SPIRIT OF ANTICHRIST
1Jn 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that ANTICHRIST shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
ANTICHRIST: G500, antichristos, an-tee'-khris-tos
From G473 and G5547; an opponent of the Messiah: - antichrist.
The word ANTICHRIST is only used by the Apostle John but he gives us THE fundamental truth in just a few verses. Most people have a very difficult time understanding that we are constantly interacting with a spiritual dimension.
The Babylonian world system is constantly trying to tell us that there is no such thing as black and white; however, God makes it perfectly clear that there is an epic battle between light and darkness, good and evil, Christ and antichrist. There definitely is a black and white choice everyone must make. We all must choose between Christ and antichrist.
The Apostle John informs us that there is a simple way to distinguish between Christ and antichrist.
1Jn 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
ANYONE who denies that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah) IS antichrist! I am about to make a statement that will make a lot of people uncomfortable but this statement is a fundamental truth. ALL major religions and all pseudo Christian cults are antichrist at their core because they ALL deny that Jesus is God.
Jesus made a fundamental statement about Himself and every other major world religion opposes and denies the truth of His fundamental statement. If a person claims to be a Christian and denies what Jesus said about Himself, then they are revealing that they are antichrist. There is no middle ground. Any person(s) who claims to be a Christian and attempts to align themselves with antichrist beliefs or antichrist organizations, they are antichrist!
Here is the most fundamental statement Jesus made about Himself:
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Joh 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
Jesus Christ is THE manifestation of God, if you know Jesus Christ than you know God, if you do not know Jesus Christ than you do not know God. If you deny this fundamental truth, YOU are antichrist!
Judaism denies that Jesus Christ is God…Judaism is antichrist.
Islam denies that Jesus Christ is God…Islam is antichrist.
Hinduism denies that Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to know God…Hinduism is antichrist.
I have only mentioned the big three world religions but I could have made a long, long list of antichrist religions and antichrist organizations.
We do not all worship the same God. I worship Jesus Christ, if you do not worship Jesus Christ than you are antichrist. There is no middle ground, there is no gray area, you must believe and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the one and only God or you are antichrist.
1Jn 2:20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
1Jn 2:21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
1Jn 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
1Jn 2:23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
The Apostle John acknowledged that the saints had an UNCTION (anointing) from the Holy One because they knew THE fundamental truth.
UNCTION: G5545, chrisma, khris'-mah
From G5548; an unguent or smearing, that is, (figuratively) the special endowment (“chrism”) of the Holy Spirit: - anointing, unction.
A person can only know THE fundamental truth if it is revealed to them by the Holy Spirit.
Mat 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
Mat 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Mat 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
If you know THE fundamental truth, then you know ALL THINGS because you have direct access to the source of all things. You can recognize the anointing on others only because you have God’s anointing.
Knowing THE fundamental truth is EXTREMELY important because in these last days, the world is rapidly dividing into two camps. You are either in the Christ camp or the antichrist camp. You either have the anointing or you do not have the anointing.
1Co 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
Jesus is God incarnate, this is THE fundamental truth; however, there is another truth that the antichrist spirit is constantly attempting to deny: GOD DWELLS WITHIN US!
1Jn 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
1Jn 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
1Jn 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
If we truly KNEW that people are the temple of God and that we are created in His image, it would be impossible to brutalize people, and enslave people, and murder people.
1Co 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
Although the LORD is slow to anger, long suffering, and loves to show His mercy, there is a tipping point when He will not withhold His anger and His judgment. Many people believe that the Church will be raptured out of the earth prior to the great tribulation, but they are missing the whole point of tribulation.
Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
There always comes a point in time when the wicked cannot suffer the presence of the righteous, and the wicked begin to persecute and murder the righteous. As it was in the days of Noah, and Lot, and Jesus, and His Apostles, it will also be in these last days. The sons of God will be revealed with mighty signs and wonders, and the son of perdition will wage war against the saints. All through the Bible we can see this same principal being repeated over and over again.
