PROPER FEAR OF GOD

PROPER FEAR OF GOD

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”  Prov. 9:10

The whole Mosaic economy according to Matt. 22:37, 40 is fulfilled by the man who loves God, the prophets, their denunciation of sin, their call to right character, and all obeyed in answer to the impulse of the love of God. The new fear of God, which is the beginning of wisdom, is love of God. The old fear of God, which was the beginning of unutterable foolishness, was slavish fear, fear born of ignorance of Him, fear that made men hurry away, banish His Name, and refuse to meet Him. The new fear is not fear that He will hurt me, it is fear lest I should hurt Him, fear lest I cause sorrow to His heart, fear lest my sin would Him again. That is the fear that is the beginning of wisdom, and that is the fear of love.

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind…..On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”  Matt. 22:37, 40

PERFECTED AT LAST

PERFECTED AT LAST

 

 Although a man might be presently perfect (blameless) such as a pastor or deacon in order to qualify, his ultimate perfecting is attained just prior to his transformation to his eternal body, having mastered all human temptations. This happens just as our Lord in Luke 13:32 KJV; "And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected."

Heb. 7:28 NKJV. "For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever."

Phil. 3:12. "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus."

KINGDOM WITHOUT THE CROSS

KINGDOM WITHOUT THE CROSS

 

 This is the desire of man being led by Satan and both have this desire. We know where this desire originates for Satan tempted Christ in Matt. 4:8-9. “Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.”

And then he had men attempt the same end in John 6:15. “When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.”

All this was not according to the plan of God spoken in Psa. 2:7-12. “I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.”

Here in America the same is being attempted again using two candidates for the presidency. Other countries follow suite, promising a better life for all especially the downtrodden and never producing results. God has been watching this essentially since Satan first lied to Eve in the garden. And men still fall for the same lie.

The Lion is first a Lamb. This kingdom is Christs’ inheritance. He has earned this kingdom. Men and kingdoms shall be broken with a rod. Their leaders shall be judged. All will serve Him with proper fear and trembling and afterward when the wrath of God is kindled, all will be blessed and living by faith and trust in their King.

CHRISTIAN FIGHT or BATTLE

CHRISTIAN FIGHT or BATTLE

“And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hands.” (as we enter into battle) 1 Sam. 17:47

There seems to be the idea that Christians are not to fight for what they believe or are involved in a battle. A better question would be to say how are we to engage in the fight or battle that we find ourselves within. This has always been His battle as well as His fight as the OT passage states. If  we follow Him as He always has asked His disciples, we are to use His methods and engage in the battle with Him. Paul has verses which clear up many issues. First in 1 Cor. 9:16 he states that he is engaged in this battle. “I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”

                Many say that Christ did not want His disciples to engage in fighting telling Peter to put away the sword. But He specifically limited the disciples fight to not include stopping His being delivered to the Jews in John 18:36. He resolutely set His face to go to Jerusalem and that included being delivered to the Jews. “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.” Don’t engage in fighting to stop that from being done, it was part of the plan of God.

We are told to fight the good fight of faith in 1 Tim. 6:12. “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” Faith is not just some kind of passive belief. It involves a lifelong “fight of faith.” There is also the “work of faith” (1 Thess. 1:3), and the “shield of faith” (Eph. 6:16) as well as the “breastplate of faith” (1 Thess. 5:8), and finally the “word of faith, which we preach” (Rom. 10:8). This faith is taking stands for the doctrines that Christ and His apostles all stood for and taught us. Paul did this to his end of days here on earth in 2 Tim. 4:7. “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” And the crown of righteousness is awarded to all the fighters for Christ and His word who look for His return to end the fight. “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

           We are called to fight against afflictions coming from Satan and his warriors who distort truth. This will continue until Christ comes back to finish this war with this mastermind. Heb. 10:34 says “But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions.” Israel has been under his attack from their beginning.

Heb. 11:34-39 says there has been valiant warriors since the beginning of the battle back in Genesis. “Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise.”

