Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
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:
Who does the Lockman Foundation feel is the "restrainer" of 2 Thess. 2; and why? The orginal Greek hsa "restrainer" as both nuter and masculine gender. Is it a person, entitity, or concept. Then follows the obvious question: How will it be taken out of the way? jw Bremerton WA |
Bible Answer: Enoch: I do not speak for the Lockman Foundation. None of us here are authorized to do that. In 2 Thess. 2:6-7, "When it comes to the identity of the restrainer, we know only what is recorded here, which is not as much as we would like, and his identity has long been hotly debated" (page 124, THE RAPTURE QUESTION ANSWERED, Robert Van Kampen, Fleming H. Revell, 1997). 2:7 '*taken out of the way.* This refers not to spatial removal (therefore it could not be the rapture of the church) but rather "a stepping aside." The idea is "out of the way," not gone. . . . This restraint will be in place until the Antichrist is revealed, at the midpoint of the Tribulation, leaving him 42 months to reign (Dan. 7:25; Rev. 13:5)" (MacArthur Study Bible). Grace to you, kalos |