The Second Coming Of Christ

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< > Chapter Seven What is Paul teaching in 2 Thessalonians 2v1-12? This is one of the most important Scriptures for determining when the second coming of Christ will take place, so it deserves special attention. In 2Thes.2v1., Paul is certainly not appealing to the Thessalonians “by” the coming of the Lord, as the Authorised Version seems to state, he is stating the subject about which he is going to write. The Authorised Version has translated the Greek word “huper” as “by,” but it is the only place in the New Testament where it is translated in this way. Paul “earnestly entreats,” (“erotomen,” the present active indicative), the Thessalonians to take heed to the doctrine concerning the second coming of Jesus. Where Paul appeals to Christians, “by the mercies of God” and “by the name of our Lord Jesus,” etc., Paul uses the Greek word “dia,” that is “through.” Rom.12v1. 1Cor.1v10. 2Cor.10v1. 5v20. Most translators make it very clear that Paul is stating the subject, which he intends to consider. The Abbot Smith Lexicon states, “In a more colourless sense, it equals 'peri,' for, concerning, with regard to: Rom.9v27., 2Cor.1v6. 8v23. 12v8. Phil.1v7. 2Thes.2v1..” A.T. Robertson makes a similar comment on 2Thes.2v1.. “'Huper' originally meant over, in behalf of, instead of, but here it is used like 'peri,' around, concerning as in 1v4; 1Thes.3v2; 5v10, common in the papyri (Robertson 'Grammar,' p.632).” Young's Literal Translation translates, “in regard to the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The Revised Standard Version, “Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our assembling to meet Him.” These translators make it clear that Paul is stating the subject, which he is trying to clarify and clear from misconception. The Thessalonians thought the great tribulation had come, because of how they were suffering, Paul told them that it was not so, and warned them not to accept any supposed revelation, message, or letter, that the day of the Lord was at hand; and, like his Lord, told them that the following unmistakable signs and events that must take place before Christ can return. A great falling away, and a powerless imitation of true Christianity. Mt.24v12. 1Tim.4v1-5. 2Tim.3v1-17. The coming of the Antichrist with “the workings of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders.” 2Thes.2v9.; and the placing of His image in the holy place “topo agio,” Mt.24v15.; in the sanctuary, “naon,” the innermost part of the Temple. 2Thes.2v4. Our Lord and Paul both state that His second coming cannot take place until Antichrist and the accompanying signs are manifested. Jesus destroys Antichrist with the brightness of His coming, “parousia.” The use of “parousia” in connection with Christ's coming to destroy the wicked, deals the death blow to the argument that “parousia” is used for Christ's coming to His people in a secret presence and rapture. The Greek word “parousia” is used to speak of the actual presence of a person, the Corinthians expressed contempt for Paul's weak bodily presence. 1Cor.16v17. 2Cor.7v6. 10v10. Phil.2v12. In the Hellenistic Greek, “parousia” was used as a technical word describing the arrival of an Emperor, King, or famous person into a town or province. It was also used to describe the invasion of a new and conquering general or power. In the New Testament the word “parousia” is used mainly in connection with the second coming of Christ, it tells us that King Jesus is coming to reign in power and glory. “Parousia” is used in connection with the second coming of Christ in; Mt.24v3,27,27,39. 1Cor.15v23. 1Thes.2v19. 3v13. 4v15. 5v23. 2Thes.2v1,8. James.5v7,8. 2Pet.1v16. 3v4,12. 1Jn.2v28. In 2Thes.2v8,9., Paul uses the word “parousia” to describe both the coming of Christ and the coming of Antichrist, and Paul states that the evil presence of Antichrist will be destroyed by the brightness and glory of Christ's presence. Even as the world will see and know of the presence of Antichrist, they will see and know of the presence of Christ. The “parousia” of Christ is linked with the day of the Lord and the destruction of the wicked. 2Thes.2v1,8. 2Pet.3v4,12. See Zech.14v4-12. with Acts.1v10-12. Mal.4v1,31. with 25v31,41. Luke.17v22-27. 2Thes.1v6-10. 2v1-12. 2Pet.3v1-14. Jude.v14,15. with 1Thes.4v14. Rev.6v12-17. 19v1-21. That the “parousia” of Christ is His coming in glory is also proved by the fact that it is used in Mt.24v27., in connection with the glorious coming of Christ. See Appendix. Who is the restrainer of 2Thes.2v7.? The restrainer is undoubtedly God, for though “that which restraineth” in verse 6, is the neuter “to katechon; in verse 7 Paul uses the masculine “ho katechon,” “He who restrains.” “Katechon,” is the present active participle of “katecho,” “to hold down, to restrain.” Only God can exercise this continuous active restraint on the powers of darkness. Some have suggested that the neuter is used in verse 6 because the Greek word for “spirit” is neuter. Paul had to use the neuter to speak of the impersonal restraining power of God, whereas in verse 7 Paul is speaking of the person of God who manifests that power. “Taken out of the way,” is “genetai,” the aorist middle subjunctive of “ginomai,” Paul speaks of that future point of time when God removes His restraint off the plans of the powers of darkness. This certainly does not mean that God's presence leaves the earth. Ps.139v7-10. God has promised that He will do mighty acts of power in the world, right up to the day of the Lord at the end of the great tribulation. Acts.2v17-21. God is exercising a restraining influence on the powers of darkness, He only allows them to go so far with their evil plans, however, God is going to remove this limiting influence for a few years at the close of the age, and that is what is referred to in 2Thes.2v7.. God allows this manifestation of evil because everyone has to see the folly and horrific end of following Satan and His plans, and the wisdom of God's loving purposes. To this end God allows the Devil to have his way in the world for 3½ years and the world ends up smashed and broken, and with it the proud claims of man and Satan, that they can live and manage without the Creator's wisdom, guidance and grace. To say that the removal of the restraining influence of God, is the removal of the Holy Spirit from the world altogether, is in direct contradiction to the teaching of the Scriptures. The two witnesses are doing mighty works of power, many of God's saints are doing mighty exploits, and many people are saved and kept during the great tribulation, all by the power of the Holy Spirit. Rev.11v3-12. 7v14. Dan.11v32. These miracles can only be performed by God, and prove conclusively His active presence in the world. Jn.3v27. 16v7-11. Those who say that the Church is raptured and taken to Heaven, and the Holy Spirit is taken from the earth during the great tribulation, have to explain how with no preachers and no Holy Spirit, and in a world dominated by Satan, the world has its greatest revival!! Acts.2v17-21. Mt.11v25,26. John.6v44. Rev.7v14. There can be no doubt that in 2Thes.2v1-12., Paul is teaching that Christ's second coming is preceded by the career of Antichrist and the great tribulation, no other interpretation is possible without Paul's words being mangled and distorted beyond all recognition. Let us read these Scriptures in the fear of God, and be prepared to accept their very clear teaching. < >
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Chapter Seven

