Holding back evil
“And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.” (2 Thess 2:6-7)
Lawlessness is at work all around us
You can’t listen to the news without noticing that evil is at work and getting worse. It is becoming acceptable and becoming the new normal. The Bible said it would happen and it certainly is. It’s called lawlessness and it’s evil.
Evil and selfish people: But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” (2 Tim. 3:1-5 ESV)
Evil people and imposters: “While evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” (2 Tim. 3:13 ESV)
Evil demonic teachings: “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,” (1 Tim. 4:1 ESV)
Evil scoffers and accusers: “Knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” (2 Pet. 3:3 ESV)
God is greater!
Even though evil is active and getting worse, it is being held back by the Holy Spirit (see 2 Thess. 2:6-7 at top). The Holy Spirit is inside of us empowering us to work against the evil forces in the world.
Jesus overcame the world
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 ESV)
We are over-comers with the Holy Spirit inside us
“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4 KJV)
“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4-5 ESV)
Therefore…
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 15:57 ESV)
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