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2nd Thessalonians Chapter 2

2 Thessalonians Chapter 2

INTRO :
"And if I know everything there is to know about everything, and have not Love,
I am nothing" ....
Love rejoices whenever Truth wins out " 1 Corinthians 13

Second Thessalonians Chapter 2 tells us very directly that the Rapture cannot take place until:

1.  there is a definite split within Christendom "falling away", apostasy
and also :
2. that the man of sin be revealed ( sitting in the Temple as God )
before we can be raptured.

Examples :
Baptists Split over Homosexuality--May 18, 2006
http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=23275

Anglicans split over homosexuality -- May 18, 2006
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;jsessionid=4GIPP1KLFZCRVQFIQMFSFFOAVCBQ0IV0?xml=/news/2006/05/19
/nchurch19.xml&sSheet=/news/2006/05/19/ixuknews.html
http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/may2006/donnad519.htm

Episcopalians split over homosexuality -- May 18, 2006
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EPISCOPAL_FEUD?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=US

Church of Scothland ( "The Kirk") split over gays -- May 22, 2006
[Kim] Cran, who was originally a cleric with the United Church of Christ in the United States, which allows blessings of gay partnerships, added: "I think we should allow practising gays to be ministers."
The new gay rights group has the backing of one of the Kirk's top theologians, Rev Prof George Newlands of Glasgow University, the former convener of the Church's Panel of Doctrine.
Meanwhile, moderate clergy have formed another group, OneKirk, which backs gay blessings.
http://www.virtueonline.org/portal/modules/news/article.php?storyid=4085

We are counseled not to be deceived in this matter by anyone.
 
The deception being touted by most of Christendom is that the "falling away" means "departure".

OK ... we'll give them the benefit of the doubt. What they are actually saying then is this:

" The Rapture cannot take place until the Rapture takes place".

???

We credit the Bible with much more depth than that.
 
It is hard to wait on the Lord. It is hard to be vexed every day until these turn of events occur.

But to run from the truth is not acceptable.

We are to worship God in Spirit and in Truth ( accuracy ).
 
For too long a time 2 Thessalonians Chapter 2 has not been received by the Church.
It is time for it to be received in humility and patience.

Our Lord is coming for a Bride without spot or wrinkle.
With each day that passes, those spots and wrinkles are getting cleaned and pressed. Time corrects all errors.
 
In the meantime, let us "Occupy until He comes" ( Luke 19 : 13 )

for He will come: " at an hour ye think not " ( Matthew 24:44 )
  http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/oct2005/jimg101.htm

There are a lot of nuggets of truth in both of the Thesssalonian letters.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 tells us of the event called the Rapture .
1 Thess. Chapter 5 speaks of "Peace and Safety" preceding the rapture.

2 Thessalonians Chapter 1 speaks of a dual event:
a. the rapture and
b. judgement as simultaneous.....vs. 7, 8 .

2 Thessalonians Chapter 2 is the Mother Load of end-time insights.
Each line speaks volumes.

We have already stated throughout our website that the Holy Ghost--- through Paul---
tells us that 2 events must take place *before * we are to be raptured:
1. There must be a definite APOSTASY, or "falling away" from Biblical Faith and
2. The Man of Sin must sit in the temple of God as God. 2 Thess. 2:3, 4

Note: this future antichrist is not called "antichrist" or "beast" just yet. He simply is referred to here as
"the man of sin". He will fulfill this verse of prophecy as an ordinary citizen, so we believe.

We are already in the throes of Global Apostasy, as all denominations are uniting under the banner of idealistic "Peace, Unity, and Love ", rather than under the realistic banner of Jesus Christ alone.
(United Religions... Interfaith Councils, Churches Together, etc. teach the false doctrine that all faiths are equal). That is not so.

The only Name under heaven given among men whereby we MUST be saved is Jesus Christ
Acts 4:12 ..... Matthew 1:21 .... Luke 1:77.
" I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life. No man cometh unto the Father but by Me" John 14:6

As for the man of sin's appearance in the temple, the apostasy
( the falling away from Scripturally-based Faith ) must come first.
This is detailed for us in 2 Thessalonians 2:5-7

We read in 2 Thessalonians 2:5-7.......
"Remember ye not, that when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
And now you know what witholdeth" [ meaning : what must come first ]
(apostasy first.... especially Israel looking for a political Messiah,
rather than the true Blessed Anointed One)
"that he" (the man of sin) "might be revealed in his time."

