The Antichrist Myth

[Enow]

The Antichrist Myth

What was the purpose of John’s gospel and his three epistles? Why was he inspired to write them at the very end of his life, circa 95 to 105 A.D.? What had happened to the Church during his lifetime?

Acts 20:29 “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.”

Had the Apostle Paul’s prophecy of the church’s future already come to pass while John was alive? A few 1st and 2nd century heresies: Dualism (two gods), Gnosticism (Jesus not flesh), Montanism (additional revelation), Judaism (legalism), Asceticism (monasticism), Nocolaitanism (false apostles), Balaamism (merchandising the Gospel). Seeds of all appeared in the First Century. So it appears that John wrote when he did to expose false leaders and false doctrines that were already in the church. Confirmed by John 1:1-14, 2 Ti 3:6-8, Rev 2:2, 2:14-15, 2:20.

So who is “the” Antichrist? Did you know there are ONLY 4 VERSES in Scripture that mention “antichrist" by name?

1 John 2:18, “Children, it is the last hour; and just as you have heard that antichrist is coming, even now many
antichrists have arisen; from this we know that it is the last time.” (NAS)

1 John 2:22, “Who is a liar but the one that denies that Jesus is the Christ. He is THE (Gr. definite article “te”) antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father.” (NAS)

1 John 4:3, “And every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; and this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming; and now it is already in the world.” (NAS)

2 John 7, “For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is THE deceiver and THE antichrist.” (NAS)

Believe it or not, that’s all of them and I’ve also heard the moon was made of green cheese, but my having heard it doesn’t make it true. So do any of the above verses say there’s going to be a future Antichrist? If so, I fail to see it, or is John just exposing another heresy?

The use of the term "antichrist" as it is written in the scripture means "instead of Christ" or to be clearer still, "instead of the Son". John's usage is not how modern man would apply antichrist to mean today as being "against Christ".

John's warning was against those professing the Spirit of Christ as not being within us but testifying of the Spirit of Christ as being presently felt around us or being present at that moment in the worship place. That is the spirit of the antichrist which is in the world as opposing the real Holy Spirit as indwelling within us which is in according to the examination of our faith as Paul declared: 2 Corinthians 13:5.

Despite modern educated scholars today, what John was exposing as a false teaching was not about Jesus never having come in the flesh, but what any believer that testify of that "Spirit of Christ" by saying presently as in "is come in the flesh" when believers were warned not to believe every spirit but test them. 1 John 4:1

So John was really warning about those errant believers that testify to looking for the Holy Spirit to be felt in the worship place as it can progress from there to seeking to receive the Holy Spirit "again" and after a sign too.

That is the spirit of the antichrist which is in the world, coming with signs & lying wonders.

The real indwelling Holy Spirit will always keep the spotlight on the Son in testifying of the Bridegroom in seeking His glory. The spirit of the antichrist will do the opposite by sharing in that spotlight with the Son to stealing that spotlight away from the Son for a period of time... even if for a small moment.... as in "instead of Christ" which is the same as "instead of the Son".

What many believers today fail to recognize that the commandment of His invitation to come to the Son is continual which is why He is called the Bridegroom in how we are to live that reconciled relationship with God the Father through the Son so that we may avoid false spirits as we ll as false prophets.

Those that have gone astray can repent by returning to their first love and relate to God the Father through the Bridegroom before the Bridegroom returns and says I know ye not whence ye are..." in Luke's account in Luke 13:24-30 because they related to God the Father by way of "instead of the Son". So to avoid that specific iniquity is by striving to enter through the strait gate by seeking the face of our first love and trust in Him as our Good Shepherd to have us ready to go.

No one should be chasing after other "gods" when the Spirit of God dwells within us as those that worship God, must do so in spirit and in truth, not out of spirit and apart from the truth.

