Age of the Antichrist compiled & formatted by Tom Stephens

[kevinsball]

“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son Of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” ─2 Thessalonians 2:3-4

At least three events must occur before he makes his appearance on earth: “he who now letteth” must be removed (2:7).

If you are one who has been taught that no one can know the identity of the Antichrist because it is the Holy Spirit who restrains the knowledge of such information, just remember what the Holy Spirit through Daniel said: "knowledge shall be increased." (Daniel 12:4)

"The identity of the Antichrist will be revealed on two occasions. The first revelation will occur before the Tribulation and will be for believers. But the second revelation will occur in the middle of the Tribulation and this revelation will be to the nation of Israel that has been deceived by him until this revelation. The key passage that speaks of this first revelation is II Thessalonians 2:1-3:... In verse 3, Paul writes that the Tribulation could not have come yet because two events must precede the Tribulation itself: first the apostasy of the Church; secondly, the revelation of the man of sin..., the son of perdition. There is to be a revelation of the identity of the Antichrist that precedes the Tribulation, and it is for the believers living at that time... The text does not state exactly how this revelation will come... it is also possible that believers will deduce who he is by the numerical value of the Antichrist's name, 666."

(

The Rise and Fall of the Antichrist pg. 6-7 - Arnold Fruchtenbaum)

That is, the return of Christ to gather the overcomers of His churches unto Himself and to deliver them from the coming wrath (1 Thessalonians 1:10) will occur before the beginning of the day of the Lord and at the time when the man of sin is revealed.

I believe our God discloses such secrets to his children before they happen. God always has His witnesses to tell the Word and be a watchmen on the tower sounding the trumpet. Before the flood, He took Enoch and gave the witnessing Word through Noah and his family. He sent two witnesses to Jericho unto Rahab and her family to warn them of impending destruction. God gave Israel Moses and the prophets to tell them the Word from the Lord. He told a gentile king what his dream was and the interpretation of it without the king telling anyone. He gave the exact day when Jesus would allow Himself to be hailed as King.

Why would God change His plan of telling His creation the specific future and who to avoid?

His true identification will be confirmed three and one-half years later as he breaks his covenant with Israel, becomes the world ruler, declares himself to be God, desecrates the temple in Jerusalem, forbids the worship of the Lord (2 Thessalonians 2:8-9), and devastates the Land of Israel (Daniel 9:27; 11:36-45).

So true. "Confirmed" is the correct word since we already know him and the False Prophet.

Gotta watch my 666 Park Avenue now.

God bless.

[Bader]

Age of the Antichrist

Compiled and Formatted by Tom Stephens

“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son Of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” ─2 Thessalonians 2:3-4

According to the Bible, the Antichrist (1 John 2:18) is coming, the one who engineers the final onslaught of Satan against Christ and the saints, just prior to the time when our Lord Jesus Christ establishes His kingdom on earth. Paul’s terms for the Antichrist are: The “man of sin” and “the son of perdition” (2 Thessalonians 2:3). Other terms used in the Bible are the “beast [rising] up out of the sea” (Revelation 13:1-10), “a scarlet colored beast” (Revelation 17:3), and “the beast” (Revelation 17:8, 16; 19:19-20; 20:10).

SIGNS OF THE ANTICHRIST'S COMING: Unlike the Rapture, the coming of the Antichrist will not be without warning. Several signs point to his coming and his appearance. At least three events must occur before he makes his appearance on earth: (1) the “mystery of iniquity,” already at work in the world, must intensify (2 Thessalonians 2:7); (2) the “falling away” must come (2:3); (3) “he who now letteth” must be removed (2:7).

(1) The “mystery of iniquity,” that behind-the-scenes activity of evil powers evident throughout the world (2 Thessalonians 2:7), will increase until it reaches its climax in the complete ridicule of and disregard for any standards and commandments held sacred in the Bible. Because of a prevailing spirit of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold (Matthew. 24:10-12; Luke 18:8). Yet a faithful remnant will remain loyal to apostolic faith as revealed in the New Testament (Matthew 24:13; 25:10; Luke 18:7; Revelation 2:7) Through these faithful people, the church will remain a warrior church, wielding sword of the Spirit until taken out of the world (Ephesians 6:11-20).

(2) The “apostasy” (Greek, apostasia), literally meaning “departure,” “falling away” (2 Thessalonians 2:3), or “abandonment and rebellion,” will occur. In the last days, multitudes within the professing church will depart from biblical truth.

(a) Both the apostle Paul and Christ depict a dismal picture of the condition of much of the visible church—morally, spiritually, and doctrinally—as the present age closes (Matthew 24:5, 10-13, 24; 1 Timothy, 4:1; 2 Timothy 4:3-4). Paul in particular stresses that the churches will be invaded by godless elements in the last days.

