Have you ever considered that the Holy Spirit we know today as a ‘constant Comforter and Companion’ was once a ‘temporary Visitor’? Throughout the Old Testament, the Spirit came and went based on the mission at hand. This distinction isn’t just a theological curiosity; it is a vital clue in understanding the Restrainer’s role in the Last Days and why the promise of His eternal indwelling is our greatest assurance against the coming Tribulation.
Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
Shift your focus to the New Testament, where Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will never leave us. The word ‘forever’ is key here! If we are forced through the Tribulation and the Spirit’s presence becomes situational again, it would mean this promise isn’t true. But we know God’s Word is absolute, meaning His indwelling presence is a permanent guarantee for the believer.
John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
Listen, friends! We know that God’s Word is perfect and never contradicts itself. As John 10:35 reminds us, ‘the scripture cannot be broken’—every promise stands firm!
Beyond providing comfort, the Holy Spirit was the essential force behind the documentation of God’s Word. From Acts 2 until today, He has never left the Church. He is the one who empowers our mission (Acts 1:8), distributes spiritual gifts, and gave us the Bible itself. Most importantly for us today, He is the Restrainer—the only reason sin has not yet completely overwhelmed the earth before God’s final judgment.
2 Thessalonians 2:1-8 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, (2) That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. (3) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (4) Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. (5) Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? (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 letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. ( 8 ) And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
Right now, the Holy Spirit serves as a divine shield, restraining the total outbreak of sin and evil influences in our society. If He were to be removed via the Rapture of the Church, the world would descend into a much darker state. We see the ‘mystery of iniquity’ at work everywhere—in the rise of critical race theory, the rejection of biblical gender, and the ongoing tragedy of abortion. This is a direct assault on the most vulnerable among us: our children. As Jesus made clear, those who participate in this evil face a terrifying judgment.
Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
This is just to name a few, but you can see my point. This sinful influence was not a part of us in the early 1900’s. But the “mystery of iniquity” has crept in and left its influence in the wicked hearts of man. It is getting worse by the day! Just when we thought we’d heard everything, some new sinful idea comes in the wicked hearts of men and the world actually loves it! But when will the Holy Spirit put an end to this and open the flood gates for the Antichrist to rule?
Scripture tells us, ‘Only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.’ Ever since the day of Pentecost in 30 AD, the Holy Spirit has been the driving force behind the global spread of the Gospel. His work is evident in the fact that, as of 2020, the full Bible has been translated into 704 different languages. However, as the data below shows, the mission is not yet finished—there are still many who lack access to the Word.
According to Ethnologue, there are currently 7,106 living languages in the world. As of 2025 the full Bible has been translated into 776 languages. The New Testament has been translated into 1,798 languages and parts of the Bible have been translated into 1,433 additional languages.
The internet has helped greatly in spreading the Gospel across the globe but still lacks in many under privileged countries. The map below gives us a good idea of how much is still needed.
When the Rapture occurs and the Church is removed, the Holy Spirit will return to His ‘situational’ Old Testament presence, working specifically through the 144,000 and the two witnesses. Their mission will be vital, yet the reality of the Tribulation is sobering—with Zechariah 13:8 foretelling that two-thirds of the population will perish. But for the believer, there is immense hope! Our Lord is a true Shepherd who removes His sheep from harm’s way rather than leaving them to face the judgment meant for the world. Rest in the assurance that we will be gathered home before the Great Tribulation unfolds.
Does this excite you, reader? It surely does me! But to the one who is not saved, it is a different story. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