Heb 11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
Heb 11:36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
Heb 11:37 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;
Heb 11:38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
The wicked are revealed, and eventually will receive a just punishment from God, because they persecuted and kill the righteous, but the sons of God are revealed, and eventually will receive everlasting glory, because they suffered for the name of Jesus Christ and only repaid good for evil.
Mat 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Mat 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
The modern Laodicean Church loves to hear the false prophets preaching peace, and prosperity, and pre-tribulation rapture, but the Apostles and early Church welcomed persecution and tribulation with exceeding joy!
1Pe 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
1Pe 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
1Pe 4:14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
Fiery trials and tribulations are surely going to test the sons of God in the near future, and I pray that all Christians recognize what a great privilege it is to suffer for the name of Jesus Christ.
THE Antichrist
The Apostle John said that there were many antichrists; however, he also mentions that THE Antichrist was going to come. From the very beginning of the Bible, we see that there is always ONE person that always seems to rise up to resist and oppose God and His anointed during key moments of history.
If I am correct, the sons of God will soon be manifested on the earth and I suspect THE Antichrist is already on the world scene or will soon arrive on the scene. There are many clues in the Bible that help us identify THE Antichrist:
First, THE Antichrist’s most obvious character flaw is PRIDE.
2Th 2:3 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;
2Th 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.
The Apostle Paul’s description of THE Antichrist appears to be a direct reference to the description given by the prophet Daniel.
Dan 11:36 And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.
THE Antichrist will not be a shrinking violet. Not only does THE Antichrist NOT need God, he will eventually proclaim that he is God, and he will demand worship from the whole world. The Pharaoh that resisted Moses was obviously a type of antichrist.
Exo 5:2 And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD (Jehovah), that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.
We see that this attitude is directly opposed to the humility of Jesus Christ.
Joh 8:28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
Second, THE Antichrist will be VIOLENTLY opposed to Christianity.
Dan 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
This violent hatred of Jesus Christ may be concealed at first, but we see that during the final 42 months of his rule, he will openly persecute and murder the saints of God.
Rev 13:6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
Rev 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power (AUTHORITY) was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
The scriptures tell us that THE Antichrist will be GIVEN AUTHORITY over every nation on earth, and he will use that authority to exterminate Christians. Few people seem to realize that the world already has a nascent world government in the United Nations (U.N.) with a “security council” made up of ten nations. I believe the U.N. security council is the most likely governing body that “gives” authority to THE Antichrist.
Rev 17:12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
Rev 17:13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
I can only believe that the whole world will GIVE authority to one man because they actually perceive an existential threat to their power. I believe the only danger that can threaten the Babylonian world system’s power and authority is the manifestation of the sons of God.
THE Antichrist’s violent character is directly opposite the defining character of the LORD Jesus Christ.
Isa 42:2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.
Isa 42:3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
Finally, THE Antichrist will be steeped in intrigue, treachery, and DECEIT.
Dan 8:25 And through his policy also he shall cause CRAFT to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.
CRAFT: H4820, mirmâh, meer-maw'
From H7411 in the sense of deceiving; fraud: - craft, deceit (-ful, -fully), false, feigned, guile, subtilly, treachery.
Lying will come naturally to THE Antichrist because he will be the son of perdition…his spiritual father is Satan, the father of lies. The Apostle Paul calls THE Antichrist “the man of sin”. He will not be restrained by social mores or quaint old fashioned notions of morality, honesty, or integrity.
Joh 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
This last character flaw of THE Antichrist is of course directly opposed to the character of Jesus Christ.
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the TRUTH, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
It should not be surprising that the Babylonian world system will welcome the false Messiah, THE Antichrist, with open arms because the world’s hierarchies persecuted and murdered the real Messiah, Jesus Christ. The world’s rulers have always highly esteemed and respected the proud, the violent, and the deceivers.
Psa 40:4 Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.