Keeping your eyes on the Bridegroom because He is coming at any moment is the best way to avoid the spirits of the antichrist which is in the world that would take your eyes from seeking His face continuously in relating to God the Father by way of the Son in gettingt to know Him & ye Him.

John 14:[SUP]6 [/SUP]Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. [SUP]7 [/SUP]If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him..

 

[RachelBibleStudent]

The beasts that Daniel saw were kingdoms, and it seems that there are a lot of parallels between the OT prophesies and what John saw in Rev. The description of the beast rising out of the water makes me think of a kingdom, or kingdoms. I'm wondering about the deadly wound that was healed on one of the 7 heads. In Rev 13:14 it says that the wound was caused by a sword. If this isn't a literal wound on a literal person, what is it? Also, the number of the beast is the number of a man. Everyone is required to have the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Given that description, it certainly sounds physical. It also says "in the hand OR the forehead" and no one can buy or sell without it. What is the "image of the beast" that people worship? If the beast (or antichrist) is not a person, how do you make an image of it that comes to life and can talk? Then those who don't worship this image are put to death. I also wonder about the 2nd beast, the false prophet. Any ideas about who that is? (and I apologize if this was already discussed).

Honestly, I think that when the time comes the truth will be revealed to God's people. If we are truly His and our names are in His book, He will not allow us to be deceived. This is all such a mystery and there are many interesting opinions.

here are some of my conclusions and guesses...

the first beast is the imperial system...it is made up of the first three of the imperial beasts from daniel combined... one of the heads having a fatal would that was healed suggests that at one point the imperial system appeared to have fallen for good...but it revived... john's first beast actually appears to be identical with the fourth beast that daniel struggled to describe...which stood for rome... that suggests to me that this beast is basically roman in character...as if the ancient roman empire had come back from the dead...

the mark of the beast actually appears to be a form of blasphemy against the holy spirit... john indicates that nobody who receives the mark of the beast will be forgiven...and jesus said that the only unforgivable sin is blasphemy against the holy spirit...so they are the same thing... the mark of the beast goes on the head or on the hand...the head represents the thoughts and the hand represents the actions... the same 'head and hand' imagery is used in the old testament to represent the israelites' obedience of God's law... since 'sealing' imagery is used elsewhere in revelation...it appears that the mark of the beast is some kind 'counter seal' against the holy spirit...

the image of the beast could be the national symbol or some other representation of the imperial system...a flag or a standard or something else that stands for the state... not reverencing this symbol of the imperial state would get you executed for treason...

one thing i don't understand though is what it means for the image of the beast to be brought to life...

the second beast or false prophet is the apostate church...it has little horns that make it look like a male lamb...like christ and christianity...but it speaks like a dragon...teaching the doctrines of satan... the second beast and false prophet are also the same as the woman babylon who appears later in revelation...she rides on the first beast...meaning this is a state church that uses its relationship with the state in order to live in luxury...and in return the apostate church tells the people to follow after the imperial state and basically make it their god...

 

[Enow]

John's warning was against those professing the Spirit of Christ as not being within us but testifying of the Spirit of Christ as being presently felt around us or being present at that moment in the worship place. That is the spirit of the antichrist which is in the world as opposing the real Holy Spirit as indwelling within us which is in according to the examination of our faith as Paul declared: 2 Corinthians 13:5.

Error in this statement which needs clarity to be in line with the rest of this quoted passage>>>>>Despite modern educated scholars today, what John was exposing as a false teaching was not about Jesus never having come in the flesh, but what any believer that testify of that "Spirit of Christ" by saying presently as in "is come in the flesh" when believers were warned not to believe every spirit but test them. 1 John 4:1<<<<

So John was really warning about those errant believers that testify to looking for the Holy Spirit to be felt in the worship place as it can progress from there to seeking to receive the Holy Spirit "again" and after a sign too.

That is the spirit of the antichrist which is in the world, coming with signs & lying wonders.

