Page 100 - Heavenly Signs II by Mel Gable

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The Delay of the Antichrist

It is from these verses that most conflict concerning the description and identification of the Antichrist rages. The following questions
need to be answered: (i) What is restraining? ; (ii) Who is revealed in his own time? ; (iii) Who has to be taken out of the way? It is
common for people to answer these questions in a way that suits a particular millennial view; thus their explanations are colored by
their belief systems. In Paul’s day, the man of sin’s coming was held back, but the question is: By what? Paul may have been
referring to the Holy Spirit or the preaching of the gospel, but, if so, why did he not say this clearly? Alternatively, many
believe that this is a reference to the Roman Empire that would be destroyed in the fourth century AD, giving rise to an anti-Christian
power that would grow in universal influence. This new power would, however, appear to the world to be from God, because ‘he’ or ‘it’
would sit ‘as God in the temple of God’ (v. 4). This is why Paul calls it ‘the mystery of lawlessness’ (v. 7). This may be a description
of the Roman papacy which, after the fall of Rome in AD 410, slowly took over political power and claimed the right to govern both
spiritually and politically in Europe and then the whole world. Historically, the papacy has exalted itself by exercising rule and
authority over kings and nations. The popes of Rome wear a three-tiered tiara that represents their claim to rule in earth, heaven and
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hell.

An account of the sealing of the servants of God, were observed; 1. To whom this work was committed—to an angel, another angel.
While some of the angels were employed to restrain Satan and his agents, another angel was employed to mark out and distinguish
the faithful servants of God. 2. How they were distinguished—the seal of God was set upon their foreheads, a seal known to him,
and as plain as if it appeared in their foreheads; by this mark they were set apart for mercy and safety in the worst of times. 3. The
number of those that were sealed, where observe, (1.) A particular account of those that were sealed of the twelve tribes of Israel—
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twelve thousand out of every tribe, the whole sum amounting to a hundred and forty-four thousand.

Revelation 7:1-3. The question was raised in 6:17 whether any would be saved in the Tribulation. This is answered in this Chapter,
and two classes of the saved are mentioned specifically: (1) those who are saved in Israel, (2) those of all nations who, though saved
spiritually, are martyred. Four angels were told to withhold judgment on the earth until the servants of … God were sealed
(v. 3). The seal on their foreheads symbolizes protection and ownership and God’s intention to protect the 12 tribes that are
mentioned, much as He protected Noah from the Flood, Israel from the plagues of Egypt, and Rahab and her household in
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Jericho..
The 144,000 Sealed
Let us take a closer look at the scripture in Revelations about the 144,000.

Revelation 7:1-5 “After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back
the four winds of the earth, so that no wind would blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree.

2 And I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the seal of the living God;
and he cried out 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 or the sea or the trees until we have sealed the bond-servants of
our God on their foreheads.”
4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred and forty-four thousand sealed
from every tribe of the sons of Israel:
5 From the tribe of Judah, twelve thousand were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand,
from the tribe of Gad twelve thousand ………..”
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152 McNaughton, I. (2008). Opening up 2 Thessalonians (47–48). Leominster: Day One Publications.

153 Henry, M. (1996). Matthew Henry's commentary on the whole Bible : Complete and unabridged in one volume (Re 7:1–12). Peabody:
Hendrickson.
154 Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures
(Re 7:1–3). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

155 New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 (Re 7:1–5). LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.