The Restrainer of II Thessalonians 2:6-7

Danny McDowell

II Thessalonians 2:
1Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2That 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.
3Let 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; 4Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 5Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
13But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
16Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, 17Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

It is declared universally amongst pre-tribulationism, that “he who now letteth” of verses 6 through 8, is speaking specifically of “the Holy Spirit” and that “when the Holy Spirit is moved out of the way – the Church (indwelt by the Holy Spirit) will be removed from the earth” and THEN antichrist can be revealed. It is declared that this is “PROOF” of a pre-tribulation rapture. There are no cross references given to verify this thought to date. CAN THIS RESTRINER OF II THESSALONIANS BE IDENTIFIED?
Read Below The Restrainer

The Restrainer
Can you say S-P-E-C-U-L-A-T-E? Sure you can! “the restraining force of II Thessalonians 2 is the Church, indwelt by the Holy Spirit!” (can also be used and interchanged with the word C-O-N-J-E-C-T-U-R-E)
FACT!

There is not a single cross reference in the entire Bible to validate this position. NOT ONE! The shameful part of all of this is that even prominent pre-tribulation theologians confess this to be true. Writers such as Drs. Pentecost and Ryrie admit this, but not without volumes of vague speculation worthy only of a Compost Pile (Piled High and DEEP)! PhD.

Who then is the restrainer of II Thessalonians 2? The Bible standard for establishing a truth is that “a thing must be established in the eyes of two (or more) witnesses. Are there witnesses to identify the restrainer of II Thessalonians 2? The answer is YES!

The first thing we must understand is that this reference (the restrainer) is placed within a larger context. The context of II Thessalonians 2 is as follows; Paul the apostle is reviewing his previous Thessalonian indoctrination in regard to the resurrection of the righteous, and “our” (those who are alive and remain at Christs’ coming) GATHERING TO BE WITH HIM. Paul had previously spoken on this matter on a prior visit to the Thessalonians as well as in his first epistle to the Thessalonian church. He clearly explained to the church (in these prior teachings) that they should NEVER sorrow regarding those who had already died.

I Thessalonians 4:13-17:
“13But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

In his second epistle, Paul recites doctrine that he has already spoken of. He CLARIFIES doctrine regarding THE COMING of THE LORD and OUR GATHERING TO BE WITH HIM. It is clear by this passage that the Coming, and the Gathering, are to happen AT THE SAME TIME! Let’s take a close look.

II Thessalonians 2:
“1Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2That 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. 3Let 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; 4Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 5Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 13But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.16Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, 17Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.”

Verse 1:
“1Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,”
Paul is saying “Please pay particular attention to this matter of “the coming of the Lord and our gathering to be with Him.” OUR GATHERING TOGETHER TO BE WITH HIM! There can be no question as to the identity of this event. This IS the rapture of the Church!

Verse 2:
“2That 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.”
a) Even if you receive a FORGED letter (as if from US) to say that “the Day of Christ” (the rapture) is at hand”

Verse 3:
3Let 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;”
b) “Let NO MAN deceive you by any means.” Paul states here that those who teach an IMMINENT Return of Jesus for His Church ARE DECEIVERS!
c) “That Day” what day? Verse 1, “the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering to be with Him!”
“SHALL NOT COME.” The word NOT is an interesting word in this passage. Are you ready for a reveling translation of this word? (Let the reader understand.) The word “not” in this passage means “NOT!” That day of Christ and our gathering to be with Him will NOT come until –
d) there comes a “Falling Away First, and The Man of Sin Be Revealed, the Son of Perdition.
Matthew 24:15:
“15When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)”
".
Is there a message here? Our gathering will NOT come until 1st) the FALLING AWAY and 2nd) the MAN OF SIN IS REVEALED!

Verse 4:
“4Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”
e) Antichrist is revealed by “sitting in the temple of God, showing himself TO BE God.
f) He opposes ALL that is called God. IT is commonly believed that this “man of sin” will profess to be Christ himself. This verse clearly states that he opposes ALL that is called God.

Verse 5:
“5Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?”
Paul has previously recited this doctrine to the Thessalonians.
NOW THE CRUX

Verse 6:
“6And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.”
Do you think that the Thessalonians might actually KNOW who it is that is withholding
the revelation of Antichrist?

