From where cometh the anti-christ?

Many are trying to determine who the anti-christ is. Online are literally millions of articles and blogs written by people who are trying to warn others about who they believe him to be. Judging merely by the volume of opinions, it appears that Obama is currently a leading contender for the position. Prior to his coming on the scene, Putin was a leading choice.

Almost without exception, people expect the anti-christ to come from the political and/or military arena. This is largely true of Christians as well, several of whom believe that they have received their insight of who he is, from God.

Nevertheless, what if we’re barking up the wrong tree? What if his background is neither political nor military, but he instead comes from a religious (spiritual leader) background. Is he already “enthroned” in the hearts of people, having used a highly charismatic, magnetic personality, to become a popular, believed and perhaps beloved religious leader? Does he hold a “celebrity” type status? Might he give himself away to one who has a keen sense of spiritual discernment, because he always carefully avoids “offending sensitivities” – at the eternal cost of souls? Can his preaching perhaps be most accurately described as self-help, self-image improvement or “how to maximize the balance in your blessings account” seminars? (Remember, this was the kind of people pleasing, “change promising” personna that put Hitler into power.)

Even the title “anti-christ” would seem to indicate that he will come from the religious sector. Of note, he is not referred to as the anti-communism, anti-democratic, anti-socialism, anti-whatever governing power… He is anti-Christ (against God, who is Spirit)! 

We know from scripture that the goal of the anti-christ is to create one worldwide religion. (Allegiance mandatory to save your earthly life.) It is under his/satan’s religion that all governments, militaries and their people will serve. The fact that his religion will be in authority above all earthly systems, is a further indicator that he will come from a religious leader background.

The push is on to unify all of the religions of the world into “one worldwide religion”. The Pope has notably taken the lead role in this effort, backed by men and women from around the globe, representing nearly all religions and denominations. Many of these apostates would be accurately described as “celebrity status” preachers. From such efforts have come false doctrines such as “Chrislam”.

The pope and many others are on public record for teaching that it does not matter what god a person worships, because as long as the person has a good heart, all religions/roads lead to Heaven.

Are we making the same critical error?

Many of the most significant problems of this world appear to be militarily or politically based, and are supposedly resolvable in like manner. The truth is that our problems in these areas are deeply rooted in battles within the spiritual realm, which then manifest into the natural realm.

The Jews of Jesus time were expecting a military/political leader (Messiah) who would free them from their oppressors, militarily set up an earthly Kingdom, lead and take care of them. The people in general had no personal access to scripture so relied upon its interpretation as presented by their religious leaders. We in America have no such excuse, as the Bible is available to anyone who wants to study it.

Ultimately, because they did not understand Gods plan and though they had been anticipating His arrival for centuries, they made the critical error of “missing it”; they failed to recognize the promised Messiah.

They were not looking for, nor did it occur to them that only a spiritual solution could resolve what had been birthed within the darkest recesses of the spiritual realm. Further, with very few exceptions, they believed that resolution should come with little to no personal involvement or risk on their part. Theirs was an early version of the “entitlement mentality” that has engulfed our nation.

What they had been taught to expect from a deliverer/Messiah was nothing like what God actually sent to them.  In reality, most of the people (as is true for us today) simply wanted to be set free of the tyranny of those who ruled over them, and allowed to live their lives in peace. Of course, a bit of miraculous healing or provision, on the side, would be greatly appreciated – thank you very much.

As was true of the Israelites, and especially in a time when war is breaking out all over the world and economies are in collapse, the Germans before us and we too are desperately seeking “change” or “salvation” through human, political/military means.

Jesus was truly the opposite of what the Jews anticipated would come. He did not launch a political campaign or a military coup to overthrow the government, nor did He support anyone’s intent to do so. Rather, His way was to apply a spiritual solution to a spiritual problem (casting out demons, healing the sick, raising the dead), and to teach the people what it really means to love one another and to love God.

Jesus taught what it takes to address problems which manifest in the natural but which are caused by spiritual lethargy, indifference and of course, willful rebellion and disobedience. He modeled and taught them what it takes to please The Father and how by following such an example, they too could enjoy a beautiful, personal (saving) relationship with Him.

The promises of God are nearly without exception, contingent upon our obedience to Him. Jesus said that He did not come to change what is expected of humankind. Indeed, He was clear that HIS WAY is not an easy one; He clearly taught that THE WAY is difficult and as a result, most would choose not to seek or travel it.

He taught that only those who would fully commit themselves to The Father, through Him, would inherit Heaven.

Jesus’ teaching was in stark contrast to what most of their religious leaders taught; as long as they were not horrible people and to some extent, they obeyed the law, being “of the seed of Abraham” guaranteed them Heaven. People today largely also buy what many “religious leaders” (as well as the majority of Christians) have carefully spoon fed them; as long as they call themselves Christian, say that they believe in Jesus and have recited “the prayer”, they are good to go…

The Jews of Jesus’ time missed recognizing their Messiah. Will we in like manner “miss it”, not recognizing the anti-christ for what he is?

Will misconceptions derail many of “the elect”?