Prayer is a part of the fighting tools in James 4:2. “Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.” Many battles are won this way.” Knowing what to ask is made clear through scripture.

Rev. 2:16 states that the mouth is the sword but it needs to have the right words coming from within. “Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.” 

We have other arraignment that we need to use as Eph. 6:11, 13 states. “Put on the whole armor of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

These words suggest assured victory and that which was as taught in the opening verses of the Ephesian letter as the predetermined plan of God. The context is seen as you read the Apostles words as he commences by saying, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and the strength of His might." Having those words in your memory now read "Having done all, to stand." They now suggest an absolute and an assured victory. All the enemies are recognized--"against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places." Remember from the first part of the Ephesian letter that we are to be a revelation and living spectacle of the wisdom and strength of the grace of God. The equipment of the soldier is described, the loins girded with truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the feet shod with the readiness of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, with prayer and supplication. The clash of the conflict is plainly heard and the outcome is known by the words, "Having done all, to stand." there is no quiver in the voice. The victory is not hypothetical. The outcome is not for one single moment uncertain. The soldier is "to stand...withstand...and having done all, to stand." He is to recognize the fact that he is not playing at battle. He is to "put on the whole armor of God" and "to take up the whole armor of God." To "put on" may be for military parade. To "take up" is for actual conflict. What is the outcome? "Having done all, to stand." That is the perfect picture of absolute victory. These words were addressed to the FAITHFUL in Christ Jesus. That does not mean those who are absolutely true and loyal necessarily; but it does mean those who are living on the principle of faith in Christ Jesus.  This letter was written to the soldier saints, those who wrestle and enter into conflict. He has been praying for those who give evidence of the life of Christ in them that they may know His will perfectly. There are those who know of the conflict but know little of the strenuousness of it. Also the ultimate meaning of life the apostle shows not to be discovered in the present life, that it does not lie in the realm of earthly things. By argument and teaching, declarative and illuminative statement, he proves the ultimate meaning of Christian life lies far beyond the present age, in those measureless ages that are to come. There the saints are to fulfill their ultimate work as they become the messengers to angels and ages of the grace and wisdom of God. These soldier saints in this world are only in preparation for higher, larger, nobler and fuller service. This life is only preparatory. The life of the saint is not a delicate softness. It is rather a stern conflict, for the men and women who share the mystic and mighty life of Christ, and are called to an ultimate work of strange and wonderful greatness, have present responsibilities, and these create the conflict. Thereby through the conflict and fight we learn the joy, peace of God submitting to the Leader and become messengers for Him in the ages to come.

I pray you are engaged in this fight. For those who don’t like to fight, you need to understand this life with Christ is a battle and certainly not for those who refuse to take a stand. It is not for the faint-hearted who like to sit in the background. Put on the armor and join in the daily battle which Christ has handed to us as He left this earth. The apostles understood this and many went to their death taking their stand.

I finish this article with Eph. 6:19-20. “And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”

GREATEST IN THE KINGDOM?

GREATEST IN THE KINGDOM?

"¶ At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"  Matt. 18:1 

 

That question was asked several times in the NT. Luke 9:46; Matt. 20:20; Luke 22:24. It seems that many want to be the leaders in the church. Christ put down that thinking by saying the church only has one Leader and His name is Jesus Christ (Matt. 23:10). And he who is the greatest is “whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 18:4). And the mother of Zebedee’s sons found out in Matt. 20:20 that “He that is able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am about to be baptized with,” (Vs. 22) will sit beside Me in the Kingdom. And the disciples in Luke 9:46 found out that the one that has the heart of a trusting child is greatest in His Kingdom. Christianity is not for wimps and He makes you strong to serve, not to lead.

BLEMISHED SACRIFICES BY HALF HEARTED CHRISTIANS?

Blemished Sacrifices

Why should the condition of a sacrifice matter to God? He created all things, defective animals as well as the healthy ones. Why would He not accept gifts that were flawed? And why did God care about this enough to have his messenger Malachi speak so strongly?