What it should read in keeping with the message of the truth is in that quote is:

Despite modern educated scholars today, what John was exposing as a false teaching was not about Jesus never having come in the flesh, but what any believer that testify of that "Spirit of Christ" bysaying presently as in "is NOT come in the flesh" thus indicating the "spirit" as being present outside of us which is not of God when believers were warned not to believe every spirit but test them. 1 John 4:1

Sorry for not being clear in that point in sharing the truth, but I thank Jesus for bringing me back here to correct it as the Good Shepherd He is.

 

[Therapon]

Revelation 13 is primarily about the 1278 years
that Islam controlled Jerusalem.

Revelation 13:1-10 “And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast"
(empire, Daniel 7-8) rise up out of the sea (of people, Rev 17:15),
"having seven heads and ten horns"
(The Holy Land is central in Bible prophecy so this beast is the various Islamic countries that have controlled the Holy Land during the Christian era),​

"and upon his horns ten crowns"
(ten major anti-Christian Islamic Caliphates during the Christian era, here are their names . . .

1.1 Rashidun, 632–661
1.2 Umayyads, 7th–8th centuries
1.3 The Caliphate in Hispania
1.4 Abbasids, 8th–13th centuries
1.5 Fatimids, 10th–12th centuries
1.6 Shadow Caliphate, 13th–16th centuries
1.7 Ottomans, 16th–20th century
1.8 Sokoto, 19th century
1.9 Ahmadiyya Caliphate, 1908-Present
1.10 Khilafat Movement, 1920

Caliphate movement ends in 1924. But now, fundamental Islam is once again trying to establish a worldwide Caliphate.

"and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion"
(Greece, Medo-Persia, Babylon, see Daniel 7, or today’s Syria, Iran, Iraq, i.e., the Islamic hegemony):
"and the dragon (Satan) gave him his power, and his seat (throne), and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded unto death"
(at the Battles of Tours and Vienna);
"and his deadly wound was healed"
(after 1948-1967 the new Islamic Jihad begins):
"and all the world"
(the nations around Israel)
"wondered after the"
(Leopard-Bear-Lion)
"beast. And they worshipped the dragon (Satan) which gave power unto the (Islamic) beast: and they worshipped the (Islamic ) beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies"
(against the God who created the Universe);
"and power was given unto him to continue"
(controlling the Holy Land)
"forty and two months"
(42 months is 1278.34 days. Islam controls Jerusalem until 1967 -1278=688AD, the exact year the Muslims began to built the Dome of the Rock on God’s Temple mount in Jerusalem).
"And he"
(the evil spirit behind Islam, probably Satan)
"opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name"
(saying God has no Son),
"and his tabernacle"
(the temple mount),
"and them that dwell in heaven.”
(All believers are now spiritually seated in the heavens with Christ, Ephesians 1:3)
"And it was given unto him (Islam) to make war with the saints (the first Jihad), and to overcome them"
(from India to Spain):
"and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations"
(the world as known to John, i.e., Israel and the surrounding Middle Eastern nations).
"And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him (Leopard-Bear-Lion), whose names are not written in the book of life"
(Islam is not another road to heaven)
"of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If any man have an ear, let him hear. He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.”

Revelation 13:8 is the only verse in Scripture stating that Jesus’ crucifixion is eternal, His blood covering man’s sin both ways in time. In the
mind of God the Father, Jesus was sacrificed before “the foundation of the world.”

 

[zone]

Revelation 13 is primarily about the 1278 years
that Islam controlled Jerusalem.

Revelation 13:1-10 “And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast"
(empire, Daniel 7-8) rise up out of the sea (of people, Rev 17:15),
"having seven heads and ten horns"
(The Holy Land is central in Bible prophecy so this beast is the various Islamic countries that have controlled the Holy Land during the Christian era),​

"and upon his horns ten crowns"
(ten major anti-Christian Islamic Caliphates during the Christian era, here are their names . . .