Verse 7:
“7For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.”
“He who now letteth” is the “Restrainer” in question in this matter. He will restrain until he is taken “Out of the way.” It is said in pre-tribulationism that the HE (restrainer) in this verse is the HOLY SPIRIT (indwelling the church). Please take a moment to ask yourself this question; Who is it that will take GOD ALMIGHTY (the Holy Spirit), out of the way?
It is also a common claim that it is the church of Jesus Christ, indwelt by the Holy Spirit that is RESTRAINING EVIL in the earth, and that when the church is removed – evil will prevail. I can hardly contain the laughter at this ridiculous notion. LOOK AROUND YOU…NUFF SAID!

Verse 8-12:
“8And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

The Man of Sin is revealed; so “WHO” is the restrainer of II Thessalonians 2?
We must not forget that the Bible (the only Bible) that was available to Paul at that time was the Old Testament. Paul was not only familiar with the Old Testament, he was a Scholar, having NO EQUALS in the Church. Peter confesses the difficulties of Paul’s teaching.

II Peter 3:16:
“16As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.”

Paul was teaching of that same event as recorded in the Olivet Discourse.
Matthew 24:15:
“15When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)”

This is the revelation of Antichrist! Jesus clearly tells us where (in scripture) this event is found. It is found in the writings of Daniel! Paul, therefore, was teaching from Daniel. He is teaching here, the events of the SECOND HALF of 70th week of Daniel and pin points THE BEGINNING OF THE LAST HALF OF THE WEEK!

Since Paul is clearly teaching “The [second half of] the Seventieth Week of Daniel,” it is reasonable to believe that the “Restrainer” of II Thessalonians may be found in the writings of Daniel. Let’s take a look.

Daniel 12:1-3:
“1And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. 2And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”

A) At that time shall “Michael” stand up! Michael is the Arch-Angel Protector of the people of Israel! Daniel 10:13-14: “13But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. 14Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.” and Daniel 12:1, “1And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.” The words “stand up” in Daniel 12:1, is translated from the Hebrew word “AMAD” (Strong’s reference #5975). “AMAD” in the Hebrew language means to “STAND and to CEASE.” In military terms it means to “stand at ease” to “stand down.” This is the activity of the beginning of the LAST HALF of the Seventieth week of Daniel – To “STAND DOWN!” We know this to be emphatically true because Daniel reveals to us the CAUSE and EFFECT of this event. Michael (“STANDS DOWN”) and “THE GREAT TRIBULATION BEGINS.” Persecution of the Jews at that time will be horrific.

B) Matthew 24:16-21, “16Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: 17Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: 18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. 19And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 20But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: 21For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.”

C) Revelation 12:1-6, “1And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: 2And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. 3And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. 4And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. 5And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. 6And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days [3 ½ years].” The woman in Revelation 12:6 is (and can ONLY BE) ISRAEL!

D) This is the TIME of JACOBS TROUBLE.
Please note in Revelation 12:7-9, “7And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” “Michael” and his angels battle with “Satan” and his angels. Satan and his angels are “CAST TO EARTH.” Note in Revelation 12:12, “12Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.”

WOE TO THE INHABITERS OF THE EARTH! The devil has come to you, having “GREAT WRATH because he knows that he has but a short time. I must take time here to ask a very important question; It is emphatically claimed in pre-tribualtionism, that the entire 70th week of Daniel [7 years] is synonymous to “The WRATH of GOD.” Look closely at Revelation 12:12: Where does this WRATH come from? Is this the WRATH OF GOD? This passage clearly answers the question regarding “WHOSE WRATH” is involved in the Great Tribulation that begins the SECOND HALF of THE SEVENTIETH WEEK OF DANIEL! Here is a brief synopsis to that event;

1. Michael is restraining the full fury of Satan in the heavenlies.
2. Michael and his angels defeat Satan and his angels and Satan (and his angels) ARE CAST TO EARTH!
3. Antichrist is possessed by Satan (to begin the final HALF of the Seventieth Week of Daniel).
4. Great tribulation begins.
5. Michael “STANDS DOWN” AMAD!

