The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Thessalonians — Section 44

of _Christ, There is a manifestation of good going forward, as well as a manifestation of evil. It must yet be shown in human history that there is an essential loveliness belonging to tho Christian life. Many Scriptures promise a period of conquest for the Church. ·when the Church extends its conquests there will be a solidarity of i11fluence on the side of Christ of which no adequate conception can now be formed. The result of that wi)l be, om_ong those who participate in the antichristian movement, deepened hat~ed ag!lmst Christ. As when he conquered on the cross there was a calling forth agamst him of the worst elements especially of superhuman evil, so when he advances to conquest in human history there will be a similar calling forth of the worst elements especially of human evil. The time when evil is thus powerfully to be revealed has been fixed by God. It may be said that the apostle should, according to the inter- pretation, have regarded the Christian manifestation as coming to a head. But it was open to him to regard it under a special aspect as that which in its yet partial character held back the full manifestation of antichrist. 2. The present working of the mystery of lawlessness. "For the mystery of lawlessness doth already work." "Lawlessness," which corresponds to "sin," formerly used, is not to be taken as fe.vourin,( the view that the restraining power is human rule. It points to the antichristian movement as characterized by a disposition to cast off all authority, especially the highest authority. 'l'he stress is to be laid on" mystery." Evil was then working, and in working was revealing itself, but its true nature as opposition to Christ was largely concealed, was only very partially revealed. A lurid light was thrown npon it by the ten great persecutions which, under the Roman emperors, were directed against Christianity. Light is thrown upon it by the attacks which in the present day are made upon Christianity. But it would seem that we have not seen all that is in it of opposition to Christ. The mystery of lawlessness still works. 3. The removal of the restrainer. "Only there is one that restraineth now, until he be taken ont of the way. And then shall be revealed the lawless one, whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the breath of his mouth, and bring to nought by the manifestation of his coming." Ellicott regards the use of the masculine gender as a realistic touch, by which what was previously expressed by the more abstract "restraining power" is now represented as concrete and personified. It is strange how this should not be regarded as applying also to the "lawless one" to whom the restrainer is here opposed. If the restrainer is human rule, then his removal must mean the upturning (apparently general) of human rule. And that is what is contemplated by some as the conclusion to human history. But the restrainer being "Christianity not come to the season of its full manifestation," his removal must mee.n the arrival of that season. When Christianity, working among the multitudes of men, brings its full influence to bear on the antichristian movement, in what it calls forth of opposition, that movement will come to the completeness of it8 exposure. And antichrist, thus morally defeated, eternally disproved, will h:ive taken away from it its sphere of operation. It will be slain with the breath of Christ's mouth, and brought to nought by the manifestation of his coming. IV. THE LYING CHARACTER OF THE ANTIOHRISTIAN MOVEMENT. 1. Liea of Satan. "Even he, whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders." As Satan is a liar and the father of lies, so the antichristian movement which he inspires is characterized by lying. As Christ has power and signs and wonders of truth, so the antichristian movement bas power and signs and wonders of lying. It is remarkable that the Church of Rome puts forward a claim of miracle-working, which helps it to preserve its influence over miu,ls, bnt which it cannot establish. The power and signs and wonders by which men are apt to bJ deluded now are mure of an intellectual nature. It is objected to Christianity that the mirades . with which it is bound up are shown by science to be impossible. lt is objected that it presents too severe a \'iew of our human condition, in representing us as standing in need of salvation. It is objected thnt it presents too severe a view of the character of God, in representing him as punishing sin in Christ. It is objected that it presents too severe a view of human duty, in calling upon us to for~ake all and follow Christ. When these objections are powerfully presented, and so as to have the appearance of s:iving the character of God from e.spersions, there may be the effect, which false miracles have often had, of men being deluded. 2. Lies of Satan leading to unr,:,,ldeo- ness. "With all deceit of unrighteousness." When men entertain false views,  42 THE SECOND EPISTLE 'l'O THE THESSALONIANS. [on. n. 1-17,