(b) This “falling away” within the church will have two dimensions. (1) Theological apostasy is the departure from and rejection of a part or all of the original teachings of Christ and the apostles (1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 4:3). False leaders will offer salvation and cheap grace and ignore Christ’s demand for repentance, separation from immorality, and loyalty to God and His standards (2 Peter 2:1-3, 12-19). False gospels centering on human desires, needs, and goals of self-interest will become popular (2 Timothy 4:3-4). (2) Moral apostasy is the severing of one’s saving relationship with Christ and returning to sin and immorality. Apostates may proclaim right doctrine and New Testament teaching yet abandon God’s moral standards (Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 23:25-28). Many churches will tolerate almost anything for the sake of numbers, money, success, and honor (1 Timothy 4:1). The gospel of the cross with its call to suffer reproach from the world (Philippians 1:29), to radically renounce sin (Romans 8:13), to sacrifice for the kingdom of God, and to deny one’s self will become rare (Matthew 24:12; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 4:3).

© Both the history of the church and the predicted apostasy of the last days warn all believers not to take for granted a continual progress of the kingdom of God through all ages until the end. At some point in time the worldwide history of the church, rebellion against God and His Word will reach astounding proportions. The day of the Lord will bring God’s wrath upon those who reject His truth (1 Thessalonians 5:2-9).

(d) The ultimate triumph of God’s kingdom and His righteousness in the world, therefore, depends not on the gradual increase of the success of the professing church, but on the final intervention of God when He breaks into the world with righteous judgment (Revelation 19-22; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-8; 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Peter 3:10-13; see also Jude).

(3) A pivotal and decisive event must occur before the “man of sin” can be revealed and the day of the Lord and its tribulation begins (2 Thessalonians 2:2-3), namely, the taking “out of the way” of someone (2:7) or something that “letteth” the mystery of iniquity and restrain. When he who holds back the man of sin is taken out of the way, then the day of the Lord can begin (2:6-7). Some believe the restrainer is the church; some believe he is the Holy Spirit. But, the Spirit must remain on earth to some extent, in order that multitudes—according to the Word—must come to Jesus Christ during the Tribulation.

(a) “He who now letteth [restraineth]” (2 Thessalonians 2:7) may best be understood as referring to the Holy Spirit, who alone has the power to hold back iniquity, the man of sin, and Satan (2 Thessalonians 2:9). The restrainer is referred to by both the masculine article (“he who now letteth,” 2:7) and by the neuter article (“what withholdeth,” 2:6). Like­wise, the word for “Spirit” in the Greek language can be referred to by a masculine or neuter pronoun (see John 16:8, note; Romans 8:13; see Galatians 5:17, note the Holy Spirit’s work of restraining sin).

(b) At the beginning of the final seven years of tribulation, the Holy Spirit will be "taken out of the way" (2 Thessalonians 2:7). This does not mean He is taken out of the world, but only that His restraining influence against lawlessness and the Antichrist's entrance will cease. All restraints against sin will be removed and the satanically inspired re­bellion will begin. However, the Holy Spirit will still remain on earth during the tribu­lation to convict people of their sins, convert them to Christ, and empower them (Revelation. 7:9, 14; 11:1-11; 14:6-7).

© The Holy Spirit’s being taken out of the way enables the man of sin to come on the scene (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). God will send a deluding influence upon all those who have refused to love the truth (2:11); they will accept the claims of the man of sin, and human society will degenerate to a depth of depravity never seen before.

(d) The Holy Spirit’s sin-restraining ministry is carried on largely through the church, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19). Therefore, many interpreters believe the Holy Spirit being taken out of the way is a strong indication that the Rapture of the faithful will occur at the same time (1 Thessalonians 4:17). That is, the return of Christ to gather the overcomers of His churches unto Himself and to deliver them from the coming wrath (1 Thessalonians 1:10) will occur before the beginning of the day of the Lord and at the time when the man of sin is revealed.

(e) Some scholars believe that the restrainer of 2 Thessalonians 2:6 (neuter gender) refers to the Holy Spirit and His restraining ministry, while in 2:7 the ‘”he who now letteth” (masculine gender) refers to the believers who are gathered together to Christ and taken out of the way, i.e., raptured to meet Christ in the air in order to be with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

THE ANTICHRIST’S ACTIVITIES: As the day of the Lord begins, the “man of sin” is revealed. He will be a world ruler who will make a covenant with Israel seven-years before the end of the age (Daniel 9:27).

(1) His true identification will be confirmed three and one-half years later as he breaks his covenant with Israel, becomes the world ruler, declares himself to be God, desecrates the temple in Jerusalem, forbids the worship of the Lord (2 Thessalonians 2:8-9), and devastates the Land of Israel (Daniel 9:27; 11:36-45).