Paul is clearly teaching from the book of Daniel regarding the events of the beginning of the SECOND HALF of the week.
Can the identity of the restrainer of II Thessalonians 2 be ascertained by two (or more) scriptural witnesses? Yes! Witness #1-Daniel 12:1 and Witness #2-Revelation 12:7-9. It is MICHAEL the angelic PRINCE OF ISRAEL!

WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE FIRST HALF OF THE 70TH WEEK ?
Why I no longer believe in-------

SEVEN YEARS OF TRIBULATION.

For more than twenty five years I was a staunch pre-tribulationist. You can read my testimony at http://www.propheticoutreach.net . After reading the “Pre Wrath Rapture” by Marvin Rosenthal in 1998, I began a search for the truth regarding Bible Prophesy, and in particular------Bible Eschatology. I had known as much, or maybe more, about the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, that most PEW SHEEP in the “church” of America. I knew all about the “Seventieth Week of Daniel”, and the source of that late eschatology. The whole “SEVEN YEARS OF TRIBULATION” hinges on Daniel 9:27, and the revelation by an Angel that reads as such-----“and he shall confirm the covenant with many for ONE WEEK [of years], and in the MIDST of the week [Shabbat—7], he shall cause the sacrifice and oblation to cease”. This verse has been translated by modern eschatologists to mean that the future ANTICHRIST will cause the [re-instituted] sacrifice [in the Tribulation Temple], to cease in the “midst” of the “seventieth week of Daniel” which is a FUTURE------SEVEN YEAR EVENT. Multitudes, upon multitudes, of books have been written about this particular eschatology. It has become so pervasive in contemporary Christianity so as to cause the words “seven years of tribulation” to spill off the lips of even the LEAST of prophecy students as cliché as “cleanliness is next to godliness”---------and just as un-biblical!

Let’s begin at the beginning; This same angel of the book of Daniel declares “seventy weeks [shabuah Shabbat/ 70-7s] are determined upon THY PEOPLE [the JEWS], and upon THY HOLY CITY [Jerusalem], to-----

finish the transgression

make an end of sins

make reconciliation for iniquity

bring in everlasting righteousness

seal up the vision and prophecy

anoint the most Holy

Then the passage goes on to say: “know therefore and understand---------that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, UNTO MESSIAH THE PRINCE shall be seven weeks [seven 7’s] three score and two weeks [sixty two 7’s]l
“the streets shall be built again, even in troublous times”. The streets were repaired during the FIRST WEEK [seven years] of the decree.

And AFTER [the] THREE SCORE AND TWO WEEKS [sixty two 7’s] shall Messiah be CUT OFF---------but NOT FOR HIMSELF”
Now here is where the confusion begins as the passage begins a description of the destruction of the SECOND TEMPLE [Herod’s Temple] in 70 ad.
“and the people of THE PRINCE THAT SHALL COME shall destroy the city, and the sanctuary------“

We’ll stop here for a close examination of this portion of the passage. WHO, may I ask,-----will destroy the Temple? It is “THE PEOPLE of the PRINCE TO COME” ! Now-----WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?----------They are the Syrian Wing of the ROMAN ARMY! That is an historical FACT!! Jesus prophesied this event just before he was sacrificed on the stauros. NOW-----------who was the PRINCE of these ROMAN TROOPS?---------IT WAS TITUS--------that is also AN HISTORICAL FACT, and yet modern eschatologists would have us to believe that this portion of the passage somehow LEAPS through a TWO THOUSAND YEAR gap between the “PEOPLE” who destroy the Temple, and their PRINCE-----who history shows to be the ROMAN PRINCE/GENERAL named TITUS. Let’s return to the passage:

“and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war; desolations are determined”
Other translations say “and UNTO THE END----desolations are determined”. NOW we have a legitimate “GAP” since “DESOLATIONS ARE DETERMINED UNTO THE END-------------end of WHAT?----------the SEVENTY WEEKS!
“and he [a pronoun] shall confirm the covenant with many-------“

The pronoun “he” refers to the LAST identifiable PROPER NOUN of the passage. This linguistic rule applies both to English, and Hebrew. The LAST identifiable PROPER NOUN of this passage is----------------MESSIAH! IT IS MESSIAH THAT CAUSED THE SACRIFICE and oblations FOR SIN----------TO CEASE, when he cried out------“IT IS FINISHED”, and the veil that separates the Holy Place from the HOLY OF HOLIES was RIPPED -----------TOP TO BOTTOM!

