"SALVATION IN THE TRIUBULATION"
Revelation 7:9-17 II Thessalonians 2:8-12
I. THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE TRIBULATION (II Thessalonians 2:7, 8)
A. Why a restrainer?
1. “The central point of the passage under discussion is that, though Satan would
long ago have consummated his evil program for this cosmos would, and have
brought forward its last human ruler, there is a Restrainer who restrains to the
end that Satan’s program shall be developed and completed only at God’s
appointment.”
-Chafer
B. Who is the Restrainer?
Some identify it as:
1. The Roman Empire - “...because of its magnificent system of law and justice” -
Reese
2. Human government and law - “Because existing authorities are ordained of
God…constituted authority is intended to act in restraint of lawlessness.
Hogg:Vine
3. Satan - “Why should everyone conclude that this hinderer must be something
good? May not this restraining power be Satan himself? Has he not a plan for
the manifesting of the Son of Perdition as truly as God had a time appointed for
the incarnation of His divine Son?” -Mrs. G. C. Needham
4. The Church - “...because believers are likened to salt, which is a preservative,
and to light, which is a purifying agent, a dispeller of darkness”
Cf. II Thessalonians 2:6
5. The Holy Spirit - II Thessalonians 2:7
a. Because all other suggestions fall far short of meeting the
requirements.
b. Because the supernatural conflict with the forces of evil demands a
supernatural agent, who must be stronger than the man of sin and
stronger than Satan who energizes him.
c. Because the Holy Spirit, since His advent at Pentecost has been
restraining evil. John 16:7-11
d. Because the Holy Spirit, even before His advent, during the days of
the Old Testament, exerted a restraining influence. Isaiah 59:19b
C. The Restrainer taken out of the world - II Thessalonians 2:7,8
II. SALVATION IN THE TRIBULATION
A. The Holy Spirit is the agent of salvation - I Corinthians 12:13
B. If the Holy Spirit is taken out of the world how can men be saved?
C. The nature of salvation in the Old Testament
1. It was provided by grace through faith based upon a blood sacrifice; i.e.,
the Levitical offerings. Hebrews 9:22
2. The sacrifices foreshadowed the true sacrifice to come.
Hebrews 9:23
3. The salvation of the Old Testament saint was assured by the future
work that God was to do in the sacrifice of His Son.
D. The nature of salvation in the Tribulation
1. It will be on the faith principle. Hebrews 11:6 Cf. 11:4-31
2. It will be on the basis of the blood of Christ. Revelation 7:14; 12:11
3. It will be by the work of the Holy Spirit.
a. "The fact that the Holy Spirit is the Restrainer, to be removed from
the earth before the Tribulation begins, must not be interpreted to
mean that the Holy Spirit is no longer omnipresent, nor operative in
this age. The Spirit will work in and through men. It is only insisted
that the particular ministries of the Holy Spirit to the believer in this
present age (baptism I Corinthians 12:12,13; indwelling
I Corinthians 6:19,20; sealing Ephesians 1:13; 4:30; and filling
Ephesians 5:18) do terminate." -Pentecost.
b. The Holy Spirit did not indwell believers in the Old Testament days,
yet salvation was clearly by His operation. Psalm 51:11; John 3:5,6
c. Though the Holy Spirit is not indwelling in the Tribulation Period, He
is still operative in regeneration. Joel 2:28-32
d. Salvation, offered through the blood of the Lamb, to be received by
faith, will be made effectual by the working of the Holy Spirit.
III. AGENTS OF SALVATION
A. The 144,000 witnesses - Revelation 7:4-8
B. The Two Witnesses: Moses and Elijah - Revelation 11:1-13
IV. LOSS OF HOPE OF SALVATION
A. Upon those who reject the message of grace during the church age.
II Thessalonians 2:10; 1:8
B. They will be doomed to believe THE lie that the antichrist is the long-awaite
Messiah. II Thessalonians 2:8-12, especially v. 11
END