The Antichrist
Notes
Transcript
Introduction: Who (or what) is the Antichrist, and why does this matter?
Introduction: Who (or what) is the Antichrist, and why does this matter?
A Word of Warning:
There is no consensus within the church on interpretations pertaining to eschatology.
Some have said that 2/3rds of the prophecy within the NT pertains to eschatology.
It seems, because of the public nature of the NT writings, that specific details and names are left opaque to protect the church.
It seems that, while we want to see everything happen now, the Bible takes a very long-range view on scores of prophecies—meaning, cultures and technologies change making modern interpretations all the more suspect.
Warren Wiersbe: “God accomplishes His will on earth through TRUTH; Satan accomplishes his purposes through LIES.”
Part 1: Key terms and phrases we need to consider:
Satan
The Abomination of Desolation
Antichrist
Part 2: Common questions we ask about the Antichrist:
Is the Antichrist the same as Satan?
Is there one Antichrist or many?
Is the Antichrist a person or institution?
Is the Antichrist the same as the Beast and the man of Lawlessness. Satan:
The Satan: His work and identity
The Satan: His work and identity
The Work of Satan:
He Opposes God (Mt. 16:23, Mt. 13:3-19, Rev. 13:6)
The Tempter (1 Thess. 3:5)
A Liar (John 8:44)
A Murderer (John 8:44)
To Steal, Kill, and Destroy (John 10:10)
To accuse Christians of sin before God (Rev. 12:10)
Who is Satan:
The Devil (Rev. 12:9)
The Dragon of old (Rev. 12:9)
The Serpent (Rev. 12:9) (Gen. 3:1-5, 13)
Beelzebul (Luke 11:18)
A Fallen Angel (Rev. 9:11;
The Ruler/Prince of this Age (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11)
The Father of Lies (John 8:44)
Satan is Head of the Unholy Trinity Found within the Bible:
Satan: The Devil is the head of all that is evil and rules over the fallen angels (Mat. 25:41; Rev. 12:7)
The Antichrist/Beast/Man of Lawlessness: A leader that brings peace, persecutes the church, deceives the world, receives worship, and wars against Christ (Rev. 11:7; 13:1-19; 14:9-11)
The False Prophet: The voice and power leading others to worship the Beast
And I saw, coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs.
And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.
Therefore: THE ANTICHRIST IS NOT SATAN—NOR IS THE FALSE PROPHET—in fact, all three will be in hell together (Rev. 20:10)
and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
The Abomination of Desolation:
The Abomination of Desolation:
Verses:
Daniel 11:31
Daniel 12:11
Daniel 9:27 (most-likely)
Matt. 24:15
Mark 13:14
Forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering. And they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate.
“But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
Key Concepts:
The abomination of desolation brings an end to worship within the temple
The abomination of desolation desecrates the alter and the holy of holies
The abomination of desolation redirects worship that belongs to God alone
How it was and will be fulfilled:
Past and Near Fulfillment: Antiochus IV Epiphanes 167 BC
Past and Near Fulfillment: Antiochus IV Epiphanes 167 BC
Syrian Ruler of the Seleucids, which controlled Jerusalem.
In response to a revolt, he attacked Jerusalem, attempting to eradicate Judaism’s religious practices.
Erected a statue of a false god (Zeus?) on the alter at the Jewish Temple.
Sacrificed a pig on the alter
Put to death those that were circumcised
Put to death those that possessed the “Book of the Covenant” (the Mosaic Law)
In response to this, the Maccabeans rise up and defeat their attacker(s)
Intermediate Fulfillment: After Christ until THE Abomination of Desolation
Intermediate Fulfillment: After Christ until THE Abomination of Desolation
Caligula attempted to put a statue of himself in the temple, as an uproar began he was counseled against this—it is postulated that only place in the Roman world where a statue of the emperor was not found was in Jerusalem.
Destruction of the Temple in AD 70 by Titus (future emperor of Rome) in response to a Jewish revolt.
