The Great Restrainer

[2Thes 2:6-8]

If satan has been waiting to introduce the antichrist to the world, what is stopping him from allowing this evil leader to step onto the platform of the world stage right now? Why is it taking so long for the devil to finally bring this man to public attention?

Paul answered this question when he wrote Second Thessalonians 2:6-8. He said:

2Thes 2:6-8 (ESV) –And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. [7] For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. [8] And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.

Notice that Paul says, “And you know….” He had previously spent a few months with the Thessalonian church, and we can see from this Scripture the importance he put upon their ability to understand end-time events. He had instructed them so well on the events of the last days that he could now say, “Since I have already told you all these things, you ought to already know….” He didn’t need to repeat all the details.

We should take a look at these truths, too. If Paul considered this topic so important that he would introduce it to the new church, how much more do we who are living in the last days need this as well?

Paul told the Thessalonian believers that a force “is restraining” the antichrist from being revealed. He didn’t specify the identity of the restraining force in this verse, but I think Paul is referring to the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit.

Think about it – when the power of the Spirit of God is suddenly removed from the earth! The devil will quickly carry out complete dominance of the world. You see, the Holy Spirit is the Great Restrainer, and He is holding back this evil from coming to pass in the world today.

The King James Version uses the word “withholdeth” to describe this restraining work of the Spirit. The Greek word, katecho (kat-ekh’-o) gives us the idea of holding something down or suppressing something. Paul is talking about an evil so horrible that it must be held down, held back, or suppressed – otherwise it would release a wide range of utterly wicked effect. The supernatural force Paul refers to is stalling, delaying, and postponing the evil that desires to be fully released and set into operation.

Peter tells us why the Spirit of God is postponing this dreadful time at the end of the age. In Second Peter 3:9, he says that God is “…not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” God is holding back the ultimate day of evil to give unbelievers more time to come to Him in repentance. But a day is soon coming when the Great Restrainer will “…be taken out of the way” (2Thes 2:7).

When that day comes, the hindering power that has continuously delayed the worldwide domination of evil and lawlessness will be removed. At that moment, the evil forces that have long been suppressed will suddenly be released, and their wicked plans, purposes, and desires will suddenly be energized.

Once the Restrainer is gone, the antichrist will “be revealed.” The word “revealed” is the word apokalupto (ap-ok-al-oop’-to). The Greek word apo means away, and the word kalupto refers to something that is veiled, covered, concealed, or hidden. This compound word apokalupto, which pictures a veil that has been removed, exposing what is behind the veil that was previously hidden from view.

Whistle blowers are uncovering many evil things today, but when the Holy Spirit’s restraining power has been withdrawn, all evil of “the mystery of lawlessness” will be revealed.

God is holding back this force of evil to give men more time to repent. We are living in a season of grace that God is extending to the world just before the worst evil in human history is manifested on the earth.

Right now God is holding back evil so your friends may have one last opportunity to come to Him in repentance before the end of the age.

What are you doing to make sure your friends and loved ones have an opportunity to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ? If you possess the answers they need, but don’t share those answers with them, how will it feel when you stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ?

When you do your best to introduce people to Jesus, but they refuse to listen, at least your heart will be free of guilt on that day when you stand before Jesus. Pray for them today. And while you’re in that place of prayer, ask the Holy Spirit to give you another chance to share the Gospel with those you know and love!

My Prayer:

Lord, I thank you for holding back evil forces that want to manifest in the world today. I can’t imagine what the world will be like when Holy Spirit no longer suppresses the evil in the hearts of men. Thank you for working in the world today through me.

Thank you for giving my friends and family another chance to come to you. Help me recognize divinely appointed moments when I can present the gospel. I remember your promise to give me the words to say, and I pray they will understand. Holy Spirit, use my voice, as you do the work of conviction in their hearts, open their eyes and give them a desire to believe and repent. I pray this in Jesus’ name!

My Confession:

I confess that I am sensitive to opportunities that God gives me to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I have the power of the Holy Spirit inside me, I am empowered to witness. I am bold, and courageous when it comes to telling the Good News of Jesus. People need the Gospel – they need to hear what I have to tell them. When I speak, God’s Spirit anoints me and people listen. As a result of my obedience, I am being used by God to bring people into His kingdom in these last days. Hell doesn’t stand a chance! I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

God bless you my friend,

— Dwight Hammond