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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:
Greetings Mark, Always appreciate what you have to say. Have you given much thought to (possibly) the restrainers activity all throughout history? Maybe this is just something I have contimplated. In light of what scriptures say, the tremendous evil that abides in all of men's hearts, do you think "the restrainer" has been at work all along? I have thought quite a bit about this. I believe (just an opinion based on what I've seen) the restrainer has been at work since the fall. I truly think that mankind would have readily destroyed each other long ago. I think God has, all along, restrained the evil in mankind. Therefore, leading into the "great tribulation," where the evil intents of man's heart will run wild, that God will withdraw His restraining. This accounts for the tremendous evil and chaos that will persue. Therefore, the church, meaning each individual believer, each one possessing the Holy Spirit, that now God withdraws His holy (us) presents from this world to judge it like never before. Thus whatever or whoever is "the restrainer" would naturally need to be "withdrawn." What-do-you-think? InGodITrust |
Bible Answer: Hi InGodTrust, This reminds me of Genesis, where God says "My Spirit shall not always strive with man," as He decreed their coming judgment. I think the same as you do, that God has been restraining evil throughout the history of fallen man. Even as God exiled man from the garden, He set His angel to block the way, lest a worse thing happen. But where I have to stop is before saying that God does this through the church. I am not saying that this isn't true, just that I don't see where that is actually taught in Scripture. I would freely change my view if I actually saw the Bible teach that the Holy Spirit restrains "the mystery of iniquity" through the church. Are you aware of such passages that you can show me? Love in Christ, Mark |