When They Open The Gate

II Thessalonians 2:6-12

Bull riding is a sport I never had much desire to participate in, although many guys I know have. I never had any desire to deliberately challenge a 2000 pound animal to see if he could hurt me. Nevertheless, some people get an adrenaline rush from doing so.

Bulls are herded into a chute where they have almost no room to move. A rope assembly is passed around the bull’s chest for the rider to hang on to. The rider climbs up above the bull and positions himself on the bull’s back with his legs held out of the way until the gate is open. The tightness of the chute leaves the bull with a sense of claustrophobia, which is heightened by all the activity. Many times the bull will begin to lunge in an effort to escape, forcing the cowboy to get clear until he settles back down.

When everything is to the bull rider’s satisfaction, he signals the gate keeper and the gate is opened. The bull now has the opportunity to release all the adrenaline that has built up from being forced to submit against his will. He does his best to eliminate all the restraints placed on him, frequently trying to kill the one at the center of it, the rider. Until the gatekeeper opened the gate, he was prevented from taking effective action, but once it is open, he is free to do whatever he can. This is similar to what will happen when the Lord returns.

"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: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders: And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. ” (II Thessalonians 2:6-10.

Even before he enters the chute, the bull is dangerous, often threatening those around in an effort to intimidate. Satan was cast out of heaven because he wanted to take over God’s place according to Isaiah 14:12-14. His powers were limited, and are still being controlled to this day. His frustration is steadily building, and like the bull, he makes frequent attempts to break free. We see the results in the frequent surges of wickedness around the world. Like the bull, he will not be able to exert his full power until the gate that holds him is pulled aside. That will not happen until God is satisfied everything is ready.

When he is released, Satan will exert every power he has to destroy what has prevented his domination. He will be like a tyrant, killing not only those who oppose him, but also those who are unable to produce the results he desires, even sometimes killing his best because he didn’t get his way. He will promise anything in his effort to gain absolute control, even though he knows he will not be able to deliver. Those who have not received Christ will be persuaded because they have ignored the truth.

Totalitarian societies, such as Germany under Hitler, Russia under Stalin, China under Mao Tse Tung, or Iraq under Hussein all demonstrate what his rule will be like. Ronald Reagan’s characterizing the Soviet Bloc as the Evil Empire was far more apropriate than many have recognized. The philosophy of totalitarianism promises leads to the terrorism and efforts to establish world domination by various groups, and the rising tide of Anti-Christian sentiment around the world. It is Satanically inspired, and convinces people that cooperation will supply their every desire.

We see a massive movement toward a stronger world power today. It is being fueled by the world economic situation, terrorism, natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods, by threats of pandemics and health problems, and by scientific claims such as Global Warming. In the process, individuals and their lives are sacrificed for “the Greater good.” Always, the question arises, Who’s greater good? It is rare that the majority of people benefit.

Throughout history, the Holy Spirit has maintained a moral consciousness among humans, that has restrained most people from some things. In that day, he will step aside and they will have no inhibitions. People don’t realize how much those inhibitions protect them, and try to get rid of them. Most of us will not be murdered because most people have an innate aversion to committing murder, as an example.

“And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” (II Thessalonians 2:11-12)

Because man chooses to rebel against God’s protective guidelines, he will finally step aside and allow them to see the results. They will convince themselves that no limitations is what they want, leading to their eventual destruction. One professional bull rider said, after a while you have to understand that you are going to get hurt if you ride bulls. If you follow Satan’s plan, you will be damned.