A reminder for
today
But he that is an
hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf
coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and
scattereth the sheep. (John 10:12)
How are you, my friend? It is a beautiful clear and crisp
Friday here in South Africa as we are all very excited that it is weekend time.
We are currently looking at the antichrist and it is a lengthy process to look
at all the scriptures and give you a complete picture. So, let us carry on and
see who this monster is.
The apostle Paul
placed the coming of Jesus right after the antichrist. In 2 Thessalonians 1:7: And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from
heaven with his mighty angels. He then clarifies it that the antichrist
will rise first. In 2 Thessalonians 2:3 he writes: 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. This falling away
has already started. John records in 1 John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the
transgression of the law. And in 1 John 5:3 he reminds us that for this is the love of God, that we keep
his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. The antichrist
will bring and promote lawlessness (sin). Paul continuous the tell us about
this man in 2 Thessalonians 2:4 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. Now it is clear here that the antichrist will show of himself
as god. Now many passages reminds us that Christians are God’s Spiritual
temple. Here they are: 1 Corinthians 3:16 and 6:19, 2 Corinthians 6:16-17, Ephesians
2:20-22 and 1 Peter 2:5. Take some time and look at these verses.
Now this man of sin will be revealed in his time. 2 Thessalonians
2:6 says and now ye know what withholdeth
that he might be revealed in his time. This means he will rise from
obscurity and his arrival involves the mystery of iniquity (lawlessness) in 2 Thessalonians
2:7 and that he comes up out of the midst and out of the midst becomes crucial
later. Now according to 2 Thessalonians 2:8 and
then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit
of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness (manifestation) of his
coming. Again this man precedes the return of Jesus. Now note that his
coming is after the working (efficiency and enery) of satan (2
Thessalonians 2:9). Now think of satan himself through a human vessel brining
the full extend of his false miracles and devices to bear. This is satan
completely unleased as no one has ever seen before. What kinds of things might
this man do? Here is a partial list: Call down fire, use terrifying visions and
voices, mass destruction, fore tell events, violent possession, project their presence
over great distances, levitate, powerful storms (satan is prince of the power
of air), changing objects into living creatures (recall the Egyptian magicians
copying Aaron), horribly afflict God’s servants, temptation, intimidating accusations,
loud noises to engender fear, murder, lies and deception. This is the reality
of all powers, signs and lying wonders.
We will continue next week to look at who is affected and
how. I hope you have a wonderful and blessed weekend. Rest well, my friend.
Lord, thank you for keeping us protected under your divine
power. Be with us as we walk through this day and keep us safe from the attacks
of the enemy. In Jesus name.
Have an awesome day, dear friend of Jesus.
Cheers