The Antichrist

 

[The following is a manuscript of my message delivered at Pilgrim Reformed Church on Sunday morning, the 29th of September, 2024.  A recording of our service should be available on our YouTube streaming channel: 

https://www.youtube.com/@pilgrimreformedchurch1992/streams.]

Family, there are two questions I am often asked.  One is something to the effect, “Why did God allow this to happen?”, whatever “this” might happen to be.  To answer that one, I just harken back to when Isaiah spoke for God, saying, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”  And I can follow that up with the Apostle Paul’s declaration that, “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

In other words, I don’t know why God lets things happen that we see as bad and harmful, but I trust that in the end, it will all work out to our good.  But let’s face it… that’s not a very satisfying answer to someone’s serious inquiry, especially if they’re hurting.

The second question, though, has a more definitive answer, and one that can be found in our Bible.  It is sometimes asked during an occurrence that prompted the first question, but may be completely unconnected.  And to my memory, this is the first time I’ve been asked this during an election cycle here in the US.

That question:  “Is so-an-so the Antichrist?”, with a capital “A”.  “Is this person the Antichrist, or maybe that person?”  “Is the Antichrist alive today and walking among us, just waiting to show himself?”  “Oh, and it will be a ‘he’, right?”

Well, like I said, the answers to questions concerning the Antichrist are right here in our Bible, for God doesn’t want us to be confused about it.  When Jesus revealed what is to come to His beloved disciple, John saw the Antichrist and his master, Satan.  Please listen and follow along to the words recorded by the Apostle John in the first 10 verses of the 13th chapter of his Book of Revelation, and I’ll be reading from the Modern English Version of our Holy Bible this morning…

1 I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, with ten crowns on his horns, and blasphemous names on his heads. 2 The beast which I saw was like a leopard. His feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority. 3 I saw one of his heads as if it was mortally wounded, but his deadly wound was healed, and the whole world marveled and followed the beast. 4 They worshipped the dragon who gave authority to the beast. And they worshipped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to wage war with him?”

5 He was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies. And he was given authority to wage war for forty-two months. 6 He opened his mouth to speak blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle and those who dwell in heaven. 7 It was granted to him to wage war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe and tongue and nation. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, all whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb who was slain from the foundation of the world.

9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear:

10 “He who is to be taken captive,

into captivity he shall go;

he who kills with the sword,

with the sword he must be killed.”

--Revelation 13:1-10 (MEV)

Let us pray…  Heavenly Father, we thank You for providing answers in our Bible to questions that often come up in life.  We even have the words from Your prophets of thousands of years ago that give us insight into Your thoughts and ways.  Sadly though, Father, we don’t always look to Your word first when confronted by a tough question.  We don’t always fully trust in Your word, but harbor doubts instead.  Forgive us these times, Father.  Please help us be more trusting and accepting of Your word.  And help us be more obedient to You and Your Son’s command to spread the Good News in our Bible.  Give us the courage and the will to worship You with our proper service.  Help us as we step out into the world witnessing to the non-believers, sharing the Good News and showing Your love.  And please forgive us when we hesitate to speak and act on behalf of You and our Lord Jesus out of fear or anxiety.

Speak to us now, Father, that we might hear Your voice through Your Spirit within us and better understand Your message today.  Help us share the Good News of forgiveness and everlasting life in our daily walk.  This we pray in the precious name of Your Son, Christ Jesus our Lord.   Amen.

An article once appeared in the little "Our Daily Bread" magazine that began... “The word ‘maranatha’ is a Syriac expression that means: ‘our Lord comes.’  It was used as a greeting in the early church.  When believers gathered or parted, they didn't say ‘hello’ or ‘goodbye’ but ‘Maranatha!’  If we had the same upward look today, it would revolutionize the church.  O that God's people had a deepening awareness of the imminent return of the Savior!”

The timing of the great Rapture, the coming of the Antichrist, and our Lord's return are all intertwined.  When Jesus returns, whether before, during, or after the Rapture, He will defeat the Antichrist and all evil.  We don't know when all this will occur, but it may happen when we least expect it.  Our Lord comes!  Are we ready?

It only takes a quick read of our scripture this morning to see that the Book of Revelation is one of the most difficult in our Bible to understand.  It’s also one of the most - if not the most - discussed books.  Its wording and descriptive phrases are just strange to us today.  But one thing we need to realize is that John was being shown events and occurrences for which he had no words.  For instance, how could he have possibly described nuclear warfare and its aftermath, as some believe is foretold?  This is why scholars and researchers have expended countless hours discussing and debating John’s words.  But he does give us a picture of the Antichrist, even if he doesn’t call him by that name in this passage.

Earlier in Revelation, we are told of some events that will happen before the Antichrist comes.  These include the introduction and use of one world currency, of one world government, where the ten "kings" come together to rule all, and of the two witnesses who stand in testimony to God and Jesus.  Then we get to John’s description in those first 10 verses of chapter 13.

It may help to see the “ten horns” and “ten crowns” on the head of the beast as representing the ten kings, the ten world leaders who will give their power and authority to the Antichrist.  And the mortal wound that was healed likely represents a fatal injury where Satan brings the Antichrist back to life, imitating the resurrection of Jesus, and causing the world to worship him like Jesus.  Add that to his ability to speak great things, and the people are drawn to him.  And he is given the authority and power to wage war for 42 months – three and one-half years… the first half of the seven year tribulation.

