Assualts Against Restrainer

[PaulThomson]

Many a speaker, preacher, commentator, author, Christian broadcaster, et al, speak routinely about the assaults against what they call "the Church," or against Christians in general. What seems to materialize in what they call say in response to the persecutions and agendas of perversity is the result of the deceptions emanating from the enemy of our souls.

John 15:18-23
18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.
23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also.

Given that we are His "body," not having yet been called up out of this world until the rapture before the beginning of the tribulation, His body then serves as an instrument of empowered restraint against the empowerment and revealing of the man of sin. The undercurrent of what is said about the persecutions against the body of Christ points to a purpose that so few ever talk about, which is the restrainer.

Many will say Holy Spirit is the restrainer, which is all well and good, but they miss out on the fact that the very BODY of Christ present upon this earth also holds back the fullness of the man of sin's power being established.

Thoughts?

MM

Restraining what? What does the context of 2 Thess. 2 point to as being restrained?

 

[PaulThomson]

I am so glad this topic exists. I have been trying to divine what the restrainer is myself. Some say the Archangel Michael (I see not proof of this), others the Holy Spirit. What I do know is does feel like The Constrainer / Restrainer has been removed from the Earth, that we are seeing the Romans 1, "inventors of new sins," happening and a general antipathy and even antagonism towards Christ and his Church, while Witchcraft and Witches is becoming popular in most media and sections of bookstores now have more spell books than Bibles. I will be reading this thread carefully, to glean what you all have discussed already.

The restrainer is holding back or delaying the coming of the Lord. The Lord will not return until the gospel of the kingdom is preached to every people-group. What in the church is restraining the spread of the gospel by the church? The mystery of lawlessness which was already at work in the church in Paul's day. The esoteric teaching that the soul that sins will not die, so the Christian can live however s/he likes, as long as they are relying on Jesus' death and resurrection for justification. The mystery of lawlessness is also restraining the revelation of the antichrist, because the antichrist will be slain by Jesus at His coming, and Jesus will not return until the world is fully evangelised, and the world will not be fully evangelised by the gospel if the church, by and large, are teaching the mystery of lawlessness that panders to the flesh, rather than teaching how to walk by the Spirit. The mystery of lawlessness will restrain the return of Christ, until the man of sin comes out of the midst of the church, claiming to be God incarnate and leading a great falling away in the church to follow the antichrist.

 

[Gideon300]

Many a speaker, preacher, commentator, author, Christian broadcaster, et al, speak routinely about the assaults against what they call "the Church," or against Christians in general. What seems to materialize in what they call say in response to the persecutions and agendas of perversity is the result of the deceptions emanating from the enemy of our souls.

John 15:18-23
18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.
23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also.

Given that we are His "body," not having yet been called up out of this world until the rapture before the beginning of the tribulation, His body then serves as an instrument of empowered restraint against the empowerment and revealing of the man of sin. The undercurrent of what is said about the persecutions against the body of Christ points to a purpose that so few ever talk about, which is the restrainer.

Many will say Holy Spirit is the restrainer, which is all well and good, but they miss out on the fact that the very BODY of Christ present upon this earth also holds back the fullness of the man of sin's power being established.

Thoughts?

MM

This is one of the reasons why I'm inclined to a pre-trib rapture.

 

[homwardbound]

The Bride of Christ as such is only mentioned once in the Bible (Revelation) and there is identified as "The New Jerusalem" , So neither Jew nor Christian can exclusively claim to be The Bride. Both however will be in The New Jerusalem where Jesus reigns and both then be recognised as His Children. All one in the Family of God.

The Elohim, family thank you Father and Son as Won, proven int e resurrection wow. woe is me

 

[Musicmaster]

Restraining what? What does the context of 2 Thess. 2 point to as being restrained?

2 Thessalonians 2:1-4
1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 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;
4 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.

[2 Thessalonians 2:7-8
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

I thought the context was quite clear on this, but there it is.