The imperfect sacrifices of the priests and people demonstrated the content of their hearts. The people were not sincere. To sacrifice a perfect, healthy animal looked to them like a waste, and they considered the work of preparing their gifts properly to be a foolish use of time and energy. Malachi con­fronted this attitude with the Law of God, which clearly de­manded unblemished sacrifices and sincere hearts (see Lev. 1:3; 3:1; Deut. 17:1). Malachi also confronted the people with God's judgment of their actions. God was perfectly aware of what they were doing and the condition of their hearts. No sacrifices at all would have been better than second-rate and insincere ones. The people were not giving "sacrifices"; they were merely doing what was convenient, just enough to appear to obey God. Then they would turn around and pat themselves on the back for being righteous.

But even though God's people had broken their covenant with Him, God remained true to His promises (see Is. 53). He did not shrink from sending His only Son to a cruel death on the Cross. Jesus was the true, unblemished sacrifice to which the Old Testament sacrifices pointed (Heb. 7:26-28). He was perfect—free from all sin. And through Jesus' sacrificial death the Lord provided salvation for all of our sins. In doing this, the Lord demonstrated His sincere love for us because He sacrificed the very best to save us (see John 3:16).

 

 

Christ only accepts offerings from a cheerful heart of love - no longer tithes for that might limit the amount one might give.

2Co 9:7

Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver. And that would not be one with a blemished trait of any sort.

 

Half-Hearted Christianity?

People in the churches today give the general public the idea that Christians are half-hearted in their walk with God. There is no such person as a half-hearted Christian that enters the Kingdom of God. Jesus knew there would be those who have no real relationship with His word as well as Himself and the public sees the outcome of this false relationship. And He spoke of this attitude of reluctance in Luke 9:51, 62. Christ had just been rejected by a Samaritan Village. At that point it says that He “steadfastly set His face” to go to Jerusalem. And that was in order to save men’s lives. James and John wanted to bring fire down on them to destroy them. He then came across some others who desired to follow Him but first one wanted to go bury his father first and the other wanted to bid farewell to those at his house. Christ replied to these distracted and half-hearted followers that no one that plows looks back in the kingdom of God. They need that steadfast face set, not one that turns back.

COMMUNION – JOHN 15

COMMUNION – JOHN 15

25 Things God Shares in this chapter

15:1  I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2  Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3  Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6  If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7  If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8  Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.   9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10  If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. 11  These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 12  This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
13  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14  Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15  Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. 16  Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. 17  These things I command you, that ye love one another. 18  If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 19  If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20  Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. 21  But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. 22  If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin.
23  He that hateth me hateth my Father also. 24  If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. 25  But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause. 26  But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: 27  And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

1.       New Life  vs. 1

2.       Scripture  vs. 3

3.       A pure standing  vs. 3

4.       Fruit and possibilities  vs. 2

5.       Security – eternal  vs. 4

6.       Trusted Leadership  vs. 5

7.       Future of perfection  vs. 6

8.       Help along the way  vs. 7

9.       His Father  vs. 8

10.   Continuous love  vs. 9

11.   His obedience  vs. 10

12.   Joy from His perfecting  vs. 11

13.   Opportunities to share vs. 12

14.   Display of His love  vs. 13

15.   Friendship  vs. 14

16.   His Father’s will made known  vs. 15

17.   Co-operation with His Father  vs. 17

18.   Answered prayer in the will of God in Christ  vs. 17

19.   How to make advances  vs. 17

20.   Present perfection (blamelessness) vs. 15

21.   Hatred of the world  vs. 18

22.   Persecution from the world  vs. 20

23.   Holy Spirit  vs. 26

24.   Participation in the history of God’s movements  vs. 27

25.   Witnessing for fruit  vs. 27

COMMUNION - SHARING

COMMUNION – SHARING

 

 

Paul's term describing the nature of the Lord's Supper and thus the term used by many church groups to refer to their celebration of Jesus' final, memorial supper with His disciples. Paul used the Greek term koinonia to express the basic meaning of the Christian faith, a sharing in the life and death of Christ and all things heard from the Father which radically creates a relationship of Christ and the believer and of the believers with one another in a partnership or unity. The fellowship we can have with the Father through the Son (John 17:22, 26) is the same fellowship we as believers can have with one another.

