The Restrainer: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12

[Chris]

The Restrainer: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12

The Restrainer: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12
By Dr. Arnold Frutchenbaum

In any study dealing with eschatology, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 must be brought into the discussion.[1] There has been much debate as to the exact point or points Paul wished to make, the identity of "the restrainer," and exactly what is the relationship between the Antichrist and the restrainer. In dealing with this passage, perhaps it would be best to first summarize the main points Paul made and then proceed to an analysis of the text.

1) Paul intended to comfort the believers of Thessalonica by letting them know that they are not in the Tribulation, nor has the Tribulation arrived.

2) He wanted to convey that there will be two separate revelations of the Antichrist at different points in time.

3) He communicates that two things are being restrained:

the mystery of lawlessness in general now,
and the Antichrist specifically, in the future.

Let's look at his first point above in verses 1-4. Apparently, some false teachers taught that the believers were already in the Tribulation after Paul left Thessalonica. In verses 1-2, the Thessalonians were troubled that the day of the Lord¾the most common title for the Great Tribulation¾had already arrived. This was especially true since, in the first Epistle, he taught them a Pretribulation Rapture. In verse 3, Paul stated that the Tribulation could not have come yet because two events, both of which must precede the Tribulation, had not yet occurred. The first event is the apostasy of the church, and the second, the revelation of the man of sin or the son of perdition.[2]

In verse 4, it is clear that this "Antichrist" will be opposed to God and to all objects of veneration and will take over the Jewish Temple and declare himself to be god. This event will occur in the middle of the Tribulation in conjunction with the Abomination of Desolation.

Let's now consider Paul's second main point above in verses 5-7. These verses are somewhat parenthetical. In verse 5, Paul reminds his readers of things he had taught them while he was still with them. The key thing he had taught them in verse 6 was the fact that the takeover of the Jewish Temple and the self-declaration of deity will be restrained; therefore, until the restrainer is removed, the events of verse 4 cannot occur. What will restrain the Antichrist from gaining full political and religious control will be three of the ten kings of the first half of the Tribulation and the governments they represent. It is only when the last of these three kings has been killed, leading to complete submission by the remaining seven kings, that the Antichrist will be free to take over full global dictatorship and to carry out the events of verse 4. Consequently, the last restrainer of the Antichrist will be the last of the three kings and the government he represents. In verse 7, Paul reminds his readers that the mystery of lawlessness is already working and is even then being restrained. The Holy Spirit is never described as restraining. The task of restraining evil was given to human government under the Noahic Covenant in Genesis 9:1-17 and this basic doctrinal truth was reiterated by Paul in Romans 13:1-7. On one hand, human government is even now restraining lawlessness. On the other hand, the government of the last of the three kings will restrain the Antichrist, the lawless one, until the middle of the Tribulation.

Paul's third point (above) is found in verses 8-12. According to verse 8a, the Abomination of Desolation (see v. 4) will serve as the second revelation of the Antichrist. While the first revelation will be to believers before the Tribulation, the second revelation will be to Israel in the middle of the Tribulation. By the very act of the Abomination of Desolation, the Antichrist will be revealed as truly being the lawless one, and then Israel can realize with whom they have made their seven-year covenant (see footnote 2). The act of the Abomination of Desolation is clearly stated by Yeshua (Jesus) to be a sign to Israel in Matt 24:15-22. Paul then proceeds to give further facts regarding the Antichrist. He will ultimately be destroyed by the Second Coming of the Messiah in verse 8b. In verse 9, the Antichrist is the one who will be totally energized by Satan and will be able to do miracles for the purpose of world-wide deception. In verse 10, he will call all men to worship him. In verses 11-12, the ones who will be deceived by him and his counterfeit signs are those who have already rejected the gospel of Yeshua the Messiah.

