There are certainly many indications today that we are living in the last days, and that we are inching closer and closer to the coming of Jesus Christ to rescue the godly ones from this evil world. One of these indications (or signs) is the increase of lawlessness spoken of in Matthew 24:12. In this context Jesus is speaking of that period of time called “the Tribulation,” in which many false prophets will arise and mislead many (v. 11); and because of lawlessness (sinfulness), people will grow to hate and betray one another (vv. 10-12).

And during that time of tribulation there will arise one called the “lawless one,” who is known as the antichrist. At first, during the first part of the Tribulation, he will be restrained by God from doing his great evil; but at the midpoint of the Tribulation those restraints will be removed, and being empowered by Satan, he will then be free to do great lawlessness (2 Thess. 2:3-12).

Of course, we are not now in the Tribulation; but, as I said, we have indications that we are fast arriving. I say that mainly because of the present attitude we have toward law enforcement and the police department. Certain groups like Black Lives Matter, along with many liberal democrats and the media, are now pushing the idea of defunding the police department and even abolishing it. Can you imagine what will happen if that idea becomes a reality? There would be chaos and no law and order—lawlessness!

According to Scripture (2 Thess. 2:7), “The mystery of lawlessness is already at work.” This means, according to John MacArthur, that the “The spirit of lawlessness [is] already prevalent in society, but [it is] still a mystery in that it has not been fully revealed [in the coming antichrist].”

Hence, what I get from that, is that this attitude we have in society about wanting to be free of the police, is in our sinful spirit. But we do not see what is coming and how damaging that spirit can be in us. In a sense we all want to be free of the law, because we are all sinners. But we often fail to see how God has given us authority figures like the police to help us and keep us safe.

I think this country should do all it can to shut down this radical idea of defunding the police department. But if it happens that we are not able to do it, or if our government isn’t willing to do it, we Christians need to be aware, and even comforted in the fact that His coming is near!