“For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.” (II Thessalonians 2:7)

Have you ever — in your whole life — seen so many people in so much difficulty? I haven’t, not by a long shot.

If you are not experiencing this, then what I am discussing today will have little relevance. However, if you are personally being oppressed by some evil (relationships, severe financial hardship, church squabbles, health issues), or know someone who is…let’s talk a bit. People are being hit left and right, like a bolt out of the blue.

Late in his life, the apostle Paul described to Timothy the personality traits of humans in the last days. He listed several, and mostly they add up to: narcissism. People will become so self-centered, they will turn on each other. Families against families, individuals against individuals, etc.

Now, if we consider this in the context of II Thessalonians 2, well, at least I begin to consider a key prophecy: the Restrainer, the Holy Spirit, and when He is taken out of the way. In other words, Scripture tells us that there will come a day when evil will not be restrained from the earth. Christians who believe in Bible prophecy have considered that for years, and have shuddered to think of living in such a world. No one wants to be here, then!

At the risk of offending certain Bible prophecy teachings, let me tentatively offer an opinion of the II Thessalonians reference. It is my sense that we have always assumed that when the Holy Spirit, the Restrainer, is removed, it will be quickly.

What if it is a process?

I’ll put it out there: in just the past few years, I have seen a shift in our world. To the degree that nothing seems real anymore; you understand what I mean. Of course, our faith is real. But little else is real, or familiar. People are now openly talking about a global alliance, a one-world religion, one-world financial system. This is no longer a joke for late-night comedians who poke fun at fundamentalists. It now seems that everyone feels something in the air.

I suggest that perhaps we are seeing the beginnings of the removal of the Restrainer. A world completely void of this safety is really unimaginable, yet we are headed there.

In his magnificent Defender’s Study Bible commentary, the late, great Henry M. Morris makes the following point: “It is the presence of the Holy Spirit Himself in the world that is really preventing the triumphant revelation of the man of sin.”

The identity of the antichrist is one of the foremost subjects on Christians’ minds today (in fact, for an interesting take on this, see Joel Richardson’s new book, The Islamic Antichrist). I’m not so concerned with who he is; I am interested in the fact that he is coming.

And I don’t want at all to get into a disagreement with anyone about the timing of these events; that’s not my point today.

What I want to explore is whether we can find a partial explanation for the growing insanity in our world in this idea that the Restrainer is being removed, now.

Look, yes, there has always been trouble. There have always been bad people. What I’m contending for is the idea that our world is losing its grip on reality. Husbands, wives, children, aunts, uncles, bosses, co-workers, pastors…legions of them are completely changing in personality. Good people are now bad. Long-time “rocks” in families are running away and having affairs. Friends: is there someone you have always felt would stick by you no matter what? Now they have genuinely betrayed you. Good kids suddenly — suddenly — leap head-long into hedonism.

Our world is becoming insane. Think about how many times you have this conversation lately. Be honest. Everything seems upside-down and you can’t rely on anything.

That is true to a degree. I believe we are going to see the day when you really can’t rely on anything or anyone at all. Except Jesus. The Lord has promised us that He will never leave us.

In his new book, “O” God, Josh McDowell explores the spirituality of Oprah Winfrey, and her effect on millions.

Her brand of spirituality makes you feel good for a while. Ten minutes. A year. But at some point, it will prove inadequate in the face of an insane world. Then you will only be able to rely on the promises of Jesus, the Christ. You can read about them in the Bible.

If my little theory is correct and the Restrainer is being pulled away from the world, to reveal that world in all its ghastly decay, you will need someone to rely on.

Iniquity is on the march in the earth. Resolve to wrap yourself in the only protection you can; He will be sufficient.

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Originally published in One News Now, Prophecy Matters. October 7, 2009

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