Heb 10:2
For then would they not HAVE CEASED TO BE OFFERED? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.
It is clear in this passage that the SACRIFICES HAD CEASED to be offered, even before the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD. When the veil of the Temple was rent TOP to BOTTOM---------the sacrifices CEASED !

HE-----------------MESSIAH--------caused the sacrifice for sin to CEASE!!------and desolations [for Jerusalem] were determined UNTO THE END!

Gal 3:15-18
15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.
16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
17 And this I say this, that the COVENANT THAT WAS CONFIRMED BEFORE OF GOD IN CHRIST, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
KJV

This COVENANT was confirmed at the Stauros. This was the fulfillment of Daniel 9:27

And now to the SEVENTIETH WEEK OF DANIEL

In 458 B.C., the decree of Artaxerxes went forth to rebuild Jerusalem [Ezera 7:11-16]. Ezra 7:12-8:1
12 Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time.
13 I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem, go with thee.
14 Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellers, to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand;
15 And to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counsellers have freely offered unto the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem,
16 And all the silver and gold that thou canst find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem:
17 That thou mayest buy speedily with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meat offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them upon the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.
18 And whatsoever shall seem good to thee, and to thy brethren, to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, that do after the will of your God.
19 The vessels also that are given thee for the service of the house of thy God, those deliver thou before the God of Jerusalem.
20 And whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of thy God, which thou shalt have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king's treasure house.
21 And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily,
22 Unto an hundred talents of silver, and to an hundred measures of wheat, and to an hundred baths of wine, and to an hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much.
23 Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?
24 Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.
25 And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not.
26 And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.
27 Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem:
28 And hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counsellers, and before all the king's mighty princes. And I was strengthened as the hand of the LORD my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.

This was the BIRTH POINT of the SEVENTY WEEKS OF DANIEL as revealed in Daniel 9:24. Adding the initial “SEVEN WEEKS [49 years]” for “rebuilding the streets”, to the following SIXTY TWO WEEKS [of years], we arrive at a total of SIXTY NINE weeks of years or------7 X 69 = 483 years from that decree, to the BAPTISM of Messiah in Jordan [Tishri 15/Tabernacles] in the year 26 a.d. [Luke 3:21-23 “and he began to be about THIRTY YEARS OLD”],------- having discovered the BIRTHDATE OF MESSIAH in Luke 1 and 2--------TABERNACLES, and confirmed in Luke 3:21-23, This baptism in Jordan was the beginning of the SEVENTIETH WEEK OF DANIEL---------and in the MIDST OF THE WEEK [three and one half years of Messiah’s ministry]---HE---------MESSIAH--------CAUSED THE SACRIFICE for sin TO CEASE-------and desolations were determined TO THE END. The FIRST HALF of the 70th week was fulfilled in Christ’s ministry, and death. We have ONLY the SECOND HALF of the week remaining to be fulfilled. If you doubt this, then I encourage you to find “SEVEN YEARS OF TRIBULATION” in your New Testament-------GO AHEAD----------JUST TRY. AH AH now, don’t try adding together, those passages in Rev. [time, times, and a half----forty two months-----and “three and one half years”]. It is VERY CLEAR that these three time frames are SYNONOMOUS. FACT: There is not one reference to “SEVEN YEARS” of tribulation in the New Testament. Listen to the voice of the angel of the book of Daniel:


Dan 11:30-32
30 For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.
31 And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.

Tell me this:------WHAT ABOMINATION [singular] WAS EVER SET UP IN THE PASSAGE OF DANIEL 9:27 ?-----it states “for the overspreading of ABOMINATIONS [plural]-----it shall be desolate”. ABOMINATIONS------PLURAL. The reference to Antichrist speaks of the ABOMINATION------SINGULAR-------being SET UP ! Do you see the STARK DIFFERENCE ?

