According to 2 Thes. 2:7-8, the secret power of lawlessness is already operating in the world, although it is to a certain extent restrained by the presence of the Christians who are the light of a dark world and the salt of a corrupt earth. However, in the end-time just prior to the rapture and the beginning of the tribulation period, a large number of nominal Christians (those who are not truly born again) will openly join forces with the kingdom of darkness:
Wakati huu, kutakuwa hata na manabii ambayo watakuwa waalimu wa mafunzo ya huyu mpinga Kristo, na imani hii ya mpinga Kristo itaenea kote duniani. Na kando na haya ambayo yatajitokeza katika imani, kutakuwa na mabadiliko ambapo mpinga Kristo sasa ataanzisha njia mpya za uchumi. Uchumi huu sasa utakuwa ule ambao hamna matumizi ya pesa.