1 Cor. 10:16; 2 Cor. 6:14; 2 Cor. 13:14 The basic meaning is “joint participation in things held in common.” We hold much in common with Christ and the Father. This we are to share as He shared with us.

koinonia, koy-nohn-ee'-ah; from G2844; partnership, i.e. (lit.) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction:--(to) communicate (-ation), communion, (contri-), distribution, fellowship.

Communion is throughout the 15^th chapter of John. The teaching of the vine gives the flow of things shared from the Godhead. Life juices flow from the Father, Son and Spirit to the saint who in turn is expected to share that which has been shared with them.

The sharing of the truth Christ left us which takes us to perfection through sharing with one another John 15:11, 12-15.

"These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." John 15:11

"This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.  Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you." John 15:12-15.

All things the Father had told Him, He shared with us for the express purpose of making our joy full. Our job He says is to share all the things He shared with us. This is communion. As we grow towards perfection, our joy grows also.

Communion like our God is to be threefold as taught in John 13. Why did He use the 13^th chapter of John to display communion?

1.      Cup of Blessing with the Bread - Past Ministry of the Cross 1 Cor. 10:16 - Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends. (Friends with whom He shares His truth shared from His Father.)

 

2.      Washing of the Word - Eph. 5:26-27 Present ministry of sanctification - Where joy is made full by sharing truth shared with you with others. Father - Son - Saint - other Saints is the flow.

 

3.      Love Feast – Future Ministry - Marriage Supper of the Lamb - Where conversation is shared with friends with a love supper.

APOSTASY OF THE END

Apostasy of the End

1 Timothy 4:1

 

Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons*, speaking** lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared*** with a hot iron, forbidding to marry (today it is called shacking up), and commanding to abstain from foods (vegetarians, and those who think eating green things in their place is healthy) which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. **** Are we close? We sure are. Are we there yet? Scripture says even greater atrocities to truth are to happen and be seen in their traits and character. The false church is already in place and has been there for a while. You can see by their doctrine of holy living and their allowances for the sinning conduct of the membership. All you have to do is have them explain what Christ meant by blameless conduct and perfection.

 

*a mass defection from the truth of scripture-take it out of the school system with prayer

**better teaching (12 years of school – 4 years of college)

***going so far to refuse the truth built within themselves-black becomes white, wrong becomes right. Hot iron says there is no healing this condition.

****the two entities that the American has been taught is empty practices only of those who are unenlightened to their advanced thinking. Bible as truth and prayer to He that is Truth.

WATER BAPTISM SYMBOLIZES WHAT?

Water Baptism Symbolizes What?

 

There are two opinions churches teach concerning what they believe water baptism symbolizes.

One group teaches that it pictures the trinity by being baptized into the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They also say to properly symbolize that truth which Jesus taught in Matt. 28:18-20* should be done in a triune manner, using the elliptical statement that Jesus gave. (into the name of….into the name of….into the name of)

Others say it teaches the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. They call a person to Romans 6:4** where Paul gave this teaching. But there is a problem that needs to be considered. Only the Church of Christ believes that baptism saves. This verse teaches that the one who enjoys this baptism now has newness of life in their conduct following this experience. That is a product of spirit baptism. (Eph. 2:5, 8-9***)

*"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

**Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

***Even when we were dead in sins, hath (quickened) us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. [spirit baptism]

WHO'S YOUR DADDY?

WHO'S YOUR DADDY?

 

Christ has kids (Mark 10:15; Luke 18:17) that attempt to bring their life into conformity with His ways and works so that they can enjoy His presence forever in His Kingdom that He will establish on this earth. At times they fall short of His teaching and His leadership that He has recorded in the Bible. That problem is easily handled through confessing that short sighted behavior or thought. Slowly they come into conformity with His ways and thinking through the help of other like-minded kids. And some of His kids have great age in following Him. Their words and works display that longevity. And eventually the kid looks and acts just like their father (1 John 3:2).

