prim. rootAnd there will be a timeעֵ֣ת
(et)6256: timeprobably from anahof distressצָרָ֔ה
(tza·rah,)6869a: straits, distressfem. of tsarsuchאֲשֶׁ֤ר
(a·sher)834: who, which, thata prim. pronounas neverלֹֽא־
(lo-)3808: nota prim. adverboccurredוְהָיְתָה֙
(ve·ha·ye·tah)1961: to fall out, come to pass, become, bea prim. rootsince
4480: froma prim. prepositionthere was a nationגֹּ֔וי
(go·vy,)1471: nation, peoplefrom the same as gavuntilעַ֖ד
(ad)5704: as far as, even to, up to, until, whilefrom adahthat time;הָעֵ֣ת
(ha·’et)6256: timeprobably from anahand at that timeוּבָעֵ֤ת
(u·va·’et)6256: timeprobably from anahyour people,עַמְּךָ֔
(am·me·cha,)5971a: peoplefrom an unused wordeveryoneכָּל־
(kol-)3605: the whole, allfrom kalalwho is foundהַנִּמְצָ֖א
(han·nim·tza)4672: to attain to, finda prim. rootwrittenכָּת֥וּב
(ka·tuv)3789: to writea prim. rootin the book,בַּסֵּֽפֶר׃
(bas·se·fer.)5612: a missive, document, writing, bookprobably of foreign originwill be rescued.יִמָּלֵ֣ט
(yim·ma·let)4422: to slip awaya prim. roothttps://biblehub.com/lexicon/daniel/12-1.htm
◄ 5975. amad ►
Strong’s Concordance
amad: to take one’s stand, stand
Original Word: עָמַד
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: amad
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-mad’)
Definition: to take one’s stand, standNAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to take one’s stand, standIt can mean refrain, stop, halt, halted, join, changed.
A Hebrew word can have multiple means depending on the context.You can see Michael is in heaven fighting against the dragon and his angels, at this time he is no longer standing watch over God’s people, because he is needed elsewhere.
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Imperial Rome restrained the power of the church of Rome.
The man of sin. Pope -
Do you make difference between a resurrection and an out-resurrection as used by Paul in used only in Phil. 3:11 and implies the resurrection of some men, the just from the unjust (Rev. 20:4-6). The dead “rise first,” then the living who are saved will be “caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thess. 4:13-18). FIY the prevalent eschatology among Pentecostals is STILL pre-mil and dont let no one tell you otherwise. Dispensationalism was forced by baptist seminary – Dallas Jesus does not come back “while the church is here”, because Jesus promised escape from the tribulation period.
” Watch therefore, and pray always that you may [a]be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”(Lk.21:36 NKJV)
There is no way “to escape all these things…” and to stand before the Son of Man” ( who is in Heaven) without a rapture.
Furthermore,when “He returns with flaming fire (to) execute (judgement) on them that believe not ” , both angels and saints will be with him. Therefore, if the church saints return with Him, they cannot “still (be) here” ( as you stated).
snip
“Then you shall flee through My mountain valley,
For the mountain valley shall reach to Azal.
Yes, you shall flee
As you fled from the earthquake
In the days of Uzziah king of Judah.Thus the Lord my God will come,
And all the saints with [a]You.(Zech.14:5 NKJV)The saints who will not be with the Lord at His second advent are those who convert after the rapture ( like the elect Jews in MT) and those who do not watch and pray and reject Jesus promise to “escape all these things…and stand before the Son of Man”
We’ve already established in this group Dake’s dispensations were a completely different thing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJ0fyJrUp5c&feature=emb_title
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Josh Collins
You should probably take REV 3:10 into context with
2peter2:4-9, and Matthew 24:37-39.
He promises us that we are saved from his Wrath. -
Daniel Finlay Rev 3 10 should be taken in the context of Revelation i.e. Jesus speaking to the 7 Churches and telling them who will be spared and who left behind
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With all respect Daniel Finlay, Michael may well have been involved with the timing of all things in regard to the ‘beast kingdoms of Daniel and John, but in the case of 2 Thessalonians 2 he is not being referred to specifically as ‘the restrainer’.
The whole point of the passage (apart from warning the Thessalonians of false letters floating around) is to describe the sequence of events that must happen before Jesus returns.
Preterism was alive and deceptive even then.
Those events were broad brush, but critical:
1. The restrainer must be removed
2. The antichrist must take his place.
These have to be specific historic and unique milestones.
Michael is always in action and therefore not a milestone.
The historical events were:
1. The Roman Empire had to fall
2. The Antichrist Empire had to take its place
This was a relatively short time in Jerusalem (about 450 years) but 1,400 years in Thessaloniki.
In other words, Paul, Silas and Timothy were saying ‘you are receiving false reports which are not from us, so don’t worry, nothing is happening anytime soon’.-
Rob Burr Yes perterism was and is a problem ?
