The Restrainer: 2 Thes 2:1-8

1 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 the Lord 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;

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, showing himself that he is God.

5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

6 And now ye know what restraineth that he might be revealed in his time.7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only He who now restraineth will

restrain, until He be taken out of the way.8 And then shall that Wicked One be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with

the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:`KJV

2 Thessalonians 2

1 Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him,

2 that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.

3 Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,

4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.

5 Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things?

6 And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed. 7 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. 8 Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of

His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; NASB

2 Thessalonians 2

2 Thes 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;

That man of sin cannot be revealed until a restrainer is taken out of the way

2 Thes 2:6-8 And now ye know what restraineth that he might be revealed in his time.7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only He who now restraineth will restrain, until He be taken out of the way.8 And then shall that Wicked One be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:`

Who is restraining today ??

The one to be revealed2 Thes 2:8 And then shall that Wicked One be revealed, …

G459 anomos1) destitute of law 2) departing from the law, a violator of the law, lawless, wicked

He will be:

• An intellectual genius: Dan 7:20-21; 8:23; Eze 28:3.• An persuasive orator: Dan 7:20; Rev 13:2.• A shrewd political manipulator: Dan 11:21.• A successful commercial genius: Dan 8:25; Rev 13:17;Psa 52:7;

Dan 11:36-38, 43; Eze 28:4,5.• A forceful military leader: Dan 8:24; Rev 6:2;

Rev 13:4; Isa 4:16.• A powerful organizer: Rev 18:1,2; 17:17.• A unifying religious guru: 2 Thes 2:4; 9-11 (How does "Allah“end up?)

Rev 13:3-8, 14, 15.

Also: Ps 10, 52, 55; Is 10,11,13,14; Jer 49-51; Zech 5; Rev 18.

The one to be revealed

Most of what we know is from the Old Testament.

Many of the references are rather subtle .

• Some believe this leader will be a Jew:

Eze 21:25-27; Eze 28:2-10 (of the circumcision);

Dan 11:86,37; John 5:43 (allos – another of the same kind, not heteros - another but different kind: thus, a Jew, not a Gentile.);

He is received by Israel, John 5:43;

• The Leader will be the Son of Satan:

Gen 3:15; Isa 27:1; Eze 28:12-19; Rev 13.

• Some believe he is Judas Iscariot reincarnated: Psa 55:11-14;

• Death & Hell: Isa 28:18, Rev 6:8; Matt 12:41-43; John 17:12; 2 Thes 2:3; Acts 1:25, with Rev 11:7

The wicked one to be revealedHe will deny God 1 John 2:22

He will deny that Jesus is God’s Son “come in the flesh” 1 John 4:3; 2 John 7

He will deny that Jesus is the Messiah 1 John 2:22

Jesus, the Son of God, came into the world through the incarnation, taking on human flesh to:

• Crush Satan and Satan’s man of lawlessness• Restore God’s authoritative rule to the world’s system• To do for man as a man what man could not do for himself

1) gain victory over sin and death 2) restore a righteous relationship with God

Because of these denials of the truth, John calls him “antichrist”

1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 7

Who will reveal him?All the verb forms that refer to the antichrist’s revelation in 2 Thes 2:3, 6-8 are passive voice.

They indicate that antichrist will not reveal himself through his own actions but that another will reveal him.

2 Thes 2:6 says he will be “revealed in his time”

G2540 kairos 2a) a fixed and definite time, the time when things are brought to crisis, the decisive epoch waited for

God is the one who determines those fixed, definite times

Acts 1:7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

God has set the time, place and sequence leading to the revealing of the wicked one…

• The RESTRAINER is “taken out of the way” 2 Thes 2:7 and there “come a falling away” 2 Thes 2:3

• “then shall that Wicked One be revealed” 2 Thes 2:8

The Order of Events

The Apost

asy

For that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first v.3

The Res

train

er R

emove

d

He who now [restraineth] will [restrain], until He be taken out of the way v.7

The M

an o

f Sin

Rev

eale

d

And then shall that Wicked One be revealed v.8,

Matt 18:18Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in

heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

(Matt 16:19)

Harpazo

The Day

of t

he Lord

God will raise up [lit: bring on the world scene] a “foolish” and “idol” shepherd who through deceit and lies will convince people to put

their trust in him as god.

Zech. 11:15-17 And the Lord said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd. [16] For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces. [17] Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.

Cf: Rev 13:16-17 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name

Foolish: Morally pervertedInsolentImpatient with disciplineNot fearing GodHis own way is perfectOverbearingHas all the answers

Idol: Something worthless as an object of worship including people in whom men trust but who were deceitful and of no value

THE GODS OF THIS WORLD

Job 13:4; Isa 19:3; Zech 11:17

God is:

• The one who will reveal the “Wicked One” – the “Anti-christ”

• The one who will set the time for the “Wicked One’s” revealing

• The one who will bring the “Wicked One” onto the world scene

• The one who has been and is now restraining him.

The one who restrains

John indicated that the “spirit of anti-christ” was already in the world at work deceiving people into believing the lie about who Jesus Christ really is…

1John 2:18 Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour.

1John 4:3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.

Paul said the same thing

2 Thes 2:7 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.

The one who restrains

2 Thes. 2:6 And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed. 7 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.

