The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Thessalonians — Section 62

the abominable pel'llecutions or the Inquisition, the monstrous wickcrlness of the popes r:ior to the Reformation,1 the atrocities perpetrated in the name of reliaion,1 the crimes committed by the pTiests, 3 and the general corruption of the whole s;tem; and when we think that it is only the restraining influence of Protestantism which prevents a repetition of such actions, we may see reason, if not to affirm positively, yet to suspect that such an opinion may be founded on truth, and, if ao, be neither uncharitable nor unjust. 4. The fourth class of interpreters consider the fu\6\m,•nt as fnture, and that we are not to look for any past occurrences as answering al\ its requirements. 'l'his opinion is the one which is chiefly favoured in our days. It has been adopted by Hofmann, Ewald, Olsbausen, Riggenbach, Lange, Alford, Ellicott, Lillfe, Eadie, Meyrick, and Bishop Alexander, although there is a considerable difference in their views. It is maintained that it is unwarrantable to consider the pope as Antichrist, and the papacy as an Antichristian system. The essential doctrines or Christianity are main- tained and defended by the Romanists. The cross of Christ is exalted, and his suffer- ings are declared to be an atonement for sin. The great doctrine of the 'l'rinity is not only maintained, but prominently brought forward. The influences of the Spirit are recognized and depended on. And the pope, instead of opposing himself to God, owns himself to be the servant and worshipper of God.' Hence it is considered that in the future there may be a fuller completion than has ever yet taken place in the past. Prophecy has many partial fnlfilments, until it reaches its climax in a complete accom- plishment. Thus the Messianic prophecies of our Lord were partially fulfilled iL David, in Solomon, in the Jewish nation. So it may be with this prediction; its :final application may be reserved for the last days of this world's probation. The anti- christian elements, which are now found dispersed, may be collected and exhibited in an individual who ";11 be the realization of the Man of Sin. According to Hofmann, the whole passage refers to the visions of Daniel. Paul applies the prophecy therein contained to the latter days. The power that restraineth the outburst of evil is a good principle; just as Michael, the guardian angel of the Jews, withstood the Prince of Persia (Dan. x. 20). When the good principle which was preserving the world in agreement with God is removed, then Antichrist will appear in the form or some mighty lawless conqueror. Hofmann appears actnally to expect the revivification of Antioch us Epiphanes.6 Ewald, again, applies to the prophecy the prediction of Malachi concerning the coming of Elijah. He supposes that by that which hinders the appearance or Antichrist the coming of Elijah is meant, and that Antichrist will not be revealed in all his atrocious wickedness until Elijah be taken out of the way and again translated to heaven. 8 Omitting these interpretations, wliich must appear to ou~ Engl_ish m!nds fanciful and extravagant, based on mere conjt'cture, and wholly arbitrary in their nature, we ~me to the more rational statements of other divines. In general, according to theln, the Man of Sin is an individual of ~igantic mental power, enormous daring, and extreme wickt'duess, wbo shall appeH on the earth in the latter days; and the restraining influence which prevents the appearance of such ~n !ndiv_irlu_al. is moral or<ler or g~vern- ment. Thus, according to Olshausen, the Man of Sm 1s an rnd1vidual, All the manifesta- tions of evil the revolt of the Jews from the Romans, Nero, Mohammed, the development of the papa~y in the Middle Ages, the French .Revolution of 1789, with the a~lition of Christianity, and the setting up of a prostitute as the goddess of Reason ID the cathedral church of Paris, and the preseut diffusion of infidelity and atheism, are the precursors of Antichrist; but they contain only some of his characteristics, not a)l, 7 Similarly Dean Alford observes, "Though eighteen hundred yl'ars later, we stand, with reaard to this prophecy, where the apostle stood; the day of the Lord not .present, and not to arrive until the Man of Sin be manifested; the mystery of iniquity ■till 1 A■, for example, Sixtue IV., Innocent VIII., Alexander Vll 1 The IDW:!1!11.Cre of St. Bartholomew. 1 See Froude'e 'The Engli,;)1 in Ireland,' bk. iii eh. L sect. I. • See Eadie, ' On the Thcesalonians,' p. 853- • Hofmann'e 'Thessalonicher,' p. 833. • Ewald'e • Sendechreiher der Apostal Paulus,' p. 27. ' Olshaueen, • On the Thesealonians,' pp. 488. 4H!l. ()lark's translati11n. ou. n. 1-17.] 'l'HE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS. 81