1.1 Rashidun, 632–661
1.2 Umayyads, 7th–8th centuries
1.3 The Caliphate in Hispania
1.4 Abbasids, 8th–13th centuries
1.5 Fatimids, 10th–12th centuries
1.6 Shadow Caliphate, 13th–16th centuries
1.7 Ottomans, 16th–20th century
1.8 Sokoto, 19th century
1.9 Ahmadiyya Caliphate, 1908-Present
1.10 Khilafat Movement, 1920

Caliphate movement ends in 1924. But now, fundamental Islam is once again trying to establish a worldwide Caliphate.

"and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion"
(Greece, Medo-Persia, Babylon, see Daniel 7, or today’s Syria, Iran, Iraq, i.e., the Islamic hegemony):
"and the dragon (Satan) gave him his power, and his seat (throne), and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded unto death"
(at the Battles of Tours and Vienna);
"and his deadly wound was healed"
(after 1948-1967 the new Islamic Jihad begins):
"and all the world"
(the nations around Israel)
"wondered after the"
(Leopard-Bear-Lion)
"beast. And they worshipped the dragon (Satan) which gave power unto the (Islamic) beast: and they worshipped the (Islamic ) beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies"
(against the God who created the Universe);
"and power was given unto him to continue"
(controlling the Holy Land)
"forty and two months"
(42 months is 1278.34 days. Islam controls Jerusalem until 1967 -1278=688AD, the exact year the Muslims began to built the Dome of the Rock on God’s Temple mount in Jerusalem).
"And he"
(the evil spirit behind Islam, probably Satan)
"opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name"
(saying God has no Son),
"and his tabernacle"
(the temple mount),
"and them that dwell in heaven.”
(All believers are now spiritually seated in the heavens with Christ, Ephesians 1:3)
"And it was given unto him (Islam) to make war with the saints (the first Jihad), and to overcome them"
(from India to Spain):
"and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations"
(the world as known to John, i.e., Israel and the surrounding Middle Eastern nations).
"And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him (Leopard-Bear-Lion), whose names are not written in the book of life"
(Islam is not another road to heaven)
"of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If any man have an ear, let him hear. He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.”

Revelation 13:8 is the only verse in Scripture stating that Jesus’ crucifixion is eternal, His blood covering man’s sin both ways in time. In the
mind of God the Father, Jesus was sacrificed before “the foundation of the world.”

so where are Christians in all this?
you mention them a few times, but your focus (you say God's focus) is on the State of Israel.
makes no sense, ellis.

if unbelieving jews are saved without Jesus, why aren't muslims?
at least muslims revere Him as a prophet.

like....seriously

 

[Katy-follower]

Heh, you never know whats coming down the pike exactly, I'm not a doomsday prepper yet, but it doesn't hurt to learn about what God put here for you to eat.

Forager's Harvest

I've been seeing a lot of ads for emergency food buckets, so it's been on my mind lately.

Is preparing a bad thing? God provides for us, so would it be showing a lack of trust in Him? Joseph put away rice, knowing a famine was coming. I wonder if God would want us to do the same, since we know things will continue to get worse. Hopefully we're out of here before most of it.

This is supposed to be nutritionally complete, so you could probably live off this and nothing else...

Recipe --> Ezekiel Bread Recipe Recipe - Bob's Red Mill

 

[pickles]

I dont know about end times, as the day we cannot know.
But , considering the many disasters that have occured of late, one would be wise to simply have some preparedness.
We dont live like they did in the time of Jesus, where one grew their own food, had sheep, stored the grain needed.
We live now where we drive to a grocery store, taking from a shelf what is wanted for today.
All it takes is an interuption of the services needed to fill the shelf of the grocery store, and many will be in a lot of hurt quickly.

As to the end times, I often consider what Jesus said, "that he who seeks to save his life shall lose it, and he who is willing to lose their life, shall save it."

My true concern and prayer is? That when the difficult days are upon us, will I open my door to the ones in need?
Or will I keep it locked?
Please dear Jesus, help me to keep the door open.

