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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. |
Subject: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 WHO? |
Bible Note: Hello Cuddle, I too appreciated CDBJ's post and believe that he might even be right regarding the identity of the "restrainer". But let us not forget that there are many bible scholars out there that do disagree with this. I believe that New Creature's comment regarding the Rapture should not be tossed aside. I had anxiously followed with the intention of bringing attention to the rapture if New Creature did not do it soon. The reason this is an important consideration is that it may actually be that you are reading into the verse somewhat. It is perfectly logical and theologically sound to consider that the "retainer" may in fact be the Holy Spirit. Arguing His omnipresence only makes sense if we are interpreting that the "taken away" to mean He, the retainer, will no longer be present. This would not hold to scrutinity of Scripture however, consider John 15:26. Jesus said "when the Helper comes..."whom I will send..." There has never been any debate (that I am aware of) that this passage is referring to the Holy Spirit (and Jesus refers to Him as "the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father). So was the Holy Spirit omnipresent at that time? The Scriptures teach that He is the third person in the godhead. He is God, without beginning and without end and His nature has not developed over time. What then are we to make of it? I suggest that just as Jesus has always existed, there was a time in time where he manifested in a new role when He was "sent" to be born of Mary's womb. There was also a time when He was "taken away" and there will be a time when He "returns". The same can be agrued regarding the Holy Spirit if He in fact is the restrainer. It may be that He was "sent" in the sense of fulfilling the restraining role and at a time in the future will be "taken away" (at the rapture) or removed from the task of that role. I hope this is helpful, Jeff |