Greetings in Christ, John, from one of the 7000 who do not bow the knee to baal....
below is a thank you and response to Robert Braatz (Feb. 3, 2005).
All the best, YSIC  Arlene

TO ROBERT BRAATZ ET AL RE:  THE HINDERER
 

Thank you, Robert, and now you have brought up another puzzle which I have pondered over the years.  i.e., "the restrainer".  There is so much controversy over these verses (2nd Thess. 2: 1-17), and many wrest out of them the fact that the church will be thrust into tribulation years because of the "falling away" first., etc.   So, I went to my "outline" method to try to rightly divide what Paul was saying.   First of all he was speaking of TWO things.   1st  "by the coming of the Lord Jesus" (the coming of Christ to the earth) and 2nd "by our gathering together unto Him". (the rapture)    As the Holy Spirit is magnificently correct in every jot and tittle, let us also reference the following comments by Paul and place them into either the 1st or the 2nd topic above.  First of all he says "beseech", translation = "now let's get this straight for once and for all, brothers….."
He then goes on to what they might be "deceived" about:
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

What they might be deceived about is the 1st topic above (the coming of our Lord Jesus).
We know He comes AFTER the tribulation.  So Paul is saying "that day will not come" (which day?    ……     the "coming" of the Lord Jesus,,,to the earth….after the tribulation when His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives…..)  So Paul is saying that "that day" will not come until after a huge apostasy (the "great delusion" that God will alow to befall to "those who loved NOT the truth so that they may be saved….")  They will fall away from the truth and believe "the lie".   "AND THAT MAN OF SIN BE REVEALED"  The delusion happens at the same time the man of sin is revealed.  Remember, Paul is here still speaking of the 1st topic above.

Then Paul mentions what hinders this man of wickedness; i.e., the "he" who will be removed in order that "that he might be revealed in his time,"
Take note here that the wicked one will be revealed in HIS time (not ours).
And, further, that the Lord will consume him with the Spirit of His mouth.  This happens when the Lord returns after the tribulation, to the earth,  and sends the antichrist and false apostle packing……..

Paul then goes on to speak comforting words, referencing the 2nd topic above….(our gathering together unto Him), and referring to this 2nd topic (the rapture), he says,
"God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth"    Get it??? Above he speaks to those who "did not believe the truth, but believed the "lie"….here is says, referring to the 2nd topic (rapture), that we are called to "salvation" because we believe the TRUTH.   Furthermore, there's the extra bonus that we shall be called "to the obtaining of the glory of the Lord" (which Jesus received at His resurrection, and so shall we receive …..)

So, the "hindering" of the wicked one's revealing, are those who believe the truth, the Body of Christ, the children of the day, those who have the Holy Spirit, revealing all TRUTH to them.   We must be removed so that the lie may delude those who chose not to believe the truth unto salvation.   Paul tells them not to let anyone deceive them by any means.  We are also to understand some 2000 years later, that there are many deceivers out there who would have the church enter the tribulation years, or who otherwise place the rapture in HIS TIME (the antichrist's time).

He then tells us to go on doing our good works instead of wasting time in wrong doctrinal winds, and being in fear.  "For lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the age…..", and so, when He comes to get us and take us out, THEN can the lie and delusion prosper, whatever form that will take.   But we are to continue in our traditions and good works right up until that day…..
(I  paste the referenced verses below for your use  in studying this controversial message, and in offering up praise to Paul the apostle, for teaching us in accordance with THE TRUTH), and, for "comforting our hearts"......

Abundant blessings to you all, from one who loves our Lord Jesus Christ,
Arlene

2 Thessalonians 2: 1 - 17
1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, F4 2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6 And now ye know what withholdeth F5 that he might be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, 17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.