Is antichrist one person? Many churches teach that it is. But the apostle John said there were already "many" antichrists in his time. I Jn. 2:18
The apostle Paul told us antichrist would come through "the temple of God". II Thessalonians 2:4
The majority of Christian type churches were looking for antichrist in the leadership of the governments of men. (The Russians in the 1800's thought Napoleon was the antichrist.)
Paul said antichrist had to come before Jesus could return. And Paul said there first had to be a "falling away". II Thessalonians 2:3
In this Podcast, I will show what scriptures tell us about antichrist and how antichrist comes through the churches rather than through the governments of men.
I will also show you exactly how antichrist comes into the churches today as shown us by specific scriptures.
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The apostle John said in his day there were already "many" antichrists. These persons were just waiting for their chance to spread perverse doctrines into the churches.
I John 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.
The apostle Paul knew antichrist would come into the churches after his death.
Acts 20 (Paul speaking to the elders of the church at Ephesus)
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
II Thessalonians 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;
(Churches would "fall away" from scripture and set up other doctrines.)
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.
II Thessalonians 2
NASB
3 Let no one in any way deceive you, for it (the day of the Lord) will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.
The restraint against antichrist:
II Thessalonians 2
NASB
6 And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed.
(The scriptures kept antichrist back so long as the church groups kept with scriptures. But as soon as the various scriptures were removed, the restraint was removed and antichrist, the man of lawlessness, moved into the churches setting up his own doctrine against the scriptures.)
7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way.
7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way.
(Jesus, the Word, the scriptures were taken out of the way allowing antichrist into the churches to work.)
8 Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; 9 that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, 10 and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.
Antichrist has been in the churches since the time of the apostle John. (I John 2:18)
But in the end times antichrist in churches would increase. (II Thessalonians2)
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The real church, those who love and uphold all scripture, will be taken out before the great tribulation:
I Thessalonians 4
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
After the great tribulation, this present heaven and earth will be destroyed by God.
II Peter 3
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
When the cup of wickedness is full, by the standard of God, then Jesus returns and removes the real Christians who follow Him by His Spirit. We meet Jesus "in the air" because after that, comes the great tribulation of Revelation 8-16, and then this current heaven and earth will be destroyed by God according to II Peter 3: 10-14.
All who were taken up by God into the air will go to the new heaven and the new earth wherein dwelleth rightousness.
The apostle John was shown by God this new heaven and new earth:
Revelation 21
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
5 And HE that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.
2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
5 And HE that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.
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