1. God has established a restrainer to restrain the spirit of lawlessness until God’s appointed time.

• Vs 6: What not Him Vs 7: He not it ????

2. The restrainer was already at work restraining lawlessness in Paul’s day and they knew what was restraining in their day…

3. God will remove the restraint on the lawless one by REMOVING the restrainer

The restrainer ?? NOT !!The Ancient Roman Empire and it Ruler

They disappeared centuries ago. Antichrist was not reveled at that time. Antichrist is to be the ultimate ruler of a future form of the Old roman Empire (Dan 7)

Gentile World Dominion or Human Government

These are not removed prior to antichrist’s revealing. He will be the ruler of the last form of Gentile dominion prior to Jesus Christ’s second coming (Dan 7)

The Jewish State

It is not removed prior to antichrist’s revealing. It will be the subject of a 7 year covenant with anti-christ and will be desolated by him during the final 3.5 year of his reign. (Dan 9:27)

Satan, himself

Satan will not be removed prior to anti-christ’s revealing. Satan will indwell anti-christ during the final years of anti-christ’s rule on earth. (Rev 19:11-20:3)

The preaching of the Gospel

Many will be saved during anti-christ’s reign and many will lose their lives for the choice. The Gospel message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ is not taken out of the way before anti-christ is revealed. (Rev 7; 13:7; 20:4; Dan 7:21, 25)

Michael, the Archangel

Michael is not removed prior to antichrist’s revealing. He is active protecting Israel from annihilation during the Great Tribulation portion of anti-christ’s reign. (Dan 12:1)

Elijah, Moses – The two witnesses

They are not removed prior to antichrist’s revealing. They do not come on the scene until anti-christ signs the ‘covenant of death’ with Israel beginning the final 7 year period. Paul indicated that the restrainer was already at work in his day restraining the spirit of lawlessness. Moses and Elijah weren’t in the world at that time. (2 Thes 2:7; 1 John 2:18, 4:3)

The one who restrains2 Thes. 2:6 And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed. 7 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.

“what restrains” [neuter] in verse 6 becomes

“he who now restrains” [masculine] in verse 7

The Bible when referring to the Holy Spirit’s power or activity always uses the NEUTER form but always uses the MASCULINE form when referring to the person of the Holy Spirit

John 14:26; 15:26 and 16:13-14

The agency of His power and word is a WhatHe –the Holy Spirit - is and always will a Him

He has other functions than just restraining evil.

Revealer 1 Cor 2:10 Reprover John 18:8Regenerator John 3:5-6 Tit 3:5 Sealer Eph 1:13-14

Has God been restraining the spirit of wickedness all along?

Genesis 6:3-13

[3] And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man….

[5] And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

[11] The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. [12] And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. [13] And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

Strive = to govern; restrain lawlessness; to wrestle with

Rom 13:3-6 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: [4] For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. [5] Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. [6] For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

1 Pet 2:13-14 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; [14] Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

Has God been restraining the spirit of wickedness all along?

Genesis 6:3 And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man….

My spirit: God the Holy Spirit has always been working through men or some agent to restrain wickedness and evil but…He shall not always strive with man….

There is coming a time when the spirit of God’s restraining work will cease.

At that time the restrainer – His restraining agent – not the Holy Spirit “will be taken out of the way”

Who is the Holy Spirit working in and through todayto Restrain wickedness?

John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

Who is His agent? Who did the Comforter come to?

US! The true Church

What is He doing? Reproving the world..restraining evil!

Jesus said we were to be Light and Salt to the world.

What does light and salt do? Illuminate the dark and preserve…

What charge did He give us? Matt 18:18 (see Matt 16:19) Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be

bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

The HOLY SPIRIT is working in and through the Church to restrain lawlessness today !

The Church: a Beginning and an EndKeep in mind there were faithful believers before the “Church Age” looking for Messiah

the promised one who are not part of the Church.

There will be faithful believers after the “Church Age” looking to and recognizing that Jesus is the promised one and their only hope but who are not part of the Church.

The CHURCH was a secret hidden through the ages only revealed following Jesus first coming which was defined as a new creature in which all prior distinctions were

removed.

Eph 3:2-6 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: 3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote

afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by

the gospel:

2Co 5:17-21 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who

hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not

imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God

in him.

Who is going to be “taken out of the way”?Certainly not the Holy Spirit

God cannot remove Himself from this world at the very time He is reclaiming it and “putting His enemies under His feet”

Psa 110:1; Mat 22:44; Mar 12:36; Luk 20:43;

1Co 15:24-28 ;Heb 1:13; 10:13;

• There are going to be many who are saved during the time following the restrainers removal when the Church Age ends…

Rev 7

The Church is going to be removed

The church; the present restraining agent in the world is going to be “taken out of the way”

1 Cor 15:51-58 1 Thes 4:14-5:1

Who are God’s faithful witnesses during the time and through the events that follow the removal of the church?

• The 144,000 sealed witnesses and the millions of martyrs that come out of Great Tribulation

Rev 6:9 7:3-4 11:3 20:4

Who is going to be “taken out of the way”?

1 Cor15:51-58

Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 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. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Who is going to be “taken out of the way”?1 Thes 4:14-5:1

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 0 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.