The timing for the events of Revelation is a little confusing, with much still being a matter for debate.  For example, some believe – and some scripture supports – that the Antichrist may not appear until midway through the Tribulation, which true believers may not see if the Rapture comes before Tribulation.  Scripture also supports my personal belief, one shared by many, that Jesus will return in the sky to call His church home shortly before the Tribulation begins and before the Antichrist makes his presence known.

Like I said, this is all pretty confusing, but the point is that John indeed makes it clear that the Antichrist will appear and make war against God’s domain.  Fortunately we have other sources of information, other references in our Bible.  One of them comes from John again, and this somewhat earlier, when he was writing to the early church scattered throughout the known world.  In the 2nd chapter of his 1st letter, verses 18 through 26, John provides a clear definition of an antichrist, while not yet mentioning the Antichrist…

18 Little children, it is the last hour. As you have heard that the antichrist will come, even now there are many antichrists. By this we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us, for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have remained with us. But they went out, revealing that none of them were of us.

20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. 21 I have written to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is a liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? Whoever denies the Father and the Son is the antichrist. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father.

24 Let that which you have heard from the beginning remain in you. If that which you have heard from the beginning remains in you, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that He has promised us — eternal life.

26 I have written these things to you concerning those who deceive you.

--1 John 2:18-26 (MEV)

Putting it simply, an antichrist is anyone who denies God the Father and Jesus the Son.  Jesus once said, “He who is not with Me is against Me”, and an antichrist is certainly not with Christ but working against Him.

I think that in this passage, John explains why that second question keeps popping up, asking, “Is this person the Antichrist?”  We ask this because there are many antichrists – lower case “a”.  There are many people actively working against Christ.  Are any of them the Antichrist?  Maybe, but he hasn’t declared himself yet.  Nor have other signs announced his presence.

Another of our biblical sources of information on the Antichrist comes from the Christ, from Jesus Himself.  Listen to what the Apostle Matthew recorded in verses 3 through 14 of chapter 24 in his Gospel account…

3 As Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?”

4 Jesus answered them, “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled. For all these things must happen, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines, epidemics, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

9 “Then they will hand you over to be persecuted and will kill you. And you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 Then many will fall away, and betray one another, and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will rise and will deceive many. 12 Because iniquity will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

--Matthew 24:3-14 (MEV)

Many will come declaring themselves to be the Christ, even the Antichrist himself, according to John and his Book of Revelation.  And we’ve seen this throughout the Jesus age and even in modern times, with many an antichrist claiming to be the one and only Christ.  And we’ve certainly had enough wars and rumors of wars, especially now.  We’re even seeing more and more persecution of the church all over the world, including here in the US.

All this is true, but Jesus says the end is not yet.  The beast has not yet risen from the sea, the tribulation has not yet begun, Jesus has not yet called His church home.  Once the gospel of the kingdom of God has been preached throughout the world as a testimony to all nations and all peoples, then the end will come.

So is the end close?  Is this person or that person the Antichrist?  Well, maybe.  Only God knows for sure.  We do know, though, that he hasn’t shown himself yet if he is alive now.  And we know all the signs have not yet been given.  But if I and other like-minded folks are right, we may never know who – or what - the Antichrist is, for Jesus will come and call us home before the beast makes his presence known.  And for that belief, I thank God.

In the blessed name of Christ Jesus our Lord, who has promised us and gives us eternal life.  Amen.

Let us pray…  Almighty God, thank You again for giving us answers in our Bible to questions that we often struggle with.  You inspired the authors of the books of our Bible to give us these answers by Your words.  But sometimes, Father, we still struggle with the answers we receive.  Some we just don’t like, while some just confuse us even more.  But we trust You, Father, and know that You are working all things according to Your plan and to the good for us and all who love You and are Your chosen.  Thank You for showing Your love in this way.  But sometimes, we just have trouble letting go of our worries and anxieties.  Please forgive us these times, Father.  And forgive us when we let the world dictate our actions.  Please help us reach out more into the world, serving You by serving others.  Help us be more like Your Son Jesus, being more forgiving and merciful in our dealings with others.  Please strengthen our spirits to do Your will and help us do a better job of sharing Jesus with others so that they too may be saved by Your mercy and His sacrifice.  

Father, please shield us from Satan as he attacks our faith, trying to make us his own.  Help us be better servants, glorifying You in all we do so that the world can see You in us, through our deeds, in how we live.  And help us remain strong, faithful, and true to You in all things, no matter what the world throws at us or holds out before us.

Please hear us now, Father, as we pause for just a moment to speak to You through Your Spirit within us, promising to be more obedient to Your commands, and seeking Your help to do so…

Lord Jesus, You gave us the signs to watch for to indicate the end is near.  But more importantly, Lord, You cautioned us to always be ready for that time, to keep doing the mission You gave us, to continue living God’s will.  In this way we will not be caught off-guard when the Antichrist appears to the world.

Lord, we really do want to please.  We try to live as You would have us live, Lord, but sometimes we just get too caught up in the world around us and we lose sight of our mission.  Please forgive us our weaknesses, dear Jesus.  Forgive us our hesitation.  Please help us be more considerate and caring of others.  Help us as we go about spreading the Gospel message.  Help us share Your love by being more understanding, more merciful, more giving and forgiving of others, offering aid when we can.  Not everyone believes in You, so it is our job to help them see the truth and believe.  Give us the words to say, show us what to do to help bring the lost to You.  Help us keep our focus on the things of heaven and the needs of others.  And heal the hurts that separate and divide us one from another.  This we pray in Your blessed name, Christ Jesus our Lord and our Savior.  Amen.