What is Paul teaching in 2 Thessalonians 2v1-12?

This is one of the most important Scriptures for determining when the second coming of Christ will take place, so it deserves special attention. In 2Thes.2v1., Paul is certainly not appealing to the Thessalonians “by” the coming of the Lord, as the Authorised Version seems to state, he is stating the subject about which he is going to write. The Authorised Version has translated the Greek word “huper” as “by,” but it is the only place in the New Testament where it is translated in this way. Paul “earnestly entreats,” (“erotomen,” the present active indicative), the Thessalonians to take heed to the doctrine concerning the second coming of Jesus. Where Paul appeals to Christians, “by the mercies of God” and “by the name of our Lord Jesus,” etc., Paul uses the Greek word “dia,” that is “through.” Rom.12v1. 1Cor.1v10. 2Cor.10v1. 5v20. Most translators make it very clear that Paul is stating the subject, which he intends to consider.

The Abbot Smith Lexicon states, “In a more colourless sense, it equals 'peri,' for, concerning, with regard to: Rom.9v27., 2Cor.1v6. 8v23. 12v8. Phil.1v7. 2Thes.2v1..” A.T. Robertson makes a similar comment on 2Thes.2v1.. “'Huper' originally meant over, in behalf of, instead of, but here it is used like 'peri,' around, concerning as in 1v4; 1Thes.3v2; 5v10, common in the papyri (Robertson 'Grammar,' p.632).”
Young's Literal Translation translates, “in regard to the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The Revised Standard Version, “Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our assembling to meet Him.”
These translators make it clear that Paul is stating the subject, which he is trying to clarify and clear from misconception. The Thessalonians thought the great tribulation had come, because of how they were suffering, Paul told them that it was not so, and warned them not to accept any supposed revelation, message, or letter, that the day of the Lord was at hand; and, like his Lord, told them that the following unmistakable signs and events that must take place before Christ can return.

A great falling away, and a powerless imitation of true Christianity. Mt.24v12. 1Tim.4v1-5. 2Tim.3v1-17.

