Randy Kluth
Well-Known Member
The Restrainer may be a hidden reference to the emperor and to the Roman Empire, which is inferred in Dan 2 to be a Kingdom of Iron. In Dan 7 the same is inferred in the image of a great and terrible 4th Beast, which will rule until the end of the age.Anybody?
How did the Roman Empire restrain the appearance of the Antichrist. Antichrist must consolidate 10 divided states. In order for 10 divided states to appear out of the old Roman Empire, that Empire had to have its imperial strength weakened by, I think, democracy.
As democracy has grown in the West, the imperial tradition has weakened, and independent European States have formed. Ultimately, Antichrist will defeat 3 of those States and unite it, weak as it is, under his own iron grip. Ultimately, I believe that after 1260 days he will lose his grip, and the nations will begin to gather to Armageddon, to challenge his rule. Highly speculative material!
The Early Church Fathers apparently felt the Empire was the restraint you refer to. So do I.