Tom Leonard - July 27, 2014
What/Who is the Restrainer?
What/Who is the Restrainer? II Thessalonians 2:1-12 Main Point The Coming of the Lord Jesus is near and we are to be prepared, but He will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed. I Thessalonians 4:13-18 > Mark 13:32-37 1. What is the Coming/Day of the Lord? (verses 1-2) Matthew 24:3-8; 29-31 2. What is the rebellion/falling away? (verse 3a) 'Apostasia’ (apostasy) = defection, forsaking of the truth Matthew 24:9-14 3. Who is the man of lawlessness? (verses 3b-4) Matthew 24:15-16 > Daniel 9:26-27; 11:36-37 ‘…he sets himself up in God’s temple’ – ‘Naos’ = used of the temple in Jerusalem, but only of the sacred building. 4. Who or what holds back the secret power of sin/lawlessness – the man of sin, that will be taken out of the way and then the lawless one will be revealed? (verses 6-7) I believe it is the restraining power of God thru the Holy Spirit – He will be taken out of the way… but not removed from the earth.
Scripture References: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Mark 13:32-37, Matthew 24:3-8, Matthew 24:29-31, Matthew 24:9-14, Matthew 24:15-16, Daniel 9:26-27, Daniel 11:36-37
