The Heart Of Paul’s Theology: Paul And The ThessaloniansSample

 Man of Lawlessness: 2 Thessalonians 2:7-9

Paul stated that the “mystery of lawlessness” was already working, and that it was restrained. But he did not identify this mystery or the restrainer. However, in 2 Thessalonians 2:7-9, Paul explicitly associated the mystery with the church’s archenemy, Satan. This gives us a hint that it may well be demonic in nature. Consider also that Paul described the church as being in conflict primarily with spiritual beings, and not with earthly rulers. As he wrote in Ephesians 6:12:

Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers … authorities … world powers … spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12).

Paul did not deny that demonic powers have earthly counterparts, such as wicked human governments and individuals who turned from Christ. But he encouraged believers to think first in terms of demonic activity and to view earthly conflicts as an extension of spiritual war.

Moreover, throughout his letters Paul frequently mentioned details of spiritual warfare that parallel the mystery and the restrainer. For example, in Colossians 2:15-20 and in Galatians 4:8-9, he taught that Christ’s crucifixion had “disarmed” the demons that had held power over many believers before they had come to faith, and that the Holy Spirit’s ministry had freed believers from these weakened false gods. Essentially, these demonic forces were still active, but they were restrained by God’s power. 

For these reasons, it seems best to view the “mystery of lawlessness” as a demonic force that exercises power in the heavenly realms, opposing God, empowering false teachers, and promoting false religion. Correspondingly, the “restrainer,” or perhaps the “restraint,” would also be active primarily in the spiritual world, being perhaps an angel or group of angels, or even the Holy Spirit himself.