Relevant verse to insert right here:
"I AM come in My Father's name, and ye receive Me not:
if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive" John 5:43

In other words, the man of sin cannot come until sound doctrine in the churches has been corrupted. ( the apostasy, or falling away).

"For the mystery of iniquity" doth already work
(the mystery of apostasy coming from within the ranks of the Church as a Fifth Column)

please see Acts 20:28--31.
"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers,
to feed the church of God,
(Ed. note: feeding with volumes of Scripture and sound doctrine)
which He hath purchased with His own blood"
For I know this, that, after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Also of your own selves ( Ed. note: traitorous Fifth Column from within ) shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
(Ed. note: seeking fame, fortune and popularity... crowds of great number....monitoring the numbers)

Also 1 John 2: 18, 19.....
"Little children, it is the Last Time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come,
even now are there many antichrists ( anti-Christianity.... even among so-called "clergy" ) ;
whereby we know that it is the last time. ( the end of the Church Age )
They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us:
but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us."

Not all who say "Lord, Lord" are sincere. Matthew 7:21.
Some are phony and traitorous ; such are the "tares" (weeds within) Matthew 13:24--43.

It is hard to believe that many so-called 'shepherds" are facilitators of the great falling away...the great world-wide apostasy...forsaking our Biblical Jesus.

These false shepherds, false teachers, preachers and false prophets (of a false "faith") will forsake the Living God, and choose instead to follow a political-Messiah, who promises the churches money, in exchange for government interference. This movement will be spear-headed by the false leaders of many faiths and "ministries".

"For the mystery of iniquity doth already work"
(The majority of the Jewish people still do not see Messiah-Yeshua in their Scriptures...
that is why they will accept a False Messiah)

For the Jew, the mystery of iniquity includes the concept of "blindness in part" which has happened to their spiritual vision....a curable situation. "Anoint thine eyes with eye salve
(belief, open mindedness, searching the Scriptures ), that thou mayest see.'' Rev. 3:18

"Only He Who now letteth" ( God allows this mystery; please see Romans 11:7-10)
"Will let" (will continue to allow this blindness in part of His Jewish people)

"Until he" (satan)
"Be taken out of the way"(during the war in heaven Rev. 12:7-12)

Let's take these nuggets of truth, one by one, and put them under the magnifying glass.

The MYSTERY OF INIQUITY

The "mystery of iniquity" applies to the fact that evil is allowed to exist at all. It is a mystery and unexplainable while here on earth. In eternity, we will know and understand, and the answer will more than satify our curiosity.

How we apply it to 2 Thessalonians 2 :
Iniquity literally means "unequal". What is unequal ? The fact that the Jewish people are blinded in part to their own Scriptures, while the Gentiles are not. This iniquity of "unequalness" they called upon themselves, by not recognizing Messiah when He came the first time. But this is only partial blindness.
There is always the ability to see Messiah in the Scriptures, if the heart is willing. Ezekiel 36: 26

This blindness in part will be removed soon, as prophetic events unfold. Those who "see" Messiah in the Scriptures will become the Remnant. Those who do not see, will not be in the Messianic Kingdom.

This mystery then of "blindness in part" is explained in the following verses from
Romans Chapter 11............

"What then? Israel hath not obtained that which He seeketh for;
but the election (Remnant) hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.
(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day."

And David saith,
'Let their table be a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompense unto them:
Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their
fall, salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy........
"For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving
of them be, but life from the dead ". Romans 11:7-15
( EZEKIEL 37 Valley of dry bones; regeneration...turning the hearts of the fathers toward the children, and the heart of the children toward their fathers.

Further we read in 2 Corinthians 3:12-16
"Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel, could not
steadfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in
the reading of the Old Testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.

Nevertheless when it..... (the heart...Ezekiel 36:26)
shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away."

See also Isaiah 25:6-12 ...... Isaiah 6:9-13 ......Isaiah 29: 10-14

The heart of Israel will turn to the LORD, as prophesied, when supernatural-miraculous victory comes to Israel in W W 3. For we read in Ezekiel 39:22....
"So the House of Israel (world-wide) shall know that I AM the LORD their God
from that day and forward."

Romans 11:25, 26
"For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this MYSTERY (of iniquity).
Lest ye should be wise in your own conceits;
that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.
And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written:
"There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from
Jacob"......."that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy".