These verses have often been taken to mean that those who heard the gospel before the Rapture but who did not believe will not have the opportunity to be saved after the Rapture and during the Tribulation. However, the passage places the rejection of the gospel during the Tribulation itself, rather than before it. It should be remembered that during the first half of the Tribulation there will be a world-wide preaching of the gospel by the 144,000 Jews (Matt. 24:14; Rev. 7). While myriads will accept the gospel, many more will not. Because these "many" will refuse to respond to the preaching of the 144,000 during the first half of the Tribulation, they will be deceived by the Antichrist and will begin to worship him during the second half of the Tribulation. The initial act of worshipping the Antichrist will involve accepting the mark of 666. Once this mark is taken, the individual will have reached the point of no return and will not have the opportunity to be saved from then on (Rev. 14:9-12).

[1] This post is a modified version of Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum's original Messianic Bible Study.

[2] The revelation of the identity of the Antichrist that precedes the Tribulation. The Rapture of the Church may or may not have occurred by then, since the Scriptures do not state exactly how long before the Tribulation the Rapture will occur. From other Scriptures we may deduce that the Tribulation will begin with the signing of a seven-year covenant between Israel and the Antichrist (Dan 9:27) – thus believers may become aware of the identity of the Antichrist – and that believers will deduce who the Antichrist is by the numerical value of his name: 666.

[mattfivefour]

[Any Minute]

Let's now consider Paul's second main point above in verses 5-7. These verses are somewhat parenthetical. In verse 5, Paul reminds his readers of things he had taught them while he was still with them. The key thing he had taught them in verse 6 was the fact that the takeover of the Jewish Temple and the self-declaration of deity will be restrained; therefore, until the restrainer is removed, the events of verse 4 cannot occur. What will restrain the Antichrist from gaining full political and religious control will be three of the ten kings of the first half of the Tribulation and the governments they represent. It is only when the last of these three kings has been killed, leading to complete submission by the remaining seven kings, that the Antichrist will be free to take over full global dictatorship and to carry out the events of verse 4. Consequently, the last restrainer of the Antichrist will be the last of the three kings and the government he represents. In verse 7, Paul reminds his readers that the mystery of lawlessness is already working and is even then being restrained. The Holy Spirit is never described as restraining. The task of restraining evil was given to human government under the Noahic Covenant in Genesis 9:1-17 and this basic doctrinal truth was reiterated by Paul in Romans 13:1-7. On one hand, human government is even now restraining lawlessness. On the other hand, the government of the last of the three kings will restrain the Antichrist, the lawless one, until the middle of the Tribulation.

The above from the article is interesting. With the bolded, I'm really going to have to dig in and look at some other scriptures because this seems to go against what many dispensational teachers have to say which is, the Holy Spirit as the restrainer indwelling believers (the Church) until the rapture occurs. I can see his point about the 3 kings who will be subdued ( Daniel 7:24 ), but I'm not sure about the Holy Spirit not restraining.

Any thoughts or comments that might help me understand this better?

[mikhen7]

Let's now consider Paul's second main point above in verses 5-7. These verses are somewhat parenthetical. In verse 5, Paul reminds his readers of things he had taught them while he was still with them. The key thing he had taught them in verse 6 was the fact that the takeover of the Jewish Temple and the self-declaration of deity will be restrained; therefore, until the restrainer is removed, the events of verse 4 cannot occur. What will restrain the Antichrist from gaining full political and religious control will be three of the ten kings of the first half of the Tribulation and the governments they represent. It is only when the last of these three kings has been killed, leading to complete submission by the remaining seven kings, that the Antichrist will be free to take over full global dictatorship and to carry out the events of verse 4. Consequently, the last restrainer of the Antichrist will be the last of the three kings and the government he represents. In verse 7, Paul reminds his readers that the mystery of lawlessness is already working and is even then being restrained. The Holy Spirit is never described as restraining. The task of restraining evil was given to human government under the Noahic Covenant in Genesis 9:1-17 and this basic doctrinal truth was reiterated by Paul in Romans 13:1-7. On one hand, human government is even now restraining lawlessness. On the other hand, the government of the last of the three kings will restrain the Antichrist, the lawless one, until the middle of the Tribulation.

The above from the article is interesting. With the bolded, I'm really going to have to dig in and look at some other scriptures because this seems to go against what many dispensational teachers have to say which is, the Holy Spirit as the restrainer indwelling believers (the Church) until the rapture occurs. I can see his point about the 3 kings who will be subdued ( Daniel 7:24 ), but I'm not sure about the Holy Spirit not restraining.