I personally think Michael is the restrainer in Daniel 10-12
Context Rev 12,
2 Thessalonians 2, Matthew 24:15-28What are your thoughts on these passages?
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Daniel Finlay well Daniel 10 states Michael is active there and the only one supporting ‘the son of man’.
The changeover here is from the Medo-Persian ‘beast’ empire to Alexander’s ‘beast’ empire in the Daniel imagery.
So we pretty much know the Archangel is active in all the main plays.
But I maintain that in 2 Thess 2 the whole point is to put a broad timeframe around Christ’s return.
In fact in Matthew 24 it is far more specific. There is also an astronomical indicator of Jesus return.
This has been identified by the author of ‘Seven Times: Egypt to Istanbul’ and is worth reading on that account alone.
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The apostle appealed to the Thessalonians based on what they already knew about the restrainer: “And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way” (vv. 6–7).
The phrase and now draws attention to what the Thessalonians knew. The phrase you know speaks of their absolute knowledge concerning what Paul meant when he wrote of the restrainer.
The word restrain means “to withhold.” It is a neuter participle with a neuter article. Thus, the word does not refer to a person but, rather, to an abstract force or power that is holding back or holding down lawlessness in the world. However, verse 7 (“He who now restrains”) uses the masculine gender with a masculine article, referring to a person. Thus, in verse 6, Paul spoke of an impersonal principle or power of restraining, while in verse 7 he referred to a person who is restraining. Therefore, a person with extreme power is restraining both the man of lawlessness and evil in the world.The Restrainer is referred to both in the neuter (what) and masculine (he) gender. This mix of gender appears in relation to the Holy Spirit Who is a person, but also described using a Greek term which is neuter in gender (πνευμα [pneuma] ). It is also said that the Restrainer “now restrains” and will continue to do so until “He is taken out of the way.” Since the man of sin has yet to be revealed,1 we can infer that the Restrainer, whoever or whatever he is, has been effectively suppressing the revelation of the man of sin for over 2000 years. When we collect the pieces of evidence concerning the identity of the Restrainer, we find:
The Restrainer is referred to as both neuter (τὸ κατέχον [to katechon] , “what is restraining”) and masculine (ὁ κατέχων [ho katechōn] , “He who now restrains”).
The Restrainer existed in Paul’s day.
The Restrainer has been continually and effectively restraining for nearly 2,000 years so far.
The Restrainer is powerful enough to suppress the spiritual powers of darkness seeking to promote the man of sin.
The restraint is global.
Numerous suggestions have been made concerning the identity of the Restrainer:
Several of these views do not necessarily involve a supernatural force. These include the Jewish state and James, Paul and the preaching of the gospel, the Roman Empire, and human government. Other views may be grouped as hostile supernatural views, which include Satan, a hostile false prophet, a general hostile force in the form of the mystery of lawlessness and human government, and the preincarnate state of the man of lawlessness. In several views ὁ κατέχων [ho katechōn] is seen as a benevolent supernatural figure rather than a hostile one. Usually an angel, such as Michael, or another type of heavenly being, such as Elijah, or a mythological being, is suggested. The most common supernatural figure suggested, though, is God Himself -
the order of events in verse 3: the apostasy/departure first
(per the previous study of the word in chapters 1 and 2 of this thesis and Paul’s placement of the
term here in chapter 2, it probably refers to the departure of the Church at the Rapture,
mentioned in verse 1 of the same chapter); then the revealing of the Antichrist; and then the Day
of the Lord. Then, the mention of the “restrainer” in verses 6 and 7, who is restraining the
appearance of the antichrist. Referring back to the discussion in chapter 2 of this thesis and based
on all the commentary reviewed, and again Paul’s placement in the text, leads one to believe the
“restrainer” is the Church (relating back to verse 3, which in turn relates back to verse 1—the
Rapture of the Church). Then, verse 8 talks about the destruction of the Antichrist at the Second
Coming of Christ. This is the second time the order is confirmed: restrainer Raptured; Antichrist
appears; and Antichrist destroyed at the Second Coming.
Whereas 1 Thessalonians 4 addresses the Rapture of both the resurrected dead in Christ
and those Christians living at that time, 1 Corinthians 15 focuses on the resurrection aspect of the
Rapture. Paul describes the change that takes place in the bodies of those who are asleep (or
dead) in Christ at the time of the Rapture. As Rea states it in his thesis, “The resurrection of the
just (Luke 14:14) or the first resurrection (Rev. 20:5, 6), seems to have two or more phases. The
New Testament passage which most clearly delineates this order is 1 Corinthians 15:20-26.”1
This can be further explained in the following manner, which is closely associated to the chart of
differences between the Rapture and the Second Coming at the end of chapter 2. The resurrection
in 1 Corinthians 15 is different than the resurrection in Revelation 20 for at least three reasons:
(1) That there are different sets of people at each resurrection—the Church at the Rapture
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