Greetings, fellow eschatologists! For this post, I’m going to ask you to keep an open mind. Remember when we went over the “Restraining Doctrine”? I said about the restraining doctrine that you cannot develop a doctrine based on only one scripture. There has to be at least two or three witnesses in order to establish a doctrine. Without that rule, you could make the Bible say anything. Well, in this post, I’m going to provide a second witness to the restraining doctrine. However, it goes against the traditional interpretation of what is the “restraining” force that is holding Antichrist back, keeping him from appearing before his time. That’s where I need you to keep an open mind. Some people might be so dead set on the traditional interpretation of the restraining force that they will automatically reject the second witness. I’m asking you to keep your mind open while reading this. And if you can, let’s get into this!
THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD
First in a One-Part Series
By Karen Thompson
A SECOND WITNESS TO THE RESTRAINING DOCTRINE
Now that we have gone over the traditional interpretation of 2nd Thessalonians 2:1–8, I’d like to present a second witness to the restraining doctrine. First, I’d like to focus again on verse seven, specifically the last part: “only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way” (2 Thess. 2:7 NKJV). It’s always been assumed that the “he who now restrains” is the same element as “he is taken out of the way.” But in the second witness to the restraining doctrine, the “he who now restrains” is a different element than the “he is taken out of the way.”
Before we examine the second witness, let’s first go back and refresh ourselves on the opening of the seven seals. The opening of the first four seals symbolize the Antichrist figure becoming a king who goes forth into war which results in his conquering three nations, one of which is Israel. Then the fifth seal is opened, and we saw martyrs who were killed because of their faith in God. They cry out to God asking Him to avenge their unjust murders. Then in the sixth seal, we see God begin to pour out His wrath in the form of a massive earthquake so strong that it moves mountains and islands out of place.
We can read about the effects of the great earthquake in Revelation 6:12: “I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” (Rev. 6:12–17 NKJV).
Right after the earthquake, the Lord immediately suspends the outpouring of His wrath because Antichrist and the ten nations have entered into a seven-year covenant, which will result in Middle East peace. That’s when the seventh seal is opened and there is peace on earth for the space of one-half hour, which equals three- and one-half years.
Holding Back the Winds of the Earth
It is immediately after the great earthquake that we come to the second witness to the restraining doctrine. Right after reading about the earthquake, we discover the restraining element that the Lord put in place in the very next verse in Revelation chapter seven:
After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree (Rev. 7:1 NKJV).
After the massive earthquake, we read about four angels being positioned at the four corners of the earth who are holding back the winds of the earth from blowing. The phrase “winds of the earth” is symbolic of the activity of the nations of the earth, their dealings with one another. In the book of Daniel, we see another example of how this expression of the wind blowing is used to indicate activity among the nations. For instance, in Daniel chapter seven, the wind was used to symbolize four empires that would arise out of the earth. Daniel described his vision by saying four winds “strove upon the great sea.” The sea, or water, symbolizes masses of peoples. Out of the sea, or people, rose up four great beasts, which symbolized four great empires that came up consecutively in the earth. (Dan. 7:1–4)
Thusly, the scenario in Revelation of the winds of the earth being held back symbolizes the nations being prevented from engaging in war. I purport these four angels holding back the winds of the earth from blowing are the restraining element Paul spoke about in 2nd Thessalonians.
In the next verses, we learn the reason why the angels are holding back the winds. Yes, they are holding back the winds from blowing on the earth to prevent the Antichrist from coming forth before his time. But in these verses, we learn the reason why he must be restrained from coming before his time. It’s because a very important task has to be accomplished in the first half of Daniel’s 70th week.
The Angel With the Seal of God
2 Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, 3 saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” 4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed: 5 of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed; 6 of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed; 7 of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed; 8 of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed (Rev. 7:2–8 NKJV).
The four angels were tasked with holding back the winds of the earth so that another angel could complete the task God had assigned to him. We learn about that task in the next verses: “Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, ‘Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.’” The angel’s important task was to seal the servants of God in their foreheads.
The Identity of the Four Angels
But before we talk about the task of sealing God’s servants, let’s first talk about what the angel with the seal said to the four angels holding back the winds: “And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, ‘Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees….” The statement about the four angels holding back the winds reveals their identity. Their identity is in the phrase “who had been given authority and power to injure earth and sea” (KJV). How odd! We first see them holding back the winds of earth so the winds don’t blow on the earth, but now we’re told they have authority and power to injure the earth and sea! It sounds contradictory. It seems like their task is to prevent earth from being harmed, only to then turn around and harm it. Who are these guys?
These four angels holding back the wind are the first four angels of the seven trumpet judgments. When the Antichrist breaks the covenant and invades Jerusalem, the Lord will re-engage the outpouring of His wrath with the seven trumpet judgments. The first four trumpet judgments have to do with destruction of the earth and the sea. (Rev. 8:7–12) These four angels are given authority and power by God to injure the earth and sea in response to Antichrist’s invasion of Jerusalem. However, it’s very important that Antichrist does not invade Jerusalem before the appointed time. And the appointed time is the middle of Daniel’s 70th week. So in order to prevent the Antichrist from breaking the covenant before his appointed time, these four angels were assigned the task of holding back the winds of the earth from blowing. It’s their job to make sure the nations keep the peace for three- and one-half years, until it’s time for the Antichrist to come forth.
