Christian Publishing House Blog
Apologetic Defense of the faith, the Bible, and Christianity
2 Thessalonians 2:6-12: Who is the restraint that held back the great apostasy? Who are these ones that have been “at work” since Paul’s day and are still “at work” in our day? Herein these questions are answered and others with two different views.
There are two general questions in regard to the proper interpretation of 2 Thess. 2:1-5; the one is, whether it refers to an individual, or to a series of individuals of the same general character, aiming at the accomplishment of the same plans; and the other is, whether there has been any individual, or any series of individuals, since the time of the apostle, who, by eminence, deserved to be called “the man of lawlessness.”
Jesus Christ advised his followers: “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”—Matthew 7:15. The apostle Paul likewise warned Christians in Thessalonica: “Let no one deceive you in any way, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction.”—2 Thessalonians 2:3.
The Bible describes the Antichrist as a figure of deception who will lead people away from the truth of God and will attempt to deceive even the elect. He will be opposed to Jesus Christ and will seek to exalt himself above all that is called God.
Christians not only have to battle the Agnostic and atheist, but they must also contend with liberal Bible scholars, and even some moderates, who use higher criticism in their interpretation. It is here that we should also expound a little more on the “criticism” portion of the term “higher criticism” and “textual criticism.” It might... Continue Reading →
1 John 2:18 Updated American Standard Version (UASV) 18 Little children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have arisen; whereby we know that it is the last hour. If we were sitting by the radio, and the newscaster came on to warn us about... Continue Reading →
2 Thessalonians 2:8 Updated American Standard Version (UASV) 8 Then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will do away with by the spirit of his mouth, and wipe out by the appearance of his presence, When we think of the past year, in the news media, we have witnessed atrocious cases of... Continue Reading →
Matthew 7:19-20 Updated American Standard Version (UASV) 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, you will recognize them by their fruits. As we learned from the previous chapter, the apostle Paul had said that the man of lawlessness was “already at work” in his day,... Continue Reading →
As will be seen a few times throughout, there have been many different views as to who or what the antichrist is or will be. However, we are only interested in the biblical view. For the sake of being aware, we will look at a few other views here in this introduction.
Over 1,900 years ago, the apostle John wrote, “Just as you heard that antichrist is coming.” (1 John 2:18) Fifty-seven-years before that Paul wrote, “let no one deceive you in any way, for it [the day of the Lord] will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the... Continue Reading →