Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple
So the reason people dont understand what is restraining or holding back the revelation of Jesus coming is because they erroneously believe verse 6 to be referring to the man of sin rather than Pauls intent, that it is the revelation of JESUS that is being restrained because those two things must first occur.
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The revelation of Jesus is what was being restrained?
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 Thessalonians 2:3 KJV)
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. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
(2 Thessalonians 2:4-6 KJV)
The context is not "the revelation of Jesus being restrained". the context is the revealing of the man of sin. Something is restraining or hindering the revealing of the man of sin. This something was hindering things so that the man of sin could be revealed "in his time". There was a time appointed for the man of sin to be revealed, and that which was hindering was hindering in order that the man of sin not be revealed BEFORE 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.
(2 Thessalonians 2:7 KJV)
The mystery of lawlessness was already working in Paul's day. This would have led to the imminent revealing of the man of sin, BUT something was hindering that so that the man of sin wasn't revealed too soon. The man of sin was to be revealed later on.
This hindrance would continue to hinder, until it was removed. "Taken out of the way" as the Bible states.
Until he be taken out of the way (heōs ek mesou genētai). Usual construction with heōs for the future (aorist middle subjunctive, genētai). Note absence of an as often in N.T. and the Koiné‚. Paul uses heōs only here and 1Co_4:5. When the obstacle is removed then the mystery of lawlessness will be revealed in plain outline. Robertson's Word Pictures
Will let, until he be taken out of the way - This will be an effectual check on these corruptions, preventing their full development, until it is removed, and then the man of sin will appear. The supposition which will best suit this language is, that there was then some civil restraint, preventing the development of existing corruptions, but that there would be a removal, or withdrawing of that restraint; and that then the tendency of the existing corruptions would be seen. It is evident, as Oldshausen remarks, that this resisting or restraining power must be something out of the church, and distinguished from the anti-Christian tendency itself; yon der Kirche und vom Antichristenthum. It is necessary, therefore, to understand this of the restraints of civil power. - Barnes' Notes
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