What happens when you come to faith and you realize God has gifted you with a big mouth? According to Rowena Cross, you use it! After learning about the love of Jesus she stepped into ministry with her husband Ron and takes every opportunity she can to tell people about Jesus. A typical subwoofer with a 12' effective driver size offers 123 square inches of radiating area. The Trinity, by contrast, has 924 square inches - seven and a half times as much! With the increased radiating area, the cone excursion required to produce the same acoustic wattage is dramatically reduced. Bob Lenz from Life Promotions wanted to be a dump truck driver when he graduated high school. However, God had another plan for Bob. However, God had another plan for Bob. Even though he still wanted to go work with trucks after going to Bible school he ended up being a public speaker. They also encourage you to reach out to them with any prayer requests you might have during this time. The National Latino Evangelical Coalition (NALEC) created a FREE Spanish-language manual to help Hispanic Evangelical congregations respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of their delivery drivers are elders themselves.

• Download Trinity Works Driver Ed
• Download Trinity Works Drivers

Download Trinity Works Driver Ed

The Restraining Influence of the Holy Spirit

'Surely the wrath of man shall praise Thee: the remainder of wrath shalt Thou restrain'(Psalm 76:10).
by Tom Stewart

Preface
When many Christians speak of the Restraining Influence of the Holy Spirit, they are making reference to the Pre-Tribulational Rapture interpretation of Second Thessalonians chapter two, verse seven. 'For the Mystery of Iniquity doth already work: only He who now letteth [Greek, katecho, restrains] will let [will continue to restrain], until He [the Holy Spirit] be taken out of the way'(2Thessalonians 2:7). This writer agrees that the Holy Spirit is the Restraining Influence taken out of the way when the Spirit Indwelt Saints are Raptured at the beginning of the Tribulation Week. 'But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His'(Romans 8:9). [See our article, 'Must There Be a Pre-Tribulational Rapture?' ---New Window, for a more thorough discussion of 2Thessalonians 2.] The very identification of the Holy Spirit as the Restraining Influence brings up the significant Ministry of the Holy Spirit as the Restrainer of Evil. '7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter [Greek, parakletos, advocate] will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you. 8 And when He is come, He will reprove [Greek, elegcho, convince or convict] the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on Me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to My Father, and ye see Me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged'(John 16:7-11). What did Jesus mean-- 'of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment'(16:9)? The Holy Spirit was given to:

(1) Convict the world of the sin of not believing on Christ, i.e., '18 He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the Only Begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that Light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than Light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the Light, neither cometh to the Light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth Truth cometh to the Light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God'(John 3:18-21),
(2) Convince the world of Christ's Righteousness, because if He (the Spirit) is present in this world, then our 'Advocate [Greek, parakletos, comforter] with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous'(1John 2:1) (Who, consequently, is the Sender of the Spirit) must have ascended successfully back to the Throne of the Father, i.e., 'Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear'(Acts 2:33), and
(3) Convict the world of judgment, because Beelzebub-- Satan, who is the 'god of this world'(2Corinthians 4:4) and the 'prince of the power of the air'(Ephesians 2:2)-- was judged at the Cross, for Christ 'having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it'(Colossians 2:15), i.e., '7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the LORD of Glory'(1Corinthians 2:7-8).

How the Holy Spirit Works
God the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Trinity, works through: (1) the material Creation, (2) the Truth, and (3) the Spirit Indwelt Believer. [See our article, 'St. Patrick: The Trinity and the Shamrock' ---New Window, for a discussion of the Doctrine of the Trinity.]

• First, Creation was manifestly an act of God employing His Word-- the Eternal Logos, which is Christ Jesus (the Second Person of the Trinity), who is the 'Word of Life'(1John 1:1)-- and using His Spirit. Notice in the following verse, the reference to the Word (Christ) and the Breath (Spirit) of the LORD in Creation. 'By the Word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the Breath of His mouth'(Psalm 33:6). Does this not coincide with the statement of Genesis? '1 In the beginning God created the Heaven and the Earth. 2 And the Earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 3 And God said [i.e., His Word, which is Christ], Let there be light: and there was light'(Genesis 1:1-3). Not only has the 'Spirit of Christ'(1Peter 1:11) been instrumental in the Creation, but He necessarily is the sine qua non ('without which not' or the essential element or condition) of maintaining the material Universe. '27 These wait all upon Thee; that Thou mayest give them their meat in due season. 28 That Thou givest them they gather: Thou openest Thine hand, they are filled with good. 29 Thou hidest Thy face, they are troubled: Thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. 30 Thou sendest forth Thy Spirit, they are created: and Thou renewest the face of the Earth'(Psalm 104:27-30).
  
