The Wolf In Sheeps Clothing
The book of Revelation presents the conflict between good and evil in symbolic language, in chapters 12-14. In Chapter 12, the two sides are described as the dragon and the woman. Essentially, the dragon is the devil , who is waiting for the woman to give birth to her child. The description of the child is done in Messianic terms , so the picture refers to the attempt of the forces of evil to kill Christ. Because this attempt fails , the dragon pounces on the woman , a symbol of the church. The picture here accurately reflects the many centuries of bloodshed, during which Christs followers paid with their lives for the faith they embraced.
The last verse of chapter 12 announces the final conflict: Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspringthose who keep Gods commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus . The phrase the rest of her offspring refers to the followers of Christ .
In Scripture, the concept of remnant refers to the few who remain loyal to Christ. Given the course of the vision so far, we would expect the dragon to continue in the same violent way. But things change.
In Revelation Chapter 13 we see a change in the dragons attitude and strategy. He transfers his prerogatives to a great beast, which is described using a language which is incredibly similar to the way Jesus is portrayed in the New Testament.
Heres an example of the many similarities:
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Examples Of False Teaching
We could write entire books on this, but let’s address some examples of false teaching that has infiltrated the church today.
“God won’t give you more than you can handle.”
God does, in fact, give us far more than we can handle on our own. Take a look at the life of Job. He loses his family, his home, his wealth. And so he turns to the Lord. But even his own wife told him to curse God and die. Because he cannot handle that much tragedy on his own.
Antichrist Will Sit In The Temple Of God: Third Temple Or The Church
Will the Temple in Jerusalem be rebuilt, a third Temple or will the Antichrist sit in the Church the Temple of God?
3 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 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. KJV
Arguments for the Temple of God being the Church:
1) As Matt. 24:2-3 associates the destroyed Temple with the time of Christs coming, therefore it wont be rebuilt before He comes.
2)In John 4:21 Christ likens the fate of the Temple in Jerusalem to that of the Samaritan Temple that lay in ruins as He spoke, saying the time would come when the Father would never again be worshiped in either Temple. Therefore, even if the Temple in Jerusalem is rebuilt by unbelieving Jews or antichrists, it would not be a temple of God.
3)Paul speaks elsewhere of a coming Christian apostasy as do other apostles . Therefore, this is a Christian apostasy that permits the man of sin be revealedand sit as God among them. As a Christian apostasy is irrelevant to who rises up in Judaism or sits in their Temple, the Temple of God in 2 Thess. 2:4 must be the Church consistent with Pauls teaching elsewhere .
This man of sinson of destruction connection is manifest in the Old Testament:
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Are People In The Antichrist Church Lost
At this current time, the people who are in the Roman Catholic church, and any other fallen church for that matter, are not lost.Jesus is still waiting for them with open arms to receive them. Just look at what God says to the people in the antichristchurch in Revelation 18:4 …..’comeout of her MY people.’ ….. God still has some of His people in the antichrist church,the Roman Catholic Church, and He is calling them out. This proves that they are not lost at this moment. BUT, God also warnsthem that if they STAY in the antichrist church, and refuse to heed the call to come out, then they will be lost, as it saysin the rest of Revelation 18:4 …..’come out of her MY people, THAT YE BE NOT PARTAKERS OF HER SINS, AND RECEIVE NOT OF HERPLAGUES.’ ….. There is only one way for these dear people to NOT receive the plagues that the antichrist will receive,and that is to COME OUT of the Roman Catholic Church.
Why will they be lost if they stay in the Catholic Church? Because if they stay, they will take the mark of thebeast, which is the mark of the antichrist, the Roman Catholic Church. And as God says in Revelation 14:9-11, those who takethe beast’s mark will receive the wrath of God and be thrown into the lake of fireand be destroyed.
For more on the Bible antichrist, see The Little Horn of Daniel 7.
Things You Never Knew About The Antichrist
Who is the Antichrist? What does the Bible teach about this coming ruler? In this sermon Pastor Byron introduces us to what the Bible teaches about the Antichrist.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SMALL GROUP
10 THINGS YOU NEVER KNEW ABOUT THE ANTICHRIST- Mark 13:14-23
BEFORE YOU START: Before small group discussions start, take 5 minutes to quietly read over the portion of scripture and review your notes. During this time, prayerfully write down any questions or insights that the Holy Spirit brings to mind. Be prepared to share these with the group to start conversation. Remember, the goal of small group is not to be right, but to be real. Honesty is the key to healthy community.
