2 Thessalonians 2:7 (NKJV), “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.”

While the devil is eagerly waiting to introduce the Antichrist to the world, the Bible says he is withheld from doing so, until the restrainer is taken out of the way. There is a force on this earth that is strong enough to restrain and hold back the full extent of evil, unleashed on this world. 1 John 3:8 says the purpose Jesus was manifest here on earth, was to destroy the works of the devil. As soon as He was empowered by the Holy Spirit being upon and within Him, Jesus went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him (Acts 10:38). There is nothing greater than Holy Ghost power! It has no rival or equal! After the finished work of the cross, Jesus went to be with His Father, and the Holy Spirit was sent down to inhabit every believer! All over this earth, there are walking, talking power filled believers being used, just as Jesus was, to do the work of God! The Holy Spirit filled church has become the great restrainer of the devil’s ultimate plan for this earth. But the devil will have his day. When the Lord Jesus comes to take His church away from this earth, there will be no more restraining his evil reign. Peter tells us why the Father is delaying this great catching away of the church. 2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” God is holding back the ultimate day of evil to give unbelievers more time to come to Him in repentance. If you haven’t been spending time praying for your friends or family that do not know the Lord, or have grown cold in their relationship with Him, now is the time to fervently pray for them. This is still the time of His grace, but it will not be here much longer, so obey the Holy Spirit so they can escape the time where evil on this earth will no longer be restrained.