Does 2 Thessalonians 2:6 prove that no one knows who the Antichrist is today because he hasn’t been revealed?
First, let’s consider this Bible text:
“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.” 2 Thessalonians 2:5–6
Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians was most likely written around AD 51–52 (about 20 years after the crucifixion of Jesus) and the term Antichrist would not appear in any inspired Scripture until the first epistle of John the Beloved, written sometime around AD 95–100. However, most biblical scholars and theologians agree that this passage describes the leading Antichrist figure of Bible prophecy. So 2 Thessalonians 2:6 is often misinterpreted to mean that he—Antichrist—is being withheld from the world until the very last days.
Based on this and other misinterpretations, many people are led to believe that no one knows the identity of the Antichrist. And sadly, many others believe that it doesn’t even matter because of the idea that the Church will be raptured before the Antichrist is revealed. But if we properly and rightly divide the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15), there need not be any confusion on this subject.
In 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4, Paul provides a very detailed description of the character and nature of the leading Antichrist figure of Bible prophecy. Then in verse 6, he highlights the fact that this power’s identity is being currently (in Paul’s time) restrained until “his own time.” It is important to note that while the early apostles and Christians may not have known who or what this Antichrist power was, both Paul and John made it clear that the spirit behind this power was already at work in their day (emphasis supplied throughout):
“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.” 2 Thessalonians 2:7
“Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.” 1 John 2:18
“And every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.” 1 John 4:3
So, even in the first century, the spirit of Antichrist was already at work. The question then is, when will the “restraining” be lifted, and how can we know when “his own time” has come? (2 Thessalonians 2:6.)
First, we must clarify that if the Church is going to be raptured before this Antichrist power shows up, then why do Paul, John, Daniel, and even Jesus warn us (the Church) about it? If God had no intentions for His people to be here during the time of the Antichrist, then why inspire His prophets to write letters to the Church warning them to be aware? (2 Thessalonians 2:3 and 1 John 2:26.)
The answer is simple: God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33) and He would not warn us of something if we were not going to be around when these things manifest themselves. Therefore, the theory that the Church will be raptured before the Antichrist is a hoax.
Not only will we be here, but God has provided many biblical identifications that unmistakably identify the Antichrist power. In other words, that which was “restraining” or withholding the identity of the Antichrist power is no longer veiled.
Between the prophetic writings of Daniel, Paul, and John, there are multiple identifications that have been revealed throughout the Middle Ages. For more detailed information regarding these identifications, see our study entitled, “The Antichrist Identified.” Through it you will learn that whatever power was “restraining” the identity of the Antichrist in Paul and John’s day has since been “taken out of the way” (2 Thessalonians 2:7) so that all is revealed.