(2) The Antichrist will declare himself to be God and will severely persecute those who remain loyal to God (Daniel 7:8, 24-25; Revelation 11:6-7; 13:7,15- 18). He will demand worship, evidently from a great temple that he uses as the center of his pronouncements (Daniel 7:8, 25; 8:4; 11:31, 36). Humans have sought this status since the beginning of creation (2 Thessalonians 2:8; Revelation 13:8, 12).

(3) The “man of sin” will demonstrate through the power of Satan great signs, wonders, and miracles in order to propagate error (2 Thessalonians 2:9). “Lying wonders,” means that they are genuine supernatural miracles that deceive people into accepting a lie.

(a) It is possible these demonstrations of the supernatural will be seen on television around the world. Millions will be impressed, deceived, and persuaded by this highly persuasive and popular leader because they have no deep commitment to, or love for, the truth of God’s Word (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).

(b) Both Paul’s words (2 Thessalonians 2:9) and Jesus’ (Matthew 24:24) should caution believers to not assume that everything that is miraculous comes from God. Apparent “manifestations of the Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:7-10) and alleged experiences from God, from Holy Spirit must be tested by the person’s loyalty to Christ and Scripture.

THE DEFEAT OF THE ANTICHRIST: At the end of the tribulation, Satan will gather together many nations at Armageddon under the direction of the Antichrist and make war against God and His people in a battle that will involve the entire world (Revelation 16:16). When that occurs, Christ will return and supernaturally intervene to destroy the Antichrist, his armies, and all who do not obey the gospel (Daniel 11:45; Revelation 19:15-21). Thereupon Christ will bind Satan and establish His kingdom on earth (20:1-6).

Blessings from:

www.christsbondservants.org

that essay represents many hours o f work and is not intended as a sideshow for throwing wooden balls. i doubt nyone is capable of doing the same subject and survive the gauntlet, i certainly wouldnt try. I thinkthere are too many things to be revealed yet to to go even close and those issue questioned and answered are aslo found out jut s easy to be in error somewhere. i think its little like trying to pin thetail on the donkey of the date of the end, we cant know the day or hour but we certinly can know the season and that's about all that can be achieve without some prophrtic break throughs in season. Whether or not obama is the ac is not goimg to be a sure thing for anyone who squwints into every piece of informtion they can lay their hands on, but no one has pushed the question like he has even though many thought adolf hitler was thought to be at one stage but then even he was compared to george bush by manyincluding myself with much to go on. Daniel 9 is a specific subject chapter in its own right, God doesnt drift off on a tangent for two thousand years +out of context like we do, daniel was inteceding for his people according to Jeremiahs prophecy, its a stand alone subject and every christian born again of the gospel of salvation should see it for what it is. As long as people ignore contexts they are wonder stars without a home, we make enogh mistakes doing our best without being careless. I trhink there is a lot of subtle details not even recognisd yet that have to be clarified. Like the anti-achrist is the eighth beast out of the seven and those seven are the seven kings that the city /woman sits on.It is from out of ancient history, starting before the flood.The fact they survived god's judgemeny (flood )puts them in the plce they are an anti-christ claiming they survived death as jesus did,the deadly wound that was healed and came alive again, in the ancient babylon and egyption religions the pharoagh for example had to die and croos the milkyway by boat ( a lying wonder depicting noah and the flood judgement and he is born again in the east, this is where reincarnation and the new age are descended from. Time has taken us full circle and nimeods attmpt to create a one world govrnment and religion is at the door again.the old beast of the past the 8th will come out of the abyss and clsim he had conquered death how else can he calim to be christ. There is heap of other stuff still to be found and i expect many think i am talking though a hole in my keyboard, I am not a doctor tom Horn.

[j102]

we should stop trying to figure out who the Antichrist will be for it says in thesselonians that he will be REVIELED when christ comes back..... even IF we could figure out who he is, it wont change a thing.

[Blaindecastro]

I wish I knew who the antichrist was so I could be excited because I was right when i say we will see the final show down in our life times. But honestly it can't be obama who is the anitchrist, how many people and presidents were labeled the beast or antichrist before him? Tons people just make the same mistake over and over we never learn and we will continue to label people the antichrist until the real one reveals himself

[Montana Marv]

But, which saints. There are OT saints, NT saints, and 70th week saints. The redeemed of Israel are saints, the 144,000 are saints. Not all saints have or had the indwelling of the HS.

In Christ

Montana Marv

[Blaindecastro]

How excited I have been to see my dear Jesus..... I often times have to hold back the thought of seeing him return or my desire for him overwhelms me and I get very impatient. But First before I see him return I want to have the relationship I deeply desire in him, Idk why but I want this and I cannot die until I obtain. Of course its out of love for him I seek such a thing. I know that what really matters is he loves us But I need it to go both ways. Perhaps its god drawing torwards this........