It's time to study the Antichrist. 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 discusses in some detail the Antichrist. Let's see what Paul has to say about him.
1)What frightens you about the coming of the Antichrist?
Read 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 Notice that the Thessalonians were also disturbed and alarmed by the thought of the Antichrist. Take a minute to search the word "Antichrist" with Google or Yahoo. Look at how many theories there are that claim to know the identity of the Antichrist. Why are so many alarmed at the coming of the Antichrist?
John 10:27-28 "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand." Know that Jesus holds you in his firm grip, and you cannot be pulled away by the Antichrist if you trust in Christ.
2) Verse 4 says that the Antichrist will exalt himself over God. He will glorify himself, but think on how Christ came in humility. Christ did not come to seek his own glory, but he glorified his Father in heaven. When we seek to glorify ourselves who are we taking glory from?
3) 1 John 2:18 says: "Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour." There is a difference between THE Antichrist, and other antichrists. The term "antichrist" with a lower case "a" refers to everyone who has opposed Christ and his teachings. There are many of those who exist today, and there were many causing trouble for the early church too.
The Antichrist refers to a specific figure who will oppose Christ, and bring about God's judgement. He will decieve many, and this figure will do dramatic damage to the church and world.
There are countless antichrists and one fearsome Antichrist. Even still, Jesus will over come all of them with the breath of his mouth. Take some time to consider the true Christ who can destroy all of our enemies with the breath of his mouth. He won't even need to lift a finger to banish the many attacks Satan will throw at the church. The Antichrist will be Satan's best work, but Jesus has already won the victory over Satan and his minions.
We will continue with this topic next week. Please post your comments by clicking on the bottom right corner of this post.
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