THE RESTRAINER

2 Thes. 2:5-12

In 2Thes.2 Paul spoke of the restrainer in this way. He said, “Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.”

What a comfort this brings to those of us who have trusted in Jesus. Because what we are seeing now could be so much worse if the restrainer, which is the Holy Spirit working through the true church, were not “letting”, that is retraining, evil from fully having it’s way in the earth. 

Remember, Jesus said that the tribulation that is to come will be a worse time than any the world has ever seen or will see. He said, “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” Mt.24:21,22

So it appears from what Jesus said that what we are seeing now, this tribulation that Jesus spoke of, is not here yet. At least not the part Jesus said will be so bad. Because what we have seen thus far doesn’t come close to being as bad, let alone worse,than Noah’s day. Nor the time when Sodom and Gemorah was destroyed. 

What takes place after the restrainer is taken out of the way, that is after the Spirit filled church that restrains evil in the earth from having it’s full sway is taken to be with Jesus in the rapture, will be so unbearably evil that there will be no mistaking that it is the great tribulation described by Jesus. 

This should be an encouragement to everyone who has trusted in Jesus. Because we know that the restrainer is still holding back the evil that will define the great tribulation. And will continue to because Jesus said the gates of hell will not prevail against His church. 

A time when the restrainer is gone when things will go absolutely bonkers with evil and every vile thing imaginable. With the return of the nephilim, demons, and demon possessed running roughshod over all who remain on earth. Even “overcoming the saints” during that time that was never before possible for the Spirit filled church. 

The reality of the rapture is questioned by some. And rightly so I think. Because we should question everything we are told by others. But, one of the many questions that must be answered pertains to what Jesus said of the 10 virgins. 1- Where are the wise and foolish virgins when the bridegroom comes for them? And 2- where are the foolish virgins when they are left behind after the wise have gone with the bridegroom? 

I believe the 10 virgins are on earth when the bridegroom comes. So these questions can only lead to one conclusion. The rapture of the church, the restrainer, the gates of hell shall never prevail against is a reality. And since it is it should be a great comfort to all who have believed in Jesus during this age. And a horror to those who have not. Which is why Paul told the Thessalonians to “comfort one another with these words”. 

Because when we are taken to be with Jesus we will share in His kingdom. While back on earth all hell will break loose, literally. A hell on earth Paul describes saying, “And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

So be of good cheer Christian. The Lord will deliver us from this awful time when we are taken to be with Him. Caught up in the clouds as 1 Thes. 4:17 tells us. To ever be with Him, escaping the time of trouble, because we trusted in Him while it is day. 

This is why Paul wrote that we are to comfort one another with these words in 1Thes.4:18. Because it is a great comfort to know that because we have trusted in Jesus we will be caught up together with Him in the clouds before the terrible day of the Lord begins. The time of Jacob’s trouble. The finishing of the 70 weeks prophesied by Daniel for Israel. 

So even though we are seeing the birth pains, we will have gone to be with Jesus when the real trouble starts. So be about our Father’s business while there is still time for us to do so. Before the night comes when no man can work. Share His love with all who will hear so that as many as will be can be saved. Saved from death and hell. And from the time of horror coming on “all who loved not the truth and took pleasure in not knowing Him”. Which is unrighteousness.  

If you have not known His love and now would like to then you are hearing His calll. All that is necessary for you to be made a child of the living God is for you to accept His gift of eternal life which is righteousness. 

Simply confess Jesus is Lord. And believe that He has raised from the dead. Trust in Him to make you a spiritual being and child of God. To create a spirit within you that makes you His child. And as His child heir to His kingdom. A kingdom you will receive when Jesus comes in the clouds and calls us to meet Him in the air. So that we will forever be with the Lord in His kingdom. 

Having done this you are now ready to meet Him when He comes. You will not be left behind. But, you will go to meet Him in the air just as Paul said. What a comfort to know that the Holy Spirit is still indwelling His people. Because even though it may seem really bad now, it proves that evil is being restrained in the earth. 

But, the time is near for His return for His church. So be ready to meet Him by trusting in Him today. This is why I end these messages with See you there or in the air. 

This message can also be heard at: Rumble