2 Thessalonians 2:6-7

And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders,

What is it that causes you to fear? After reading the passage in the sidebar, what is your reaction to the thought that the mystery of lawlessness is already at work in our world? Do you fear what we may see in our lifetime? Next month?

Try reading between the lines.

The people of Thessalonica were preoccupied with the prospect of life with the antichrist on earth. While the antichrist will arrive on the scene with great power and false signs and wonders, the fate of the man of lawlessness has already been decided. Between the lines, we read with confidence that Jesus will execute righteous judgment on him and on all who refuse to believe the Truth.

God doesn’t pace back and forth in front of the throne wondering about what’s going to happen next. He has no butterflies in His stomach. He is in complete control today and tomorrow.

Consider these promises from God’s word to encourage us when facing the unknown:

Fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:6,7