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NASB | 2 Thessalonians 2:7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Thessalonians 2:7 For the mystery of lawlessness [rebellion against divine authority and the coming reign of lawlessness] is already at work; [but it is restrained] only until he who now restrains it is taken out of the way. |
Bible Question: If the One Who restrains Who is taken away is the Holy Spirit surely this MUST mean there is a Pre-Trib Rapture... because He is OMNIPRESENT. There is NOWHERE for Him to go. It MUST refer to the taking away of the Holy Spirit IN HIS PEOPLE THE CHURCH? How else can this verse be interpreted? |
Bible Answer: Dear E T, Yes, the first thing to do is to identify that which restrains. As you quit rightly infer. The early church thought that the restrainer was the Roman Empire. John Gill saw the "decree of God" as that which hinders the antichrist from full manifestation until the "fulness of time" (Daniel 11:35; 2 Thessalonians 2:6). Others have supposed that it is the Church itself; i.e. the invisible and universal body of Christ. Then there are those, as you suggest, who believe that that which restrains is the Holy Spirit. (That position is gaining adherents through the popularization of fundamentalist, dispensational eschatology in novel form written by people without formal degrees in Bible.) I have my doubts regarding the Church and/or the Holy Spirit being this withholding power because of the final phrase of the Great Commission. Christ said, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." (Matthew 28:18b-20 KJV) Furthermore, if it is the Holy Spirit that is taken out of the way in this pre-tribulation, rapture view, how can others be saved during the tribulation. (The salvation of some during that time is, I believe, an important point by those who hold to this doctrine.) Salvation is not possible without the specific work of the Holy Spirit in regeneration. Thank you for bringing up this point. Lord willing, I've provided something further to think about. In Him, Doc |