Satan has kids also (John 8:44). Some have followed his leadership for a vast period of time; since birth. Many also have fallen short of his leadership. They entrench themselves in his ways and methods to win his approval, even without acknowledging his existence so that in the end they end up in the same place where he is headed. They are easily recognized for they do the same deeds as their father (John 8:44). Those deeds are listed throughout the Bible that Jesus kids follow. Satan's kids follow the same Bible but with the usual unknown desire to mimic their leader. Lies are one of his traits as he was the father of them (John 8:44). Murders and the desire to murder is another. Although they follow his traits documented in the Bible they abide not in that book having been taught by him the book is worthless (John 8:44; 1 Cor. 6:9-10). Some are jealous, brawlers, hateful, drunks, drug addicts, are all following the lifestyle he tempts them to live (Gal. 5:21). These traits are so natural that they don't even give credit to the originator and instigator of their behavior.

The one, Satan, is easier to follow because it is fleshly in its core makeup (John 5:43). The other stems from a made alive spirit (Eph. 2:5, 8-9). Whose kid are you, who is your father. The origin of your thoughts and deeds give huge clues to who your daddy is.

ANTICHRIST (7)

THE DOOM OF THE ANTICHRIST

 

1.  The judgment of God upon the kingdom of Antichrist comes in two phases. The fifth angel poured out his bowl of wrath upon the throne of the Beast and his kingdom was full of darkness physically, morally and spiritually (Rev. 16:10-11). Though plagued with pain, the followers of the Beast gave evidence that they were confirmed in their sin and apostasy and therefore the fit subjects for final destruction. For they blasphemed the God of heaven. The great city Babylon, the center of the political and commercial interests of the world was destroyed (Rev. 18: 1-24). In one hour this vengeance falls upon this city and is left an utter desolation. While this happens some time near the end of the seven years of tribulation, it is not the absolute end, for Antichrist yet organizes a campaign against Jerusalem, known as the battle of Armageddon (Rev. 16:12-16) at which time he is personally destroyed at the coming of Christ.

2.  The rising pride and arrogance of this monarch leads him to plan a campaign against the Lamb of God himself (Rev. 17:14a; 19:19). It is possible that his return from death, or the healing of the death wound (Rev. 13:3), together with other exploits has given such overweening pride that he imagines now that he can ascend the heavens and defeat Christ. The remnant of Jews finding refuge in Jerusalem seems to him to be the first object of his hatred. So while in conflict with them, Christ breaks through the clouds of heaven on His white charger and streams toward the center of conflict. With the sword of his mouth (Rev. 19:15), His almighty word, he breaks the power of Antichrist (2 Thess. 2:8). With the brightness of His coming, he demonstrates that Antichrist has deceived his followers, and he is deserted on the field of battle (2 Thess. 2:8), and all his armies are smitten into the dust (Rev. 19:21). Both the Beast and the False Prophet are taken alive and cast into the lake of fire forever (Rev. 19:20; 20:10). This brings his meteoric career to its end.

ANTICHRIST (6)

THE PERIOD OF SUPREME WORLD POWER

 

1.  The death of the two witnesses marks the breaking of the covenant with the Jewish nation and the beginning of world-wide persecution against the nation of Israel (Rev. 11:1-7; 12:6, 14; 13:7).

2.  The temple worship now stopped, he deifies himself and demands that divine honors and worship be paid to him (2 Thess. 2:4; Rev. 13:14-15). He orders a huge image of himself made and moved into the temple area and divine honors paid to it (Rev. 13:14-15; Matt. 24:15). In the eyes of the godly Jew this constitutes the abomination of desolation.

3.  By three different means he is able to secure universal worship for himself. By means of his great personal ability and attraction he arouses the hero-worship instinct of men (Rev. 13:3-4). He makes a personal display of superhuman powers such as causing fire to come down from heaven and making the image speak (Rev. 13:12-14). By means of economic and military sanctions he compels men under penalty of death to do him homage (Rev. 13:15-17). He is so successful that "all that dwell in the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the Lamb's book of life" (Rev. 13:8).