• Second, all Truth is the ministry of the Spirit in Its authoring, superintending, distributing, instructing, interpreting, persuading, preserving, etc., for He is the 'Spirit of Truth'(John 15:26). All factual knowledge, which is consistent with Spiritual Truth, is just as much the Spirit's domain as Biblical Truth, for the Spirit is the Spirit of the Almighty God, Whose 'understanding is infinite'(Psalm 147:5). Of course, Scriptural Truth is understood especially to be from the Spirit of God. 'For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost'(2Peter 1:21). Whenever any Truth-- Scriptural Truth or otherwise-- is ever understood by any man-- Saint or Sinner-- it is only because the Spirit of God has directed it. 'A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from Heaven'(John 3:27).
  
• Third and finally, the Holy Spirit residing in the Spirit Indwelt Believer is the primary means through which Spiritual Truth is disseminated to the world. 'Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you'(John 16:7). The Spirit is not given to the world, but to the Christian. 'Even the Spirit of Truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you'(John 14:17). Plainly, the world cannot understand the Spirit of Truth, other than the Spirit's warning that 'Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish'(Luke 13:3, 5). The fine points of Spiritual Truth are unintelligible to Unsaved Humanity and consequently wasted upon them until they become willing and repent. True Willingness to obey Christ is the Crucial Test of being a Christian, and it is the key to understanding the doctrines and teachings of the Scriptures. 'If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine'(John 7:17). But, until man becomes willing to do the Will of God, the Spirit of Truth will not be truly understood. 'But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned'(1Corinthians 2:14).

