Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
From: The Life Application Study Bible
6 “And you know what is holding him back, for he can be revealed only when his time comes. 7 For this lawlessness is already at work secretly and will remain secret until the One who is holding it back steps out of the way. 8 Then the man of lawlessness will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy by the splendor of His coming.” ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:6-8
What is it that is holding back the lawless one? No one is certain, but there are three possibilities: 1) government and law, which help to curb evil, 2) the ministry and activity of the church and the effects of the Good News, and/or 3) the Holy Spirit. The Bible is not clear on who this restrainer is, only that he will not be restrained forever. But we should not fear this time when the restraint is removed – GOD is far stronger than the man of lawlessness, and GOD will save HIS people.
“This lawlessness is already at work secretly” – means that the work that this Antichrist will do is already going on. Secretly – means something no one can discover but GOD will reveal. Lawlessness – is the hidden, subtle, underlying force from which all sin springs. Civilization still has a veneer of decency through law enforcement, education, science, and reason. Although we are horrified by criminal acts, we have yet to see the real horror of complete lawlessness. This will happen when “the one who is holding back – [possibly the Holy Spirit] – steps out of the way”. Why will GOD allow this to happen? To show people and nations their own sinfulness, and to show them by bitter experience the true alternative to the lordship of Christ. People totally without GOD can act no better than vicious animals. Lawlessness, to a certain extent, is already going on, but the man of lawlessness has not yet been revealed.
9 “This evil man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles. 10 He will use every kind of wicked deception to fool those who are on their way to destruction because they refuse to believe the truth that would save them.” – 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 – This evil man will use “counterfeit power and signs and miracles” to deceive and draw a following. Miracles from GOD can help strengthen our faith and lead people to Christ, but all miracles are not necessarily from GOD. Christ’s miracles were significant, not because of their power, but because of their purpose – to help, to heal, and to point us to GOD. The man of lawlessness will have power to do amazing things, but his power will be from Satan. He will use this power to destroy and to lead people away from GOD and toward himself. If any so-called religious personality draws attention only to him or herself – his or her works are not from GOD.
This man of lawlessness, with his power and miracles, will deceive those who have refused to believe GOD’s truth. GOD gives us freedom to turn our backs on HIM and believe Satan’s lies – it is called “free will”. Those who say no to the truth, will experience the consequences of their sin.
11 “So GOD will send great deception upon them, and they will believe all these lies. 12 Then they will be condemned for not believing the truth and for enjoying the evil they do.” – 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12
Our Father, who is in heaven, hollowed be YOUR name. YOUR Kingdom come, YOUR will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us of our sins, just as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one. In Jesus Name!
