Bible Discussion Thread

 
  • Thomas Moyd on Romans 9 - 3 years ago
    Who/What Restrains the antichrist
  • When the Holy Spirit is taken away - In Reply on Romans 9 - 3 years ago
    2 Thessalonians: 2: 7-11 KJV

    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 (Antichrist) be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

    9. Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

    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.

    11. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

    Comment from Phillips Bible:

    I expect you remember now how I talked about this when I was with you. You will probably also remember how I used to talk about a "restraining power" which would operate until the time should come for the emergence of this man. Evil is already insidiously at work but its activities are restricted until what I have called the "restraining power" (of God) is removed. When that happens the lawless man will be plainly seen-though the truth of the Lord Jesus spells his doom, and the radiance of the coming of the Lord Jesus will be his utter destruction. The lawless man is produced by the spirit of evil and armed with all the force, wonders and signs that falsehood can devise. To those involved in this dying world he will come with evil's undiluted power to deceive, for they have refused to love the truth which could have saved them. God sends upon them, therefore, the full force of evil's delusion, so that they put their faith in an utter fraud and meet the inevitable judgment of all who have refused to believe the truth and who have made evil their play-fellow.

    Mishael comment. The Holy Spirit will still be here, but His power will be diminished. People left behind will call on Jesus to receive salvation; but they will die physically by refusing to take the Mark of the Beast.
  • S Spencer - In Reply on Romans 9 - 3 years ago
    Hi Thomas.

    I would like to second our brother Chris, It would take a powerful force to restraint the work of Satan,

    1 John 4:3-4. And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

    Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because GREATER IS HE THAT IS IN YOU, THAN HE THAT IS IN THE WORLD.

    We witness the same restrainer mentioned here in our lives, in our everyday walk in this world.

    I think it's not just Satan will turn up his activity, those left behind will be more receptive.

    Nolonger equipped with the armor as mentioned in Ephesians 6.
  • Chris - In Reply on Romans 9 - 3 years ago
    2 Thessalonians 2:6,7: "And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way."

    The Apostle Paul had spoken about this matter to the Corinthians earlier (2:5), so they knew what Paul was referring to & had a fuller understanding of this narrative, but it has been kept hidden from us. As a result, there has been much conjecture as to who or what this 'restrainer' is.

    It has been suggested that it is some prominent individual (whether in the Church or in the World), but we know not of anyone who fulfils this position or holds such power to prevent the incarnate Devil from appearing.

    Another suggests that it is civil government with its administrations that bring cohesiveness through laws to unify a country in its diversity. That these would be eroded over time (as we even see now), where laws & permissions are given that are becoming increasingly anti-Christian, anti-biblical, when it would be easy for a civil authority to fall under the supreme control of a one-world dictator, lending them full support.

    And yet others see the Church in these verses: that the Holy Spirit is the One, Who by indwelling His people, remains as the great restrainer against the tide of evil. If the Spirit "is taken out of the way", so must the Church (the Body of believers) be removed, as it would be an impossible & unbiblical position to hold, that a believer could ever remain as such on the Earth without the indwelling Spirit. I tend to follow this belief as the most tenable but as always, open to other opinions which might shed more light.



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