MM

 

[Musicmaster]

The Bride of Christ as such is only mentioned once in the Bible (Revelation) and there is identified as "The New Jerusalem" , So neither Jew nor Christian can exclusively claim to be The Bride. Both however will be in The New Jerusalem where Jesus reigns and both then be recognised as His Children. All one in the Family of God.

That's not what the KJV says.

MM

 

[LenMcM]

That's not what the KJV says.

MM

From KJV.
Revelation 21:
1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.
10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

 

[PaulThomson]

2 Thessalonians 2:1-4
1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 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;
4 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.

[2 Thessalonians 2:7-8
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

I thought the context was quite clear on this, but there it is.

MM

Okay. So, is the context quite clear that the revelation/uncovering of the wicked one (ἀποκαλυφθήσεται ὁ ἄνομος) is being restrained?

 

[Musicmaster]

From KJV.
Revelation 21:
1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.
10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

My main point was that the idea of the body of Christ allegedly being the bride of Christ is a false teaching, as many evangelicals seem to think. That simply is not stated anywhere in the KJV. With Israel being the bride of Christ, there is no room for replacement t theology to try and force Israel aside in God's plans for that people.

MM

 

[Musicmaster]

Okay. So, is the context quite clear that the revelation/uncovering of the wicked one (ἀποκαλυφθήσεται ὁ ἄνομος) is being restrained?

Quite clear. Yes. It's beyond refutation. The practice some have perpetrated by switching around the key terms to try and make it sound as though it is some other person or people who are restrained, that dabbles about in the arena of intellectual dishonesty in trying to make the text say what one so desires on the basis of personal interpretations. The Greek that was translated from is just too clear.

MM

 

[PaulThomson]

PaulThomson said:
Okay. So, is the context quite clear that the revelation/uncovering of the wicked one (ἀποκαλυφθήσεται ὁ ἄνομος) is being restrained?

Quite clear. Yes. It's beyond refutation. The practice some have perpetrated by switching around the key terms to try and make it sound as though it is some other person or people who are restrained, that dabbles about in the arena of intellectual dishonesty in trying to make the text say what one so desires on the basis of personal interpretations. The Greek that was translated from is just too clear.

MM

OK. So, the revelation/apocalypse of the wicked one is being restrained. Does the text say who is restraining the apocalypse of the wicked one?

3, Let no man (mE tis) deceive (exapatEsE you (humas) by any means (kata mEdena tropon): because (hoti) unless (ean mE) comes (elthEi) the falling away (apostasia) first (prOton), and (kai) that man of sin (ho anthrOpts tEs hamartias) be revealed (apokaluphthEi), the son of perdition (ho huios tEs apOleias);
6. And now (kai nun) ye know (oidate) the thing restraining (to katechon), for him (eis auton) to be revealed (apokaluphthEnai) in his own (en eautou) time (kairOi).
7 For the mystery (gar to mustErion) of iniquity (anomias) doth work (energeitai) already (EdE): only (monon) now (arti) [he is] the restraining one (ho katechOn), until (eOs) he becomes (genEtai) out of the midst (ek mesou)
8 And then (kai tote) that Wicked one (ho anomos) will be revealed (apokaluphthEsetai) , whom (hOn) the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

 

[Musicmaster]

The Bride of Christ as such is only mentioned once in the Bible (Revelation) and there is identified as "The New Jerusalem" , So neither Jew nor Christian can exclusively claim to be The Bride. Both however will be in The New Jerusalem where Jesus reigns and both then be recognised as His Children. All one in the Family of God.

To know the Bible is to know that only Israel will inhabit the New Jerusalem. The Lord is not going to marry an inanimate object otherwise known as a city. The names over the gates are the tribes of Israel, not the nations of Gentiles, and the names on the foundation stones of that city are the Israeli apostles, not the great Gentile ministers through the ages.

We today who comprise the body of Christ will reside in the Heavenlies, not the new earth nor the new Jerusalem:

Ephesians 1:3, 20
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: ... 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

Not on this earth nor the new earth:

Ephesians 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

The satanic doctrine of replacement theology has Gentiles taking over what was and is reserved ONLY for Israel. Those who think the Lord has cast aside Israel are fooling only themselves.

