5 Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? 6 And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. 7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, 10 and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness. 2 Thessalonians 2:5-12

Paul gave us some insight into what he considers “the lawless one.” We know that he’s a deceiver of the highest order but his power is limited.

Believers really have no reason to fear because of his actions. What is the proper time he will be revealed? No one knows but the Father. It’s not clear the lawless one’s role except to continue to deceive.

Rejoice Brothers and Sisters that your name is written in the Lamb’s book of life, but pray for those you know who have not accepted Christ so that Christ will be revealed in their lives. If they wait until these end times, it will be next to impossible to overcome the deceiver.