"He who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way."
- 2 Thessalonians 2:7 -
NOTE: To get the most out of this discussion, it would be helpful for you to follow the highlighted links; you may want to "right click" and "open in new tab" or "open in new window."
For the "How'd they come up with that?" department...
I was blown away a number of years ago when I looked at this verse for the first time in the original Greek language.
Has Jesus Already Returned?
Image courtesy of Samantha Sophia and http://unsplash.com
One phrase immediately jumped out at me.
Almost every English translation renders the final phrase of verse seven as some variant of "until he is taken out of the way."
How did they come up with out of the way?
While I will concede that it might be remotely possible, I think it is pretty difficult to get "out of the way" from the original Greek language. You have to have strong theological presuppositions to do so. You must stretch your translation to use the least likely possible meaning of this combination of words.
How could this happen? I suspect that the translators "took the easy way out" and simply followed in the footsteps of the 1599 Geneva Bible translation of the verse.
This is the original Greek:
ἕως ἐκ μέσου γένηται
Here is each word, with a link to its usual lexical meaning(s) and notes on the grammatical form:
ἕως - adverb
- till, until
ἐκ - preposition
- out of, from, by, away from
μέσου - adjective: genitive, singular
- middle
- the midst
- in the midst of, amongst
γένηται - verb: second aorist, middle deponent, subjunctive, 3rd, singular
- to become, i.e. to come into existence, begin to be, receive being
- to become, i.e. to come to pass, happen (of events)
- to arise, appear in history, come upon the stage (of men appearing in public)
- to be made, finished (of miracles, to be performed, wrought)
- to become, be made
I think the typical translation is prejudiced by a particular understanding of future history. There has been a prevailing theological bias that assumes the influence of the Holy Spirit will be removed from the church.
Though broadly accepted, I don't think the phrase means "until he is taken out of the way." I believe there is a much more natural understanding possible. I think the phrase "ἕως ἐκ μέσου γένηται" very literally means "until out of the midst he appears."
This is more consistent with the context of this chapter. Please take a few minutes to read verses one through twelve of this chapter, <- by clicking the highlighted link. The passage is about the appearance, or the revelation, of the man of lawlessness.
Let's consider the key phrases.
"Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ..."
Paul is looking forward to future history; to the promised return of Jesus.
"For that day will not come, unless... the man of lawlessness is revealed..."
Paul categorically states that Jesus will not return until after this "man of lawlessness" appears.
Note, the word revealed is used repeatedly in the chapter. Consider all the related language, words pointing to this appearance:
The word "revealed" (three times), "exalts himself," "takes his seat," "proclaiming himself," "signs," "wonders," "deception"...
The principal subject of the passage, the "he," the "himself," and the "his," is none other than "the man of lawlessness." And so, it is a faulty assumption to associate the final phrase of verse seven with anyone other than the man of lawlessness.
"he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God."
This lawless one will pretend to be God, seating himself in God's temple.
"And you know what is restraining him..."
Something is delaying the revealing.
Here's a key question:
What is God's temple?
Many Christians who are preoccupied with prophecy, who are looking at political events unfolding, are being misdirected. They are looking in the wrong places. Some are expecting a rebuilding of a physical temple in Jerusalem. I don't think that is what Paul has in view here.
Will the temple be rebuilt?
Image courtesy of Walkerssk and http://pixabay.com
In Ephesians, Paul tells us what God's temple is.
"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit."
- Ephesians 2:19-22
Stated simply, God's temple in the present day is the universal church, the body of believers among whom he will dwell forever.
What's the bottom line?
Sometime, shortly before Jesus himself returns, "the man of lawlessness," a pretender to the throne, will appear to the church. He will probably be an "insider," or perhaps some kind of "spiritual manifestation" claiming to be Jesus. Through most of the history of the church this has already been happening, but the final assault may be more persuasive than ever and may include astounding signs and wonders.
Don't be fooled.
Beware of anyone showing up in the church claiming to be Jesus or to have Jesus' authority. Accept no substitutes.
No matter how authentic, persuasive, or what mind boggling signs or wonders he may demonstrate, you can be sure that it's not Jesus. There is only one authentic Jesus, and when he does return, everyone will know it.
"Every eye will see him." - Revelation 1:7
Image courtesy of Jeremy Thomas and http://unsplash.com
This is what to expect when Jesus returns:
"For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man."
- Matthew 24:27
You won't be able to miss it. Will you be ready?
Visit my Library Christianity Shelf for more in the "Curmudgeon" series.
FIN
LOOK! Check out our amazing product:>>CLICK HERE!<<
You are why I'm here on Steemit!
I have very eclectic interests and hope, over time, to write about them all.
⬇️To Check Out @creatr's World⬇️CLICK Each Image Below⬇️
|
|
|