The Antichrist’s Restraint and Ruin

Northwest Bible Church – Jan. 21, 2024 – 2 Thess. – Alan Conner
2 Thess. 2:6-8
The Antichrist’s Restraint and Ruin

Intro

A. THE RESTRAINER (2 Thess. 2:6-7).

1. The restrainer was present in the first century (2 Thess. 2:6).

2. The restrainer is described by both neuter and masculine genders.

3. At some point the restrainer will be removed.

B. VIEWS ON THE RESTAINER.

1. The restrainer is the Holy Spirit indwelling the church.

CON:
a. The restrainer “will be taken out of the way” (2 Thess. 2:7).
b. No reference to a pre-trib. rapture in either 1 or 2 Thessalonians.
c. If Paul had meant the rapture of the church, why not state it clearly.
d. This Holy Spirit is active in this final period of tribulation. Mk. 13:11.

2. God ordained civil government whose role is to restrain evil. Rom. 13:3-4

3. An angel of God. Cf. Rev. 20:1-3. Support for the final judgment at the second coming rather than a thousand years later: Mt. 25:31-32; Jn. 5:28-29; 2 Thess. 1:5-10. Support for a judgment on Satan during Christ’s first coming: 1 Jn. 3:8; Heb. 2:14; Jn. 12:31; Col. 2:15; Mt. 12:28-29; Ex. 12:12 (typology). The nature of this binding of Satan in Rev. 20:1-3 is not a complete removal of his influence and power but specifically “so that he would not deceive the nations any longer” (2 Thess. 2:3) which corresponds to the advance of the gospel among the Gentiles in this age.

4. Preaching of the gospel restrains Satan. Mt. 24:14; Lk. 10:17-18

C. THE DESTRUCTION OF THE LAWLESS ONE (2 Thess. 2:8).

1. The revealing of the lawless one.

2. The retribution on the lawless one. Cf. Isa. 11:4;

3. The return of the Lord. Cf. Rev. 19:11-21.

Conclusion

Things to Ponder: The fact that the man of lawlessness is now being restrained, how should the church respond today? What encouragement should we have in light of the second coming of Christ? What should be the believer’s attitude toward the future?