There is one who restrains or holds back.
He restrains the amount of evil that is allowed in this world, and according to scripture, he will be taken out of the way in the not too distant future. Many believe GOD either does not exist, or He is simply a heavenly observer with all earthly events set in motion from the start and “fate” being the determining factor for our destiny. Scripture reveals to us that both of these scenarios are simply not true.
Take a look at some Interesting lyrics in the song American Pie, whether intended or not, actually parallel future events in Biblical prophecy. ;
And in the streets, the children screamed
The lovers cried, and the poets dreamed
But not a word was spoken
The church bells all were broken
And the three men I admire most
The Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost
They caught the last train for the coast
The day the music died
Scripture tells us;
Mat 24:9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.”
2 Thes 2:6 “And now ye know what withholdeth, that he might be revealed in his time.7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now holdeth back will hold him back, until he is taken out of the way.8 And then shall that wicked one be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming—9 even him, whose coming is according to the working of Satan, with all power and signs and lying wonders,10 and with all the deceit of unrighteousness in those who perish, because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie,12 that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”
Satan and his ilk are limited by GOD, and require His approval regarding any of the evil they perpetrate on this earth that affect the saints of GOD. An example of this can be seen in the book of Job. Satan must petition GOD with legal arguments as to why he believes he has the authority to cause havoc and destruction in peoples lives and on the earth. He gains that authority by our decisions and actions when we break the laws of GOD. If these fallen ones go beyond the limits GOD has set, angels are dispatched to fight the demonic horde and to keep them in check.
As a believer, we are tested and refined through allowed trials and hardships until our heart, character, and decisions mirror that of our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ.
As non-believers, as terrible as it may sound, you are under the authority of Satan. His goal is to keep you blinded from the truth of the gospel and gaining the salvation offered to us in Jesus Christ. He will do whatever is necessary, which may include keeping you in depression, offense and anger, poor and in despair, or rich, spoiled, and believing you are in need of nothing, including GOD. He may also keep you in bondage through spirits of lust. Lust of money, drugs, sex, alcohol, work, revenge, hatred, envy, or anything else that will consume your every thought.
Jesus and the Holy Spirit are the keys to breaking that bondage and receiving salvation for eternity. As a believer prays for a non-believer that may not be seeking GOD, he or she grants the legal right for GOD, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit to work in the life of that person when using the name Jesus. Through His sacrifice for all sin on the cross, Jesus has full authority over all. His name is above every name, everywhere.
Soon, the Restrainer (Holy Spirit), and GOD’s warring angels, will be removed from the earth. Born again believers in Jesus Christ will also be taken (raptured) from the earth. At that same time, the dimensional veil will be removed and Satan and his fallen angels will be thrown to the earth. Satan will enter the person of the Antichrist portraying himself as god, and he will rise to power. Evil and darkness will engulf the world like a flood. What you see occurring now is only the “beginning of sorrows” that will become more and more frequent as the days go on.
Daniel was given the following in regards to the end times and the tribulation period… Dan 12:7 “….and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished.”
Did you get that? While the world turns against Christianity believing they will be freed from those who speak the truth about GOD and His ways, they will unknowingly usher in their own demise and bring in the birth of the final kingdom of GOD on this earth.
Dan7:25 He (Antichrist) shall speak pompous words against the Most High,
Shall persecute the saints of the Most High,
And shall intend to change times and law.
Then the saints shall be given into his hand
For a time and times and half a time. (3 1/2 year Great Tribulation period)
26 ‘But the court shall be seated,
And they shall take away his dominion,
To consume and destroy it forever.
27 Then the kingdom and dominion,
And the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven,
Shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High.
His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And all dominions shall serve and obey Him.’
Please consider a few last lyrics. The same song however, it very much depicts the feelings you will likely have if you are left here having rejected anything to do with Jesus and salvation…
Oh, and there we were all in one place
A generation lost in space
With no time left to start again
So come on Jack be nimble, Jack be quick
Jack Flash sat on a candlestick
‘Cause fire is the devil’s only friend
Oh, and as I watched him on the stage
My hands were clenched in fists of rage
No angel born in hell
Could break that Satan’s spell
And as the flames climbed high into the night
To light the sacrificial rite
I saw Satan laughing with delight
The day the music died
Every one of us needs a savior, and hopefully you now know who that is…
May GOD Bless you
Forgivenman 