SATAN, GOD OF THIS WORLD, BLINDS MINDS ...
2 Corinthians 4:3,4

"But if our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: (not yet Born-Again)
In whom the god of this world (satan) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not,
lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ (Jesus), who is the image of God,
should shine upon them"

Isaiah 6:9-13................
"And then He (God) said,' Go and tell this people,
"hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed but perceive not.......
Then said I, Lord, how long?
And He answered,
"Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man,
and the land be utterly desolate,
And the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land ".
(In other words God's people, the Jews, will begin to understand their Scriptures from the
beginning of the Day of the Lord until the very end at Armageddon
...see also Daniel 12:6 and Jeremiah 4:29)

Also, many of our own relatives and dear friends will hold out on believing Bible prophecy until there is no other way to turn. Sad, but true.

DANIEL 10... SATAN GETTING IN THE WAY ( 21 days )

Do we remember when Daniel pleaded with God for understanding into their Scriptures?
(Daniel 9:2, 3)
Daniel was greatly gifted by God with "knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom:
and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams" Daniel 1:17
Yet even with all of his most excellent gifts, Daniel was humble enough to seek God in
all matters...
"But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets....and He that revealeth secrets
maketh known to thee what shall come to pass" Daniel 2:28,29

Yet even though Daniel asked God through prayers, fasting , repentance and
supplications, the answers did not come .... until 21 days later.

You see, God works through channels. We are given this route in Rev. 1:1 wherein we
are told that God the Father grants revelations to us through His Son Jesus who imparts
to the angels , who in turn give the message to us his servants.

"The Revelation of Jesus Christ (our objective) which God (the Father) gave unto Him
(Jesus) to show unto his servants (recipients of the revelation) things which must shortly
come to pass;
and He (Jesus) sent and signified it by His angel
(messenger from the 3rd heaven sent to our 1st heaven-atmosphere) unto His servant John."
(who passed the information on to us.... 2008 years later)

John was the angel (messenger-minister-servant of the Church of Ephesus) who had the
message sent to the 7 Churches, who in turn--- each year--- pass it along to the living earthly messengers-ministers-servants within each assembly.

So here again is the order of continuity:
a. From the throne
b. through the angel messengers
c.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
d.)To the servants ( those speaking forth the word of God to the people ).

But what about point "c" ? Point "c" is the interference from satan and his angels.... fallen angels. ...
the continual warring in the heavens that goes on day in and day out.
Let's take a look at a typical round:

In Daniel 10:12-14 the archangel Gabriel says:

"Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and
to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words."

But the prince of the kingdom of Persia
(The Demon-prince over Persia-Iran)
withstood me one and twenty days ( 3 weeks ):
but lo, Michael one of the chief princes (an archangel), came to help me;
and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days:
for yet the vision is for many days."

Example of the war in the heavens when we pray -- Feb. 3, 2008

"Then, disaster struck -- in the form of an all-out, pressure-packed swarming defensive attack by the Giants -- in the worst possible setting. It was the first time Brady had been sacked as many as five times since the New York Jets did it on Sept. 21, 2003.
New England had no answer for the Giants' bulldozing defense.
"If I could tell you, we'd have it fixed," running back Kevin Faulk said. "At the same time, they outplayed us."
 I think their intensity from the beginning snap to the end of the game was really higher than ours," Moss said. "We just couldn't meet that intensity."
..http://www.cnn.com/2008/SPORT/02/04/superbowl.reax/

continuing in Daniel ...

"and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia
(Demon-Prince over Iran who held world-power in that day):
and when I am gone forth, lo,
the prince of Grecia (Demon-prince over Greece, the Hellenized world power to come) shall come".

This passage reveals a watershed of information. Behind all our worldly powers are atmospheric demon-powers.
All our cities and territories are under specific demons....
"for we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this world,
against spiritual wickedness in high places" Ephesians 6:12

We ought to pray daily to bind the strongman over the place where we live.....
"But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house." Matthew 12:28, 29.
See also Mark 3:27 and 2 Corinthians 10:4.....and Luke 11:21.
Colossians 1:16.."whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers"

Ephesians 1:21 tells us that Jesus Christ is "far above all principality, and power and might, and dominion,
and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come"
(Amen! Alleluia!!)

Now we come to understand the TROUBLE behind the trouble. Satan and his cohorts are the lineblockers in the 2nd heaven, -- or middle heaven-- blocking the messengers of truth ( God's angels) in the 3rd heaven from ever reaching Believers living in the 1st heaven ( our earth's atmosphere).
Satan is "the prince of the power of the air" Ephesians 2:2.
He is also the "god of this world"...2 Corinthians 4:4.