Any thoughts or comments that might help me understand this better?

I will come back and comment more later. But I have to say I still believe the Restrainer is the Holy Spirit indwelling the church. With the church gone all Hell literally will break loose. When the salt is gone there will be nothing left to flavor. The 144,000 will indeed be out there as a thorn in the side of the billions left on earth but they will be hated as well. However many will believe their message as is evidenced by the multitudes of trib saints in heaven. But even now as we speak the restraining influence of the Holy Spirit through the church is waning as many more churches choose to allow the world to define their moralities. But God has a remnant that are still out there in battle! Praise God for that. The Holy Spirit does indeed have a restraining role. ⁸ And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: ⁹ of sin, because they do not believe in Me; ¹⁰ of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; ¹¹ of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. John 16:8-11 (NKJV) He restrains me from sin and disobedience through conviction and His still small voice

¹⁸ Without revelation people run wild, but one who listens to instruction will be happy. Proverbs 29:18 (HCSB) Better know by the KJV as
¹⁸ Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)
¹⁸ Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law. Proverbs 29:18 (NKJV)

The vision of God -- His call --that He places in our hearts is Spirit driven. Brother Frutchenbaum may be thinking of an Official Office such as Comforter, Helper, Guide, Empowerer, that is specifically spelled out. The Demons of Hell know who God's church is and they know each blood-bought Spirit indwelt believer. Greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world, 1 John 4:4. Take us away and the indwelling of the church will be gone as well. Just my thoughts. I know some disagree, but let us love one another dearly as brothers and sisters in Christ. Remember it is God by His Might and Holy Spirit that drives out our enemies and no one on earth has any power over the church demon or other. Even leaders are given their power lost or not, by God. Pilate is a good example.

God Bless

[mattfivefour]

I have always believed it is the Holy Spirit-indwelt Church that restrained. But I am looking into Dr. Fruchtenbaum,'s position. Nonetheless, leaving that point aside for the moment, the article is excellent.

[Any Minute]

I have always believed it is the Holy Spirit-indwelt Church that restrained. But I am looking into Dr. Fruchtenbaum,'s position. Nonetheless, leaving that point aside for the moment, the article is excellent.

I thought it was a good article also.
This wasn't meant as a derail, I agree with mikhen7 and yourself. That sentence of Dr. Fruchtenbaum really stood out to me and I'm just testing it to the rest of scripture to make sure I'm not just holding to the teaching of man, but to the Word of God.

[mikhen7]

I have always believed it is the Holy Spirit-indwelt Church that restrained. But I am looking into Dr. Fruchtenbaum,'s position. Nonetheless, leaving that point aside for the moment, the article is excellent.

The article indeed brings forth some interesting things to think about. I would caution against a quick read to anyone who is used to doing that. He mentions two revelations of AC and that the second one at the tribulation mid-point is restrained because of Human Government where (although not cited) he alludes to Daniel's vision of 4 beasts and 11 kings (Dan. 7), the 11th being the AC who subdues 3 of the first 10, Dan 7:23-25. I can see his point here and can agree since the restraining influence of the church on Human Government is gone for the church is not present at mid-point of the tribulation. The Tribulation saints, like saints of all ages, are still saved by faith in Christ, but did not heed the Word's of Christ through His church during the Age of Grace. They will be, in my opinion, a disparate group of believers without any interconnectedness or freedoms such as we see today in most places. They will have to go underground and I would think there surely will be some form of networking during the first half of the Tribulation that they will use to identify themselves to each other as believers. But as an organized outward body of believers as we see today I am not so sure. For they would be open targets to all who disbelieve. Certainly during the second 3 1/2 years they will be hiding because they will refuse the mark. Back to the article: Dr. Frutchenbaum does not really say what his first restrainer is in detail. He mentions the Noahic covenant as the basis for human government and believes that it is HG that restrains AC before the Tribulation for he refutes the belief that it is the Holy Spirit. We are the Salt of the Earth and the Light of the world today. HG for sure has its authority as was setup by God to restrain evil. I have no qualms about that. But the thorn in the side of HG is the church, that is true "I will stand for Christ no matter the outcome" believers. It is the church that has been the major restrainer of HG in the past and still today in many ways. HG is made up of people. The church is made up of people. There are Church members in HG in high places, take them away via the Rapture and what is left is no restraint in HG. That is my point. I see no real contradiction in believing that HG is a restrainer, but HG is restrained by the church via the Holy Spirit of God.

