June 24, 2015 - A. V. Rauf
When Acts of Mercy Like This Will No Longer Exist
2 Thessalonians 2:1-7-–Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
According to the above mentioned verses, the mystery of lawlessness is already at work and there is a force, (for lack of better words) that has been restraining the revealing of the very son of perdition until it is.is taken out of the way. I have always believed that the spirit of lawlessness is paving the way for the man of lawlessness to enter center stage on the platform of this earth if you will. In contrast, the spirit of God is preparing the Body of Christ to be carried away at the Rapture. Again, I am not preaching an escapism doctrine.
The Restrainer is referred to both in the neuter (what) and masculine (he) gender. This mix of gender appears in relation to the Holy Spirit Who is a person, but also described using a Greek term which is neuter in gender (πνευμα [pneuma] ).
It is also said that the Restrainer “now restrains” and will continue to do so until “He is taken out of the way.” Since the man of sin has yet to be revealed, we then can infer that the Restrainer, whoever or whatever he is, has been effectively suppressing the revelation of the man of sin for over 2000 years. When we collect the pieces of evidence concerning the identity of the Restrainer, we discover the following:
1) The Restrainer is referred to as both neuter (τὸ κατέχον [to katechon] , “what is restraining”) and masculine (ὁ κατέχων [ho katechōn] , “He who now restrains”).
The Restrainer existed in Paul’s day.
2) The Restrainer has been continually and effectively restraining for nearly 2,000 years so far. The Restrainer is powerful enough to suppress the spiritual powers of darkness seeking to promote the man of sin.
3) This restraint is world-wide.
We know that the Holy Spirit indwells those who are baptized into the Body of Christ permanently for the day of redemption. It is impossible that the Holy Spirit could depart from indwelling the sealed believers
Ephesians 4:28-32—Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
In other words, He cannot be taken out of the way unless all born-again believers in-dwelt by Him are taken with Him. Christians who know God and intercede before God understand that they are in a spiritual warfare that goes beyond the politics and earthly doings of men. As men intercede here below events unfold up in the spirit realm.
God will allow only so much. I often get asked this question when witnessing to others. Why does God allow so much violence and murder, etc. As odd as it may sound, there is another god who has control over this world and even he knows very well that his time is very, very limited. It has been said that the devil’s best trick is to persuade one that he doesn’t exist. He exists:
2 Corinthians 4:-4-–But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
John 10:9—The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
By now, we are well aware of the the shooting that shook the South Carolina city last week and has since instigated several nationwide conversations about racism. Once one becomes “Born-Again,” all racial walls are broken down because what unites all brethren is that we are one family. Soon, this too will take place:
Revelation 5:6-10—-And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
The Bible often teaches about forgiveness. A perfect example of this was demonstrated by from the families of the victims who faced the murderer with Christian charity and forgiveness. “You took something very precious away from me. I will never talk to her again. I will never get to hold her again,” said the daughter of shooting victim Ethel Lee Lance. “But I forgive you.” Family member after family member faced Dylan Roof in court and forgave him.
Ephesians 4:32 – And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Mark 11:25 – And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Matthew 6:15 – But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 18:21-22 – Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
Matthew 6:14-15 – For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you
James 5:16 – Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Luke 6:27 – But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
Colossians 3:13 – Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also [do] ye.
1 Corinthians 10:13 – There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it].
Psalms 103:10-14 – He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. (Read More…)
Luke 6:37 – Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
Imagine for a moment what this world will be like when the Church is removed. Will acts of mercy and forgiveness like this be found? We know for a surety that the removal of the Restrainer/Church at the time of the Rapture will ultimately precede the day of the Lord. We are not too far from this event.