Our God is prepared to act in order to cleanse the world. He would be justified in destroying the world, such is the level of rebellion against Him.
Because of His great love for us, He cannot bear to do that, but He is allowing change and the angels prepare to act.
Jesus says that in times past, even as near as the first half of the twentieth century, souls were generally obedient. This is not so anymore. During this time, souls are generally disobedient.