What Hitler did to the Jewish people during WWII
Ultimate Fulfillment: The Antichrist that appears before the end of the world
Ultimate Fulfillment: The Antichrist that appears before the end of the world
Jesus clearly understands that EVERYONE knew that abomination of desolation had occurred in 167 BC, nearly 200 years earlier from when Jesus was teaching about this.
Consequently, this means that Jesus understood the abomination of desolation to be an event that had occurred once, and will—ultimately—occur again. How?
Near fulfillments are events that fulfill prophecies in the Scripture to prove that the prophet or book is authentic and true.
Ultimate fulfillments are the events that are alluded to within an Old Testament book, but not clearly understood until further revelation from God in the New Testament. (examples)
The Davidic King
The Kingdom of God
The Salvation of the Gentiles
The Abomination of Desolation
and… as we shall see… the Antichrist
In the teaching of Jesus, the events surrounding the Abomination of Desolation initiate the end this age. How can we say this?
He says when you see these things, that the end is “not at once” (Luke 21:9)
He tells His audience to flee Judea when they see this (Matt. 24:15)
He says after the tribulation He will come back on the clouds (Matt. 24:29-31)
Such statements allows for the Past/Near, Immediate, and Ultimate Fulfillment of His Word.
Summary...
Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Abomination of Desolation
Abomination of desolation is thus a symbol for the most devastating activities through which the hostile forces of evil make their attack, whether upon the Jewish people in Maccabean times, upon Jerusalem in the first century AD, or upon the people of God in a final assault of evil at the end time.
The Antichrist:
The Antichrist:
The term ἀντίχριστος appears to have become increasingly equivalent to a proper name as the personification of all that was opposed to and contrary to the role and ministry of Christ. (Louw-Nida)
antichrist n. — a person who sets himself in the place of Christ; especially implying the usurping of Christ and his position.
Anti-
Against
Supplanter
Christ
Anointed one
Anointed Savior/Mediator
Anointed King
Jesus is the Anointed One of God, through the Holy Spirit (seen in His baptism), to be the King, Savior, Mediator, High Priest, and Redeemer.
Based upon the term “Antichrist” the work of the Antichrist is two-fold:
He is against Christ
He tries to replace Christ
How does he do this?
False Religions:
Mormonism:
Islam:
The Emergent Church:
Deceptive Signs and Wonders through False Prophets:
Division through False Christians
The Antichrist is mentioned only four times in the Bible
The Antichrist is mentioned only four times in the Bible
Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.
and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.
For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.
Five Things:
Prior teaching on the Antichrist was present before this epistle. (Where?)
There are many antichrists.
The antichrist is the one who denies the Father and the Son.
The spirit of the antichrist is ALREADY present
The antichrist is a deceiver
The prior teaching on the Antichrist came from Jesus ( Mt. 24, Mk. 13, & Lk 21)
The prior teaching on the Antichrist came from Jesus ( Mt. 24, Mk. 13, & Lk 21)
Before we begin… each of these passages begins with the temple in view…
Four Statements in Matthew 24:
Many will come saying they are the Christ (vs. 4-5)
Many false prophets will arise and lead many astray (vs. 11)
The abomination of desolation is commited by one standing where he does not belong in the Holy place (vs. 15)
People will point others towards many false and powerful antichrists in many places (vs. 23-26)
Three Statements in Mark 13:
Many will come saying they are the Christ (vs. 5-6)
The abomination of desolation is commited by one standing where he does not belong (v. 14)
People will point others towards many false and powerful antichrists (vs. 21-22)
A Single Statement in Luke 21:
Many will come saying they are the Christ and the end is now (v. 8)
Bonus: It is going to get really bad in Jerusalem when it really happens (vs. 20-28)
Is there one antichrist or many?
Is there one antichrist or many?
There are both many antichrists in the past and present… but there will be ONE ultimate antichrist that has yet to appear… for he will be THE Antichrist.
