Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. I John 2:18 NKJV

 

John states that there will be an antichrist (a distinctive figure on the earth who will be an opponent of the True Christ/Messiah, Jesus Christ). He also states that many antichrists, and the “spirit of antichrist” were already in the world at the time of his writings.  (I John 4:3)

 

Scripture depicts an end-time figure who will be a global leader who comes into prominence and power through a peace platform. Deductively, what would precede a global leader who brings peace to the world?… wars, conflict, invasions, nations rising against nations, mass destruction and inhumane atrocities against thousands or even millions of people… and oh yes, the threat of the annihilation of the nation of Israel.,

 

This individual who fulfills the role of this global leader is also referred to as “the beast”.

Revelation 6 & Revelation 13:15-18

 

It is this writer’s persuasion that this global leader/beast/antichrist will not come into power as described in the scripture until the Great Tribulation or “Time of Jacob’s (Israel) trouble.”

 

Jesus said, “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.”  Matthew 24:21   (also read Revelation 7:14)

 

“Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; (Israel’s trouble) but he shall be saved out of it.” Jeremiah 30:7

 

Again, it is this writer’s persuasion that the scripture indicates that the Bride of Christ, the church of Jesus Christ, will be divinely and supernaturally caught up/translated from the earth before this time of tribulation.

 

“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:

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. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. I Thessalonians 4:16-18

 

Jesus said, “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”   

Matthew 25:13

 

The church of Jesus Christ on earth is mentioned over 100 times in the New Testament until Revelation 4:1; when it is stated that a “door was opened in heaven”.  In the remaining chapters of Revelation, John the Revelator describes the church as a multitude in the heavenlies worshipping, rejoicing, and singing before the throne of God.

 

What trouble, disasters, acts of evil and hatred, wars of mass destruction, etc. happens before the catching away of the church? We don’t know…much has already transpired that fulfills the events and conditions of the end times according to the scripture.

 

Will the church witness the corruption of mankind’s behavior and rejection by many of Jesus Christ as the True Savior and giver of Eternal Life? The answer is obvious… yes, we are.

 

What are the believers, the true children of God, to be doing in these unprecedented times?

Exactly what we were commanded to do: go, preach, teach, baptize, make disciples, and speak the truth in love. 

 

And oh yes… follow closely the teaching of John in I John 1:1 – 5:21.

 

Abide in the Truth, abide in love, keep the faith, obey the commandments and doctrine of Jesus Christ, love the Father (not the world), walk in the Light, love one another, etc.

 

All the time knowing “this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.”  I John 5:4

 

What is the antidote for our protection of being deceived by the spirit of antichrist?

 

Be filled with the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

 

D L Rogers