II Thessalonians 1:1-5
The Keys to Surviving Persecution
II Thessalonians 1:6-12
What Kind of Future Does The Unbeliever Face?
II Thessalonians 2:1-5
Confusion About The Last Days of The Church Age
II Thessalonians 2:6-12
Who is The Restrainer of Evil in Our World?
II Thessalonians 2:13-17
The Believers Responsibilities to God’s Truth
II Thessalonians 3:1-5
Concern For Believers Going Through Trials
II Thessalonians 3:6-18
Slackers And Busybodies in The Church
Who is The Restrainer of Evil in Our World?
II Thessalonians 2:6–12
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Moody was to have a campaign in England. An elderly pastor protested, “Why do we need this ‘Mr. Moody’? He’s uneducated, inexperienced, etc. Who does he think he is anyway? Does he think he has a monopoly on the Holy Spirit?” A younger, wiser pastor rose and respo … More
Why is Satan unable to reveal his “man of sin” sooner? It is because God is restraining the forces of evil in the world. Satan cannot do whatever he wants to do, whenever he wants to do it. Paul mentions a restraining force that helps keep everything on schedule (vv. 6-7). However, when this restrainer is taken out of the way the Man of Sin will be revealed. The big question is who or what is this restrainer. This restrainer is now at work in the world and will continue to work till “taken out of the midst” (v. 7).
The power of the restrainer must be greater than Satan’s. The identity of the restrainer must be made on the basis of answering the question, Who is powerful enough to hold back Satan? The obvious and only answer to that question is God. Therefore, it is only logical that the restrainer is the third person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit (cf. Walvoord, The Rapture Question, pp. 86-87). This also lines up with the fact that one of the first specific indications of the work of the Holy Spirit is that of restraining (Gen. 6:3).
Born-again believers will not go through the tribulation because the Holy Spirit will be removed before the “Man of Sin” is revealed (v. 8). At this point the lawless one will use “power, signs, and lying wonders” to deceive and draw a following (vv. 9-12). The spotlight is put on those who follow the Man of Sin and believe his lie (v. 10). As a result God sends a strong delusion to man because he did not receive the truth when he had a chance (vv. 11-12). Since our sovereign God indwells all believers and it is impossible for a believer to be “dis-indwelt” the only conclusion is that believers will be taken out of the way before the “Man of Sin” appears, which will signal the start of the tribulation.
Application
The Holy Spirit is holding back the man of sin and “The Lord is not willing that any should perish” (II Peter 3:9). Therefore, it is important that “I redeem the time” by doing all I can to get the Word of God out.
II Thessalonians 2:6-12 (English Standard Version)
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