Who is Keeping the Antichrist from Being Revealed?
In defining the restrainer, it is important to understand a few principles beforehand. First, the Bible calls this restrainer a “he” in II Thessalonians 2:7. Second, it makes logical sense that He who restrains the Antichrist must be stronger than both the Antichrist and the dragon (Satan) that gives him his power.
Greater is He that is in You
Do we have an individual in scripture who is stronger than the coming Antichrist and the devil who is already in the world? Yes we do!
I John 4:4 – “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
John said, “Greater is he that is in you!” This provokes the question, “Who is in us?” To answer this, let us begin with John’s gospel:
John 1:12 – “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.”
According to the above verse, John 1:12, who becomes a son of God? Those who RECEIVE HIM by BELIEVING on His name. You do not become a child of God by baptism; you do not become a child of God by speaking in tongues; you do not become a child of God by submitting to a dress code; you do not become a child of God by faithful church attendance. It is solely and completely by trusting Jesus Christ, believing on Him alone for salvation. At that moment, the sinner becomes a child of God!
The very moment one believes on Jesus Christ for salvation, not only does he become a child of God, but something else happens.
Galatians 4:6 – “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”
Because a person is a son of God, God sends the Spirit of His Son, the Holy Ghost into his heart. Let’s get this straight! A person does not receive the Holy Ghost because he tarried; a person does not receive the Holy Ghost because he has been faithful; a person does not receive the Holy Ghost because he spoke in tongues. The Holy Ghost lives within a person because that person is a child of God!
The Holy Ghost, the Spirit of God, lives within you and me who are saved by the grace of God. John was speaking of the Holy Ghost when he said “Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.” This definitely qualifies the Holy Ghost to be the restrainer. He is greater than the devil, and is therefore greater than the Antichrist who receives his authority from the devil.
Another Look at Judas
In part 3 of this series, I discussed Judas Iscariot – the Antichrist in Christ’s day. It would benefit the reader to read part 3 of this series if you have not already. Judas hanged himself at the time that Christ was on trial. Judas was gone before the Holy Ghost descended on the day of Pentecost. It had to be that way! The Holy Ghost’s arrival itself would hinder the Antichrist from remaining on the scene.
Didn’t the Holy Ghost Exist Before Pentecost?
Critics of my opinion may point out that the Holy Ghost existed before Pentecost. True! David declares the Holy Spirit’s omnipresence:
Psalm 139:7-8 – “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.”
Yes, the Holy Ghost most certainly existed before Pentecost. In addition to this, the Holy Ghost also worked prior to Pentecost. The Holy Ghost came upon men so that they prophesied in the Old Testament. The Holy Ghost departed from men in the Old Testament.
But still yet, Jesus Himself promised TO SEND the Holy Ghost after He ascended to heaven. I did not say that; Christ said that!
John 16:7 – “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”
What was special about the Spirit’s descent on the day of Pentecost? If the Holy Ghost was already omnipresent, then what is so exceptional about the day that Christ sent Him on the day of Pentecost?
The answer is simple. Just as the Son received a body in a little town called Bethlehem, the Holy Ghost received a body on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem. The body in which the Holy Ghost lives is called the church. In this manner, the Comforter CAME. I hear preachers say, “We need another Pentecost.” Nothing could be further from the truth. We do not need another Pentecost any more than we need another Bethlehem. We do not need another Pentecost any more than we need another Calvary. The Holy Ghost descended on the day of Pentecost to dwell in a body called the church, and He will never depart from the church.
John 14:16 – “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you FOR EVER.”
It is true that Jesus Christ came to this earth as a babe in Bethlehem. After His death, burial, and resurrection, He ascended into heaven, departing from this earth. In the same manner, the Holy Ghost descended from heaven on the day of Pentecost to live in a body called the church. And, just as sure as Jesus departed, ascending to heaven, the Holy Ghost will one day depart from this earth. You say, “I thought the Holy Ghost would never leave the church.” I say, “You’re right. The church is going with Him.” When the Holy Ghost leaves this world, taking the church with Him, then and only then can the man of sin be revealed.
How Can People be Saved after the Holy Ghost is Gone?
Here is a question often brought up by the critics. In their mind, the Holy Ghost cannot be the restrainer because salvation would not be possible if the Holy Ghost is absent. The Holy Ghost, though He will ascend from this earth with the church, will not cease to exist after the church is gone. I am not teaching that, when the Holy Ghost is taken out of the way, that He will be non-existent. Just as the Holy Ghost existed and worked BEFORE his DESCENSION on the day of Pentecost, He will exist and work AFTER his ASCENSION with the church in the rapture. Just as Abraham believed God and was counted righteous before the Holy Ghost DESCENDED, others will believe God and be counted righteous after the Holy Ghost ASCENDS with the church. There was salvation BEFORE the Holy Ghost came in Acts 2, and there will be salvation AFTER the Holy Ghost leaves in the rapture.
The Job Description of the Holy Ghost
Another reason I believe the restrainer is the Holy Ghost is found in His very job description:
John 16:8 – “And when he [the Comforter] is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.”
The One who is restraining the MAN OF SIN is the same One who was sent to reprove the WORLD OF SIN.
The Holy Ghost will one day be removed from the scene, taking the church with Him. But until then, His voice is still crying out:
Revelation 22:17 – “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”
