Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.
2 Thessalonians 2:5-8 NIV
Paul began this discussion by referring to the coming of the Lord Jesus and our being gathered to him (2 Th. 2:1). Some had suggested that that had already occurred and troubled the church there (2 Th. 2:2). But Paul assured them that that day would not occur until the rebellion occurred and the man of lawlessness was revealed (2 Th. 2:3). This man of lawlessness would oppose everything that is God’s and would himself claim to be God (2 Th. 2:4).
Paul went on to describe a little more about his man of lawlessness and what he would do (2 Th. 2:9-12). But before he did that, he reminded them of what he had taught them while he was with them (2 Th. 2:5-8). Something was keeping this man of lawlessness from being revealed. But who is this man of lawlessness? And what is holding him back?
What Holds Him Back
We generally identify the man of lawlessness as the Antichrist, the first beast of Revelation 13. But what is holding this man of lawlessness back is not so clear. In this passage, Paul does not identify what holds him back. He is just reminding them that he had previously told them. So, we are left to speculate as to the identity of the restrainer.
Over the years, there have been many proposals as to who or what this restraining power might be, including the Holy Spirit, the church, and human government. But we are not told here or anywhere else who or what that might be. So, it is probably best to hold loosely to our thoughts on the topic. We will know someday. But for now, it is a mystery.
What we are explicitly told here is that the Lord is returning. When he does, we will be gathered to him. And he will destroy this man of lawlessness who sets himself up in opposition to God. So, regardless of how bleak the future might seem, we can take comfort in knowing that our future with the Lord is secure.
