Posts Tagged ‘Antichrist’
Scripture reading for December 19th: 1st John 1-5
John, the Apostle, knew Jesus Christ intimately. He was the youngest of the disciples and was in the inner circle that was closest to Him. He begins this letter by proclaiming his eye-witness knowledge of Jesus as the Son of His Father in heaven. John wrote this letter to the church to counter some false teachers called “gnostics” who were saying that Jesus was just a spirit. These gnostic teachers were telling church people that it did not matter what one did with his body because our spirit was all that mattered.
Well, Jesus Christ did come in a human body. He was a man and lived in obedience to the Father. He taught us to live by grace through faith. When we break God’s law, that is sin and we must confess and repent. (1st John 1:8-9) If we say we have no sin, we are living in deception, just like the false teachers.
We can not live in a dual world and separate the actions of our spirits and bodies, doing what we please here on earth and still expecting God’s mercy! It was a popular teaching that drew a number of followers. The problem was that it was taking them to Hell! John used a word to describe these false teachers who worked among God’s people. He called them “antichrist”. (1st John 2:16)
The church evidently knew about “the Antichrist” that was to come in the last days. This person would be a world ruler who would deceive many with false signs and wonders. (2nd Thessalonians 2:8-11) Paul described him as the “man of lawlessness”. John further stated that many “antichrists” had already gone out into the world at the time of his writing. These false teachers had come from within the church. They left the church and drew a following of people who were deceived by their lies and loose living.
“Antichrist” is a term that literally means “one set over against Christ”. In our language today we would likely use “counterfeit” to describe them. They used scripture to justify their doctrines. They often used the name of Jesus Christ but lived in rebellion to what Jesus actually taught and stood for. They were legalistic and manipulative and lacked the love of the Lord. By the way, these types are still around today! Beware!
The best remedy against deception is to know the real thing and be filled with the Holy Spirit. John told his readers (us, today) that they had a real anointing that would teach them all things. (1st John 2:20, 27) The Holy Spirit would keep them from deception. The One who lived in them was greater that the deceiver in the world! (1st John 4:4) The Holy Spirit would reveal the love of the Father to them and through them, showing the true children of God.
Take a moment today to reflect on the truths of John’s epistle. Invite the Holy Spirit to fill you with His anointing. Confess that the greater One lives in you!
Scripture reading for December 5th: 2nd Thessalonians 1-3
We have been focusing on finding Christ in every book of the Bible. Because of Christ’s love for His bride, the church, in this book we find a description of one man who will come in future history who will be known for his terrible evil and lawlessness. This person is called the ‘man of lawlessness’ by the Apostle Paul. We learn about him and his deception in order to motivate us to tell as many people as possible about the Lord and warn others of what is to come.
“Concerning the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to Him, we ask you brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have com from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.” (2nd Thessalonians 2:1-3)
The coming of Jesus Christ will happen suddenly at a time when most are not expecting it. (1st Thessalonians 5:2-3) According to Paul, this day will not come until this lawless man is revealed. Some in Paul’s day were saying that the day of the Lord had already come. He wrote this to keep down the worry and concern that some had missed the rapture. We are still watching for this to happen today. Even though it has been nearly 2000 years, these words are as true today as when they were originally written.
Paul goes on to describe this man of lawlessness as one who will opposes truth and set himself up as god. He will do this by being empowered by Satan to do counterfeit signs and wonders and miracles. (2nd Thessalonians 2:9-10) These signs and miracles will deceive people who have refused to know and love truth. They will be deluded and go to their destruction. (2nd Thessalonians 2:11)
How important the love of the truth is! We have a choice each day to read and believe God and His word. His word is truth! If we reject the truth, we have nothing left but a lie. Lies may sound good, but they lead to destruction. Sincerity is not a test of truth. God has blessed us in that He chose us to be saved by the sanctifying work of the Spirit and belief of the truth. This is all a gift of God’s grace. Because of this grace will will share in the Lord’s glory when He comes.
Take time today to share Jesus Christ with someone who does not know Him. Ask them if you can share this passage about the coming man of lawlessness. Let the Holy Spirit lead both of you to discover truth and to love it!
Scripture reading for September 3rd: Daniel 7-9
These last 6 chapters of the Book of Daniel are filled with prophetic visions and prophesies of the future that were given to Daniel at various times. Some of these prophesies have ties to King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Daniel 2 as well as to the New Testament Book of Revelation and some of the teachings of Jesus in the Gospels. The vision in Daniel 7 dates back before the record of Daniel 5 where Belshazzar sees the handwriting on the wall.
Daniel saw the four winds of heaven stirring up a great sea and out of the sea came four great beasts. These beasts were like animals, great and ferocious. The first was like a lion and the second looked like a bear. The third beast was like a leopard and the fourth beast was something terrifying. It had iron teeth and ten horns on it’s head. It was devouring it’s victims and crushing them. (Daniel 7:4-7) These beasts correspond to the dream of Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 2 and represent the kingdoms that followed that time, starting with Babylon, the lion, and moving to Persia, represented by the bear. The leopard was Greece and the ferocious beast was the Roman Empire of Jesus’ day. (Revelation 13:1-4)
Daniel saw another horn, a little horn that came up among the ten horns of the last beast. This horn had eyes like a man and a boastful mouth. (Daniel 7:8) Many commentators think that this horn is the evil ruler of the last days that will be known as Antichrist. (Revelation 13:5-7)(2nd Thessalonians 2:8-10)
In the midst of this vision of world history, political power and evil beasts, Daniel’s attention is taken to thrones that were set in place. One came and took His seat whose name was the “Ancient of Days”. This Ancient One had clothing that was brilliantly white and hair that was white like wool. His throne was ablaze with fire and full of wheels of fire, and a river of fire was flowing out before Him. There was a host attending Him that could not be numbered. This Ancient One was the judge in a court and there were books present that were opened. (Revelation 20:11-12)
As Daniel watched, the boastful horn was still speaking. Then the beast that the horn had come from was slain and thrown into the blazing fire. The other beasts had been stripped of their authority. Then, suddenly, before Daniel was one like a ‘Son of Man’ coming on the clouds of heaven. (Mark 13:26) He approached the Ancient of Days and was given glory, authority, and power over all nations and men. All worshiped Him in an everlasting kingdom that would never end! (Daniel 7:11-14)(Revelation 5:11-13)
Daniel’s visions are an amazing panorama of history from his day down to the coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of Man. The prophesy of the 70 weeks details how long until this one would come. (Daniel 9:25-27) Daniel also got a good glimpse of history from Jesus’ first coming until his second coming soon after the rise of Antichrist, the little horn. The vision ends with the Ancient of Day’s ruling in favor of the saints and destroying the beasts and the little horn! Be encouraged today that the Ancient of Days is in charge! We win because of His victory!