We hear the title “Antichrist” being thrown around lately. Is it a person? If so, who is it? When is he going to take over the world?
Yesterday, I wrote about the Signs of the Times and that Jesus Christ warned us to watch for the signs of His return to snatch up His church. That snatching up is the Rapture, when all born-again believers will disappear from earth and go directly to Heaven. The dead in Christ will rise first, then the living. That will also include children under 12, babies and the unborn — the innocents. That will cause such a crisis that one man — he could be a political leader — will rise to power and lead a one-world government. He will have solutions to all the problems. He will come across as a peacemaker. Very charismatic, he’ll win many of those left behind after the Rapture to his empire. He’s actually the first Horseman of the Apocalypse!
However, some wise people — probably people who thought they were Christians, but ended up being left behind, realize instantly that they missed the boat. They were not born-again, saved Christians, but after the Rapture, they will finally believe, repent of their sins and have their ticket to Heaven. Unfortunately, they’ll have to endure the 7 years of the Great Tribulation. I covered all that in my series on the Book of Revelation (which starts here).
The best scripture reference for all this is in Paul’s second letter the the Thessalonians….
2 Thessalonians 2…
Now, dear brothers and sisters, let us clarify some things about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered to meet him. 2 Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us. 3 Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed—the one who brings destruction. 4 He will exalt himself and defy everything that people call god and every object of worship. He will even sit in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God.
5 Don’t you remember that I told you about all this when I was with you? 6 And you know what is holding him back, for he can be revealed only when his time comes. 7 For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one who is holding it back steps out of the way. 8 Then the man of lawlessness will be revealed, but the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him by the splendor of his coming.
9 This man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles. 10 He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them. 11 So God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies. 12 Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth.
2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 NLT
Satan’s Crony
So, who is this guy? I believe he is alive right now. He’s laying low watching everything that’s going in the world. I don’t think he has a position of power yet. Verse 7 reads, “This lawlessness is already at work secretly.” He will continue to do the work of Satan. Furthermore, if you think things are bad now and evil is rampant in this world. Wait until the Antichrist is in power.
Who is Holding it Back?
That’s the Holy Spirit who lives in the heart of every born-again Christian and we’re still here. See, until the Rapture happens, the Antichrist won’t be revealed. I’m not going to worry about who he is because, I’m not going to be around. I’ll be in Heaven watching all the excitement from the balcony.
We go to Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians for a description on how the Rapture happens….
The Hope of the Resurrection
13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.
15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage each other with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 NLT
Paul continues…
Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you. 2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. 3 When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.
4 But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. 5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. 6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. 7 Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. 8 But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.
9 For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. 10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. 11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 NLT
God’s Warning…
The good news is — we still have time. How much time? God only knows. Literally. We see the signs of the times. It’s up to you to be wise enough to recognized these signs and warn those who are ignorant of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His true salvation.
The Kingdom of God is Waiting!
God wants to fill up Heaven! That’s why He wrote the Bible! We find Jesus Christ in ALL of Scripture…
- In the Old Testament, He is Predicted.
- In the Gospels, He is Revealed.
- In the Book of Acts, He is Preached.
- In the Epistles (the letters), He is Explained.
- In the Book of Revelation, He is Expected.
And, folks, He wins in the end! Read the Bible, people! It’s all there!
What’s happening in the world right now is setting the stage for the Antichrist to takeover once the Rapture happens. Moreover, it could happen any day now! As Jesus predicted, we are living in the last days!
So, where will you be when the Rapture happens. Like Greg Laurie says
“You’re either right or left — right with God or left behind!”
Pastor Greg Laurie
It’s your choice!
Will you be Left Behind?
That’s the question you sincerely need to ask yourself. If you’re not sure, it won’t hurt you to pray to Jesus right now and secure your place in Heaven. You must…
Believe. Repent. Be Baptized. Receive the Holy Spirit.
- Believe — have Faith — that Jesus is the Christ and He died taking your sins away forever and that He rose from the dead 3 days later.
- Repent of your sins — stop sinning! Do a complete 180-degree turn in your life and surrender your life to Him. When you ask Jesus to forgive you He will. ALL your sins will be wiped clean — past, present, and future! And All means ALL!
- Be Baptized by water baptism — show the world and yourself that you have died to your old life and are born again in Christ.
- Receive the gift of Holy Spirit in your heart.
Invite Jesus into Your Heart and Receive the Gift of Grace, Joy, Peace, and the Confident Hope of Eternal Life…
Pray this prayer humbly and wholeheartedly…
“Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe You died for my sins. Please forgive me. Right now, I turn from my sins, I repent, and open the door of my heart and my life to you. I confess You as my personal Lord and Savior. I will follow You for the rest of my life. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
“And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”
Colossians 2:6-7 NLT
Next Steps in Your New Walk with Jesus…
- Start reading the Bible daily to get to know God. If you don’t have one, I recommend the YouVersion, Bible.app and Through the Word app — both are free and have a lot of great Bible studies.
- Pray every day. Talk to God. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you daily.
- Find and join a Bible-believing church — preferably a non-denominational one and be baptized!
“And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.”
Matthew 24:14 NLT
Jesus Christ is coming back soon! Are you ready?
Soli Deo Gloria — to God Alone be the Glory!
