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Antichrist and only a cursory reference will be made here. Many
have felt he will come out of a revived Europe, and with the
United States of Europe soon to be a reality, this has
strengthened their views. Some have believed he may come from
Syria, based on scriptures from Isaiah and Micah. I tend to
support the first theory because there is much more scripture
sustaining that argument.
THE WORLD AT THE TIME OF THE ANTICHRIST
There is a great deal of scripture which gives a good
description of world at the time of the Antichrist. He will
arrive on the scene at a time when the world will hail him as the
answer to the problems of a troubled society. What will make the
world so quick to accept a virtual dictator? Many have felt that
a war which comes close to reaching global proportions may make
mankind realize that a one world government is all that can
prevent a global holocaust. Others have thought that when the
believers disappear at the time of the rapture, all of the
"negative thinkers" will at last be gone and no longer will be in
the way of a humanistic utopia and unity will be assured.
Whatever the cause, there is some restraining force which must be
removed before the Antichrist can come upon the scene. That
moment is controlled by God, since He is the author of all
events.
II Thessalonians 2:2-7 - "Concerning the coming of our
Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask
you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed
by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come
from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already
come. Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that
day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man
of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to
destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over
everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that
he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself
to be God. Don't you remember that when I was with you I
used to tell you these things. And now you know what is
holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the
proper time. For the secret power of lawlessness is
already at work; but the one who now holds it back will
continue to do so till he is taken out of the way."
What is this "one who now holds it back" which will need to
be taken out of the way? Many have said that it is the Holy
Spirit which will be removed from the earth at the time of the
rapture of the church. This would leave evil in the world
unopposed by the Spirit of God, so evil would then become rampant
and cause the world of lawlessness and rebellion described as the
time of the end. Theologically, I question this, although I used
to ascribe to that theory. Rather, I believe the Holy Spirit
will still be on earth to guide and comfort the "great multitude"
of Revelation 7:14 who will come to salvation out of the great
tribulation. Regardless, the time of the Antichrist is
controlled by God, and he will not come forth until the stage is
ready in God's plan.
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