Sealing the 144,000 Servants of God
Now let’s return to the topic of the very important task that must be accomplished in the first half of Daniel’s 70th week: “Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, ‘Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.’” (vv. 2–3)
After John described the scene of the four angels holding back the winds of the earth, the scenario changed. He then described seeing an angel ascending from the east, and in his hand is the seal of God. The angel announced what his assignment was: “…till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads” (v. 3). The angel’s task was to seal the servants of God on their foreheads. As the apostle John watched the scenario unfold, he heard the number of those that were to be sealed on their foreheads: “And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed” (v. 4). This is a very special group of people that are to be sealed with the seal of God—144,000 from the tribes of the children of Israel!
Then John heard the 144,000 number divided up by the tribes of Israel: “of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed” (Rev. 7:5–8 NKJV). Twelve thousand from each of the tribes of Israel were to be sealed with the seal of God.
What does it mean to be sealed with the seal of God on your forehead? To have God’s seal placed upon your forehead means that you belong to Him. You are His! You become His through faith. Ephesians 1:13 says, “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.” Ephesians 3:30 says we are “sealed for the day of redemption.” Let’s look at one more scripture in 2nd Corinthians chapter one: “Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee” (2 Cor. 1:21–22 NKJV). Once you believe in the Gospel of salvation that comes through Christ, you are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. We are given the Spirit in our hearts! That is what happens when you believe and receive the Gospel of salvation!
That’s what it means when the 144,000 are sealed. All of them become followers of Christ. In Revelation chapter 14, we see all 144,000 servants in heaven. And they are with Jesus, the Lamb of God: “Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads” (Rev. 14:1 NKJV). In this verse, we learn what kind of seal with which the 144,000 were sealed: the Father’s name was written on their foreheads! In verse five, we learn the 144,000 servants accompany the Lord Jesus wherever He goes: “These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.” It is apparent that this special group of 144,000 converts from the tribes of Israel have a special position. When it says they follow the Lamb wherever He goes, it means they serve Him in some kind of administrative capacity. They will assist Him in ruling His kingdom.
Aren’t the Ten Tribes of Israel Lost?
I can hear your thoughts: I thought ten of the twelve tribes of Israel were lost! How is it possible for any of them to be sealed? The lost tribes of Israel were never lost in the sense that they all died. They became lost through assimilation. It came about when the Assyrians invaded and conquered the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 BC. The Assyrians had a clever, yet cruel, system of keeping their conquered nations submissive. To hinder their ability to rebel, Assyria would force large sections of the inhabitants of the conquered nations to relocate to other parts of the Assyrian Empire. They moved a large portion of the Israelites to other parts of the Assyrian Empire, and then moved other inhabitants from other parts of the empire into the northern kingdom of Israel. The unfamiliarity of the language and culture of their new location would keep them off balance. Though cruel, it was effective in keeping the conquered nations of the empire from rebelling against Assyria. Through this forced resettlement, the ten northern tribes of Israel became lost through assimilation. They lost their identity as being from the tribes of Israel.
But these descendants from the ten tribes of Israel were never lost to God. He knows the genetic DNA of all of His creation. As far as the descendants of the lost tribes of Israel, He knows who they are and where they are. Every one of them!
Being Caught Up to God
After the sealing of the 144,000 servants, the scenario in John’s vision changed once again. John described seeing before him a “great multitude which no one could number.” Let’s look at those verses: “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’” (vv. 9–10).
Okay, do you realize what you’re seeing here in this scene? These people are in heaven. They are standing before the throne of God and before the Lamb. They are all clothed in white robes, worshiping the Lord God and Jesus saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
They are identified as being from every nation, every tribe, and every language. They come from all over the world. And there were so many of them that “no man could number” them. That’s a lot more than 144,000 servants from the tribes of Israel. Why are we seeing this innumerable multitude in heaven before the throne?
Obviously, the resurrection of the dead (a.k.a. the rapture) has just taken place. Right after reading about the completion of the task of the sealing of the 144,000 servants, we immediately see this innumerable multitude in heaven. What is the connection? The connection we are to make is that just as soon as all of the 144,000 servants are sealed, the event of the resurrection of the dead will take place.
Let’s look at the rest of the verses that talk about this multitude of people:
11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, 12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. 13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. 16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes (Rev. 7:11–17).
There is much praise and thanksgiving given by the inhabitants of heaven upon the arrival of the innumerable multitude. John described the scenario in verses 11–12. All the angels that stood around the throne, as well as the 24 elders and the four living creatures fell on their faces before the throne of God and proclaimed, “Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.”
Then one of the elders asked the apostle John a question, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?” John responded, “Sir, you know.” Then the elder identified the innumerable multitude, saying, “These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” The last part of the sentence identifies them as Christians: their clothing made white by the blood of the Lamb, meaning the blood of Jesus.
The first part of what the elder said to John might cause some to stumble: “These are the ones who come out of great tribulation.” I can already hear your confusion. The great tribulation! I thought the believers were supposed to be spared the wrath of God. Why does it say they went through the great tribulation?
Remember when we talked about the word tribulation? When people read this verse, they fail to apply the Bible’s definition of the word tribulation, which is the Greek word thlipsis. It simply means “a pressing, pressing together, and pressure.” Metaphorically it means “oppression, affliction, tribulation, distress, straits.”
You must not use the modern, evolved definition of the word tribulation, which has come to mean a time of persecution and torment attributed to the Antichrist, giving it an end time application. When it says this multitude “came out of great tribulation,” it simply means oppression, affliction, and distress. Even though the nations will not be in war with each other the first half of Daniel’s 70th week, there will still be affliction and oppression in the various nations. For those living in the Middle East who have decided to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior, they will have received much tribulation in the form of persecution and affliction.
The rest of the verses describe the comfort and reward they will receive once they are in heaven: “Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (vv. 15–17). They’ll no longer experience hunger or thirst, and the Lord God will wipe away their tears, meaning He will comfort them.
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