God bless
pickles

 

[Lushiro]

Either way God's plan and WILL will be done and be infinitely successful. Satan is powerless and can do nothing to stop him or prevent his plan from carrying out his divine order. Amen. I hope the rapture is soon though! I cannot wait for it!

 

[Bookends]

I dont know about end times, as the day we cannot know.
But , considering the many disasters that have occured of late, one would be wise to simply have some preparedness.
We dont live like they did in the time of Jesus, where one grew their own food, had sheep, stored the grain needed.
We live now where we drive to a grocery store, taking from a shelf what is wanted for today.
All it takes is an interuption of the services needed to fill the shelf of the grocery store, and many will be in a lot of hurt quickly.

As to the end times, I often consider what Jesus said, "that he who seeks to save his life shall lose it, and he who is willing to lose their life, shall save it." [[[This verse comes within context of Christians dying for the faith, which Christ did. Don't turn your back on Jesus or deny Him in exchange for your life- I don't believe it's about survival mode for you, your family and friends in times of general hardship. Ex. the death of Polycarp]]]

My true concern and prayer is? That when the difficult days are upon us, will I open my door to the ones in need?
Or will I keep it locked?
Please dear Jesus, help me to keep the door open.

God bless
pickles

Do we open our doors to like minded Christians, like the 1st century church did? Or do open our doors to all, even those who just wish to pillage and kill us?

It's a very good question you raise in my mind Pickles, should take all in-in times of tribulation,war, great need. But I think there are a lot of different variables involved before I can answer the question.

Proverbs 6:6-11
[h=3]The Folly of Indolence[/h][SUP]6 [/SUP]Go to the ant, you sluggard!
Consider her ways and be wise,
[SUP]7 [/SUP]Which, having no captain,
Overseer or ruler,
[SUP]8 [/SUP]Provides her supplies in the summer,
And gathers her food in the harvest.
[SUP]9 [/SUP]How long will you slumber, O sluggard?
When will you rise from your sleep?
[SUP]10 [/SUP]A little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to sleep—
[SUP]11 [/SUP]So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler,
And your need like an armed man.



also

2 Thessalonians 3:10 (((read for context 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15)))
For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.
and
[SUP]13 [/SUP]But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. [SUP]14 [/SUP]And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. [SUP]15 [/SUP]Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish (rebuke) him as a brother.

 

[Anonimous]

To add to that...if unbelieving Jews ARE saved without Jesus...then this would make Jesus' death and resurrection a moot point. If people are saved without His atoning blood then jesus' sacrifice was pointless.

This is more of a question. Themuslims are currently awaiting their messiah (the Mahdi-12th Imam). Joel C. Rosenberg explains a lot about this.

 

[doulos]

if unbelieving jews are saved without Jesus, why aren't muslims?

Why are you asking Therapon this? Therapon does not espouse the view that unbelieving Jews are saved without Jesus? Or is this just you misrepresenting (I.E. lying) about Therapon's view again? Please see post 112 in the connecting the dots thread where I explained his view to you. Continuing to misrepresent the view Therapon espouses only serves to hurt your credibility.

 

[Anonimous]

why did i get this?

 

[iamthelordsforever]

Unfortunately, the Antichrist is referred to as many different names in the New and Old Testaments. These beliefs are not modern, but date as far back as the Apostles. In fact, there are ancient church writings that discuss the Rapture and tribulation. So do not make the mistake of preaching the Amellinium heresies. However, from a certain angle, you are correct. If you look at various passages, you will see that the world is finally aligning to Biblical prophecy. It will not be long before the Rapture. Remember what I tell you now, for it WILL matter.

 

[1Christianwarrior316]

why did i get this?

Why did you get what?

1Christianwarrior316

 

[Bookends]

Proverbs 12:11
He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread,
But he who follows frivolity [lack of seriousness or sense] is devoid of understanding.