Who is Paul discussing in 2 Thessalonians 2?

[GRACE ambassador]

my definition of it is - God deals with specific groups of people in different specified ways which is not biblical.

Precious friend, if "not biblical", then Why Did God Give us So Many Differences and Distinctions In
His Precious Word Of Truth?:

(a) Bible Contrasts

(b) BRIEF 'Example' Of Right Division

(c) God's Approval/TWO Gospels In Prophecy vs Mystery

(d) "Distinctions" of Prophecy vs MYSTERY

(e) No Other Doctrine But Right Division!

(f) Biblical 'Representations' of Twelve and ONE

(g) unScriptural or UNdispensational?

(h) Is The Body Of Christ The Lamb's Wife?

--------
And, precious friend(s), Please Be Very Richly Encouraged and Edified
In The Lord Jesus Christ and In His Precious Word Of Truth, Rightly
Divided:

The Bible: The BIG Picture

Amen.

 

[IndianaRob]

Precious friend, if "not biblical", then Why Did God Give us So Many Differences and Distinctions In
His Precious Word Of Truth?:

(a) Bible Contrasts

(b) BRIEF 'Example' Of Right Division

(c) God's Approval/TWO Gospels In Prophecy vs Mystery

(d) "Distinctions" of Prophecy vs MYSTERY

(e) No Other Doctrine But Right Division!

(f) Biblical 'Representations' of Twelve and ONE

(g) unScriptural or UNdispensational?

(h) Is The Body Of Christ The Lamb's Wife?

--------
And, precious friend(s), Please Be Very Richly Encouraged and Edified
In The Lord Jesus Christ and In His Precious Word Of Truth, Rightly
Divided:

The Bible: The BIG Picture

Amen.

Can you give an example where the gospel is any different for a group or “dispensation” than it is right now?

 

[JimKnox]

Or you could quote the verses from Paul that debunks the pre-trib :)

2 Thessalonians 2:3 proves midtrib.
Consistent with Daniel 9:27.
Paul knew the scriptures.
Pretribbers do not.

 

[William Barton]

2 Thessalonians 2:3 proves midtrib.
Consistent with Daniel 9:27.
Paul knew the scriptures.
Pretribbers do not.

IMO:
The "rapture" is depicted in Revelation 14:14-16, where Jesus has descended to a cloud. The Greek word there is αρπαγησομεθα = ("we will be caught up"). This is mid-tribulation, prior to the "Great tribulation" (wrath of God).

See also John 14:2-3, 1Corinthians 15:51-53, 1Thessalonians 4:15-17, Revelation 11:12.

 

[William Barton]

IMO:
The Restrainer is the Spirit of God.

 

[Scott Downey]

IMO:
The Restrainer is the Spirit of God.

I think the restrainer could be Archangel Michael, whose job from God in scripture is to contend with Satan.

Jude 9
Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

1. Daniel 10:13
   But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.
   In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
2. Daniel 10:21
   But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince.
   In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
3. Daniel 12:1
   

   Prophecy of the End Time​

   “At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book.

 

[covenantee]

IMO:
The Restrainer is the Spirit of God.

Why didn't Paul say so?

 

[ewq1938]

Peter,
I am trying to understand what you were trying to get at. Are you agreeing or disagreeing with me?

There is a "rapture", a "snatching away" of the church", but by no means is it going to be secret or hidden. Scripturally, it is shown to be very visible as being a  SIMULTANEOUS event, in conjunction with Christ taking vengeance on all the unsaved.

Physical violence happens at the second coming but only an army is killed. The rest of the unsaved are ruled over according to Rev 2, 19-20.

 

[Scott Downey]

Physical violence happens at the second coming but only an army is killed. The rest of the unsaved are ruled over according to Rev 2, 19-20.

v6-10 describes what happens at the second coming of Christ
Anyone who is not a believer, is destroyed.
Please review for yourself the scripture here, plain as the day is long.

Bible Gateway passage: 2 Thessalonians 1 - 21st Century King James Version

Paul, and Silvanus, and Timothy, Unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace unto you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because your faith groweth exceedingly...

www.biblegateway.com

Paul, and Silvanus, and Timothy, Unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

2 Grace unto you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth,

4 so that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all persecutions and tribulations that ye endure,

5 which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer.

6 For it is a righteous thing with God to recompense with tribulation those who trouble you;

7 and to you who are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven with His mighty angels,

8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who know not God, and who obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,

10 when He shall come on that Day to be glorified in His saints and to be admired in all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.

 

[JimKnox]

IMO:
The "rapture" is depicted in Revelation 14:14-16, where Jesus has descended to a cloud. The Greek word there is αρπαγησομεθα = ("we will be caught up"). This is mid-tribulation, prior to the "Great tribulation" (wrath of God).

See also John 14:2-3, 1Corinthians 15:51-53, 1Thessalonians 4:15-17, Revelation 11:12.

Nice to meet a fellow midtrib Brother.