MM

 

[Musicmaster]

PaulThomson said:
Okay. So, is the context quite clear that the revelation/uncovering of the wicked one (ἀποκαλυφθήσεται ὁ ἄνομος) is being restrained?



OK. So, the revelation/apocalypse of the wicked one is being restrained. Does the text say who is restraining the apocalypse of the wicked one?

3, Let no man (mE tis) deceive (exapatEsE you (humas) by any means (kata mEdena tropon): because (hoti) unless (ean mE) comes (elthEi) the falling away (apostasia) first (prOton), and (kai) that man of sin (ho anthrOpts tEs hamartias) be revealed (apokaluphthEi), the son of perdition (ho huios tEs apOleias);
6. And now (kai nun) ye know (oidate) the thing restraining (to katechon), for him (eis auton) to be revealed (apokaluphthEnai) in his own (en eautou) time (kairOi).
7 For the mystery (gar to mustErion) of iniquity (anomias) doth work (energeitai) already (EdE): only (monon) now (arti) [he is] the restraining one (ho katechOn), until (eOs) he becomes (genEtai) out of the midst (ek mesou)
8 And then (kai tote) that Wicked one (ho anomos) will be revealed (apokaluphthEsetai) , whom (hOn) the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

Fair enough question. Let's see what scripture says from a more systematic overview:

Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

This gives to us a REALLY big clue concerning the power of the Church as empowered by Christ Himself. I'm not talking about the foolish belief that this is the roman catholic religion. This is about the Church. Plug this into what you quoted and the picture becomes more clear, also coupled with this:

Revelation 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

So, we can't have both of these verses being true at the same time period. They are both true but only within the time dispensation within which they were addressed. The man of sin not only has been revealed in the first half of the tribulation after the removal of the body of Christ, but is given power OVER the saints who remain to the extent that he can overcome them entirely, killing as he wishes.

MM

 

[PaulThomson]

PaulThomson said:
Okay. So, is the context quite clear that the revelation/uncovering of the wicked one (ἀποκαλυφθήσεται ὁ ἄνομος) is being restrained?

OK. So, the revelation/apocalypse of the wicked one is being restrained. Does the text say who is restraining the apocalypse of the wicked one?

3, Let no man (mE tis) deceive (exapatEsE you (humas) by any means (kata mEdena tropon): because (hoti) unless (ean mE) comes (elthEi) the falling away (apostasia) first (prOton), and (kai) that man of sin (ho anthrOpts tEs hamartias) be revealed (apokaluphthEi), the son of perdition (ho huios tEs apOleias);
6. And now (kai nun) ye know (oidate) the thing restraining (to katechon), for him (eis auton) to be revealed (apokaluphthEnai) in his own (en eautou) time (kairOi).
7 For the mystery (gar to mustErion) of iniquity (anomias) doth work (energeitai) already (EdE): only (monon) now (arti) [he is] the restraining one (ho katechOn), until (eOs) he becomes (genEtai) out of the midst (ek mesou)
8 And then (kai tote) that Wicked one (ho anomos) will be revealed (apokaluphthEsetai) , whom (hOn) the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

Fair enough question. Let's see what scripture says from a more systematic overview:

Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

This gives to us a REALLY big clue concerning the power of the Church as empowered by Christ Himself. I'm not talking about the foolish belief that this is the roman catholic religion. This is about the Church. Plug this into what you quoted and the picture becomes more clear, also coupled with this:

Revelation 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

So, we can't have both of these verses being true at the same time period. They are both true but only within the time dispensation within which they were addressed. The man of sin not only has been revealed in the first half of the tribulation after the removal of the body of Christ, but is given power OVER the saints who remain to the extent that he can overcome them entirely, killing as he wishes.