There are hundreds, if not thousands of books written about end time’s prophecy. Conversations relating to the topic frequently include statements like “that can’t happen yet because such and such a scripture say that this other event will happen first”. We often stubbornly cling to a timeline or an understanding of events that is not Biblical or perhaps which is based on a book or a movie. In most instances, if we simply read scripture as it was written, rather than reading into it what we have come to believe via whatever venue the information came, we could avoid such errors.  One example is the pre-tribulation rapture theory, which is in direct opposition to what Jesus said; therefore believing it is in essence, calling God a liar.

Our understanding of how prophetic “markers” fit into the timeline in many instances may indeed be accurate. However, a misunderstanding of the timeline itself, where specific events fit within it, or even the original/actual meaning of specific words used in scripture, is causing many to miss the significance of the lateness of the hour as it relates to the fulfillment of prophecy. Those who erroneously believe that there is plenty of time left, will often procrastinate about truly getting right with and close to God – which can only happen according to His terms. Many will be completely unprepared for and therefore unable to stand in the face of what is coming. Remember, Jesus said that only those who overcome (remain steadfast in their faith), will be saved. (Mark 13:13)

Specific to this discussion, I will explain where the general understanding of a word may well be being misapplied.

He [the anti-christ] will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God. 2 Thessalonians 2:4 [clarification mine]

Many are expecting a literal temple to be built in Jerusalem and Christians therefore assume that they will recognize what is happening when they literally see the anti-christ set himself up “as god” in a rebuilt temple building. For this reason, it is a common interpretation of scripture that until a physical temple is completed, the remaining events of prophecy cannot occur.

However, throughout the New Testament, we are told that believers became “the temple of God” when Jesus died in payment for our sins. Scripture also refers to the followers of Jesus as the building blocks of the new temple, which is clearly not referring to a physical building.

The true follower of Jesus is the new temple and is the chosen earthly dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus died on the cross, the veil that separated The Holy Place and The Most Holy Place in the temple was rent in two. This was done when His presence vacated the old temple (building) in anticipation of moving into the new temple (the hearts of believers.)

When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place… Matthew 24:15

Could this scripture mean that the abomination of desolation (anti-christ) will stand in “The Holy Place” of the new temple – in the assembly of the people of the modern church?

If the temple in which the anti-christ will install himself as “god” is in fact not a literal building but instead is the temple of the hearts of the people of the church, multitudes will completely miss the fulfillment of this scripture. This too would point to the anti-christ being a popular religious figure and gives some explanation to Jesus’ warning that the very elect will be deceived, as well as for His asking if when He returns, will He find faith on the earth? (Matthew 24:24, Luke 18:8)

Will we be unprepared because we are looking for what we consider “logical” or “traditionally understood” fulfillment of various scriptures? Will we fall because we have failed to take the time to study for ourselves, what the Holy Spirit has actually told us?

Will a false rapture cause deceived believer’s to follow a false Jesus?

The Bible warns that even believers (the elect) will be deceived into following the anti-christ. Yet, most Christians assume that they will easily recognize him and so they could never fall for his ploys. They are however, not understanding that he will be capable of, through signs and wonders, (miracles) producing “evidence” which will beyond any reasonable doubt support his claims. The magnitude of what will be performed will convince the most “rational mind” (natural), including that of tens of millions of joy filled believers, to think that he is in fact Jesus. Will he successfully the convince multitudes that just as promised, he (false Jesus) has returned to the earth, to begin his millennial reign?

Will people believe him because a “false rapture” event will have been perpetrated upon them through technological means such as that used in “Project Blue Beam” or perhaps it may be performed using signs and wonders (actual miracles)? Already, such technology is being used to make “floating cities” and other holographic images appear in the skies. Thousands have witnessed and even photographed such images in the past few years. Will people actually witness and even photograph a false rapture event, thereby being deceived into following him when he claims that he (imitating Jesus) is finally taking his “rightful” place as the ruler of the earth? Will even strong Christians, those that Jesus called the elect, be tricked into giving their devoted and wholehearted allegiance to the anti-christ, truly believing that they are obediently following the true Christ?

The copycat who seeks to devour…

Satan frequently mimics the things that he sees God do; this is a highly effective tool, which can allow his deceptions to go unrecognized for what they are when people see an apparent parallel between what is happening around them and those things that they have come to believe would only be “of God”. In this way, people can be made to believe that God instigates something when that is not the case. People often forget that satan can and does cause blessings in a person’s life, when it will serve his purposes.

An excellent example of someone who is not empowered by God, yet being able to mimic or copy His miracles was the Egyptian priests who were able to copy nearly every miracle that Moses performed before Pharaoh. Another example of satan mimicking God is seen in the parallel of The Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) vs. the end time’s unholy trinity (anti-christ, beast and false prophet). Yet another is; Jesus is our spiritual Savior and by what will seem a “logical” parallel, the unholy trinity will have the miraculous power to “save” those whom they wish to from the ravages of famine, war and pestilence. Remember, scripture tell us that the anti-christ will be seen as “the” ultimate spiritual leader/savior, while controlling the governments and people of the world from his church

Now is the time to learn to recognize His voice and His ways!

Do you truly recognize the voice of your savior? Are you so close to Him that you immediately recognize the voice of satan when he tries to deceive you? Now is the time to develop the kind of relationship with Jesus that will see you through – all the way home to Heaven! When it all “hits the fan”, it’s going to be fast and furious and the still small voice of God will be easily drowned out. Any who don’t intimately know the presence and voice of God, deep in their spirit, will fall.

Please don’t let that be you!

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