4.  Since many of the Jews will resist him, he becomes the persecutor and prevails over them for three and one-half years (Rev. 11:2-3, 7; 12:6, 16; 13:5-7; Matt. 24:15, 21). So intense and severe becomes this persecution, that if it were not for the immediate interference of the Lord in behalf of His people, they would be annihilated (Matt. 24:22).

5.  At the very outset of this last three and one-half years, Antichrist destroys the apostate Church. Now that he has attained his goal, he no longer needs this false religious system. Under the direction of the ten confederate kings, her wealth is confiscated, her system is destroyed, and her support is withdrawn (Rev. 17:16-17).

6.  At last, this superman has reached the pinnacle of all earthly power, religious, economic, and military. All shall worship him (Rev. 13:8), none can buy or sell without his sanction (Rev. 13:17), and there is no one who is able to make war with him (Rev. 13:4).

7.  At last, the ambition of Satan has been achieved in that creatures turn their worship toward him, and the proposal of Satan to Eve in the Garden of Eden has been achieved, namely, "Ye shall be as gods" (Rev. 13:4), for men are now giving reverence to Antichrist as though he were God.

ANTICHRIST (5)

THE RISE OF THE ANTICHRIST TO WORLD POWER

 

1. The steps in the rise of the Antichrist to power can be summarized as follows. In general this order is correct, though there could be features that are out of place, and will be discovered only as prophecy unfolds in history.

(1) Immediately following the rapture of the Church, Antichrist will be revealed (2 Thess. 2:6-8 ASV). It is then that the restraining influence of the Holy Spirit as wrought through the Church will cease to operate. The first move on the part of Christ to take possession of earth is the release of Antichrist by the tearing away of the first seal (Rev. 6:1-2).

(2)               Antichrist appears on the scene as an inconspicuous figure, but nevertheless, starting out upon a career "conquering and to conquer" (Rev. 6:1-2).

(3)               He makes a treaty with the Jews in his own name (John 5:43), which brings them into possession of the temple area where they can renew their long discontinued worship (Rev. 11:1-3). What he gets in return from the Jews no one knows, though it is fairly certain that money figures in this move somewhere.

(4)               Running parallel with negotiations with the Jews is the development of a ten-power confederacy that at last brings him into complete power (Rev. 13:1; 17:12-13).

(5)               This ten-power confederacy results in world power by the middle of the seven-year tribulation period (Rev. 13:7). All other great powers fall before his march to world power. This includes the powers in the East and South, though perhaps the Northern power is removed from before him by the immediate judgment of God.

(6)               Two mass movements to which he has submitted for three and one-half years finally result in a break and a change of plans. First, the false religious system of this time is no longer needed for he has reached supreme power throughout the world. So he destroys this system (Rev. 17:3, 16-17). Second, a movement of opposition among the Jews spearheaded by two witnesses is broken. With beast-like ferocity he slays the two witnesses (Rev. 11:3-13), and inaugurates the great tribulation against the Jews for the last three and one half years of this period (Rev. 11:2, 7), and extends it beyond to include millions of Gentiles who have believed on Christ (Rev. 7:9, 14). He now appears to be in undisputed control of the whole earth.

2. The means by which he has risen to world power are many.

(1)               Chaotic world conditions, consisting of universal war, famine, pestilence, dislocation, and distress with no way out have provided an occasion (Matt. 24:6-7; Luke 21:25-26; Rev. 6:3-8).

(2)               Great personal ability energized by Satan enabled him to gain recognition (Rev.13:2-4; 2 Thess. 2:9).

(3)               The material support from Jewish people, in return for religious privilege provides the material help (Rev. 11:1-3).

(4)               In addition there is the influence and aid of apostate religion.

(5)               Superhuman power communicated by Satan is especially important (2 Thess. 2:9; Rev. 13:2).

(6)               Last but not least, is the divine permission and providential control from heaven. God sends the strong delusion in the person of Antichrist (2 Thess. 2:11), and it is Christ who holds the seven-sealed book in His hands and under His control and direction tears away the seal that sends Antichrist forth (Rev. 6:1-2) .

