September 27 2026

September 27 Sunday

2 Thessalonians 2:5-7

“Until He Is Taken Out of the Way”

“Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.”

Welcome to Pastor’s Chat. Today we continue our journey through 2 Thessalonians chapter 2, and we come to verses 5 through 7. In our last Chat, Paul introduced us to the coming “man of sin,” whom I believe to be the Antichrist. Paul tells us that this man will eventually exalt himself above God and even demand the worship that belongs to God alone. But now Paul reminds the Thessalonians of something he had apparently already taught them.

In verse 5 he asks: “Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?” I find that verse interesting. Remember, Paul had not spent years with these believers. His time in Thessalonica had been relatively brief. Yet while he was there, he taught them about the return of Christ and the prophetic events surrounding it. That tells me that Bible prophecy isn't something we should ignore. Some people say, “Prophecy is too complicated. Let's just talk about practical Christian living.” But Paul apparently didn't separate the two. He taught new believers about the return of Jesus. And when properly understood, prophecy is very practical. If I believe Jesus could come again, it should affect the way I live today. It should affect my priorities. It should affect how I use my time. It should affect how I treat people. It should affect my desire to share the Gospel. And it should cause me to live with my eyes toward heaven.

Then Paul says in verse 6: “And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time.” That word “restraining” is very important. Something—or Someone—is presently holding back the full manifestation of evil and preventing this “man of sin” from being revealed before God's appointed time. Notice those final words: “In his own time.” The Antichrist cannot simply appear whenever Satan chooses. Satan is not controlling the prophetic calendar. God is. There is an appointed time. God is sovereign over human history. God knows exactly what is coming. And nothing can happen outside His sovereign purposes.

Then Paul says in verse 7: “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work.” Paul wrote those words nearly two thousand years ago. Lawlessness was already working in Paul's day. And it is still working today. The spirit of rebellion against God has been present throughout human history. John expressed something similar when he wrote in 1 John 2:18 that many antichrists had already come. The final Antichrist had not yet appeared, but the spirit of opposition to Christ was already operating in the world. We certainly don't have to look very far to see that spirit today.

But Paul says something is restraining it. And then he makes this remarkable statement: “Only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.” Now we come to a question Bible students have discussed for centuries: Who is the Restrainer? Paul doesn't specifically identify Him here. There have been several interpretations. But I personally believe Paul is speaking of the restraining ministry of the Holy Spirit working through the Church. Think about what Jesus said to His followers. He said: “You are the salt of the earth.” Salt in the ancient world was used as a preservative. It slowed corruption. Jesus also said: “You are the light of the world.” Light pushes back darkness. Everywhere genuine believers live for Jesus Christ, preach the Gospel, pray, stand for truth, and demonstrate the love and righteousness of Christ, there is a restraining influence against evil. Not because we possess that power ourselves. It is because the Holy Spirit lives within us.

And I believe there is coming a day when the Church will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. When that happens, the Holy Spirit's present restraining ministry through the Church will be removed, allowing the man of sin to be revealed in God's appointed time. Now, that does not mean that the Holy Spirit will cease to exist or cease working on the earth. God the Holy Spirit is omnipresent. He was working in the world before the Church began at Pentecost, and He will continue working according to God's purposes. What changes is His particular restraining ministry through the Church. And that brings this prophecy right down to where we live today.

Sometimes we look around at our world and become discouraged. We see evil. We see violence. We see immorality. We see people rejecting biblical truth. And we might wonder: “What difference can one Christian possibly make?” More than you think. Jesus didn't ask us to remove all the darkness. He told us to shine in it. He didn't ask us to stop all the corruption. He told us to be salt.

Every Christian who faithfully lives for Jesus is making a difference. Every godly parent or grandparent who teaches a child the Word of God is making a difference. Every pastor who faithfully preaches the Scriptures is making a difference. Every believer who shares the Gospel is making a difference. Every Christian who refuses to compromise with sin is making a difference. And every church that faithfully lifts up Jesus Christ is making a difference. The mystery of lawlessness is already at work. But so is the Spirit of God. And until God's appointed time comes, you and I have a responsibility. We are to be salt. We are to be light. We are to proclaim the Gospel. We are to live holy lives. And we are to faithfully occupy until Jesus comes.

We don't know how much time we have left. But we do know what we're supposed to be doing with it. So instead of spending our time trying to identify the Antichrist, let's spend our time introducing people to Jesus Christ. Instead of being overwhelmed by the darkness, let's shine the light. Instead of becoming discouraged by lawlessness, let's faithfully live out the righteousness of Christ. Because until Jesus comes, God still has us here for a purpose.

Let's pray. Father, thank You that You are sovereign over history and that nothing can happen outside Your appointed time. Thank You for the Holy Spirit Who lives within every believer. Help us to be faithful salt and light in a world where the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Give us courage to stand for truth, compassion to share the Gospel, and faithfulness to live for Jesus every day. Keep our eyes looking upward and our hearts ready for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Until He comes, help us faithfully serve You wherever You have placed us. In Jesus' name, Amen.

God bless, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!