2Th 2:7 For the mystery of lawlessness doth already work: only there is one that restraineth now, until he be taken out of the way.
Who's restraining the antichrist for the time being in your opinion?
2006-11-21 10:19:56 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The Holy Spirit.
2006-11-21 10:25:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because Paul states that the antichrist power (mystery of iniquity) doth already work, the restrainer must also be at work in Paul's day. Once the restrainer is taken out of the way, the antichrist is revealed. Many people say that the restrainer is the Holy Spirit, and when the Spirit is removed from the world, at end times, then the antichrist will be revealed. Others say the restrainer is the church and when the church is removed by the rapture, then the antichrist will be revealed. However, if either of these were the case, then Paul would have simply named the restrainer. The reason Paul did not name the restrainer is because he was talking about the Caesar's in Rome. If he had suggested that the current system of Roman rule through the Caesars was going to be taken out of the way, Paul would have been arrested for treason. This would have greatly hampered the spread of Christianity. Instead, Paul, agreeing with Daniel, stated that the restrainer (Caesars and pagan Rome) would be taken out of the way so the the antiChrist, who was already at work back then (Papal Rome) could be revealed. We know that Paul is not talking about some antiChrist who arises only at end times, because the mystery of iniquity is already working in Paul's day. The great falling away (apostasy) happened when Catholicism married Christianity with paganism. To be part of the falling away, the antichrist would have to have been part of the christian church, else how could he have fallen away?
2006-11-21 10:30:42 · answer #2 · answered by 19jay63 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only reason total evil doesn't take over right now is the restraining of the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit, who keeps evil at bay, is removed, evil will be rampant and the likes of which we have never seen even to this day. What is interesting is he won't be taken totally out but will "be taken out of the way" as though he will step aside from what is going on. As long as there is a Christian in the world, who is the temple of the Holy Spirit, He (the HS) will be here is some form.
2006-11-21 10:26:11 · answer #3 · answered by SusieDarling 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe the church, the body of Christ, sealed by the Holy Spirit, is the hinderer of lawlessness. And when the church is raptured, and/or taken out of the way, the antichrist will be free to do as he pleases.
2006-11-21 10:25:25 · answer #4 · answered by Carol L 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