3. The chronology of Antichrist's rise to power is clear as to order though not as to exact dates.

(1)               The revelation of the Antichrist to the world comes immediately following the rapture of the Church (2 Thess. 2:7).

(2)               The negotiations with Israel constitute the next major event (John 5:43), though perhaps this may not be the next event in time. But these negotiations mark the beginning of Daniel's seventieth week.

(3)               Coronation as the supreme monarch of the world comes at the middle of this seventieth week of years (Rev. 13:7).

ANTICHRIST (4)

THE ORIGIN OF THE ANTICHRIST

 

A sevenfold origin of the Antichrist provides food for thought, though perhaps not all details can be insisted upon.

1.  Out of the social chaos of the times, which provides an excellent opportunity for the strong man and savior of society, this man appears. He is described by John as rising up out of the sea (Rev. 13:1). If the waters are in any sense a picture of the troubled conditions of society (Rev. 17:15; Luke 21:25-26), then this is the opportunity for such a man to offer himself to the world. When such men as Arnold Toynbee, noted British historian, are calling for the strong man, it would appear that the very conditions of the world are maneuvering to that end.

2.  Out of a geographical division of the world represented by ten horns (Rev. 13:1; 17:3, 7, 12, 16) comes the beast. Equating this with Daniel 2, 7, and 8, it must be concluded that this man arises out of one of the divisions of Alexander's Empire, and this division must be that portion lying to the West on the continent of Europe.

3.  In the political sense, this man is a citizen of that area which will eventually become the revived Roman Empire. This is the final Empire of Gentile civilization that eventually swallows up all other great powers (Rev. 13:7). In the final period there will be given to the leader of this ten-horned Roman confederacy "power . . . over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations."

4.  This raises the question concerning the national origin of Antichrist. Though there is by no means any decisive answer, there are suggestions that he must be a Jew. The absence of the tribe of Dan from the listing in Rev. 7:4-8 has been cited as proof, but it is doubtful whether this reasoning can be trusted. Speaking to His own people Jesus said, "I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive" (John 5:43). Implicit in this is the appearance of one from their own nationality. Inasmuch as this one will enter into negotiations with Israel, suggesting confidence on their part, it is doubtful if any other than a Jew could so completely deceive them.

5.  But there is a personal element in the origin of the Antichrist. This man is a member of the Satanic trinity (Rev. 16:13). He is commissioned of the Devil (Rev. 13:2), and energized and equipped by him (2 Thess. 2:9). But he is in every sense a man, that man whose greatness and moral disposition lends himself to a covenant with the Devil (Rev. 13^:18). In Christ, the Devil found no answering response. But in this man he finds one who is ready to sell his soul and freedom for sovereignty over the world (Matt. 4:8-9; Luke 4:6-8).

6.  The spiritual origin of this man must not be overlooked. He is the seed of the serpent (Gen. 3:15), but in that sense he is the product of the mystery of iniquity (2 Thess. 2:7 cf. 3, 8). Lawlessness having been initiated by Adam at the suggestion of Satan has been operating through the centuries. At last it reaches its fullness in this man. The pervading influence and power of sin not only provides the atmosphere and environment in which lawlessness can survive, but it actually molds and shapes a human personality into the measure and stature of itself.

7.  There is finally the providential origin of the Man of Sin. To the countless millions of earth who have maneuvered themselves into the position of accepting a false Messiah by rejecting the true Christ, "For this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie" (2 Thess. 2:11). The definite article appears before the word "lie" in the original Greek. Antichrist is the lie, the masterpiece of Satan. Yet even this does not happen outside the providential movements of God in the unfolding of His plan. Christ works all things after the counsel of His own will (Eph. 1:11). Therefore it is reassuring to know that it is Christ who tears away the first seal that sends the Antichrist forth upon his mission of deception, persecution, and devastation (Rev. 6:1-2). This means that God is ultimately in control, even during that time of trouble such as the world has never seen.