"For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you." Romans 15:22
"Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us." 1 Thessalonians 2:18

Our understanding of that passage ( 2 Thessalonians 2:7 ) is that the 144,000 and the Messianic Remnant will not be in evidence until he (satan) be taken out of the way. That "day of CHRIST " IS the day of MESSIAH . 2 Thessalonians 2: 2
The Church Age will be concluding and the Messianic Kingdom will have its Remnant-seed planted in the earth for 3 1/2 years.

The depths of truth pertaining to the Messianic Scriptures cannot be understood by God's people until the prince of darkness, Satan, be taken out of the way. (continual warfare going on even now).
That is why we are to pray for God's Holy Spirit to enlighten us, each time we open the Word of God.

Michael is the angelic good-prince over Israel and all those named by Israel (her Jewish people). We find this out in Daniel 12:1
"And at that time"
(referring to the Resurrection/rapture when the archangel Michael descends with the Lord to fight the war in the heavens...
1 Thess. 4:16)

"And at that time shall Michael stand up. The great prince which standeth for the children of thy people:
and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time:
and at that time thy people shall be delivered
(first spiritually, then physically, 3 1/2 yrs. later)
everyone that shall be found written in the Book". (the Lamb's Book of Life; Rev. 13:8 and Rev. 21:27).
This pertains to the REMNANT, during the time of Jacob's Trouble .

THE WAR OF WARS ---Satan taken out of the way

There is soon to take place a Spiritual Battle in the Heavens of the highest magnitude.
We read about this in Revelation 12:7-12...

"And there was war in heaven:
Michael and his angels fought against the dragon (satan)
and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed NOT'
Neither was their place found any more in heaven (2nd heaven...battlestar galactica)

And the great dragon (satan) was CAST OUT (taken out of the way)
that old serpent, called "the Devil' and 'Satan'

Which Deceiveth the Whole World:
("the whole world lieth in wickedness" 1 John 5:19;
and the whole world will become strongly deluded as it says in 2 Thess. 2:11.
This delusion falls on all those who love not the truth.
Returning to Rev. 12...
"He (satan) was CAST OUT into the earth, and his angels were CAST OUT with him
(1/3 of the angels; Rev. 12:4)."[Taken Out Of The Way]

The victory shout then goes forth (Rev. 12:10). Even though this victory shout is given at mid-trib and inaugurates the Great Tribulation period of 3 1/2 years , it shows forth the understanding of God's final victory at Armageddon ( 3 + 1/2 years later ). Victory is already assured.
The victory shout also goes forth because now truth can have a free course ( 2 Thessalonians 3:1)
No more lineblockers in the 2nd or middle heaven.

"Woe to the inhabitors of the earth and of the sea!
For the devil is come down unto you having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hathbut a short time ( 3/ 12 years)"
Rev. 12:12.

CORRECTING ERROR

The 2nd Chapter of 2 Thessalonians has been interpreted erroneously for too long.
The interpreters have been telling us that the "he" that is taken out of the way is the Holy Ghost.
How anyone could ever believe that is beyond comprehension.
The Holy Ghost will be doing His finest work during the Great Tribulation....bringing
salvation, comforting, strengthening, enlightening those individuals who call upon the name of the Lord.
He will be giving miraculous courage to those facing martyrdom.

The reason this error went uncontested for so long was the fact that the Church and the Holy Ghost were somehow made as one and the same in this deception (heresy, error) ...
Please see: Our Blessed Hope www.cybertime.net/~ajgood/hope.html

The Church is NOT the Holy Spirit. The Church is the Bride of Christ.

This passage has been erroneously interpreted because when people leave the KJV Bible, they encounter PRECONCEIVED words .... such as "restrainer". The person who made up the word "restrainer" in place of "what witholdeth" transferred a term meaning an object to something meaning a person or persons ( either Holy Ghost or the Church). But "what witholdeth" refers to an object and that object is: the sequence of events Paul just got finished mentioning.

What witholds the rapture is the appearance of the man of sin in the temple as "God".
And what precedes that blasphemous and sacrilegious event is the awful falling away from Scriptural truth.
There is a sequence of events clearly outlined in 2 Thessalonians Chapter Two.

