Dear John & Doves:

I would like to address Christina's letter of 2 Aug 2011 regarding "The Elect, The Restrainer, The Falling Away? What Did He Mean?"

Dear Christina:

The scripture you referred to is 2 Thessalonians 2:1-7, in particular, Verse 3 which says, "Let no man deceive you in any way; for that day (the Day of the Lord) will not come, unless the "rebellion" comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of perdition who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God." (RSV)  Also, Verse 6-7 which continues, "And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time.  For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way." (RSV)

I was confused about these scriptures until I learned the following information.  The word "rebellion" is also translated "falling away" and not only means to rebel or fall away, but also can mean "a departure", as in "to abandon or forsake" (the carnal earthly realm) -- by means of, out of, away from.

The correct translation from the Latin Vulgate is from the word "rappieamore", meaning "a falling away into space" -- or rapture, in English.

Now it makes perfect sense when you read Paul's words that were reassuring the Thessalonica church, who feared they had missed this event, and not to pay heed to the rumors they were hearing.  The Day of the Lord would not come until this "falling away into space-this departure-of the saints (the Elect) that the Holy Spirit dwells inside of, happens first.  The Holy Spirit in us is all that currently holds back the restraining of the Antichrist, and when we abandon/forsake this carnal earthly realm to meet Jesus in the rapture, the restrainer (Holy Spirit) is temporarily taken out of the way with us. Then the lawless one, that son of perdition, the Antichrist will be free to come by the activity of Satan with all power, pretended signs and wonders, and wicked deception for a short time (7 years) against all who refused to love the truth and be saved.

This puts a whole different spin on these passages of scripture, whereas most people take them at face value and think they are talking about religious apostacy, I believe this is just more literal scriptural proof of a Pre-Trib Rapture!

This can be researched further through the Jack Van Impe Ministries.  I hope this helps.

YSIC, M.A.P.