Evil Released

2 Thessalonians 2:6-9 And now you know what is holding the man of lawlessness back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. 7 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. 8 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. 9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders.
 
In the world of the Thessalonians and the world today two events are happening simultaneously. First, the secret power of lawlessness is already at work. We may not think it is secret because so much evil is visible wherever we look. But there is a Spiritual war constantly occurring that holds evil from dominating the world. The devil is doing the unseen work. One day his work will become more visible through an antichrist, the man of lawlessness.
   The secret refers to something God will reveal. Lawlessness is the hidden force from which all sin springs. The lawlessness is still secret because the LORD God is restraining it. As we know, the world has much good to celebrate. There is law enforcement, education, economy, healthcare and the church. Although wars and criminal acts are far too common, the world has yet to see the real horror of complete lawlessness. This will happen when the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.
   Who holds back the man of lawlessness? It seems that the Thessalonians knew that answer as Paul said, “Now you know what is holding the man of lawlessness back.” Apparently Paul had previously taught this. So Paul referred to it here but did not repeat it. 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 gospel (3) the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit seems the obvious choice. Who but God can hold back evil? No human organization is strong enough to keep Satan at bay. The Holy Spirit is holding back the man of lawlessness until the appointed time to he is to be revealed and do his evil work.
   Then comes the common question: Why will God allow this evil man to act with unrestrained wickedness? The most common and Bible-based answer is to know this is how God will judge the world for its opposition to God. He will show people and nations their own sinfulness, rejecting the lordship of Christ.
   The man of lawlessness has not yet come; he will be revealed in God’s time. The Bible encourages true believers not to fear this time. We know Jesus saves.