Another way of looking at it is comparing the HG (Flesh) lusting against the Church(Spirit). Today more than ever we are being attacked politically by those of the flesh (the world) who do not want any Christian to have any influence over the affairs and decision making of humanity. We are as close to being in the Tribulation as is possible ...very close IMO. The world wants us out and if possible would force us out by any means they can. It is the culture of evil empowered by the principalities of evil that are causing this rise of rebellion against truth. If you cannot mix politics with religion then what moral foundation will guide politics? What will be the defining guide to create Law???? The world does not want a defining guide. They want to live in a "Throw all caution to the wind society" (Hedonism) but they do not realize what that type of world will be like. Praise God for His church and the reaping of the blessings of restraint that come about by its insistence on moral purity and ethic that comes from the pages of Holy Writ!!

Blessings!!

Another Take on this: Kenneth Wuest of Moody Bible uses contextual support of 2 Thess. 2:1ff to declare his interpretation: From RR -

Kenneth Wuest, a Greek scholar from Moody Bible Institute added the following contextual support to taking apostasia as a physical departure:


But then hee apostasia of which Paul is speaking, precedes the revelation of Antichrist in his true identity, and is to katechon that which holds back his revelation (2:6). The hee apostasia, therefore, cannot be either a general apostasy in Christendom which does precede the coming of Antichrist, nor can it be the particular apostasy which is the result of his activities in making himself the alone object of worship. Furthermore, that which holds back his revelation (vs. 3) is vitally connected with hoo katechoon (vs. 7), He who holds back the same event. The latter is, in my opinion, the Holy Spirit and His activities in the Church. All of which means that I am driven to the inescapable conclusion that the hee apostasia (vs. 3) refers to the Rapture of the Church which precedes the Day of the Lord, and holds back the revelation of the Man of Sin who ushers in the world-aspect of that period.*
*Kenneth S. Wuest, Letter to E. Schuyler English, published in " Let the Prophets Speak," Our Hope, (vol. LVI, num. 12; June 1950), p. 731.

[Any Minute]

Thanks for filling in some of the blanks mikhen7, I went through the article several times with Bible in hand trying to reconcile what was being said to scripture.
I personally don't closely follow what A.F. teaches but from what I have read, he seems to be well studied and a solid teacher, though I have encountered a few things that don't seem to fit very well.

I had the same thoughts as you regarding human government and the role of indwelt believers within those governments, and I'm glad you came along and filled in some of what I intentionally didn't go into.

Thanks for the added info. on 2 Thessalonians 2:3. I've read that article several times and others like it from Dr. Ice.
I find myself in agreement at this point in my understanding of scripture, although not dogmatic about it.
There has been apostasy in the world since near the beginning. Funny thing about that article, it was one of the first that grabbed my attention a couple of years ago when I joined RR, I still remember printing it and others like it off so I could study it further.

[daygo]

To me he is talking a load of rubbish, does not make sense, anybody with any modicum of common sense will see through this like something transparent. For me its too silly to laugh at, its a bit like someone holding up an orange and telling you its an apple, and expecting you to believe them.

[daygo]

Have had another one of my thoughts. I think the restrainer is the church, why? well some time ago I went on an away day with the church and the bishop got up to speak and afterwards he prayed. It then suddenly dawned on me like a flash of lightening, i know some will think i am silly but no more silly than this article. It has to be the church because in my opinion its prayer thats keeping the anti-christ at bay, bear with me a moment.
In the world there must be someone praying 24/7 now imagine what effect that has on the world, now take it away and what do you have, no one praying no more effect on the world, it would be like a dam suddenly disappearing and all the water would just flood everywhere, there would not be any restraint of the water, its so simple when you think about it.

