⁵Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things? ⁶And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed. ⁷For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way.

Prophecy is for new believers, at least some of the basics. Remember the Thessalonian readers had been believers for only a few months, less than a year at most. Yet Paul conveys some details about what theologians call eschatology, or the theology of end-time events. Evidently Paul had previously instructed them on this subject immediately after they were saved (“while I was still with you”) and now is reminding them of what he taught them.

Today scholars debate themes like dispensationalism vs. convenantalism; pre-, post-, and a-millennialism; pre-trib, mid-trib, and post-tribulation rapture; the literal thousand-year reign of Christ, and so forth. But Paul laid down some foundational concepts for new believers to embrace. To be sure, there is more to study about the end times than just what he writes here to new believers, but his point is not to develop theological scholars who can win debates in the ivory halls of the academy or the hallowed virtual halls of internet chat rooms. He writes not to satisfy or entice inquisitive minds, but to encourage believers in the midst of persecution so they would not be deceived away from their faithful walk with the Lord.

One wonders how much debate today over end-time prophecy is motivated by a desire to walk faithfully in everyday life. We must not be deceived into thinking that forcefully arguing our viewpoint is an indication of a faithful walk with the Lord. For the Thessalonians, the message was this: even though persecution seems bad, God has put a cap on it! There is one “who now restrains” the man of lawlessness. There is coming a time when this restrainer (whom we understand to be the Holy Spirit) will be removed. But that day is not yet here; the Day of the Lord has not yet arrived, as was being falsely taught by some.

There is coming a time when, as it were, all hell will break loose—we don’t speak that frivolously. But the Holy Spirit of God is keeping Satan on a leash, just as He did with Job when the devil had to seek permission from God to attack that faithful man. We know when we go through persecutions and difficulties that the end times have not yet arrived; we must not abandon all hope. God is still at work and is in control, not allowing the enemy of our souls to have free reign.

Lord, I trust in You even when I am tempted to abandon all hope.