The coming of the Antichrist with “the workings of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders.” 2Thes.2v9.; and the placing of His image in the holy place “topo agio,” Mt.24v15.; in the sanctuary, “naon,” the innermost part of the Temple. 2Thes.2v4. Our Lord and Paul both state that His second coming cannot take place until Antichrist and the accompanying signs are manifested. Jesus destroys Antichrist with the brightness of His coming, “parousia.” The use of “parousia” in connection with Christ's coming to destroy the wicked, deals the death blow to the argument that “parousia” is used for Christ's coming to His people in a secret presence and rapture.

The Greek word “parousia” is used to speak of the actual presence of a person, the Corinthians expressed contempt for Paul's weak bodily presence. 1Cor.16v17. 2Cor.7v6. 10v10. Phil.2v12. In the Hellenistic Greek, “parousia” was used as a technical word describing the arrival of an Emperor, King, or famous person into a town or province. It was also used to describe the invasion of a new and conquering general or power. In the New Testament the word “parousia” is used mainly in connection with the second coming of Christ, it tells us that King Jesus is coming to reign in power and glory. “Parousia” is used in connection with the second coming of Christ in; Mt.24v3,27,27,39. 1Cor.15v23. 1Thes.2v19. 3v13. 4v15. 5v23. 2Thes.2v1,8. James.5v7,8. 2Pet.1v16. 3v4,12. 1Jn.2v28. In 2Thes.2v8,9., Paul uses the word “parousia” to describe both the coming of Christ and the coming of Antichrist, and Paul states that the evil presence of Antichrist will be destroyed by the brightness and glory of Christ's presence. Even as the world will see and know of the presence of Antichrist, they will see and know of the presence of Christ. The “parousia” of Christ is linked with the day of the Lord and the destruction of the wicked. 2Thes.2v1,8. 2Pet.3v4,12. See Zech.14v4-12. with Acts.1v10-12. Mal.4v1,31. with 25v31,41. Luke.17v22-27. 2Thes.1v6-10. 2v1-12. 2Pet.3v1-14. Jude.v14,15. with 1Thes.4v14. Rev.6v12-17. 19v1-21. That the “parousia” of Christ is His coming in glory is also proved by the fact that it is used in Mt.24v27., in connection with the glorious coming of Christ. See Appendix.

Who is the restrainer of 2Thes.2v7.?
The restrainer is undoubtedly God, for though “that which restraineth” in verse 6, is the neuter “to katechon; in verse 7 Paul uses the masculine “ho katechon,” “He who restrains.” “Katechon,” is the present active participle of “katecho,” “to hold down, to restrain.” Only God can exercise this continuous active restraint on the powers of darkness. Some have suggested that the neuter is used in verse 6 because the Greek word for “spirit” is neuter. Paul had to use the neuter to speak of the impersonal restraining power of God, whereas in verse 7 Paul is speaking of the person of God who manifests that power. “Taken out of the way,” is “genetai,” the aorist middle subjunctive of “ginomai,” Paul speaks of that future point of time when God removes His restraint off the plans of the powers of darkness. This certainly does not mean that God's presence leaves the earth. Ps.139v7-10. God has promised that He will do mighty acts of power in the world, right up to the day of the Lord at the end of the great tribulation. Acts.2v17-21.

God is exercising a restraining influence on the powers of darkness, He only allows them to go so far with their evil plans, however, God is going to remove this limiting influence for a few years at the close of the age, and that is what is referred to in 2Thes.2v7.. God allows this manifestation of evil because everyone has to see the folly and horrific end of following Satan and His plans, and the wisdom of God's loving purposes. To this end God allows the Devil to have his way in the world for 3½ years and the world ends up smashed and broken, and with it the proud claims of man and Satan, that they can live and manage without the Creator's wisdom, guidance and grace. To say that the removal of the restraining influence of God, is the removal of the Holy Spirit from the world altogether, is in direct contradiction to the teaching of the Scriptures. The two witnesses are doing mighty works of power, many of God's saints are doing mighty exploits, and many people are saved and kept during the great tribulation, all by the power of the Holy Spirit. Rev.11v3-12. 7v14. Dan.11v32. These miracles can only be performed by God, and prove conclusively His active presence in the world. Jn.3v27. 16v7-11. Those who say that the Church is raptured and taken to Heaven, and the Holy Spirit is taken from the earth during the great tribulation, have to explain how with no preachers and no Holy Spirit, and in a world dominated by Satan, the world has its greatest revival!! Acts.2v17-21. Mt.11v25,26. John.6v44. Rev.7v14.

There can be no doubt that in 2Thes.2v1-12., Paul is teaching that Christ's second coming is preceded by the career of Antichrist and the great tribulation, no other interpretation is possible without Paul's words being mangled and distorted beyond all recognition. Let us read these Scriptures in the fear of God, and be prepared to accept their very clear teaching.

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