noah survived

When a non-believer says they’ll pray for you

Ballroom, Erika and poor polls. That is what this was about.

Amen

Why does God tell us to freely forgive if he can’t, but has to be paid (PSA)?

Yeah that makes sense - so to be clear I think any theist (including monotheists) can only ever know what it’s like to not believe in a particular kind of god; they don’t know what it’s like to believe in zero gods (i.e., they don’t know what it’s like to be an atheist). A theist can only ever tell rival religions that they should ascribe a different set of properties to God, never that they shouldn’t believe in God at all. There’s a massive metaphysical difference between a theist disbelieving in a particular deity in favour of another with different characteristics, and an atheist not believing in any kind of god.

WHO IS THE RESTRAINER? Why hasn’t the world already descended into total lawlessness? Evil is not distant. It is active, organized, and pressing forward. Scripture does not soften this reality: “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work…” (2 Thessalonians 2:7) “We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19) This is not a future condition. It is a present one. And yet, there is still a boundary. A limit that has not yet been crossed. “…only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.” (2 Thessalonians 2:7) Lawlessness is not absent. It is restrained—held back like a rising flood behind a dam. Some suggest the Restrainer is Michael the archangel. But Scripture presents a clear limitation. “At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people…” (Daniel 12:1) Michael is assigned. He has a role tied to Israel. And even in spiritual conflict: “But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil… did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you.’” (Jude 1:9) He does not act independently. He is powerful—but not omnipotent, not omnipresent. Yet the Restrainer in 2 Thessalonians is holding back global lawlessness. That requires more than an angel. Paul gives us the framework: “And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time.” (2 Thessalonians 2:6) “Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.” (2 Thessalonians 2:7) A force—and a person. This fits the Holy Spirit. But we must be precise. The Holy Spirit is not removed from the earth. “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there… if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.” (Psalm 139:7–8) God’s presence does not withdraw from creation. Even during the Tribulation, salvation continues: “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:14) And conviction still happens: “And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.” (John 16:8) So the Spirit remains present, active, and saving. What changes is how He restrains. Jesus said: “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:13–14) Salt preserves. Light exposes. Through believers—indwelt by the Spirit—the restraint becomes visible in the world. And you can see it, if you look closely: ❖ In school boards, where truth is defended against confusion ❖ In politics, where righteousness still speaks into power ❖ In neighborhoods, where order, accountability, and care remain ❖ In workplaces, where integrity resists compromise ❖ On platforms like X, where truth confronts deception ❖ In entertainment, where not everything bows to darkness These are not random acts. They are restraint in action. Scripture describes this clearly: “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” (Ephesians 5:11) “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34) “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.” (Colossians 1:13) Every act of truth, every stand for righteousness, every proclamation of the gospel pushes back darkness. Not completely—but meaningfully. Now imagine it. All of it, gone. Every believer removed at once. No salt. No light. No exposure of darkness. No voice of truth in the room. No resistance in decisions. No moral friction slowing corruption. The dam doesn’t crack. It disappears. And then: “And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.” (2 Thessalonians 2:8) Not because evil suddenly appears— but because nothing restrains it anymore. The Restrainer is not just a concept. It is the Holy Spirit, restraining lawlessness through the global presence of the Church. Right now. In ordinary places. Through ordinary people. And that leads to a sobering reality. The reason the world is not yet what it could be… is because restraint is still active. But when that restraint is lifted—when every voice of truth, every presence of light, every preserving influence is removed... what follows will be horrific. “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near… for he will abundantly pardon.” (Isaiah 55:6–7) “Christ died for our sins… he was buried… he was raised…” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4) “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13) Turn. Trust Christ. Call on His name. The door is open now.

I’m getting a lot of hate for this reel. What do you think? (P.S.: if you say “but we have evidence for dads I believe you have missed the point.)