2nd Thessalonians, verses 6 and 7 present somewhat an enigma with the introduction of either something or someone who hinders. Phillips' translation renders the word "the restraining power." Verse 6 states that the Thessalonians would know upon reading the letter the thing or person hindering, preventing, holding back or holding up the message Paul was trying to present. Who exactly or what exactly is this restraining power according to Phillips?
Is it God who was holding back on revealing the nature of resistance to Paul? Is it God who didn't want the Thessalonians to see what kind of evil was behind the resistance until they matured somewhat? Is it Satan who is being prevented from coming against the new Christians with full force? Is it merely the human mind rationalizing the message of Paul as absurd that made people resist accepting his message?
Whatever was restraining or being restrained was made obvious through Paul's letter. And the key is that God would act decisively against it. In answer to the question, "Has the day of the Lord come?" Paul says evidently not because you have not been able to see, for whatever reason, the kind of power that is really against you. Now you do. But not to worry. God will act to destroy it. End of story. Satan loses. God wins. During Paul's time. During our own time.
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