WHO IS RESTRAINING SIN UNTIL TIME FOR THE ANTICHRIST TO BE REVEALED?

As we continue to look at the four main passages from scripture that support the pre-tribulation rapture, we come to the section on “the withholder,” the restrainer that is preventing the revelation of the Antichrist.

It is interesting to note that the Thessalonians were only allowed to benefit from Paul’s personal instruction for three weeks…

Acts 17:1-2 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures….

…and the coming of Jesus was part of his foundational instruction to this body of believers. He goes on to encourage them to remember what they had been taught.

2Thessalonians 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

Paul now goes on to explain what is preventing the man of sin from revealing himself.

2Thessalonians 2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

“withholdeth” = to hold down (fast)…. retain, seize on, stay.

These seemed to be the best choices from the Greek looking at the context of the passage. Who is the person about whom they are discussing his being revealed? The man of sin (cf v3). The context indicates that something or someone is keeping his identity secret until it is “his time.” This also indicates that he, the man of sin, has an appointment with destiny, a “set time” (from the Greek). Since we know that the “man of sin” will get his power from Satan (as shown in the previous post), this withholding force evidently has the authority to limit the power and authority of Satan. Since Satan is a supernatural entity, the force that limits him must be a supernatural entity of greater power and authority. According to Paul, the Thessalonians knew the identity of this being—the Holy Spirit.

2Thessalonians 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 mystery of iniquity” – Satan’s power and authority, to limited degree, is already effectively at work on planet earth. The fact that it is described as a mystery (secret) is because he has not been allowed to manifest himself openly in the fullness of his power and authority. He has had to be content to work behind the scenes. The Greek word translated “letteth” is the same word translated “withholdeth” in verse 6. The context is clear that this being is restraining or limiting the power and authority of Satan by His presence. The fact that “He” must be taken out of the way indicates that He is a presence that must be removed. Logic concludes that the Holy Spirit is the person of Almighty God that is now “present” on planet earth because He indwells every believer.

Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

When the Holy Spirit is taken away, the believers whom He is indwelling will be taken away. In his later letter to the Ephesians Paul makes it clear that the Holy Spirit is the down payment (so to speak) of our inheritance to come.

Ephesians 1:13-14 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

When Jesus taught of the coming of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, He was clear that He would abide with us forever. The Spirit cannot be removed without removing the believers He indwells.

John 14:16-17 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.“ (abide” = continue, be present, remain)

2Thessalonians 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:

Only when the restraining power of the Holy Spirit as embodied in the church, the body of believers, is removed, will “that Wicked,” the man of sin, be revealed. The Greek for the word “revealed” states “to take off the cover, disclose.” In other words, Satan won’t have to work behind the scenes any more. He will be granted public fullness of his powers during the time of the day of the Lord. Even though he is going to be granted his reign of terror, Paul makes it clear that the Lord will:

• Consume him with the spirit of his mouth. – The Greek for "consume" is a reference to the destruction of the man of sin by the Word of Jesus when He returns as King of kings.

• Destroy him with the brightness of His coming. – The Greek for "destroy" is a reference to making the power behind the man, Satan, of no effect and putting him out of the picture; he will be made to vanish (from the Greek) when he is bound for the 1000 year period of Christ’s rule on planet earth before all judgment is finally declared and eternity begins. The Greek for “brightness” is a reference to manifestation; in other words, it is the physical appearance of the Lord Jesus that will result in the destruction of Antichrist and his power.

To be continued…