As global instability, moral confusion and spiritual deception continue to intensify, Bible teacher and author Rick Renner shared with Dinesh D’Souza what he believes Scripture offers as a clear explanation for what we are currently witnessing today.
Before introducing Renner, D’Souza offered a commentary on California politics, warning against what he called “false hope” among conservatives who believe the state is on the verge of a political turnaround. Pointing to recent election results, D’Souza argued that California has become a one-party state where Republican victories are increasingly difficult to achieve. He expressed concerns about election integrity, mail-in voting practices and what he described as a political system designed to preserve Democratic control.
That theme of cultural upheaval and growing confusion ultimately served as a backdrop for his conversation with Renner, who approached many of the same concerns through the lens of biblical prophecy and end-times theology.
One of Renner’s first observations challenged a common misunderstanding about biblical prophecy.
“The last days actually began on the day of Pentecost,” Renner said, noting that believers have been living in the church age for nearly 2,000 years. However, he believes the world is now approaching what the apostle Paul described as the final stage of that era. “You’ll know you’ve come to the end of the age… when the world is filled with peril on every single side.”
According to Renner, Jesus Himself identified deception as the foremost sign of the end times.
“The first sign he gave was, ‘Take heed that no man deceive you,'” Renner said. He argued that society is increasingly rejecting biblical truth and embracing ideas that were once considered unthinkable. “We’re truly living in delusionary times.”
The conversation then turned to one of the most debated topics in eschatology: the rapture.
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Renner explained that the term comes from the Greek word harpazo, meaning to be suddenly seized, snatched away or caught up. He pointed to biblical examples such as Enoch, Elijah, Philip and the apostle Paul as evidence that supernatural removals are a recurring theme throughout Scripture.
Renner also distinguished the rapture from Christ’s second coming, arguing that believers will be caught up to meet the Lord before a future period of unprecedented tribulation.
“The church is the force that’s holding it all back right now,” he said, referring to the spread of evil in the earth. He cited 2 Thessalonians 2, which describes a restraining force that must be removed before the “man of lawlessness” is revealed.
As the discussion moved toward the Antichrist and coming tribulation, Renner warned that the world is being conditioned to accept increasing lawlessness and spiritual compromise. Yet he emphasized that Christians should respond with faith rather than fear.
“The mark of the beast is real. It is going to be issued by the Antichrist,” Renner said, while stressing that believers should be grounded in Scripture rather than driven by internet speculation.
Ultimately, Renner’s message was not one of panic but preparation.
“This is our opportunity to throw out a lifeline and to help people who are really looking for help,” he said.
In a culture increasingly marked by confusion and deception, Renner believes the church’s mission remains unchanged: proclaim biblical truth and point people to Jesus Christ while there is still time.
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the newly released book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
