And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 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. 2 Thessalonians 2:6-8
The world hates the church because it is the light of the world, and the world is darkness. And as long as light remains in the world, darkness is restrained, and it cannot cover the earth as it would have desired, yet, darkness wants to reign. Therefore, the world would of necessity want the church out of the way. But it does not have the power to determine when the church leaves, the church will be here until the time appointed by God for it to be taken away.
At that time, he that restrains will be removed and darkness will have its full manifestation. At the present time, the mystery of iniquity is already work, but the presence of the church, the salt of the earth, restrains the corruption from having its full course. Evil cannot express itself to the extent that it desires to, but once the restrainer is removed, lawlessness will become full blown under the supervision of the man of sin, the Antichrist. The hate of church by the world is because it is on its way. But if your life is not shining the light of God in your area of influence, you will be loved by the world because you are not a threat to it. If, however, you are hated by the world, then, rejoice, because your light is on the way of the darkness of this world.
Toni
