The Restraining Influence Removed Before Antichrist's Revelation
The concept of a restraining influence being removed before the revelation of Antichrist is rooted in 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7, where the Apostle Paul writes that "the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way" [1]. This passage has been interpreted in various ways throughout Christian history.
Patristic and Reformed Interpretations
In the patristic era, Tertullian and Augustine grappled with the identity of the restrainer. While they did not provide a unified interpretation, their writings suggest that the restrainer is associated with the presence of the Holy Spirit or the Church [6, 7]. Reformed theologians, such as Charles Hodge, have built upon these early interpretations. According to Hodge, the restrainer is the Holy Spirit, whose presence in the Church hinders the full manifestation of lawlessness [1].
The Role of the Holy Spirit
The Jamieson-Fausset-Brown commentary on 1 John 2:20 supports this interpretation, stating that believers have "the chrism, or 'anointing unguent,' namely, the Holy Spirit" which enables them to withstand Antichrist [5]. This understanding is consistent with the Reformed tradition, which emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in restraining evil.
Removal of the Restrainer
The removal of the restrainer is seen as a crucial event preceding the revelation of Antichrist. According to Hodge, this removal will allow the "mystery of lawlessness" to be fully manifested [1]. The Jamieson-Fausset-Brown commentary on Revelation 20:3 notes that Satan's binding is a consequence of the events preceding the millennium, implying that the removal of the restrainer is a significant step towards the ultimate defeat of Satan [3].
Differing Views on Antichrist
While the Reformed tradition emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit as the restrainer, other traditions have differing views on Antichrist. The Jamieson-Fausset-Brown commentary on Daniel 7:25 highlights three attributes of Antichrist: worldly wisdom, global domination, and atheism [2]. Catholic theologians, such as Aquinas, have also written extensively on the nature of Antichrist, although their views may differ from those of the Reformed tradition [4].
Historical Development
The doctrine of Antichrist and the restrainer has developed over time, influenced by various historical and theological factors. The early Church Fathers, such as Tertullian and Augustine, laid the groundwork for later interpretations [6, 7]. The Reformation saw a resurgence of interest in the doctrine, with theologians like Calvin and Hodge contributing to its development [1].
The removal of the restraining influence before Antichrist's revelation is a complex and multifaceted concept, with various interpretations across Christian traditions. The Reformed tradition, in particular, emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit as the restrainer, whose removal will allow the full manifestation of lawlessness. As Athanasius of Alexandria noted, the spread of the faith and the decline of idolatry are signs of the Saviour's presence, underscoring the significance of the restrainer's role in shaping the course of human history [8].
Sources
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 89: Apostle as the Man of Sin, and the mystical Babylon as predicted in the Apocalypse. Bellarmin says that the Holy Spirit gives us six signs of Antichrist, from which it is plain that he has not yet appeared. Two of these signs precede his coming, the universal proclamation of the Gospel, and the utter destruction of the Roman Empire, two are to attend it, namely, the preaching of Enoch and Elias, and persecutions so severe as to cause the cessation of all public worship of God; and two are to follow his appearance; his utter destruction af”
- Daniel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Daniel 7:25: Three attributes of Antichrist are specified: (1) The highest worldly wisdom and civilization. (2) The uniting of the whole civilized world under his dominion. (3) Atheism, antitheism, and autotheism in its fullest development (Jo1 2:22). Therefore, not only is power taken from the fourth beast, as in the case of the other three, but God destroys it and the world power in general by a final judgment. The present external Christianity is to give place to an almost universal apostasy. think--literally, "carry within him as it were the burden of the tho”
- Revelation (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Revelation 20:3: shut him--A, B, Vulgate, Syriac, and ANDREAS omit "him." set a seal upon him--Greek, "over him," that is, sealed up the door of the abyss over his head. A surer seal to keep him from getting out than his seal over Jesus in the tomb of Joseph, which was burst on the resurrection morn. Satan's binding at' this juncture is not arbitrary, but is the necessary consequence of the events (Rev 19:20); just as Satan's being cast out of heaven, where he had previously been the accuser of the brethren, was the legitimate judgment which passed on him through”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Third Part (Tertia Pars), Of the Preparations That Accompany Baptism, Art. 3: Article: Whether what is done in the exorcism effects anything, or is a mere sign? I answer that, Some say that the things done in the exorcism have no effect, but are mere signs. But this is clearly false; since in exorcizing, the Church uses words of command to cast out the devil's power, for instance, when she says: "Therefore, accursed devil, go out from him," etc. Therefore we must say that they have some effect, but, other than that of Baptism. For Baptism gives man grace unto the fu”
- 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 2:20: But--Greek, "And." He here states the means which they as believers have wherewith to withstand. Antichrists (Jo1 2:18), namely, the chrism (so the Greek: a play upon similar sounds), or "anointing unguent," namely, the Holy Spirit (more plainly mentioned further on, as in John's style, Jo1 3:24; Jo1 4:13; Jo1 5:6), which they ("ye" is emphatical in contrast to those apostates, Jo1 2:19) have "from the Holy One, Christ" (Joh 1:33; Joh 3:34; Joh 15:26; Joh 16:14): "the righteous" (Jo1 2:1), "pure" (Jo1 3:3), "the Holy One" (Act 3:14) "of God"; Mar 1:24.”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 3: Tertullian — CHAP. XXXV.--THE JUDICIAL SEVERITY OF CHRIST AND THE TENDERNESS OF THE CREATOR, ASSERTED IN CONTRADICTION TO MARCION. THE CURE OF THE TEN LEPERS. OLD TESTAMENT ANALOGIES. THE KINGDOM OF GOD WITHIN YOU (part 2): to show themselves to the priest; "and as they went, He cleansed them"(18)--without a touch, and without a word, by His silent power and simple will. Well, but what necessity was there for Christ, who had been once for all announced as the healer of our sicknesses and sins,and had proved Himself such by His acts,(19) to busy Himself with inquiries(20) into the qu”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 5: Augustine — Anti-Pelagian — CHAP. 70 [XXXIX.]--HOW FAR SIN IS DONE AWAY IN INFANTS BY BAPTISM, ALSO IN ADULTS, AND WHAT ADVANTAGE RESULTS THEREFROM. (part 1): In infants it is certain that, by the grace of God, through His baptism who came in the likeness of sinful flesh, it is brought to pass that the sinful flesh is done away. This result, however, is so effected, that the concupiscence which is diffused over and innate in the living flesh itself is not removed all at once, so as to exist in it no longer; but only that might not be injurious to a man at his death, which was inh”
- CCEL (Patristic) “Athanasius of Alexandria, Select Works and Letters, section 152: §55. Summary of foregoing. Cessation of pagan oracles, &c.: propagation of the faith. The true King has come forth and silenced all usurpers. This, then, after what we have so far said, it is right for you to realize, and to take as the sum of what we have already stated, and to marvel at exceedingly; namely, that since the Saviour has come among us, idolatry not only has no longer increased, but what there was is diminishing and gradually coming to an end: and not only does the wisdom of the Greeks no longer advance, but what th”