The Anti-christ IS the "restrainer"?

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Esaias

Right. Which is how (and why) I came to believe "the man of sin" is clericalism (man-directed worship, ministry, and leadership, replacing the rule of God in his church).

I saw your words on the issue, about the showing of oneself as god in the temple, and I once connected it directly to 1 Cor 6 as you did, too. But I never narrowed it down to clericalism. I took it as self-exaltation in general.

2Th 2:4 KJV 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.

2Th 2:8 KJV And 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:


1Co 6:19 KJV What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

1Co 6:13 KJV Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.


The same terms "destroy" and temple of God is mentioned.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Esaias

Right. Which is how (and why) I came to believe "the man of sin" is clericalism (man-directed worship, ministry, and leadership, replacing the rule of God in his church).

You mean like Diotrephes in 3rd John? A minister who wanted the preeminence, when it is Christ who is the head, and has the preeminence in all things.

Colossians 1:18

And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

3 John 1:9

I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence AMONG THEM, receiveth us not.

Ephesians 1:22

And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be HEAD OVER EVERYTHING for the church,

Ephesians 1:23

which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

You mean like Diotrephes in 3rd John? A minister who wanted the preeminence, when it is Christ who is the head, and has the preeminence in all things.

Colossians 1:18

And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

3 John 1:9

I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence AMONG THEM, receiveth us not.

Ephesians 1:22

And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be HEAD OVER EVERYTHING for the church,

Ephesians 1:23

which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Yes!

When I mention clericalism, I do not mean to limit it to only "ordained ministers", but to ANYONE who attempts to control God's church instead of allowing the Lord to direct his people through the Word and the Spirit.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Esaias

Yes!

When I mention clericalism, I do not mean to limit it to only "ordained ministers", but to ANYONE who attempts to control God's church instead of allowing the Lord to direct his people through the Word and the Spirit.

Awesome!