1. The departure from Biblical Faith
2. The man of sin sitting in the Temple as "God"
3. The Rapture

NOW you know what witholdth. You also now can see how highly subjective the switching of the word "restrainer" is compared with the original "what witholdeth". It is a shame that persons have rewritten the exact words of Scripture and replaced those
Holy Ghost inspired words with their own spin on those words ... and that sheeple follow along.
We ought to be true Bereans and search the original KJV Scriptures carefully.

The man of sin arises in a climate of no fear of the Living God....in a climate of Biblical illiteracy; or worse yet, the perversion and twisting of the word of God.

Holy Spirit still here AFTER the Rapture

We believe that there will be multitudes of people confessing true and genuine repentance during the Great Tribulation.

Psalm 51 is an x-ray of David's repentant heart. In the depths of his genuine sorrow over
sin, David pleads "Do not take thy Holy Spirit from me". God would never do that to the truly contrite person.
He would take His Spirit from the unrepentant sinner, hardened in sin. But that would be the only reason.

Jesus Himself tells the saints during the Great Tribulation period that He will come in and sup with them personally. Revelation 3:20 . If Jesus COMES IN to us, He is abiding with us. His SPIRIT then is WITHIN us. The Holy Spirit IS the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

If any minister tells you that the Holy Spirit is taken out of the way at the time of the rapture, then that person is a false teacher . They are in heretical error , and they are NOT to be listened to.
"Behold, I AM with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Matthew 28:20

WHY THE HOLY SPIRIT IS NEVER TAKEN AWAY DURING ANY TIME PERIOD

1. The Holy Spirit is God, and God can never be taken away from Dispensations (Time-periods).
2. God (the 3 in 1) has promised to never leave us nor forsake us. Hebrews 13:5 and
Joshua 1:5 and 9 "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee"
("never" means never)
To imply that the Holy Ghost can be divorced from Jesus is to deny the doctrine of the Trinity.
There will be new-believers AND RE-newed Believers here on earth, after the Rapture.
3. God has promised to be with us until the end of the world (this age through the end of the millennium 1,000 years later and through out all ages. Matthew 28:20
God (the 3 in 1) is EL OLAM...from everlasting to everlasting...from vanishing point to vanishing point.
God (the 3 in 1....which includes the Holy Spirit) is ALWAYS, ALWAYS with us.
That is Theology 101 !

Deity of the Holy Spirit ...... Roy Howdyshell
http://www.refuge-outreach.org/christianity/doctrine/holy%20spirit/personality2.html

The Holy Spirit is very active during the Great Tribulation.
1. The Holy Spirit is working miracles through the 2 witnesses ( 1 Corinthians 12:4)
2. The Holy Spirit is helping the 144,000 Jews to evangelize the whole world.
No one can say "Jesus is the Lord" ( 1 Corinthians 12:3) without the Holy Spirit and multitudes will be saying "Jesus is the Lord".
3. The Holy Spirit births Salvation to the multitude which no man can number (Rev. 7:9-17) during
the Great Tribulation and they arrive safely in heaven. This can happen only by the power of the Holy Spirit.
They MUST be born of water (tears of repentance) and by the Holy Spirit who alone can regenerate one's heart.

Philosophy, theology, and religion can not regenerate the heart.
Only the Holy Spirit, contacting and regenerating our spirit and heart, can THEN turn our thoughts like
waterways to submit to the Living Word. Psalm 139:23

Salvation is not a mental act. It is a turning of the heart. The Holy Spirit has the code to our hearts that unlocks them, if we but ask. Rev. 2:23. "I am he which searcheth the reins and
hearts"....Let us hear what THE SPIRIT is saying to the Church.
"If with ALL your heart ye truly seek Me, ye shall ever surely find Me, thus saith our God" -- Jeremiah 29:13

4. Who is the One sheltering, nourishing and maintaining the Remnant in the wilderness?
God, the 3 in 1, which includes the Holy Spirit.
"My people perish for lack of knowledge"(Hosea 4:6).
The Holy Spirit is the fount of wisdom and grace and especially of truth.
The insights He gives to those who are left behind will help to maintain them in the wilderness. He it is that enlightens our way.
He is our Navigator and leads us into all truth. John 16:7-14

5. We can not survive without the Holy Spirit, whether we realize this or not.
If the Holy Spirit were taken from us (as some interpreters would have us believe)
then all life would vanish upon earth.
Without the Holy Spirit here with us, all life would end. The Holy Spirit is the principle of Life.

