Jesus Is Coming Again Pt. 22 The Restraining Work Of The Holy Spirit

2 Thessalonians 2:3-5  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4)  Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 5)  Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

Paul begins to teach us about the second coming of Jesus Christ that is connected with the final day of judgment. 

A great apostasy will occur as people believe doctrines of devils and follow seducing spirits. The man of sin, elsewhere called the antichrist, will be revealed. He is energized by the evil one, and will demand that all people in the world worship him. 

Paul reminds them to recall the teaching and instruction that he gave to them. Knowing God's word and His sound doctrines is key to discerning between truth and error.

The restraining ministry of the Spirit of God.

2 Thessalonians 2:6-7  And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7)  For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 

The words "withholdeth" and "letteth" are translations of the same Greek word. Paul tells us about "he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way."

Let's think about what this word means. It means to hold something back, in this case, to hold back the mystery of iniquity. It means to restrain the antichrist from appearing prematurely. It means to hinder the progress of evil.

The word is a nautical term that refers to a strong headwind that makes forward progress almost impossible for a sailing vessel.

This restraining work is the ministry of God’s Spirit, as we shall see. 

Restraining evil by resisting depraved men.

Genesis 6:3  And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

Mankind became so wicked in the days of Noah, that God determined to wipe out all life and begin anew with Noah and his family. It took 120 years to construct the ark and Noah preached what God told him to preach during that time (See 2 Peter 2:5).

God said that His Spirit would not always strive with wicked men. The word strive means to contend with, to fight against, much like the word "letteth" used by Paul.

This teaches us that God tracks man's iniquity and when it becomes full, He sends judgment. In this case, God specified 120 years for building the ark and Noah's preaching.

In like manner, a time will come when the Spirit of God will no longer restrain the mystery of iniquity from advancing. 

Restraining evil by indwelling each Christian.  

1 Corinthians 6:19-20  What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20)  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. 

It is astounding to think that our body is a temple or dwelling place for the Spirit of God. Because this is true, we are commanded to glorify God with our body and spirit.

Ephesians 1:13-14  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14)  Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. 

The Holy Spirit takes up residence in our heart at the moment He regenerates us, when we first trusted Jesus Christ. He is God's down payment for the future fulfillment of all His promises to us. He is the seal of God that means we belong to the Father. 

He joins each believer together in the global body of Christ known as His church (See 1 Corinthians 12). 

He is making us a habitation for God (See Ephesians 2:19-22). 

The Holy Spirit works through the global church and through each Christian, to restrain the advance of Satan’s evil plans.

Restraining evil by leading us to walk as children of light.

Ephesians 5:8-9  For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9)  (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 

As sinners, we were children of darkness. Since the Spirit of God regenerated us, we are children of light. It matters how we live as Christians. 

This is why the apostles tell us God says "Be ye holy as I am holy." If we say we are a believer in Christ, but we live like the world lives, then our profession of faith is probably empty.

If we love the world more than Christ, then the love of the Father is not in us (1 John 2:15-17).

If we say we are Christian, but walk in darkness, we are self deceived (1 John 1:6-7).

The Holy Spirit ministers to us with the scriptures. He opens our eyes so that we can see wonderful things in God's law (Psalm 119:18). 

He illuminates our hearts with the word, like a lamp unto our feet and a light for our path (Psalm 119:105).

The entrance of the scriptures gives light to our soul (Psalm 119:130).

Restraining evil by producing new, spiritual life in us.

2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 

When the Spirit of God is working in us, our old life and sinful habits begin to pass away. We start a brand new life in Christ, and begin walking in newness of life (Romans 6:4). We walk after the Spirit (Romans 8:1-5).

Maintaining a good testimony for Jesus Christ is very important. We must show the world, that there is a distinction between sacred things and cultural pollution (See Ezekiel 22:26; 44:23). 

This is why God calls believers in Christ to live a life separated from the world (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).

Restraining evil by producing salt and light in us. 

Matthew 5:13-16  Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14)  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15)  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16)  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 

Jesus said that Christians are the salt of the earth. Salt is a perseverative that slows down the decaying process. 

Jesus said we are the light of the world and we must allow the light of God in us to shine out into the world.

Being salt and light is a result of the Holy Spirit working in us. This is His restraining work, molding us into the image of Jesus Christ, so that our lives reflect God in us. 

Restraining evil through preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Romans 1:16-17  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17)  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 

Gospel preaching unleashes the power of God to break into the heart of sinners, such that they might respond with repentant faith and be saved. Preaching of the cross is foolishness to the world, but to the born again, it is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18).

Sometimes men respond with repentant faith while other times they mock the gospel and turn away. 

The Roman governor Felix trembled with fear when Paul preached the gospel to him, yet he did no repent (Acts 24:25).

Later, Paul preached the gospel to King Agrippa and Festus, the governor. Festus declared that Paul was insane, while Agrippa responded with sarcasm (Acts 26:24-28).

Acts 2:36-38  Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. 37)  Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38)  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Peter preached his first sermon after Pentecost, when the Spirit of God fell upon them. Jews from all over the Roman empire had traveled to Jerusalem and heard Peter preach. 

Their hearts were pricked and they cried out "What shall we do" and Peter told them to repent and turn to Jesus Christ. 3,000 people were saved that day, regenerated by the Holy Spirit.

Thoughts to Ponder...

Paul tells us that this restraining work of the Holy Spirit has an end date. There will come a moment when the Father in heaven declares that the age of the church and gospel preaching has ended. 

At that moment, He will send Jesus Christ in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, by their own choosing. 

We live in a wonderful time where God is still worshipped in many places in Spirit and in truth. The gospel of Christ is still preached by many faithful pastors. Many Christian homes are living their lives as a testimony of "God in us, the hope of glory."

May we earnestly seek the guidance and leading we need from God's Spirit. May we more fully yield ourselves to Him.  May we be pliable clay in His Almighty hands so that we can be used of God to reach others with the gospel of Christ.

Bob