KJV
Dan 12:6 - Hos 1:1
6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?
7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.
11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.
12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.
13 But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.
KJV

It is abundantly clear that the time of TRIBULATION will be THREE AND ONE HALF YEARS. A “SEVEN YEAR” tribulation is FICTIONAL. That is why there is no mention of “seven years” in the most profound record of scriptural eschatology that we can rely on---------that being---Matthew 24/ Mark 13, the Olivette Discourse..

When Antichrist is revealed:
Matt 24:15-22
15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
KJV
AND

2 Thess 2:1-4
2 Thessalonians 2

2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
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.
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;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
KJV


SIR ROBERT ANDERSON

Much of the doctrine concerning a “seven year” peace covenant for the safety, and protection of Israel---------confirmed by Antichrist himself-----is the contrivance of Sir Robert Anderson. This eschatological SPIN was adopted into pre-tribulationism as that late eschatology took root, and eventually became the dominant force in the American church. Sir Robert is esteemed as NEAR TO GENIUS in his works in Bible apologetics. One OUTRAGEOUS work that he has done, is to proclaim the LAST SUPPER, as the Passover Seder-------and the crucifixion of Christ on the FIRST DAY OF UNLEAVENED BREAD [15 Nissan], which completely disregards MOUNTAINS of scriptural evidence otherwise. It is clear to me that Sir Robert postulates PRIOR to his studies, and craftily weaves his apologetics into his outrageous scenarios. Having said this ----------the challenge remains---------WHERE DO YOU FIND A “PEACE TREATY FOR SEVEN YEARS” in your New Testament? WHERE DO YOU FIND “SEVEN YEARS” AT ALL?

MATTHEW HENRY
Matthew Henry [though a historicist] certainly exceeds the “genius” of one Robert Anderson. He, AS MANY OTHERS, recognized the MINISTRY of CHRIST as being the FIRST HALF of the Seventieth Week. Of course he errs, as do ALL historicists, in concluding that the entire 70th week is an historic event.

COINCIDENCE?
Is it simply a COINCIDENCE that the ministry of Jesus began at Jordan ON HIS THIRTIETH BIRTHDAY, and that his baptism occurred at the conclusion of the SIXTY NINTH WEEK?. Is it mere HAPPENSTANCE that he was crucified EXACTLY THREE AND ONE HALF YEARS LATER----------TO THE DAY---------HALF THE WEEK! It is beyond MY mental ability to DISMISS such evidence. Is it some sort of FREEK EVENT, that the veil of the Holy Place was torn top to bottom exactly three and one half years from that time when the Spirit of God descended upon Messiah at Jordan? TOO MUCH-----JUST TOO MUCH for me to believe that these things are coincidence.

ALL OF THESE THINGS------
All of these things MUST OCCUR INSIDE the Seventy Weeks!

A. finish the transgression
B. end sin
C. Reconciliation for iniquity [Is.53:4-5]

Isa 53:6
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him THE INIQUITY OF US ALL.
KJV

Some proclaim that these Messianic verses of Daniel 9, are concluded at the END OF THE AGE, as Israel is collectively redeemed. Let’s see what the New Testament says;

1 Peter 2:24-25
24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: BY WHOSE STRIPES WE ARE HEALED[a reference to Isaiah 53] .
KJV ------------This is a CLEAR reference to the historicity of the fulfillment of that RECONCILLIATION promised WITHIN the Seventy Weeks of Daniel. It is therefore IMPOSSIBLE that the sacrifice of Messiah could be OUTSIDE the 70th Week--------and within that renowned “GAP”.

1 Cor 15:3-4
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
KJV

Gal 1:4-5
4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
KJV

Heb 1:3-4
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
KJV

1 Peter 2:24-25
24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
KJV

1 John 1:9-10
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
KJV

1 John 2:2-3
2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
KJV

1 John 3:5-6
5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
KJV

1 John 4:10-11
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
KJV

Rev 1:5-6
5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
KJV

D. bring in everlasting righteousness
E. seal up the vision and prophecy [Jn.19:30] “IT IS FINISHED”
F. and to anoint the most Holy


John 1:32-33
32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
KJV

Luke 3:22-23
22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
KJV

Mark 1:10-11
10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
KJV

Matt 3:16-17
16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

Luke 4:18-19
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, BECAUSE HE HATH ANOINTED ME to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.