MM

You conceded that my question was a "fair enough question". But you failed to attempt an answer to it. Instead of saying either, "Yes. the context indicates the one restraining the unveiling of the evil one is .... in this way", or "No, the context itself does not seem to give any indication of who the one restraining the unveiling of the wicked one is," you jumped out of the context to produce an argument for who it might be. The restraining one is clearly a person because "ho katechOn" is masculine singular, and not neuter. Church in Greek is ekklEsia (feminine gender), How does one justify Paul representing the church as "ho katechOn" ?

So, what is your answer to my original question. Does the context give any indication of who the one restraining the unveiling of the wicked one is?

A second follow-up question: Is the participle katechOn obviously passive voice? or obviously middle voice? or could it be either?

 

[ResidentAlien]

The Bride of Christ as such is only mentioned once in the Bible (Revelation) and there is identified as "The New Jerusalem" , So neither Jew nor Christian can exclusively claim to be The Bride. Both however will be in The New Jerusalem where Jesus reigns and both then be recognised as His Children. All one in the Family of God.

Maybe the actual word "bride" is used only once; however, the teaching of Christ as the bridegroom and the ekklesia His bride is everywhere.

 

[LenMcM]

Maybe the actual word "bride" is used only once; however, the teaching of Christ as the bridegroom and the ekklesia His bride is everywhere.

Nowhere does the Bible say that the Church is the "Bride of Christ" . -- Eph.5:25-27 Is a favourite to establish that view. This however is taking those verses out of context. The whole chapter is a series of examples. - The purity of a virgin bride is here used as an example of the Church as it stands before God , washed clean in the blood of Jesus. It's an example only. - Christians are variously referred to as "God's children' - "The Body of Christ" - "Friends of the Bridegroom", - - (Can the Body of Christ also be His Bride?).
Israel is the divorced Wife. The only "Bride of Christ" mentioned in Scripture is in Rev. 21:9-10. --- None of this has anything to do with Replacement Theology. --- It appears from Revelation that God somehow sees New Jerusalem as The "Bride". Hard to understand a structure being seen this way but that is what the Bible says. -- This could be because the structure houses Jesus together with all those saved by faith since Adam, Jew and Gentile all one in God. -- If the Bible says it I believe it.

 

[Musicmaster]

PaulThomson said:
Okay. So, is the context quite clear that the revelation/uncovering of the wicked one (ἀποκαλυφθήσεται ὁ ἄνομος) is being restrained?

OK. So, the revelation/apocalypse of the wicked one is being restrained. Does the text say who is restraining the apocalypse of the wicked one?

3, Let no man (mE tis) deceive (exapatEsE you (humas) by any means (kata mEdena tropon): because (hoti) unless (ean mE) comes (elthEi) the falling away (apostasia) first (prOton), and (kai) that man of sin (ho anthrOpts tEs hamartias) be revealed (apokaluphthEi), the son of perdition (ho huios tEs apOleias);
6. And now (kai nun) ye know (oidate) the thing restraining (to katechon), for him (eis auton) to be revealed (apokaluphthEnai) in his own (en eautou) time (kairOi).
7 For the mystery (gar to mustErion) of iniquity (anomias) doth work (energeitai) already (EdE): only (monon) now (arti) [he is] the restraining one (ho katechOn), until (eOs) he becomes (genEtai) out of the midst (ek mesou)
8 And then (kai tote) that Wicked one (ho anomos) will be revealed (apokaluphthEsetai) , whom (hOn) the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:



You conceded that my question was a "fair enough question". But you failed to attempt an answer to it. Instead of saying either, "Yes. the context indicates the one restraining the unveiling of the evil one is .... in this way", or "No, the context itself does not seem to give any indication of who the one restraining the unveiling of the wicked one is," you jumped out of the context to produce an argument for who it might be. The restraining one is clearly a person because "ho katechOn" is masculine singular, and not neuter. Church in Greek is ekklEsia (feminine gender), How does one justify Paul representing the church as "ho katechOn" ?

So, what is your answer to my original question. Does the context give any indication of who the one restraining the unveiling of the wicked one is?

A second follow-up question: Is the participle katechOn obviously passive voice? or obviously middle voice? or could it be either?