[mattfivefour]

The article indeed brings forth some interesting things to think about. I would caution against a quick read to anyone who is used to doing that. He mentions two revelations of AC and that the second one at the tribulation mid-point is restrained because of Human Government where (although not cited) he alludes to Daniel's vision of 4 beasts and 11 kings (Dan. 7), the 11th being the AC who subdues 3 of the first 10, Dan 7:23-25. I can see his point here and can agree since the restraining influence of the church on Human Government is gone for the church is not present at mid-point of the tribulation. The Tribulation saints, like saints of all ages, are still saved by faith in Christ, but did not heed the Word's of Christ through His church during the Age of Grace. They will be, in my opinion, a disparate group of believers without any interconnectedness or freedoms such as we see today in most places. They will have to go underground and I would think there surely will be some form of networking during the first half of the Tribulation that they will use to identify themselves to each other as believers. But as an organized outward body of believers as we see today I am not so sure. For they would be open targets to all who disbelieve. Certainly during the second 3 1/2 years they will be hiding because they will refuse the mark. Back to the article: Dr. Frutchenbaum does not really say what his first restrainer is in detail. He mentions the Noahic covenant as the basis for human government and believes that it is HG that restrains AC before the Tribulation for he refutes the belief that it is the Holy Spirit. We are the Salt of the Earth and the Light of the world today. HG for sure has its authority as was setup by God to restrain evil. I have no qualms about that. But the thorn in the side of HG is the church, that is true "I will stand for Christ no matter the outcome" believers. It is the church that has been the major restrainer of HG in the past and still today in many ways. HG is made up of people. The church is made up of people. There are Church members in HG in high places, take them away via the Rapture and what is left is no restraint in HG. That is my point. I see no real contradiction in believing that HG is a restrainer, but HG is restrained by the church via the Holy Spirit of God.

Another way of looking at it is comparing the HG (Flesh) lusting against the Church(Spirit). Today more than ever we are being attacked politically by those of the flesh (the world) who do not want any Christian to have any influence over the affairs and decision making of humanity. We are as close to being in the Tribulation as is possible ...very close IMO. The world wants us out and if possible would force us out by any means they can. It is the culture of evil empowered by the principalities of evil that are causing this rise of rebellion against truth. If you cannot mix politics with religion then what moral foundation will guide politics? What will be the defining guide to create Law???? The world does not want a defining guide. They want to live in a "Throw all caution to the wind society" (Hedonism) but they do not realize what that type of world will be like. Praise God for His church and the reaping of the blessings of restraint that come about by its insistence on moral purity and ethic that comes from the pages of Holy Writ!!

Blessings!!

Another Take on this: Kenneth Wuest of Moody Bible uses contextual support of 2 Thess. 2:1ff to declare his interpretation: From RR -

Kenneth Wuest, a Greek scholar from Moody Bible Institute added the following contextual support to taking apostasia as a physical departure:


But then hee apostasia of which Paul is speaking, precedes the revelation of Antichrist in his true identity, and is to katechon that which holds back his revelation (2:6). The hee apostasia, therefore, cannot be either a general apostasy in Christendom which does precede the coming of Antichrist, nor can it be the particular apostasy which is the result of his activities in making himself the alone object of worship. Furthermore, that which holds back his revelation (vs. 3) is vitally connected with hoo katechoon (vs. 7), He who holds back the same event. The latter is, in my opinion, the Holy Spirit and His activities in the Church. All of which means that I am driven to the inescapable conclusion that the hee apostasia (vs. 3) refers to the Rapture of the Church which precedes the Day of the Lord, and holds back the revelation of the Man of Sin who ushers in the world-aspect of that period.*
*Kenneth S. Wuest, Letter to E. Schuyler English, published in " Let the Prophets Speak," Our Hope, (vol. LVI, num. 12; June 1950), p. 731.

Mike, you have hit on one of the few things I disagree with Dr. Wuest on. I have his expanded translation and his "Word Studies in the Greek New Testament" and am familiar with his argument. I find it, for the reasons I posted a couple of times over the past few years, flawed. But then it really doesn't matter. What shall occur will occur ... when (and only when) God's deems it time ... and in the exact manner He deems it. And THEN we shall see the truth.