"If He (God) set His heart upon man, if He gather unto Himself His Spirit and His
breath; all flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto the dust." Job 34: 14, 15

6. God, the 3 in 1, is omni-present, which means that He is in all places at the same time.
He can't be up in heaven and not down here. Or down here and not in heaven.
The 3 in 1 is omni-present. God is in heaven and on earth at the same time.
Jesus' physical body is in heaven; His Spirit is in heaven and on earth both. Jesus can
manifest Himself at any time here on earth (called a theophany... as in Melchizedek)

IN CONCLUSION

2 Thessalonians Chapter 2 is misunderstood even in this late hour.
Some are telling us that the rapture cannot take place until the" falling away" ... and then they say that the "falling away" means "rapture" ( as departure).
What they're actually saying then is that
"the rapture cannot take place until the rapture takes place." (enlightening?)

Some say that the Holy Ghost is the "restrainer" (which is NOT a KJV- Authorized term) and and they say that as long as the church is in the world, we are restraining evil in this world. Not so.
That contradicts the fact that evil is waxing worse and worse in these Last Days.
2 Timothy 3:13

The KJV uses the term "And now you know what WITHOLDETH (not 'restrains')
that he (antichrist) might be revealed in his time." 2 Thess. 2: 6.

Paul is stating here that now we know why the man of sin hasn't arisen yet, because the official global apostasy hasn't taken place yet. When the definite apostasy has taken place then the man of sin can arise. It will be signatured when Israel puts their trust in a foreign power rather than in the Living God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

REALITY CHECK

Let's take a look around us. Do you think our world is better today than it was 50 years ago?
We are not restraining evil, nor did the Bible ever say we would. The Bible says that evil will get so bad, Christians will be persecuted all the day long, (Romans 8:36)
just as they are right now in China, the Sudan, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Nigeria, all of Africa, the Muslim-dominated nations practicing Sharia Law, Malaysia, Kenya etc. etc. etc. and elsewhere.
(This is not the Great Tribulation yet ). Peducah, Littleton and Forth Worth and September 11, 2001 all helped us to see reality. Evil is not being restrained. It is waxing worse. There is no "revival"
( or great awakening) coming . Better to count on Persecution of Christians on a grand scale coming.

Jesus prayed to keep us from the evil (John 17:15 ) and our prayers truly do change things. Yet evil itself will wax worse and worse, just as foretold.
The word "Restrainer" ( in the new incorrect translations) actually deceives. The correct and meaningful term of "witholdeth" (Authorized KJV) explains the actual situation today.

Americanism is the latest spin on the Gospel.
It's as if the Church isn't destined to suffer.... as if suffering will only occur after the rapture, and outside of America.
There's something greatly amiss here.
Yes, evil will have it's global holiday once we are gone. But much of the globe is under
severe persecution even now , that is very similar to that which will be experienced during the Great Tribulation.
Is imprisonment, death and martyrdom any different during the Great Tribulation than now? Not if you're the one experiencing it. The main difference during the great Tribulation will be the numbers....global wholesale slaughter.
"Yea, and ALL that will live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution"
2 Timothy 3:12. "ALL" includes America. "All" includes at ALL times....not just after the rapture.

Some interpreters tell us that the man of sin will not be revealed until AFTER we're raptured.
That flies in the face of exactly what Paul was writing against in the 2nd Thessalonian letter. Are we interpreting Scripture according to wishful thinking? Is it because we hope not to be here to identify anti-christ that we say we won't be here? Are we afraid to take a stand for Christ ? Do we lack trust? Do we fear consequences? Why?
Didn't He tell us all along that Christianity is an all-or-nothing love affair ?
A perfect love casts out fear. 1 John 4:18

Fascinated www.evanwiggs.com/revival/passion/fascinat.html
John 21 http://dylee.keel.econ.ship.edu/ubf/messages/96newyear/jn21.htm
Keys www.comfortfortoday.com/eng/120eng.htm
Ephesus http://pbc.org/dp/ritchie/4502.html

Many interpreters mix and confuse the term "mystery of iniquity" (traitorous shepherds within, and Hebrew blindness in part) with "man of sin" the future anti-christ, so that they can contrive a way out of this scenario.
The passage is very simple and very clear. There need not be all this confusion in this late hour.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Let's look at the passage once again:
"And now you know what witholdeth (global apostasy: Israel formally forsaking her Hope in the real Messiah and opt for a political and military "messiah" instead)
that he (the man of sin) might be revealed in his time
For the mystery of iniquity (traitorous shepherds within, and also Jewish blindness in part)
doth already work.
Only He who now letteth (God) will let (will allow)
until he (satan) be taken out of the way" (Rev. 12...war in heaven).
2 Thessalonians 2:6,7