How the Holy Spirit Restrains Evil Through Endtime Christians
How does the Restraining Influence of the Holy Spirit relate to your conduct as an Endtime Christian? Other than by His supernatural intervention in the Material Creation, e.g., a worldwide flood cleansing the Earth of wicked mankind such as in the days of Noah, the Holy Spirit restrains the Evil in the world through the Truth lived, prayed, and ministered by His Spirit Indwelt Saints. 'Ye are the Salt of the Earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men'(Matthew 5:13). Can even a seemingly small number of True Saints ministering, praying, and living the Truth have such a large effect upon a vastly larger world of Ungodly Humanity? Evidently so, for consider the case of 'just Lot'(2Peter 2:7) dwelling in Sodom. The Almighty would have spared Sodom and Gomorrah 'for ten's sake'(Genesis 18:32), if 'ten [Righteous Saints] shall be found there'(18:32), for Abraham had so interceded. 'That be far from Thee to do after this manner, to slay the Righteous with the Wicked: and that the Righteous should be as the Wicked, that be far from Thee: Shall not the Judge of All the Earth do right?'(Genesis 18:25). Did not Jehovah instruct His Old Testament Saints, 'Seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace'(Jeremiah 29:7)? Only Eternity will tell how much the intercession of the Saints has benefitted even the world that never repented. '1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty'(1Timothy 2:1-2). So, the Holy Spirit restrains Evil simply by the salty presence of the Godly, as well as by their prayers and actions. Consider that Enoch's great-grandson Noah was declared to be a 'preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly'(2Peter 2:5), while Enoch had done the same kind of preaching some 900 years previously to his generation of Ungodly Rejecters, i.e., '14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the LORD cometh with ten thousands of His Saints, 15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him'(Jude 14-15). If the Godly Saint is able to affect the preservation of his burgh, village, town, city, province, territory, state, or nation, then think what greater good can be accomplished, if any of them should ever succeed in gaining a Sinner's repentance through ministering the 'Truth of the Gospel'(1Peter 1:23)? Depending upon the circumstances and opportunities of different Saints in different times and places throughout history, aggressive evangelism or retreat to the catacombs would be directed by the Spirit to accomplish His Purpose through Providence and Prophecy. 'I being in the way, the LORD led me'(Genesis 24:27). Whatever the case, the Godly have been commanded to labour 'while it is day: [for] the night cometh, when no man can work'(John 9:4), and to continue until the 'LORD cometh'(Jude 14) for us. The All Wise God knows your circumstances; and better yet, He has providentially planned your life and circumstances that you will be able to fulfill His Will for your life, without you attempting to become a duplicate of some other Christian (living or departed). 'We must all appear before the Judgment Seat [Greek, bema] of Christ'(2Corinthians 5:10). The godly Apostle Paul attempted to lead by example, as well should we. 'Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ'(1Corinthians 11:1). However, in being led of the Spirit, i.e., 'For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God'(Romans 8:14), we may be conducted down paths that only the Spirit of Christ travels with us. 'And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them'(Isaiah 42:16).
How the Gospel May Be Advanced Even in the Face of Opposition
An example from the New Testament shows us the circumstances of the Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Philippians. Paul was writing from his prison in Rome to the Philippian Christians (about 60 AD) during the administration of Nero, i.e., 'my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace [Greek, praitorion, probably the Emperor's palace] and in all other places'(Philippians 1:13). Philippi was a Roman colony and city of Macedonia to which Paul had been instructed by the Holy Spirit to visit. 'And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us'(Acts 16:9). Lydia, a 'seller of purple'(Acts 16:14) and the Philippian jailer (16:29) were possibly readers of this letter-- about seven years after their first meeting with Paul. Specifically, Paul was in prison because the enemies of the Gospel were seeking to use Roman law to execute him, i.e., 'Away with such a fellow from the Earth: for it is not fit that he should live'(Acts 22:22). Despite years of imprisonment, Paul's confidence in Christ had only grown, and his encouragement to the Philippians was, 'Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ'(Philippians 1:6). Paul was imprisoned in Rome because he had appealed to Caesar, i.e., '17 And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18 Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me. 19 But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of'(Acts 28:17-19). While Paul waited for his case to be decided in Rome, Paul explains that the Truth of the Gospel was being spoken about or preached both by sincerity and deceit. '12 But I would ye should understand, Brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the Gospel; 13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; 14 And many of the brethren in the LORD, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the Word without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the Gospel'(Philippians 1:12-17). He makes a Spirit-inspired observation about both the True and False Preaching of the Truth of the Gospel: '18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. 19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ'(1:18-19). Two things are necessary to make both forms of preaching work for the futherance of the Truth of the Gospel: (1) 'your prayer'(1:19), and (2) the 'supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ'(1:19). Even when antagonistic or false teachers of Spiritual Truth successfully spread their poisonous teachings, the Spirit of God is able to use the element of Truth in their false positions, if we petition Him (prayer) to do so (by His Spirit). 'Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the LORD of Hosts'(Zechariah 4:6). We need to claim promises from the Word of God in our intercession that even the element of Truth in the false teaching can be forced home by the Holy Spirit to do a True Work of Grace in the heart of the hearers. 'Surely the wrath of man shall praise Thee: the remainder of wrath shalt Thou restrain'(Psalm 76:10). By no means do we pray for the advancement of false teachings, but we do ask the LORD that, for ourselves, it would 'work together for good to them that love God'(Romans 8:28) and be used by the Spirit to both convert the Elect and ready the Unelect for judgment. 'That they all might be damned who believed not the Truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness'(2Thessalonians 2:12). As an encouragement, Paul ended his epistle to the Philippians with a greeting from all the Christians residing in the official household of Nero. 'All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household'(Philippians 4:22). How could the enemy ever defeat a Spirit-filled Christian, who lives by Paul's motto, 'For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain'(Philippians 1:21)? And, what kind of world would this be without the salty presence of such Spirit-filled Believers? 'If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?'(1Peter 4:18).
How Endtime Christians Should Promote the Restraining Influence of the Holy Spirit
With the understanding that the Saints must have 'prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ'(Philippians 1:19) for success, the following are a few suggestions to promote the Restraining Influence of the Holy Spirit.

