spiritual battle, Protection from the Evil One (2 Thess.)

Paul wrote a second letter to the Thessalonian church in order to give them encouragement as they went through persecutions and suffering.  They were to avoid any sort of retaliation, and continue showing love, just as they had been doing.

It helps to know that at the end of the Tribulation, Jesus will come from heaven with His mighty angels and deal with all the evil on the earth...

(2 Thessalonians 1:1-10)  We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater; 4 therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure. 5 This is a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering. 6 For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, 8 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed—for our testimony to you was believed. 

Again, the church members were thinking that maybe they had missed the rapture.  It sounds like they were getting conflicting teachings from demons, visions and forged letters.   "Satan" was really messing with them so that they would be fearful and doubt God...

(2 Thessalonians 2:1-2)  Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, 2 that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.

Again, Paul explained the end times to them so that they would understand and not live in fear.

First there will be the apostasy - an aggressive and climactic revolt against God which will prepare the way for the "man of lawlessness" and "son of destruction" (the Antichrist).   This activity is always present, in varying degrees.  If you look over history, we see ebbs and flows throughout.

Therefore we should know, all of this could happen at any time...

(2 Thessalonians 2:3-5)  Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. 5 Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things?

"What restrains" the possibility of the Antichrist from appearing is either the Church and/or the Holy Spirit.  Remember, as Christians, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit!  So - if He goes - WE GO!!!

Once the rapture happens, THEN the Antichrist (and the false prophet) will get to work, with the guidance and power of Satan.  The entire seven years of the Tribulation will be filled with demonic influences!...

(2 Thessalonians 2:6-12)  And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. 8 Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; 9 that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, 10 and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. 11 For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, 12 in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.

From this we see:
- the Thessalonian church was getting conflicting teachings from demons, visions and forged letters, which they were not to believe (2 Thess.2:2)
- the Holy Spirit and the Church restrain Satan's work right now, and when the rapture happens, Satan will be then unrestrained during the Tribulation (2 Thess.2:6-7)
- the Antichrist and the false prophet will be guided and empowered by Satan in the Tribulation (2 Thess.2:9-10)
- all seven years of the Tribulation will be filled with demonic activity (2 Thess.2:11)
- at the end of the Tribulation, Jesus will come with His mighty angels in flaming fire (2 Thess.1:7)
- all evil will be removed from the earth (2 Thess.1:8)
- all unbelievers will be removed from the Lord's presence (2 Thess.1:9)
- the Lord is faithful and will strengthen and protect believers from the evil one, now and always (2 Thess.3:3)

Personal experience:  as we read through the Bible on this topic, I'm now quite convinced that the "restrainer of Satan" is the Holy Spirit.  We have already see what the armor of God is - and that is - God, Himself!!!

Today's takeaway:  believers can be confident, knowing that the Lord will strengthen and protect us from the evil one...

(2 Thessalonians 2:13-17)  But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. 14 It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us. 16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, 17 comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.

(2 Thessalonians 3:1-5)  Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you; 2 and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. 4 We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.

(2 Thessalonians 3:14-17)  If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame. 15 Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!

17 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, and this is a distinguishing mark in every letter; this is the way I write. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.