It is the Apostasy that prepares the way for the antichrist. Satan is removed from the 2nd Heaven and cast to earth to empower the antichrist. When we witness the man of sin sitting in the temple as God , then the Church can be Raptured after that event; -- not precisely at that event -- for "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" Matthew 16:18 and Genesis 24:60

"And then shall that Wicked (the false prophet) be revealed,
whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His Mouth,
and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming (see Rev. 19:20)

"Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan (after Satan is cast down to earth ; False Prophet has occultic powers)
with all power and signs and lying wonders, (see Rev. 13:13)
And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish;
because they received not the love of the truth
(The Bible, the original Holy Scriptures, the Word of God; unadulterated and uncorrupted by false interpretations ... John 17:17 ),
that they might be saved."

STRONG DELUSION

"And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion,
that they should believe a lie:" [ the heresy of all inclusiveness; all faiths are equal; 1 world religion; everyone is a god ]
"That they all might be damned who believed not the truth"
(TRUTH means the Holy Bible, the Holy Scriptures, the unadulterated Word of God ... John 17:17)
"but had pleasure in unrighteousness". (sin.....Romans 1)
This is a remarkable passage.

What is one possibility of a STRONG DELUSION ?
A probable fulfillment of this verse is Universalism. Universalism believes that all men are saved without coming under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.... without accepting His sacrificial death to take away our sins. It is the belief that there is no need for repentence through the Blood of Jesus Christ. Thus, we need not confess Jesus as Lord. Universalism believes there is no hell.
That is heresy and Strong Delusion.

The belief that all faiths are alike will replace one's belief in the uniqueness of Christianity; just as one-world governance will replace national sovereignty. This "common faith " indoctrinates that it does not matter what system of belief one holds to. The replaced common, universal ethic will be the earth-ethic . They would have mankind prancing about as sanctimonious worshippers of the creature, rather than the Creator. Romans 1:25. What hypocrisy.

Earth was appointed to be under the dominion of man Genesis 1:28 ( not man under the dominion of the creature) .
And man is under the dominion of God Almighty.
The one-worlders would have us all be "gods", deciding for ourselves what our ethic will be. Yet what a delusion. For we decide nothing for ourselves. Each person on the planet is controlled by tyrannical elitists of the 1 world government. But to keep the masses happy, they give them the opiate of believing that they are gods. They try to keep from them the truth that they are now cogs in a wheel ... in the 666 global enslavement System.

Is this the delusional lie?..
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/8611/page2.htm
http://www.clonejesus.com/ (Second Coming Project...Berkeley, Calif)

We only have eternal life through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ of Nazareth, who died and rose and is now glorified. All else is an eternity apart from God.

Will the Voyager contact life beyond our solar system ?
Will it all be a "lying wonder" ?
http://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/fastfacts.html

Already there are two groups of people waiting to hear back from Voyager... those who believe there is life out there, and those who don't.
The "lying wonder" will just confirm what some already believe to be so.
That doesn't make it the truth.

"For God so loved the world ( singular, not plural) that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes on Him would not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Yes, worlds (plural ) were made ( Hebrews 1:2 and 11:3 )... these worlds form the many galaxies that the Hubble Telescope confirmed. But none of them had a Redeemer sent to them for reconciliation.
We alone -- earthlings --have had One sent by God. He came into the world ( singular) and the world received Him not. John 1

"He ONLY is my Rock and my Salvation; He is my defence;
I shall not be greatly moved." Psalm 62

UNDERSTANDING SECOND THESSALONIANS

"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable are His judgements, and His ways past finding out!".....
to Whom be glory forever more" Romans 11: 33:36

May the Holy Ghost---who NEVER leaves us---enlighten these passages to our hearts. He brings hope and salvation at ALL times, even to the end.

