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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: The Restrainer - Revisited! |
Bible Note: HI Listener I do not see a third coming in scripture. However, the wording in 1 Cor. 15 and 1 Thess. 4 have to do with the resurrection of those who have died in Christ and those who are alive and remain. We will be changed (translated) and caught up together to meet the Lord in the air. I would say that it appears that his coming for his saints and with his saints, that both are connected to his second coming to the earth as seen in 2 Thess. 1: 8. How will his second coming unfold. We know that he will come in power and in glory to establish his earthly kingdom at the end of the great tribulation. My thoughts are that he will come to the air, the saints of this dispensation of grace, the church which is his body, the bride will meet him in the air. I do no think that there is a return to heaven, but rather a pause as the bride enters into the personal presence of Christ. He then will descend with his saints in glory and power at his appearing when every eye shall see him. The difficulty presented with this view is what period of time is there between the time the saints meet him in the air and the time when he will continue his descent to the mount of olives? The language of the bride and bridegroom in scripture is based on the ancient Eastern marriage customs. I enjoy this typology as it relates to Christ and the Bride. The example in scripture is that of Isaac and Rebekah In Gen. 24. In Gen 23, Issaac's mother dies. ( a picture of Israel set aside nationally. Gen. 24 The father sends his servant to find a bride for his son. ( a picture of the Holy Spirit bring sinners from all backgrounds to form the bride of Christ) Gen. 25 After his son meets his bride, Abraham takes a new wife. If Abraham is a picture of God this union could typify the restoration of Israel as the wife of Jehovah. Think about the following: The servant a type of the Holy Spirit finds Rebekah. He tells her about his master, and showed her tokes of his riches. The servant was anxious to take her to his master. However, she had to consent"I will go" At this point the betrothal is sealed and she is legally the promised bride for the bridegroom whom she has never seen. As the servant takes her on the journey home he protects her and tells her more of the one whom having not seen we love. Accodding to customs, while the servant is bringing the bride home, the bridegroom is preparing a place of intimacy for he and his bride. The bride is brought to the bridegroom and with the friends the marriage ceremony begins. The groom takes his bride into the specially prepared room for 7 days at which time he will share itimacy with her and show his approval for her by giving her gifts as tokens of his love. After 7 days they leave the room and joint the friends for the marriage supper. I believe that there is a heavenly company the bride who will reign with Christ. The earthly saints saved out of the Great Tribulation will include the remanent of Israel and people from every tonque, kindred, tribe and nation who will go onto enjoy peace on earth under the righteous reign of Christ. I will stop for now. I would be interested in your thoughts. Peace in his Name Robert |