Antiochus IV Epiphanes (167 BC)
Daniel’s little horn (Dan. 8:9-12)
Daniel’s king of the North (Dan. 10:13)
Nero (AD 37-68)
Various False Teacher of Exclusionary Religions:
Muhammed (Islam) 7th Century AD
Joseph Smith (Mormonism) 1820’s
John—in 1 & 2 John—speaks of many antichrists arising from the spirit of the antichrist that is at work in the world.
John—in REVELATION—speaks of a Beast that seems synonymous with the Antichrist as a false-Christ under the authority of the Dragon and receiving worship from the False Prophet.
Answer… Yes
Those who deny the full teaching about Jesus’s person and work are a type of antichrist
Those who depart from the church are a type of antichrist
The one who leads people astray is an antichrist
The one who receives worship, persecutes the church, and glorifies Satan is THE ANTICHRIST/BEAST
IS THE ANTICHRIST A PERSON OR AN INSTITUTION?
IS THE ANTICHRIST A PERSON OR AN INSTITUTION?
A: It appears that the Antichrist is both and individual and in charge of an institution(s)
He persecutes the church (GOVT.?)
He reigns over worship (POPE?)
He brings peace (GOVT.?)
But he stands where he should not
But he is in hell with Satan and the false prophet
But he is given authority from the dragon
Let’s briefly look at the Beast…
The Beast seems to be the Antichrist
The Beast seems to be the Antichrist
And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?” And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.
And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names, and it had seven heads and ten horns. The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality. And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.” And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. When I saw her, I marveled greatly. But the angel said to me, “Why do you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman, and of the beast with seven heads and ten horns that carries her. The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction. And the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see the beast, because it was and is not and is to come. This calls for a mind with wisdom: the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated; they are also seven kings, five of whom have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he does come he must remain only a little while. As for the beast that was and is not, it is an eighth but it belongs to the seven, and it goes to destruction. And the ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received royal power, but they are to receive authority as kings for one hour, together with the beast. These are of one mind, and they hand over their power and authority to the beast. They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.” And the angel said to me, “The waters that you saw, where the prostitute is seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and languages. And the ten horns that you saw, they and the beast will hate the prostitute. They will make her desolate and naked, and devour her flesh and burn her up with fire, for God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose by being of one mind and handing over their royal power to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.
Why and how do we think the Beast is the Antichrist?
He is given power by the Dragon (Satan)
He opposes Christ
He is a counterfeit imposter
He receives worship from non-Christians
However, numerous scholars have argued that the Beast was the Emperor of Rome—Nero.
The 7 heads of the beast correspond to the 7 mountains of Rome (which Rome was often referred to)
The numbering of the Beast can be tied to Nero
Nero was called the Beast during his own time by the people.
He was extremely wicked
He was extremely volatile
He was extremely powerful and uncontrolled
The violence of the Beast is demonstrated in Nero
He is the first persecutor of the church
He destroys everyone he thinks is in opposition to him
The perversion of the Beast is demonstrated in Nero
At the very least, Nero is a type of Antichrist or a symbol of the Antichrist
The Man of Lawlessness seems to be the Antichrist
The Man of Lawlessness seems to be the Antichrist
Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.
Why do we think this?
First, Daniel mentions that a king would exalt himself against every type of god and commit the abomination of desolation (Dan. 11:29-39)
Most likely this passage has an immediate fulfillment,
He leads the rebellion.
He is called the “son of destruction”.
He opposes worship of every god and object of worship.
He receives worship.
He will take a seat in the temple of God—saying he is God.
His secret/mystery is already within the world.
What do we do with all this?
What do we do with all this?
We walk in humility—we don’t know everything or many particulars
We walk in boldness not fear—God has told us the plan
We strive to encourage others—this is what John is doing
We lean into Jesus and His power—do not follow the world
We love others—for this reassures are hearts in God (remember… the antichrist is going to destroy)
We embrace the fact that suffering will come to some degree—we are not blind of his schemes
We test the spirits at work within the church to have no part in Satan’s schemes—false teachers and christs are among us!
WE CALL OUT TO JESUS FOR REDEMPTION!!!