EVERYTHING GOD CREATES SATAN COUNTERFEITS
22 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 23 But be on guard I have told you all things beforehand
IF YOU DONT KNOW WHAT YOU BELIEVE
YOU WILL BELIEVE ANYTHING
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At The End Of The Seven Years
When the deadline for the expiration of the seven-year agreement arrives, the Palestinians will demand that the International Community make good on its promises. The World Community quite possibly will have promised that east Jerusalem would become the capital of the new Palestinian state if they would agree to the interim agreement.
The United Nations will demand that Israel hand over east Jerusalem to the Palestinians, but Israel will steadfastly refuse. Finally, the World Community will resort to military force. An international military alliance will launch an invasion of Israel in order to force her to obey the UNs resolution.
Israel will stand and fight against the forces of the International Community. Little by little, the armies of Israel will be forced to retreat before the superior firepower of the world government forces. Finally, the UN army will reach the outskirts of Jerusalem. The prophecies say the global army will capture half of Jerusalemwhich will undoubtedly be east Jerusalem.
As the defeat of Israel seems imminent, the world government forces will decide its time to solve the Jewish problem once and for all. Its time to wipe Israel off the map!
Unexpectedly, the Jews bowing before Him will notice ugly scars in His hands and feet. Zechariah 13:6 says they will ask, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then Jesus will simply answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.
What Does The Bible Teach About The Antichrist
The book of Revelation is an enigma to most people. Many have heard about the antichrist. Who is the antichrist? Does the Bible describe the antichrist? Does the Bible tell us who the antichrist is? Does the Bible teach where the antichrist will come from? How can we know who the antichrist is when they come? What will the antichrist be like so we can realize who it is?
Two Types of Antichrists
Anti means opposed to or someone who is against whatever the prefix is attached. Anti can also mean in place of as we will find in the book of Revelation. Thus, to be antichrist means to be opposed to Christ or to place oneself in His place. The Bible actually describes two different antichrists. In fact, antichrists are here today. We dont have to look toward the future for the arrival of the antichrist because there are in the world today. But the antichrist is not the same as the antichrist.
The apostle John talks about the antichrist but he differentiates the difference between the two antichrists that exist. One is the antichrist with the small a. Then, there is the Antichrist. That is the one that is capitalized. One is a proper noun meaning it is a specific person. The non-capitalized antichrist speaks of several who are antichrists.
A Definition of an Antichrist
The Antichrist
Safely Delivered From the Antichrist
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Traits Of The Antichrist Described In The Bible
- Intelligent: Revelation 13:18 Daniel 7:8.
- Charismatic Speaker: Daniel 7:8 Revelation 13:5.
- Crafty Politician: Daniel 9:27 Revelation 17:12, 13, 17.
- Distinct Physical Appearance: Daniel 7:20.
- Military Genius: Revelation 4 17:14 19:19.
- Economic Genius: Daniel 11:38.
- Utterly Lawless: 2 Thessalonians 2:8.
- Selfish, Ambitious Egomaniac: Daniel 11:36, 37 2 Thessalonians 2:4.
- Greedy Materialist: Daniel 11:38.
- Proud and Self-exalting Above God and Everything: Daniel 11:36 2 Thessalonians. 2:4.
What Does The Bible Say About The Antichrist
DEA / A. DAGLI ORTI / Getty Images
- General Biblical Studies, Interdenominational Christian Training Center
The Bible speaks of a mysterious character called the Antichrist, the false Christ, the man of lawlessness, or the beast. Scripture doesn’t specifically name the Antichrist but does give us several clues as to what he will be like. By looking at the different names for the Antichrist in the Bible, we gain a better understanding of the kind of person he will be.
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- Edward
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The Antichrist is a political leader, the false prophet is a religious leader that the pope fits the description, also the Antichrist comes up into power with little fan care from obscurity. The pope is all ready famous and world know. The Antichrist is not, he moves to a position of fame, the pope will help him and the Antichrist will eventually kill him as he does not want to shar power with the pope
- edward emmell
- Nahshon Pani
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Dear sister in Christ, greetings in Lord Jesus! I like your opinion. myself live in JAGDALPUR and serve the Lord full time although my wife suffering from diabetes and arthritis she and son also cooperate me in ministry. we conduct meetings in a rental house where we reside too. so, please pray for our ministry that we build a church building and win the souls for Jesus Christ. please send an email separately through my mentioned email id. May God bless you.