As another poster mentioned on RF within the past couple of days, we only KNOW the truth of prophecy once it has occurred. We can, and do, and must, taker it on faith. But until it happens we cannot understand it properly. We all look back at the Jews of Jesus' day and wonder, as we look at all the OT prophecies concerning Messiah, why they could not see. But that is only because we have had the fulfillment shown us and then we can backtrack and see it all laid out in the OT. Ditto every OT type and shadow. Now we can understand those OT prophecies and the types and the shadows ... but then even the prophets themselves who gave the prophecies could not fully understand them (1 Peter 1:10-12). So sometimes I think it a mugg's game to try to figure out exactly how something will transpire in the future.

Is it not enough to understand the purpose of prophecy? When fulfilled it demonstrates the truth and perfection of God. It acts as a demonstration to the unbelieving person to consider the foolishness of their unbelief. When unfulfilled it causes us, in light of the former and thus knowing it WILL come to pass, to see the signs and apply ourselves more fervently to obedience in our service to God. Would our effort not be better spent in that regard than in trying to figure out how something that will take place after the Church is gone will actually take place?

[mikhen7]

Mike, you have hit on one of the few things I disagree with Dr. Wuest on. I have his expanded translation and his "Word Studies in the Greek New Testament" and am familiar with his argument. I find it, for the reasons I posted a couple of times over the past few years, flawed. But then it really doesn't matter. What shall occur will occur ... when (and only when) God's deems it time ... and in the exact manner He deems it. And THEN we shall see the truth.

As another poster mentioned on RF within the past couple of days, we only KNOW the truth of prophecy once it has occurred. We can, and do, and must, taker it on faith. But until it happens we cannot understand it properly. We all look back at the Jews of Jesus' day and wonder, as we look at all the OT prophecies concerning Messiah, why they could not see. But that is only because we have had the fulfillment shown us and then we can backtrack and see it all laid out in the OT. Ditto every OT type and shadow. Now we can understand those OT prophecies and the types and the shadows ... but then even the prophets themselves who gave the prophecies could not fully understand them (1 Peter 1:10-12). So sometimes I think it a mugg's game to try to figure out exactly how something will transpire in the future.

Is it not enough to understand the purpose of prophecy? When fulfilled it demonstrates the truth and perfection of God. It acts as a demonstration to the unbelieving person to consider the foolishness of their unbelief. When unfulfilled it causes us, in light of the former and thus knowing it WILL come to pass, to see the signs and apply ourselves more fervently to obedience in our service to God. Would our effort not be better spent in that regard than in trying to figure out how something that will take place after the Church is gone will actually take place?

I agree with you brother. I also believe that we have the ability to know truth via the Holy Spirit who teaches us all things that Christ taught. However, the pursuit of understanding should be done to glorify God and not for any other reason. (That one is for me) In response to your reference to the Jews of old not understanding, as you know it was the Jewish Leaders and those who trusted in them and their temple membership that did not accept who Jesus was. Many, many Jewish people accepted and knew He was the Messiah. I believe that it was the crucifixion, resurrection and role of the Messiah that many were fuzzy on. They wanted a Conquering "Kill the Romans King" not a Suffering Servant. Granted the statement that He would raise the temple in 3 days was totally foreign to them not knowing He was speaking of His body, I think He gave them ample time to believe as well. Consider this statement, Mt. 12:7, 1 Sam. 15:22, Hos. 6:6, Mt. 9:13. Here Jesus clearly quotes one of the prophets to show that mercy came before and was always desirable to sacrifice. They were to sacrifice because they loved God, mercy would be the fruit not sacrifice to make God love them. But instead they relied on sacrifice and left out the proof of faith, love and mercy. Even as Christ hung on the Cross He was preaching in hope they would turn to Him in repentance. When He cried out "My God My God Why Have you forsaken Me" it was only after they had looked up and said "He saved others but He cannot save Himself." He caught it and pointed it out to them by His statement. If you read Psalm 22 you will see that the accusing mocking statement of the religious leaders while He hung on that cruel cross, was in the same sequence in Ps. 22 as it happened on the cross. My point is they would have known He was the Messiah and that the Messiah would suffer had they read the Scriptures, especially Psalm 22 more clearly. Nicodemus had done this and He knew.