19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.-------“AND TO ANNOINT THE MOST
HOLY”--------DAN.9
KJV



THE GAP
Remember that the angel that spoke to Daniel revealed that the above CRITERIA for the mission of Messiah --------MUST TAKE PLACE WITHIN THE SEVENTY WEEKS! In modern eschatology, there is a TWO THOUSAND YEAR GAP between the end of the Sixty Ninth Week-----and the beginning of Seventieth Week. Since the 69th week ended BEFORE Christ’s crucifixion---------this places the REDEMPTION OF MANKIND ----------IN THE GAP! There can be no redemption outside the Seventy Weeks-----hence, No redemption at all.

Of course we know that we have been redeemed at the Stauros-------the crucifixion. The question is; Was this redemption acquired INSIDE the Seventy Weeks-------or in that now renowned “GAP”?

THE TRIBULATION
It is clearly stated in the Old, and New Testaments; that the demarcation point for the Tribulation is the ABOMINATION spoken of by Daniel. Jesus emphasizes; “let the reader UNDERSTAND”! There is NO “SEVEN YEAR PEACE COVENANT” for the “safety, and protection of Israel”, This is nothing but non-biblical drivel which has been published abroad. Isaiah clearly refers to a COVENANT WITH HELL-------but NEVER attaches a “SEVEN YEAR” timeframe to that covenant.


Isa 28:15
15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:
KJV
-----------NOTHING of a “SEVEN YEAR PEACE COVENANT”!

This is why it is critical to understand NOT ONLY, that Babylon will be destroyed prior to the Great Tribulation, but the Gog/Magog conflict will take the world QUICKLY into the GREAT TRIBULATION as Antichrist rises to SAVE THE WORLD from chaos, and to persecute the Church for forty two months.
A LIKELY SCENERIO

The most likely scenario follows;

1. America/ Babylon attacks Iran [Persia of Ezek.38]
2. Syria attacks Israel under their alliance with Iran
3. Israel retaliates with a devastating nuclear reprisal [Isaiah 17]
4. America/Babylon burns under an all out nuclear attack [Rev.!7:16-17]
promoted by TEN [would be] kings.
5. The Gog/Magog war begins [Ezek 38]. America has been neutralized [Ezek 38:10-12, Isaiah 18, Rev. 17:16-17]
6. Antichrist/the Beast intervenes and saves Israel from Islamic annihilation
[Ezek.38:21]
7. Israel begins to build the THIRD TEMPLE, and sacrifices begin
8. Antichrist desecrates that Temple and STOPS THE DAILY OBLATIONS [Dan.11:30-31]


Dan 11:30-31
30 For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.
31 And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.

KJV
9. . Just as Jesus caused the sacrifices for sin to CEASE in the midst of the Seventieth week-------------Antichrist will STOP THE [re-instituted] SACRIFICES. and abominate the Temple [or Tabernacle], and cause the final HALF of the week to run to it’s conclusion.
10. The GREAT TRUBULATION begins

To those who scoff at this eschatology I say---------WHERE IS YOUR SEVEN YEARS OF TRIBULATION in the New Testament? Christ fulfilled the FIRST HALF of the 70th week in his ministry from Tabernacles, 26 ad-------to his crucifixion, Passover 30 ad----------EXACTLY----------HALF THE WEEK! Just as Israel had FORTY YEARS in the wilderness, to work through their rebellion to God, so also the Jews of Jerusalem had EXACTLY----------FORTY YEARS---------[from Nisan 14, ad 30,-------- to Nisan 14, ad 70 when the army of Titus surrounded the city just as Jesus had prophesied]----to repent of their sins--------but they refused, hence--------the destruction of 70 ad., and the NINETEEN HUNDRED YEARS of exile

Time will vindicate. It always does. If there is a “SEVEN YEAR COVENANT” which is betrayed at the midpoint---------and there is a Temple abomination at that time--------Oh Well-----been wrong before! BUT------IF THIS ESCHATOLOGY that I have presented IS CORRECT, then you are headed at LIGHT SPEED toward the GREAT TRIBULATION.
Is the restrainer of II Thessalonians 2, “the church indwelt by the Holy Spirit ?”

IMPOSSIBLE!