The Powerful Restrainer

As we move on to Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians, Paul is encouraging this body of believers to continue growing spiritually in spite of the persecution and tribulation they are enduring. He reminds them that God will avenge them of their enemies “when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels (1:7).” Point is made that these enemies of God will be “punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord (1:9).”

In light of that truth, Paul again wants to assure the believers that they should not fear having to experience God’s wrath when He pours out His wrath in vengeance on planet earth, the time often referenced in scripture as "the day of the Lord." Paul is very clear in stating that day will not come until the man of sin is revealed, the man more widely known as the Antichrist (2:3). The next verse goes on to say that the Antichrist will oppose and exalt himself above any being that is called “God.” He will even take his position in the temple of God [in Jerusalem] and declare himself to be “God.” I believe this is a direct reference to the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel and subsequently by Jesus.

Dan. 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate….

Dan. 12:11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.

Matt. 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place….

Paul then goes on to explain that there is a force that is preventing the revelation of the Antichrist until the time that God has determined (2:6). He then adds that though evil is already at work in this world, “that Wicked” whose coming is “after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders” will not be revealed and allowed to rise to power until the restraining force is taken out of the way.

So, how do we identify this restraining force? It is a force that is in direct opposition to the works of Satan and possesses greater power and authority than Satan. According to scripture, that can only be the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that empowers the believer to overcome sin and serve as a restraining force to the world’s domination by “the rulers of the darkness of this world” and “spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12)

1John 4:3-4 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Scripture is clear in declaring that every true believer is indwelt and sealed by the Holy Spirit of God.

John 14:16-17 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

1Cor. 3:16-17 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Eph. 1:12-14 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

In consideration of these promises of God, we know that the Holy Spirit cannot be removed without removing those whom He has sealed. This is a direct reference to the “rapture,” the resurrection/transformation of the saints that Paul wrote about in his first letter to the Thessalonians and to the Corinthians as referenced previously.