The whole purpose of Paul writing first and second Thessalonians was dispel a belief that the "day of the Lord" had already come, and that they would have to go through the tribulation.
2Th 2:2.. 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.
Paul reassures them that day will not come unless there be a "falling away" first. This falling away is NOT Christians falling away from Christ, but it means a "departure" from which is what that word really means.
2Th 2:3.. 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;
The man of sin can not be "revealed" until the Church is gone from the earth!!!
2Th 2:5.. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
2Th 2:6.. And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
What is "withholding" the man of sin from being revealed is the Holy Spirit who works through the Church. Take the Church away and the man of sin will be revealed.
2Th 2:2.. 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.
Paul reassures them that day will not come unless there be a "falling away" first. This falling away is NOT Christians falling away from Christ, but it means a "departure" from which is what that word really means.
2Th 2:3.. 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;
The man of sin can not be "revealed" until the Church is gone from the earth!!!
2Th 2:5.. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
2Th 2:6.. And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
What is "withholding" the man of sin from being revealed is the Holy Spirit who works through the Church. Take the Church away and the man of sin will be revealed.