Can The Restrainer Of 2 Thess. 2:7 Be A Reference To The Daily In Dan. 12:11?
Introduction
The book of 2 Thessalonians, written by Apostle Paul, contains a passage that has been the subject of much debate and interpretation among scholars and theologians. In chapter 2, verse 7, Paul writes about the restrainer who holds back the man of sin until he is taken out of the way. This passage has been the subject of much speculation, with some interpreting the restrainer as a person, while others see it as a force or a power. One possible reference to the restrainer is the "daily" in Daniel 12:11, which has been interpreted by some as a reference to a daily sacrifice or offering. In this article, we will explore the possibility that the restrainer of 2 Thessalonians 2:7 is indeed a reference to the daily in Daniel 12:11.
The Context of 2 Thessalonians 2:7
Before we delve into the possible reference to the daily in Daniel 12:11, it is essential to understand the context of 2 Thessalonians 2:7. In this passage, Paul is writing to the Thessalonians about the man of sin, who is also referred to as the antichrist. Paul explains that this man of sin will be revealed when the restrainer is taken out of the way. The context of this passage is that the Thessalonians were worried about the delay in the second coming of Christ, and Paul is reassuring them that this delay is not a sign of God's failure to fulfill his promises.
The Restrainer of 2 Thessalonians 2:7
The restrainer in 2 Thessalonians 2:7 is a mysterious figure who holds back the man of sin until he is taken out of the way. The Greek word for restrainer is "katechon," which means "to hold back" or "to restrain." The identity of the restrainer has been the subject of much debate, with some interpreting it as a person, while others see it as a force or a power. Some possible interpretations of the restrainer include:
- The Holy Spirit: Some scholars interpret the restrainer as the Holy Spirit, who holds back the man of sin until he is taken out of the way.
- The Roman Empire: Others see the restrainer as the Roman Empire, which held back the spread of Christianity until it was taken out of the way by the fall of the empire.
- A future world leader: Some interpret the restrainer as a future world leader who will hold back the man of sin until he is taken out of the way.
The Daily in Daniel 12:11
The daily in Daniel 12:11 is a reference to a daily sacrifice or offering that was made in the temple in Jerusalem. The daily sacrifice was a requirement of the Mosaic law, and it was a reminder of the covenant between God and his people. The daily sacrifice was also a symbol of the atonement that was made for the sins of the people.
In Daniel 12:11, the daily is referred to as a "transgression" that will continue until the end of the age. The context of this passage is that the prophet Daniel is describing the events that will lead up to the end of the, and the daily is seen as a symbol of the sin and rebellion that will continue until the end of the age.
The Possible Reference to the Daily in 2 Thessalonians 2:7
Some scholars have suggested that the restrainer in 2 Thessalonians 2:7 is a reference to the daily in Daniel 12:11. This interpretation is based on the idea that the daily in Daniel 12:11 is a symbol of the sin and rebellion that will continue until the end of the age, and that the restrainer in 2 Thessalonians 2:7 is holding back the man of sin until he is taken out of the way.
This interpretation is also supported by the fact that the Greek word for restrainer, "katechon," is similar to the Greek word for "daily," "hemera." This similarity in language has led some scholars to suggest that the restrainer in 2 Thessalonians 2:7 is indeed a reference to the daily in Daniel 12:11.
The Implications of this Interpretation
If the restrainer in 2 Thessalonians 2:7 is indeed a reference to the daily in Daniel 12:11, then this has significant implications for our understanding of the end times. It suggests that the restrainer is not a person, but rather a symbol of the sin and rebellion that will continue until the end of the age.
It also suggests that the man of sin will be revealed when the daily is taken out of the way, which is a reference to the end of the age. This interpretation also suggests that the restrainer is not a force or a power, but rather a symbol of the sin and rebellion that will continue until the end of the age.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the possibility that the restrainer of 2 Thessalonians 2:7 is a reference to the daily in Daniel 12:11 is a fascinating one. While it is not a widely accepted interpretation, it is one that has been suggested by some scholars and is worth considering. The implications of this interpretation are significant, and it suggests that the restrainer is not a person, but rather a symbol of the sin and rebellion that will continue until the end of the age.
References
- 2 Thessalonians 2:7: "For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way."
- Daniel 12:11: "And from the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days."
- Strong's Concordance: "katechon" (G2722) - to hold back or restrain.
- Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon: "hemera" (G2250) - a day, a daily sacrifice.
Further Reading
- The Book of 2 Thessalonians: A commentary on the book of 2 Thessalonians by John F. MacArthur.
- The Book of Daniel: A commentary on the book of Daniel by Charles F. Pfeiffer.
- The restrainer in 2 Thessalonians 2:7: An article by John F. MacArthur on the possible identity of the restrainer in 2 Thessalonians 2:7.
Introduction
In our previous article, we explored the possibility that the restrainer of 2 Thessalonians 2:7 is a reference to the daily in Daniel 12:11. This interpretation has sparked a lot of interest and debate among scholars and theologians. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about this interpretation.
Q: What is the daily in Daniel 12:11?
A: The daily in Daniel 12:11 is a reference to a daily sacrifice or offering that was made in the temple in Jerusalem. The daily sacrifice was a requirement of the Mosaic law, and it was a reminder of the covenant between God and his people.
Q: What is the significance of the daily in Daniel 12:11?
A: The daily in Daniel 12:11 is significant because it is a symbol of the sin and rebellion that will continue until the end of the age. The daily sacrifice was a reminder of the need for atonement for the sins of the people.
Q: How does the daily in Daniel 12:11 relate to the restrainer in 2 Thessalonians 2:7?
A: Some scholars believe that the restrainer in 2 Thessalonians 2:7 is a reference to the daily in Daniel 12:11. This interpretation is based on the idea that the daily in Daniel 12:11 is a symbol of the sin and rebellion that will continue until the end of the age, and that the restrainer in 2 Thessalonians 2:7 is holding back the man of sin until he is taken out of the way.
Q: What is the significance of the similarity in language between "katechon" and "hemera"?
A: The similarity in language between "katechon" and "hemera" has led some scholars to suggest that the restrainer in 2 Thessalonians 2:7 is indeed a reference to the daily in Daniel 12:11. This similarity in language is seen as a strong indication that the two passages are connected.
Q: What are the implications of this interpretation?
A: If the restrainer in 2 Thessalonians 2:7 is indeed a reference to the daily in Daniel 12:11, then this has significant implications for our understanding of the end times. It suggests that the restrainer is not a person, but rather a symbol of the sin and rebellion that will continue until the end of the age.
Q: What are some of the challenges to this interpretation?
A: One of the challenges to this interpretation is that it is not a widely accepted view among scholars. Some scholars have argued that the similarity in language between "katechon" and "hemera" is not sufficient to establish a connection between the two passages.
Q: What are some of the benefits of this interpretation?
A: One of the benefits of this interpretation is that it provides a new perspective on the restrainer in 2 Thessalonians 2:7. It suggests that the restrainer is not a person, but rather a symbol of the sin and rebellion that will continue until the end of the age.
Q: What are some of the areas of ongoing research and debateA: One of the areas of ongoing research and debate is the relationship between the daily in Daniel 12:11 and the restrainer in 2 Thessalonians 2:7. Scholars are continuing to study the language and context of both passages in order to better understand the connection between them.
Q: What are some of the practical implications of this interpretation?
A: One of the practical implications of this interpretation is that it may change the way we understand the end times. It suggests that the restrainer is not a person, but rather a symbol of the sin and rebellion that will continue until the end of the age.
Q: What are some of the resources that can be used to further study this topic?
A: Some of the resources that can be used to further study this topic include commentaries on 2 Thessalonians and Daniel, as well as scholarly articles and books on the subject.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the possibility that the restrainer of 2 Thessalonians 2:7 is a reference to the daily in Daniel 12:11 is a fascinating one. While it is not a widely accepted view among scholars, it is an interpretation that is worth considering. The implications of this interpretation are significant, and it may change the way we understand the end times.
References
- 2 Thessalonians 2:7: "For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way."
- Daniel 12:11: "And from the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days."
- Strong's Concordance: "katechon" (G2722) - to hold back or restrain.
- Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon: "hemera" (G2250) - a day, a daily sacrifice.
Further Reading
- The Book of 2 Thessalonians: A commentary on the book of 2 Thessalonians by John F. MacArthur.
- The Book of Daniel: A commentary on the book of Daniel by Charles F. Pfeiffer.
- The restrainer in 2 Thessalonians 2:7: An article by John F. MacArthur on the possible identity of the restrainer in 2 Thessalonians 2:7.