I agree we can backtrack and understand things easier and that some things Paul wrote even Peter said were hard to understand. I can see the prophets not understanding they did not see the Messiah from Birth in Bethlehem to the cross. I cannot give the Religious Leaders and Scribes a pass on not knowing who Jesus was. I am not saying you are, because I know you better and your love for God, the Scripture and all Brothers and Sisters is widely apparent to all on this forum. Everyone knows that especially me. So I thank God for your love and for your discernment.
God Bless

[mattfivefour]

In response to your reference to the Jews of old not understanding, as you know it was the Jewish Leaders and those who trusted in them and their temple membership that did not accept who Jesus was. Many, many Jewish people accepted and knew He was the Messiah. I believe that it was the crucifixion, resurrection and role of the Messiah that many were fuzzy on. They wanted a Conquering "Kill the Romans King" not a Suffering Servant.

You put your finger on what I believe was the difference between Palm Sunday when they shouted "Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest!" and strewed palm fronds in His path ... and Friday when they cried "Crucify Him! Give us Barabbas (the zealot) instead!" We blame it on the priests and the religious leaders; but, while they instigated the people to turn against Christ, we cannot put all the blame on them. The people themselves bear their own guilt for turning. They turned because they did not want Christ's will, they wanted theirs. They wanted Messiah for what He could do for them, not what He would demand from them. They wanted a Messiah who would deliver them from the hands of the Roman oppressors and restore them to their former glory. They did not want, as you said, "a Suffering Servant."

How much alike is man today. He wants a gospel that tells him to "Ask Jesus into your heart abnd your troubles will vanish." "Ask Jesus into your heart and be happy and worry free." "Ask Jesus into your heart and He will take care of everything for you: you do not have to do a thing in return but live your life as you like. He will guide and protect you." Thus the non-challenging, seeker sensitive and experiential so-called "gospels" we have today. This is what man wants. Not the man who denied Himself for us, who made Himself poor for us, who lived to serve us, who surrendered everything to the will of the Father, and who was called to suffering and calls us to the same. How quickly the superficial welcomers of Jesus Christ turn when they find out He does not exist for them but they exist for Him, when they learn how great the cost is to follow Him.

Yes, in time, those whose hearts were humble—both priest and lay—saw the great truth of the Old Testament revealed in Christ by the work of the Holy Spirit on their hearts and on the Day of Pentecost were primed to receive the gospel. Yes, thousands upon thousands of Jews in the days, and weeks, and years, and decades that followed accepted Christ as their Messiah, as Savior and Lord. But surely it was following the materialization of the substance of the events prophesied. Even the Twelve Disciples did not understand what Christ had told them until His Resurrection. And even then it was not until "beginning at Moses and all the prophets, Jesus expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself" (Luke 24:27) and then in the upper room when He "opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures" (Luke 24:45) that they understood.

[Kenny64]

I have always believed it is the Holy Spirit-indwelt Church that restrained. But I am looking into Dr. Fruchtenbaum,'s position. Nonetheless, leaving that point aside for the moment, the article is excellent.

He" That is Taken Out of the Way
Before the Antichrist can be revealed, Paul said a certain "He" must be taken out of the way. According to 2 Thessalonians 2:7, the "He" that must be removed is widely thought to be the Holy Spirit. It has been promised that the Holy Spirit would never leave the Church, and without the working of the Holy Spirit remaining on earth, no one could be saved during the tribulation. The removal of the Church, which is indwelt by the Holy Ghost, would seem the best explanation for this dilemma. The working of the Holy Spirit could go on during the tribulation, but His influence would be diminished because of the missing Church

What is the Pretribulation Rapture?

I think we have covered this a few times on RF-- Yes the "Holy Spirit", sealed within us is the restrainer, and the only one powerful enough to restran evil/ Satan.