2 Thessalonians 2:6-8

2 Thessalonians 2:6-8

And you have known the thing that restrains, in order for him to be revealed in his season.  For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work.  The one who restrains it now will do so until he should become out of the middle of it.  And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will execute by the breath of His mouth and He will cause the appearance of His coming to come to an ends.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

This passage is difficult to interpret.  There is much debate over what exactly Paul means when he says, “the thing that restrains.”  Many classical scholars think that Paul is talking about the Roman Empire.  After all, it was the Roman Empire that actually saved Paul from the wrath of the Jews.  Therefore, Paul could have seen the Roman Empire as a source of stability in the world and that there would come a time when the Roman Empire would not be able to hold back human sinfulness and it would crumble.  That’s pretty much what happened, by the way.  There are other people who focus upon the “church” as the thing that restrains.  The people who think this do so for two reasons.  First of all, they correctly understand that the “thing” that restrains in v. 6 is a neuter participle, therefore it is not a person but a thing or an idea.  However, they then incorrectly get the idea that it is the church that will be removed, because the “one” who restrains in v. 7 is a masculine participle, not a neuter participle.  While we cannot be sure to what Paul is referring, I do believe that God is at the core of it.  God will continue to work in this world until He removes Himself.  He will continue to work in the world as long as people receive Him and are willing to listen to Him.

Are you saddened by the thought of God being removed from the world before the end will be ushered in?  What do you think is that which is holding back the end?

Second Thought:

I think there is a fair amount of truth in the phrase, “for the mystery of lawlessness is already at work.”  Actually, I think this is true on multiple levels.  First, there is a mystery in the lawlessness in that we don’t from where the ultimate rebellion will come.  On a more deep level, there is a certain mystery about human lawlessness in general.  When God is so good, why do human beings choose lawlessness at all?  We all do it, and it makes sense in at the time.  But in truth, lawlessness and sinful behavior really is a mystery.

Why do you participate in lawless and sinful behavior?  Is there any true logic in your choice?

Third Thought:

The good news, though, is that the outcome is clear.  Jesus will slay the lawless one.  Jesus will make his coming amount to nothing.  The outcome is not hanging in the balance.  We know what will happen.  The only question is when.

Does it make it easier to know the ultimate outcome?  Why is it easier to put up with not knowing the timing because we do know the final outcome?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12