First, since knowledge shall be increasingly multiplied at the End of Time, i.e., 'But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased'(Daniel 12:4), Christians should be praying that good applications for that knowledge would increase, edifying applications of that knowledge would be manifested, Christ-honoring and soul-saving applications for that knowledge would be developed, e.g., publishing the Truth of the Gospel on the technological medium of the Internet as anticipated by the Psalmist: 'The LORD gave the Word: great was the company of those that published It'(Psalm 68:11), and that man's sinful attempt to pervert such knowledge would be thwarted, e.g., China's central government's examination of URL requests of Mainland China's Internet users, filtering, and blocking of Google's search engine results to block information deemed 'too sensitive' by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). 'Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen'(Romans 1:25). [See our editorial, 'China's Future Is Written In Scripture' ---New Window for understanding of the prophetic future of the People's Republic of China (PRC).]
Second, since there exists a good deal of Truth revealed by False Teachers, False Religions, False Philosophies, False Science, etc., the Godly need to be praying that the element of Truth in their False Teachings would be used by the Spirit to convert the Wicked, or at least restrain the remainder of their wickedness, if done with promise, i.e., 'Surely the wrath of man shall praise Thee: the remainder of wrath shalt Thou restrain'(Psalm 76:10). For example, the Roman Catholic Church's beatification of the 19th century German mystic nun, whose visions inspired Mel Gibson's hit movie, The Passion of the Christ(2004), demonstrates that the movie promotes a Catholic traditionalist approach to a salvation centered upon participation in the False Teachings of the Roman Catholic Church (RCC); however, without promoting the viewing of the movie, prayer should still be made that the Spirit of God may use the movie to impress upon viewers the great sin of rejecting Jesus Christ. 'Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound'(Romans 5:20). [See our article, 'An Earnest Appeal to Roman Catholics: Or, Roman Catholicism Examined in Light of the Scriptures' ---New Window.]
Third, though True Christians by no means represent the core beliefs of their respective nations, many countries of the western world have Christian traditions; therefore, many of the laws and political leaders must still appeal to the religious and moral values of their Superficially-Christian-Constituency. Pray and vote (if you can) that candidates would be elected and laws would be passed that would be conducive to Godliness and stem the tide against abortion, homosexuality, the anti-God sentiment in the court system, etc. '1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty'(1Timothy 2:1-2).
Fourth, through example and practice, a True Christian should 'let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven'(Matthew 5:16). Perhaps it would be simply your considerate conduct while patiently giving directions to a passerby, True Politeness while standing in line at a store, or your lack of rage, when challenged or confronted by increasingly selfish drivers on the streets and highways, that by all of this, you may be instrumental in Restraining Evil, by the power of the Holy Spirit. 'Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you'(Luke 6:28).
Fifth and finally (for the sake of brevity), even if you feel comfortable with but few charitable organizations-- and of course, do not ever contribute contrary to your conscience or sensibilities-- obvious benefit will be gained by those who will receive donated canned goods, articles of clothing, money, etc., when you obey the Scriptural directive: 'Do good and to communicate [Greek, koinonia, share] forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased'(Hebrews 13:16). The less organizationally and the more directly charity can be given-- particularly in the name of the LORD, where possible-- the better; and, the preference should be to especially relieve the needs of the Christian Household of Faith, i.e., 'As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith'(Galatians 6:10), and in particular to relieve the needs of the Church's 'widows indeed'(1Timothy 5:3) and to 'visit the fatherless'(James 1:27). '14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works'(James 2:14-18).

Conclusion
The exponential explosion of population in this 21st Century means that a population of Christians must grow at the same rate or comparatively be swallowed up by the godless majority of the world, and our Restraining Influence would become relatively unfelt. However, 'at this present time also there is a remnant [still] according to the Election of Grace'(Romans 11:5). A citation quoted by A. J. Gordon in his classic book, The Ministry of the Spirit(1894), relates how the 'inChristed' body of Believers are to manifest Christ to the world:

'The Holy Spirit not only dwells in the church as his habitation, but also uses her as the living organism whereby he moves and walks forth in the world, and speaks to the world and acts upon the world. He is the soul of the church which is Christ's body.'

'Now ye are the Body of Christ, and members in particular'(1Corinthians 12:27). Such powerful witnesses for Christ will be felt in the positive and missed in the scale of things in the negative, if the witness is missing. 'Ye are the Salt of the Earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men'(Matthew 5:13). In the end, we must also remember that the Almighty will withdraw His Spirit when He deems it wisest. 'And the LORD said, My Spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years'(Genesis 6:3). As in the days of Noah, He will ensure the safety of His people, but this time by Pre-Tribulational Rapture and not by a physical ark. 'By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith'(Hebrews 11:7). Likewise, though Abraham was concerned about the safety of his nephew Lot, certainly he did not feel that Jehovah had abandoned His promise, when He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, while delivering Lot. 'And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt'(Genesis 19:29).
You may notice that the emphasis of this article is not upon the traditional positions of Biblical Christianity, i.e., Christian Education, Personal Evangelism, Revival, or Worldwide Missions, not because they are not useful tools, which should be supported wherever there is opportunity, i.e., 'I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some'(1Corinthians 9:22), but because we are attempting to emphasize those actions, which we may have given but little thought. 'My Father worketh hitherto, and I work'(John 5:17).
May God cause us to 'walk worthy'(Luke 21:36) of Him by our cooperation with the Restraining Influence of the Holy Spirit being so felt that our Rapture Home to Heaven would be noticed by the world by a sudden lack of restraint erupting upon the world. 'And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the Water of Life freely'(Revelation 22:17).
Amen, and Amen.

Download Trinity Works Drivers

Section Index for Prophecy
Readers are permitted and encouraged to copy and freely share this article with others.