Timing of the rise of the Antichrist according to 2 Thes. 2 (Augustine, The City of God; Schaff, A Select library of Nicene and post-Nicene fathers..., 1st ser., 1887, vol. 2)

Text: "And now ye know what withholdeth that he 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, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:" 2 Thessalonians 2:6-8

Quote:

[...] Then as for the words, “And now ye know what withholdeth,” [...]

[...] I frankly confess I do not know what he means. I will nevertheless mention such conjectures as I have heard or read.

   Some think that the Apostle Paul referred to the Roman empire, and that he was unwilling to use language more explicit, lest he should incur the calumnious charge of wishing ill to the empire which it was hoped would be eternal; [...] However, it is not absurd to believe that these words of the apostle, “Only he who now holdeth, let him hold until he be taken out of the way,” refer to the Roman empire, as if it were said, “Only he who now reigneth, let him reign until he be taken out of the way.” “And then shall the wicked be revealed:” no one doubts that this means Antichrist. [...]

The City of God, bk. 20, ch. 19.

Schaff, Philip, A Select library of Nicene and post-Nicene fathers of the Christian church, 1st ser., Buffalo: The Christian Literature Company, 1887, vol. 2 - St. Augustin's City of God and Christian Doctrine., pp. 437, 438.

Online Source: archive.org/details/selectlibraryofn02auguuoft

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