Sadly many fail to recognise that a beast as used in the figurative language of prophecy is a kingdom. Antichrists are simply those who deny Christ. Not one verse in Scripture says antichrist is an end time world leader. Satan's ploy has worked well as most are so busy looking over their shoulder for some boogeyman that man's (not God's) word says will rule the world in the end times they fail to recognise that in today's world we are literally surrounded by billions of antichrists (atheists , muslims etc.... and the list goes on and on). As a result the leopard, bear, lion beast (spiritual kingdom of islam) grows stronger everyday!
Good point. So who do we look to? Who allowed this? How did it start, and why wasn't it seen until it seems to late to reverse the process? That is something to think about. What do we see in the mirror of truth?
James 1:19-25 (KJV)
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19 [/SUP]Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
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20 [/SUP]For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
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21 [/SUP]Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
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22 [/SUP]But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
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23 [/SUP]For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
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24 [/SUP]For
he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
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25 [/SUP]But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth
therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.