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Spirit of the Antichrist
What is the Spirit of the Antichrist?
The spirit of the anitchrist is a false "religious" spirit. The Apostle John describes it for us - "They went out from us, but they were not of us...Who is a liar but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah) - he is antichrist that denies the Father and the Son.
"And every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God; and this is that spirit of antichrist whereof you have heard that it should come; and even now already it is in the world." -
I John 2: 19, 22, 23; 4:3
The spirit of the antichrist is a counterfeit religious spirit that denies that Jesus is the Messiah, the only Redeemer of mankind.
The apostle Paul adds some shading to the description here - Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, (The second coming Of Jesus) except there come a falling away first,(apostasy) and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitting in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God -
II Thessalonians 2:3,4.
We are being shown here that the worship of self will become more predominate in the last days and the spirit of antichrist described by John will eventually cumulate into a system that will be headed by the epitome of this godless man-made philosophy. What will begin as a "form of religion” will ultimately evolve into a blatant opposition of the Truth as exemplified by the Holy Scriptures - "denying the power therof" - the redemptive power of the cross of Jesus Christ. ..."Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away" -
II Timothy 3:5.
Paul's description fits the current communist ideology very well, and also the new age movement's deification of man, which is also popular in Russia and can be found among many of China's younger generation.
As apostasy continues to expand its tentacles into the future, it is conceivable that the antichrist that emerges will merely be a reflection of the prevailing religious preferences of the majority of the controlling political influences and individuals on the world stage.
The spirit of antichrist is the motivating factor behind the persecution of the Christian church and this persecution will continue to increase. But we are assured through the Holy Spirit in the mouth of God's servant Paul, that the rule of this spirit is only temporary. "And when that wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming: even him, whose coming is after the working of satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved"
II Thessalonians 2:8 -10
The Messiah
He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him and with His stripes we are healed.All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief: when Thou shall make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.He shall see the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied: by His knowledge shall My righteous servant justify many; for He shall bear their iniquities...He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors. - Isaiah 53: 5,6,10,11,12
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, But that the world through Him might be saved.- John 3:16,17
I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through Me. John 14:6
copyright 2008 by H.D. Shively
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Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. - I John 4:1
The Father and the Son
I and My Father are One
John 10:30
God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself
II Corinthians 5:19
For in Him (Jesus) dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily
Colossians 2:9
Who is the image of the invisible God
Colossians 1:15
He who has seen Me, has seen
the Father
John 14:9
Jesus said -
Take heed that no man deceive you.
For many shall come in my name,
saying, I am Christ;
and shall deceive many. -
And many false prophets shall rise,
and shall deceive many.
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders;
insomuch that, if it were possible,
they shall deceive the very elect
Matthew 24:4,5,11,24.
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