"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 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. Remember ye not, (don't you remember) that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye (you) know what withholdeth that he (i.e. the antichrist) might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed. (2Thes.2:3-8)
I. This is the restraining hand of the Spirit of God
The context is holding back the man of sin and his iniquity until his time of 42 months. John said there are many antichrist right now, but there is a time when antichrist shall come, even now . (which is the 1st. Century) are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. (Note: 2Thes.2:4) antichrist sitting in the Temple will go out from us.
II.Only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way
A. He that will let (or Letteth) is God.
1. The most High ruleth (rules) in the kingdom of men (Dan.4:32, Deut.4:39) 2. "Thou reignest over all" (1Chron.29:12) 3. Behold, he taketh away who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou?" (Job.9:12)
B. Until he be taken out of the way
God has allotted 42 months for the man of sin and that is established because He reigns over all. There seems to be a connection between Jesus CHRIST who ministered for 3 1/2 years (42 months time, times and half a time, times, times and dividing of times, 1260 days) and antichrist, (another Jesus2Cor.11:1-7) who wants to be "just like" THE TRUE CHRIST.