Who Or What Is The Antichrist A Reflection On The Biblical Teaching
Oct 24, 2019By Msgr. Charles Pope
There is much lore about the antichrist that is out of proportion to the attention Scripture pays to the concept, and more importantly is at possible variance from what is certainly taught. It easily becomes fodder for movies and novels: the antichrist figure steps on the scene, deceiving many, and mesmerizing the whole world with apparent miracles and a message of false peace.
But is this really what or whom the Scriptures call the antichrist? I would argue not, for in order to create such a picture one would have to splice in images from the Book of Revelation and the Letter to the Thessalonians that do not likely apply to antichrists.
In fact, the use of the term antichrist occurs only in the Johannine epistles. It does not occur in the Book of Revelation at all, though many have the mistaken idea that it does. There are plenty of beasts, dragons, harlots, demons, and satanic legions in Revelation, but no mention of antichrists.
Many also stitch the teaching about antichrists together with St. Pauls teaching on the man of lawlessness who is to appear just before the end. The lawless one may well be the stuff of movies, but calling him the antichrist may be to borrow too much from a concept that is more specific. While it is not inauthentic to make a connection between them , it is not necessarily correct to do so.
Note the following crucial differences between antichrists and the lawless one:
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Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter
In The Church of Jesus Christ, the Antichrist is anyone or anything that counterfeits the true gospel or plan of salvation and that openly or secretly is set up in opposition to Christ. The great antichrist is Lucifer, but he has many assistants both as spirit beings and as mortals.Latter-day Saints use the New Testament scriptures, 1 John 2:18, 22 1 John 4:36 2 John 1:7 and the Book of Mormon, Jacob 7:123, Alma 1:216, Alma 30:660, in their exegesis or interpretation of the Antichrist.
False Apostles Deceitful Workers
- They will come posing as legitimate religious teachers. In 2 Corinthians 11:13 Paul identified these people as false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. Continuing, Paul stated that these people who appeared as ministers of righteousness were simply following Satans example of presenting himself as an angel of light .
This false teaching, which Paul called the mystery of lawlessness, had already begun in the first century and continues today.
Paul grieved at the thought of such deceitful savage wolves leading people astray. He told the Ephesian elders, For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves .
How can we know who is a legitimate minister of God? God, through the prophet Isaiah, said, To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them . True ministers of Jesus Christ will teach what Jesus taught!
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The Wolf In Shepherds Clothing
However, that is not all. Another major text that emphasizes the deception occurring in the end times is 2 Thessalonians 2. Here the apostle Paul addresses the issue of the Day of the Lord, which some saw as already fulfilled . The apostle calms our spirits, stating that there are certain essential conditions that will be present when Jesus really appears .
The two conditions are apostasya word describing the rejection of Christ by Christians and the revelation of the lawless one . Although the mystery of lawlessness was already unfolding in Pauls time , there was something or someone standing in its way and limiting its development . When these restrictions are removed, the lawless oneor the antichristwould appear.
When it comes to the time and manner of the Second Coming, Paul compares the event to a thief sneaking in at night . In light of this, Paul encourages the members of the Christian church not to be caught in speculation, while also acknowledging that there are still false Christs, who may imitate him that must be avoided.
Paul says that the wicked one will be revealed , but Jesus will destroy him by the splendour of his coming . Then, right at the beginning of verse 9, Paul states that the coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. Here the author talks about the climax of the imitation of Christ by the antichrist.
How To Identify Antichrists
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They promote false ideas related to Jesus. For example, those who teach the Trinity or that Jesus is Almighty God actually oppose the teachings of Jesus, who said: The Father is greater than I am.John 14:28.
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Antichrists reject what Jesus said about how Gods Kingdom operates. For instance, some religious leaders say that Christ works through human governments. Yet, this teaching contradicts Jesus, who said: My Kingdom is no part of this world.John 18:36.
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They say that Jesus is their Lord, but they do not obey his commands, including the one to preach the good news of the Kingdom.Matthew 28:19, 20 Luke 6:46 Acts 10:42.
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Where The Antichrist Comes From
Here again we can only speculate for the Bible does not give specific places like a nation or a city. Daniel chapter seven may be talking about such a man and there is speculation that he will come from within the Catholic Church or the European Union said to represent the ten horns in Revelation. The ten toes of the image that Daniel saw seems to show a union in the end times. It is an economic, political, and military alliance much like that of the ancient Roman Empire. Revelation chapter 13 also gives the imagery that this man will be a dominant force and will control all buying and selling.