2. The endtime lawlessness.

‘Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, … that day will not come unless the ‘rebellion’ ( Greek : Apostasia means turning away or rebellion ) occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed … For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work but the one who holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed …’ ( 2 Thess 2:1-8)

The ‘secret power of lawlessness’, which is already at work, is setting the stage for the ‘man of lawlessness’ to come onto the scene, as soon as the Holy Spirit moves out of the way and leaves with the ‘raptured saints’. This pervasive power seeks to plunge the world into a state of lawlessness and anarchy, even before the ‘lawless one’ could be revealed because that would be the setting in which the Antichrist will come on to the world stage and usurp all authority. There are already uprisings against all forms of elected Governments, Civic authorities and Institutions. (‘Antifa’ calls for the abolition of the Constitution and thereby doing away with the ‘rule of law’ and the need for law enforcement agencies like the Judiciary and the Police. The organization doesn’t have a visible leadership but its cadres are bound together by this ideology of human freedom from the ‘rule of law’ and there is a display a brotherhood among those who have identified with them. This ideology seems to won the hearts of a godless and perverse generation who wish to live as they want. They add teeth to protests organized by others groups by infiltrating and perpetrating acts of arson and violence. The BLM movement is currently being used by ‘Antifa’ to push forward their agenda and we now hear the BLM leaders calling for the abolition of the Police department. Those who have converged on the streets of the world, demanding equality and justice, are trying to overturn the foundations of ‘righteousness and justice’ laid down in the Constitution and yet expect to live in ‘peace and safety’. If these activists who protest against racism around the world, are still Antisemitic, then they are being racist as well and that exposes the deceitfulness of this movement, for it is not really about equality and justice but a revolt against the ‘rule of law’ and in essence, against the ‘law of God’. )
‘When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do or what is the Righteous one doing ?’ (Ps 11 : 3 )
‘While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly as labour pains on a pregnant woman and they will not escape.’ ( 1 Thess 5 : 3 )
The disciples asked Jesus,“When will this happen and what will be the sign of your coming and of  the end of the age?” Jesus answered: “… At that time many will turn away from the faith and betray and hate each other … Because of the increase in wickedness,  the love of most will grow cold …” ( Mt 24 : 10, 12 )
“When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” ( Lk 18 : 8 )

This rebellion being fomented by satanic forces against human government instituted by God, is unwittingly being led by corrupt men and who will inadvertently make way for the tyrannical rule of Satan, through his man, the Antichrist. He will come on to the world stage with his solution for world peace by abolishing all that divides humanity i.e. color, caste and creed. He will be seen as a true champion of human freedom until he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God ( 2 Thess 2 : 4 ) and will cause all who refuse to worship the image to be killed and will force everyone to receive the mark ( Rev 13 : 15 – 16 ).
Even after the Millennial rule of Christ, when Satan will be released from his prison, he will go out to deceive the nations and gather them for the final rebellion against God and the sheer number of rebels who will resent the righteous rule of Christ will surprise us ! ‘In numbers they are like the sand on the seashore. They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people.’ ( Rev 20 : 8-9 )

As more people are being misled to join this revolution, let the Church of this age heed to the counsel given by Paul to the early Church :
‘Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authorities is rebelling against what God has Instituted and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.’ ( Ro 13 : 1-2 )
“When you hear about wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first… when you see these things happening, you know that the Kingdom of God is near.” ( Lk 21 : 9, 31 ) Amen.