Articles:

Coming to Terms www.cybertime.net/~ajgood/terms.html

Satan www.sigler.org/eby/heavens20.html

The Presbyterian Threat : all churches pull out $ from Israel ( WCC -- Geneva )-- Feb. 23, 2005
The World Council of Churches, the main global body uniting non-Catholic Christians, encouraged members Tuesday to sell off investments in companies profiting from Israeli control of the West Bank and Gaza Strip
The Council's Central Committee, meeting in Geneva, praised the United States Presbyterian Church for examining the possibility of divestment in Israel similar to the financial boycott it used against the apartheid regime in South Africa two decades ago.
The Presbyterian threat, which echoes divestment debates at some U.S. universities, has set off a wave of dissent in the church and angered American Jewish leaders.
http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/543924.html

Occultism and the number 9
http://logosresourcepages.org/nine.html

10 Commandments of antichrist (Georgia guidestones)
http://www.lamblion.com/Web08-18.htm

Satan defined
http://logosresourcepages.org/s-define.html

The Purpose of Satan
http://logosresourcepages.org/s-purpos.html

Does Satan Exist? Yes.
http://logosresourcepages.org/s-exist.html

Doom of Satan's Lie
http://logosresourcepages.org/s-lie.htm

Satanic Indicators
http://logosresourcepages.org/symptoms.html

Satanic Signs and Symbols
http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Wicca%20&%20Witchcraft/signs_of_satan.htm

Satan's Strategy
http://logosresourcepages.org/s-strat.htm

Eliminating "God" from the Constitution
http://www.rael.org/int/english/press/press/raelians_support_the_member_of_p_june_11_1999.htm

Jesus is Coming Sooner Than You Think
www.letusreason.org/curren23.htm

And from Calvary Chapel
http://calvarychapel.com/liberty/hebrews2.htm

Light for the Last Days
http://www.marketsite.co.uk/lld/aliens.htm

RAELIAN - IMAGINATION
Raelians .......UFOs

The coming New World Order ( NWO ) would have us believe that we can live forever through technology.
Cloning ... no one wants to die
www.letusreason.org/current20.htm

But their lie will delude for only a few years. Only the truth will endure.
What is that truth ?
"He who hath the Son ( Jesus Christ of Nazareth) hath life".

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever would believe in Him might not perish, but have everlasting life". John 3:16

May we all repent of our sins and commit our heart to our only Redeemer who IS the Resurrection and the Life...eternal life.....Jesus.

Ian Wilmut says cloning is cruel
A normal child has a 50-50 mix of its father's and mother's genes, prepared for their embryonic role in eggs and sperm over months and years. In cloning, the genes are almost entirely from one parent and their calibration is done in minutes.
No IVF clinic has the capability to screen all an embryo's genes for problems, said Dr Wilmut.

He told the Guardian yesterday of a cloned lamb born in December at his institute in Roslin near Edinburgh. "It could run about perfectly normally - but it hyperventilated all the time; it panted night and day. We tried to treat it, but in the end decided it was kinder to put it down.
"What would Mr Antinori do if he produced a cloned child like that? http://www.guardianunlimited.co.uk/genes/article/0,2763,464857,00.html

The very rich Raelians (in the Bahamas) are in opposition to the Genesis Creation that man is made in the image of the Living God of the Bible. The Raelians put forth the lie that mankind is cloned from aliens from outer space.
This lie includes the idea that these aliens are seeking an "embassy" here on planet earth to welcome the aliens to our planet.
The Raelians have about 50,000 members.
They are closely allied with Scientology
Scroll to "Berlin demonstration 27 October 1997"
http://alley.ethercat.com/pickets/pktsger.htm

Scientology Cult http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/pubs/sfn98/poster.html

More on Scientology, Raelians and Cloning www.cybertime.net/~ajgood/sci.html

Articles on the Rapture: ( complete list of 12 articles on the Rapture )

Enoch and Elijah ...raptures proven in Scripture

Sheaves ...." evening, midnight, cockcrowing and morning" .... Mark 13:35

The Blessed Hope ...false doctrine of immanency

Coming to Terms .... explaining the words that concern  the  raptures

2 Thessalonians 2 .... man of sin sitting in temple first, before the rapture

The Cockcrowing Rapture ......" one will be taken and the other left "

The Maiden on the Shore by J A Seiss ..." I come quickly"

" Naon has been translated as 'temple' but in actuality refers to the 'holy place' or 'sanctuary' rather than to the physical edifice of a temple building. This distinction can be clarified by closely examining the meanings of two different Greek words. One is ieron which derives from the word ieros, meaning 'sacred.' This Greek word denotes the entire physical structure of a temple. The other Greek word, naos or naon, refers to the sanctuary of a temple, where the deity resided."
Peter A. Michas.
http://www.piney.com/MailKingdom.html

Bible Prophecy
http://www.ulster.net/~vynal/PROPHESY.HTM

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Song: "Onward, Christian Soldiers
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/n/onwardcs.htm