Scripture to Read: 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7
As God led Paul in writing His Word, we see that God led Paul to refer to the fact that the believers in Thessalonica knew what restrained the antichrist for now. We must remember that when they were in Thessalonica, Paul and Silas were only there for a few short weeks (Acts 17:1-10). Biblical prophecy is incredibly important, and we must study it to understand the importance of our mission better, which is to reach this lost world with the Gospel of Christ. God considered biblical prophecy so important that He led Paul to teach biblical prophecy to the Thessalonian believers. As we see in 2 Thessalonians 2:7 “the mystery of lawlessness is already at work,” but the Holy Spirit is also at work restraining Satan, and whoever Satan will eventually indwell, until the right time. Satan is at work in this world because we see the devastation and destruction of sin all around us. We also know Satan is at work because God tells us in Ephesians 6:12, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” One day the Holy Spirit will be “taken out of the way.” That does not mean the Holy Spirit leaves this world because people still get saved during the Great Tribulation. It means that the Holy Spirit will work much as He did in the Old Testament.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about biblical prophecy?
2. What was something new you learned that you did not know before? How will you apply this truth to your life?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!