Katechon

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The Katechon is a biblical concept which has subsequently developed into an important notion of traditional political philosophy.

It is to be found in 2 Thess. 2:3 in an eschatological context : the Christians must not behave as if the Day of the Lord would happen tomorrow, since the Son of Perdition (the Antichrist of 1 and 2 John ) must be revealed before. Paul then adds that the revelation of the Antichrist is conditional upon the removal of 'something/someone which restrains him' and prevents him to be fully manifested.

The interpretation of this passage has raised many problems, since Paul does not speak clearly.

The following interpretations has been given : the katechon is 1) The Name of God (or God's presence) 2) The Holy Spirit 3) The Archangel Michael 4) The Catholic Church (and the perpetual sacrifice of the Eucharist) 5) The Pope 6) The Christian Emperor 7) The Roman Empire (the Holy Roman Empire, not the pagan Roman Empire of the Antichrist) 8) Some more or less important eschatological figure(s) preceding the Antichrist and the end of times (like the two witnesses of Rev.)

In fact, those different interpretations are not at all contradictory to each other : the two witnesses are a spiritual and a temporal ruler, i.e. the pope and the monarch, both in general and as particular eschatological figures at the end of times. They represent the legitimate spiritual and temporal powers (christian). They are at the head of the Holy Church and the Holy Empire, and can somehow be equated with them. Now, it is obvious that they do not hold their office by themselves, but only in persona Christi. This is made through the action of the Holy Spirit, allowing God's presence. Now since the Book of Exodus, we know that the Holy Spirit is associated with the Archangel Michael, bearer of the Divine Name at that time. And the Archangel Michael is also the Guardian Angel of the Church and of the Empire. Thus all the interpretations converge.

The Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions considers the Antichrist to come at the time of the End of the World, when the katechon, the one who restrains, will be taken out. Some understand katechon as the Grand Monarch or a new Orthodox Emperor, some as the rebirth of the Holy Roman Empire, some as a secret and mysterious organization, that keeps on restraining the Evil after the fall of all Christianity.