The Restrainer

Writing about 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 Augustine said, I admit that the meaning of this completely escapes me.

That's good. That's honest. Maybe I ought to use that phrase more often. Maybe other students of God's word ought to make that admission more readily. Not too often, though, that we use it as an excuse for inadequate study.

Here, Paul writes about how a "restrainer" is keeping the Antichrist from being revealed until God's appointed time. Apparently, the recipients of letter knew what Paul was talking about, but we are left to speculate about the identity of this "restrainer."

Ultimately, we know that it is God who restrains evil in this world. It is God who is sovereign over all things, including the works of the devil.

I think about how much evil is in our world today. Then, only for a moment, I think about what it would be like if God were not putting a restraint on evil and the evil one. I am so thankful that God is in control and that He protects His childen.

Some politicians claim that they can make the world a better place. But, in reality, it will continue to decay. Things are going to get worse before they get better. But they will only get better when Christ returns in all His glory and sets up His earthly kingdom.

Barack Obama is not the hope of the future. Neither is John McCain. Jesus Christ is our only hope.