I did answer your question; perhaps not in the manner of your choosing, but I did answer it. Trap door questions at the exclusion of the stematic approach I provided is itself telling that you don't really want to consider what was provided. Operating under the assumption that every exclusionary context can answer any and all questions one could ask is suspect of an agenda moreso than an honest I nquiry.

MM

 

[Musicmaster]

Nowhere does the Bible say that the Church is the "Bride of Christ" . -- Eph.5:25-27 Is a favourite to establish that view. This however is taking those verses out of context. The whole chapter is a series of examples. - The purity of a virgin bride is here used as an example of the Church as it stands before God , washed clean in the blood of Jesus. It's an example only. - Christians are variously referred to as "God's children' - "The Body of Christ" - "Friends of the Bridegroom", - - (Can the Body of Christ also be His Bride?).
Israel is the divorced Wife. The only "Bride of Christ" mentioned in Scripture is in Rev. 21:9-10. --- None of this has anything to do with Replacement Theology. --- It appears from Revelation that God somehow sees New Jerusalem as The "Bride". Hard to understand a structure being seen this way but that is what the Bible says. -- This could be because the structure houses Jesus together with all those saved by faith since Adam, Jew and Gentile all one in God. -- If the Bible says it I believe it.

The problem is the gross assumptions made by so many that violate the context and scope that is answered through systematic study.

MM

 

[Brasspen]

The restrainer is holding back or delaying the coming of the Lord. The Lord will not return until the gospel of the kingdom is preached to every people-group. What in the church is restraining the spread of the gospel by the church? The mystery of lawlessness which was already at work in the church in Paul's day. The esoteric teaching that the soul that sins will not die, so the Christian can live however s/he likes, as long as they are relying on Jesus' death and resurrection for justification. The mystery of lawlessness is also restraining the revelation of the antichrist, because the antichrist will be slain by Jesus at His coming, and Jesus will not return until the world is fully evangelised, and the world will not be fully evangelised by the gospel if the church, by and large, are teaching the mystery of lawlessness that panders to the flesh, rather than teaching how to walk by the Spirit. The mystery of lawlessness will restrain the return of Christ, until the man of sin comes out of the midst of the church, claiming to be God incarnate and leading a great falling away in the church to follow the antichrist.

Maybe this is God himself. Jesus said no one knows the hour, not the angels or the son of man. No one except God.

 

[PaulThomson]

I did answer your question; perhaps not in the manner of your choosing, but I did answer it. Trap door questions at the exclusion of the stematic approach I provided is itself telling that you don't really want to consider what was provided. Operating under the assumption that every exclusionary context can answer any and all questions one could ask is suspect of an agenda moreso than an honest I nquiry.

MM

If "the one holding back" (ho katechOn) is middle voice rather than passive voice, who would the context be identifying as "the one holding back" in 2 Thess. 2:3-8?

3, Let no man (mE tis) deceive (exapatEsE you (humas) by any means (kata mEdena tropon): because (hoti) unless (ean mE) comes (elthEi) the falling away (hE apostasia) first (prOton), and (kai) that man of sin (ho anthrOpts tEs hamartias) be revealed (apokaluphthEi), the son of perdition (ho huios tEs apOleias);
6. And now (kai nun) ye know (oidate) the thing restraining (to katechon), for him (eis auton) to be revealed (apokaluphthEnai) in his own (en eautou) time (kairOi).
7 For the mystery (gar to mustErion) of iniquity (anomias) doth work (energeitai) already (EdE): only (monon) now (arti) [he is] the restraining one (ho katechOn), until (eOs) he becomes (genEtai) out of the midst (ek mesou)
8 And then (kai tote) that Wicked one (ho anomos) will be revealed (apokaluphthEsetai) , whom (hOn) the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.

There seems to be something (neuter gender) holding back the coming of the Lord; and someone (masculine gender) holding back the unveiling of the wicked one (also masculine gender).
Could it be that the wicked one is holding back (middle voice) from unveiling himself within the church, until the church has become fully leavened, when he feels he will have the maximum chance of deceiving the maximum number of people to follow him and reject the real Christ.?