Jacob Prasch (JP) teaching about the restrainer. See the video here
https://youtu.be/q61kIzMkRqI
Having watched this video and listened through it more than once I have decided I should comment and say why I don’t agree with the teaching and conclusion that Jacob comes up with on this particular subject.
JP points out in John 16:8-15 we read that the purpose of the holy spirit coming is two-fold.
First to the world
“And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: “of sin, because they do not believe in Me; “of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; “of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. John 16:8-11
To believers - the church
“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. “He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. “All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.
John 16:13-15.
My notes, points and questions raised:
l From the text and context it’s true to say that in the general sense this is the work of the Holy Spirit although there is a lot more we could say.
However when looking at the restrainer in 2Thess 2:3-8 we need to ask if it is correct to suggest that because the same (phrase/terms/words) are used, that it is referring to the very same thing/event?
l The question we must ask in John 16 is who is coming and going? Clearly the Lord is going in order that the Holy Spirit will come.
l But is that what we are seeing in 2Thess 2:3-10? I don’t believe it is.
l We can not determine from the text or any other that the restrainer is the Holy Spirit. katecho (restrainer) meaning to hold down strongs G2722 κατέχω katecho (kat-ekh'-o) v. is never used in connection with the Holy Spirit in Scripture.
l Furthermore 2Thess 2:3-8 has nothing to do with pneumatology.
Outline of 2Thess 2:1-8
The theme or subject is the day of the Lord. Paul is teaching that the day of Christ (the Lord) won’t come until 2 events happen. The falling away and the man of sin is revealed.
We can determine from the text that when these 2 events happen the Lord will come. This is what the scripture says here.
What about the restrainer? The scripture is saying that something or someone is preventing the revealing of the man of sin in his own time.
Paul goes on to remind the church in Thessalonica verses 5 to 8 “Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains [will do so] until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.”
The mystery of lawlessness is at work. Why is it a mystery? Could it be that we don’t know who is on back of it? We will do.
JP Comparing John 16:7-8 with 2Thess 2:1-10.
Concludes “ that the same term is used” speaking about Jesus going away and the holy spirit coming. In short. He (the Holy Spirit) won’t come until Jesus goes.
Approx point in the video where the point is made 47.50- 49.26 mins
Comparing John16 with 2Thess 2 “if this doesn’t happen that cant happen”
JP compares a phrase (of Greek words) from John 16 to a similar phrase of words in Thess 2:3 but do they compare like for like?
The four Greek words are these ean gar me apeltho (John 16:7) meaning for if I go not.
Video time of John16:7 is 46.45
Below are the verses used in Greek.
ean gar me apelto,
for G1063 if G3362 I go G565 not G3362 away G565, the Comforter G3875 will G2064 not G3756 come G2064
Nevertheless G235 I G1473 tell G3004 you G5213 the truth G225; It is expedient G4851 for you G5213 that G2443 I G1473 go away G565: for G1063 if G3362 I go G565 not G3362 away G565, the Comforter G3875 will G2064 not G3756 come G2064 unto G4314 you G5209; but G1161 if G1437 I depart G4198, I will send G3992 him G846 unto G4314 you G5209.
7 αλλ΄ G235 εγώ G1473 την G3588 αλήθειαν G225 λέγω G3004 υμίν G1473 συμφέρει G4851 υμίν G1473 ίνα G2443 εγώ G1473 απέλθω G565 εάν γαρ G1437 G1063 εγώ G1473 μη απέλθω G3361 G565 ο G3588 παράκλητος G3875 ουκ G3756 ελεύσεται G2064 προς G4314 υμάς G1473 εάν δε G1437 G1161 πορευθώ G4198 πέμψω G3992 αυτόν G1473 προς G4314 υμάς G1473
Now lets look at 2 Thess 2:3-10 approx time on video 49.11
Firstly JP is referring to verse 3 the words it shall not come referring to the day of the Lord ean me elthe.
3 Let G1818 no G3361 man G5100 deceive G1818 you G5209 by G2596 any G3367 means G5158: for G3754 that day shall not come, except G3362 there come G2064 a falling away G646 first G4412, and G2532 that man G444 of sin G266 be revealed G601, the son G5207 of perdition G684;
εάν μη G1437 G3361 έλθη G2064 η G3588 αποστασία G646 πρώτον G4412 και G2532 αποκαλυφθή G601 ο G3588 άνθρωπος G444 της G3588 αμαρτίας G266 ο G3588 υιός G5207 της G3588 απωλείας G684
Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,
(JP) concludes ( video time 49:27 to 49:56 ) quote from the video “same terms, almost the same identical phrase” pay attention comparing John 16:7 to 2Thess2:3 “If this does not happen that can’t happen, if I don’t go He can’t come, if He doesn’t go I can’t come”
JP says “we need to qualify this, very carefully”
Before we hear what JP says let me answer the question I raised which was;
Jacob Prasch compares a phrase (of Greek words) from John 16 to a similar phrase of words in Thess 2:3 but do they compare like for like?
Answer
Certainly the same terms/phrase is/are being used although not exactly.
ean gar me apeltho ( for if I go not ) and ean me elthe (it shall not come - The day of the Lord)
But in John 16:7 Jesus is talking about the Holy Spirit not coming until He goes.
But in 2Thess2:3 Paul is saying the day of the Lord won’t come until the the apostasy comes and the man of sin is revealed. This is not the same. Paul is not talking about the Holy Spirit going or restraining before Jesus comes.
This is not correct as they are clearly referring to two different things.
JP goes on to explain that the Holy Spirit is never taken from His people but He is taken from the world. He looks at John 20.
I hope I have accurately pointed out the error and will finish here.
