"...that you may be faultless and harmless, unblameable children of God in the midst of a warped and distorted generation, among whom you shine as luminaries in the world." (Philippians 2:15)
2 Thess 2:6-8 is clear the man of sin was not a future figure. He was someone Paul and others were expecting to appear in their time.
Paul characterizes the work of the man of sin and his emergence as something in development in their time. "For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way." (2 Thess 2:8)
Paul clearly describes the man of sin as being presently held back, meaning, in their time. "And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time." (2 Thess 2:6)
There is a range of opinion on that, ranging from a Roman emperor of the day (which, in my mind, doesn't fit the context) to various false christ figures (as Jesus said would come) who led many astray and suffered death. John of Gischala is offered as one of many examples, Eleazar ben Simon another. The broader point is Paul was talking about a figure in their day.
Thanks! That's what makes this series different from almost all other end-time novels. This trilogy is a fictional dramatization my nonfiction end-time teachings, to teach people how (I believe) prophetic end-time events will occur. In the same way, C.S. Lewis taught us many spiritual truths through the Chronicles of Narnia series.
Of course, these books need to be well-written and entertaining, but if they were only for entertainment, or to make money, I'd have chosen a more popular genre.
I always want to avoid being preachy, so I try not to overdo the explicit Bible references. But this chapter needed three footnotes to explain some terms and concepts that most people aren't familiar with, like the Abomination of Desolation and the 'little horn' of Daniel's fourth beast.
Also, I don't know if a literal stone temple will be built in the future, so I wanted to make it clear that we all need to be watching for other ways the end-time prophecies about the temple could be fulfilled.
Very good!
I believe the fourth commandment translated properly is you shall not murder. Killing in self defense is not murder.
Enthralling and emotional…
Thanks Vickie!
2 Thess 2:6-8 is clear the man of sin was not a future figure. He was someone Paul and others were expecting to appear in their time.
Paul characterizes the work of the man of sin and his emergence as something in development in their time. "For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way." (2 Thess 2:8)
Paul clearly describes the man of sin as being presently held back, meaning, in their time. "And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time." (2 Thess 2:6)
Yes, in 2 Thess 2:6 Paul wrote, "you know what is restraining him now" using the present tense.
But, if the man of sin lived in the first century, who was he?
There is a range of opinion on that, ranging from a Roman emperor of the day (which, in my mind, doesn't fit the context) to various false christ figures (as Jesus said would come) who led many astray and suffered death. John of Gischala is offered as one of many examples, Eleazar ben Simon another. The broader point is Paul was talking about a figure in their day.
I really appreciate that you connect the story line to bible verses and prophecy. Thank you
Thanks! That's what makes this series different from almost all other end-time novels. This trilogy is a fictional dramatization my nonfiction end-time teachings, to teach people how (I believe) prophetic end-time events will occur. In the same way, C.S. Lewis taught us many spiritual truths through the Chronicles of Narnia series.
Of course, these books need to be well-written and entertaining, but if they were only for entertainment, or to make money, I'd have chosen a more popular genre.
I always want to avoid being preachy, so I try not to overdo the explicit Bible references. But this chapter needed three footnotes to explain some terms and concepts that most people aren't familiar with, like the Abomination of Desolation and the 'little horn' of Daniel's fourth beast.
Also, I don't know if a literal stone temple will be built in the future, so I wanted to make it clear that we all need to be watching for other ways the end-time prophecies about the temple could be fulfilled.