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UCG IA Bible Insights Thursday, October 27 2022
I John 2:18 tells us there have been many antichrists throughout history, that is people who oppose and teach against Christ. But there is one great antichrist, coming in the future, who's going to be much more influential.
The Bible describes an end-time deception that will involve the whole world. We are warned in I John 2:18: "It is the last hour and you have heard that the antichrist is coming. Even now, many antichrists have come."
The Apostle Paul restates this warning in 2 Thessalonians 2:3: "Let no one deceive you, by any means for that day, this coming of Christ, will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition (destruction);”
Paul taught the Christian church in Thessalonica about the return of Jesus Christ. At that time there were some false teachers maintaining that Christ had already returned. Paul explained this was not true and mentioned one thing. In 2 Thessalonian chapter 2 he explains a man will appear on the world scene who will claim to be divine: "Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God" (verse 4).
In verse 8 Paul calls him the ‘lawless one’ indicating he will be against the teachings and laws of God, even though he will appear to be a representative of God. This will result in great confusion about what is right and wrong, especially as this man will be performing miracles (verse 9). Many people will believe him “because they did not receive the love of the truth that they might be saved" (verse 10).
Although God will provide people access to His truth and way of life through the preaching of the two witnesses (Revelation 11), the vast majority of the world’s population will succumb to the lies and deceptions of the antichrist and the political leader referred to as "the beast,” described in Revelation 13.
Bible prophecy outlines four conditions just before the return of Jesus Christ:
Prophecy tells us there will have been wars and disease epidemics with accompanying starvation and want before Christ’s return. Then this person will appear, along with a political leader, who institutes a system that works. There will be food in the supermarket again and electricity will get turned back on etc. All everyone has to do is participate in the system and adhere to the teachings of the Antichrist., and those who do not love the ‘truth of God’ will do so.
Beyond Today Television
by Kevin Call
Bible prophecy of the end time talks about this mysterious figure. Is he the one identified as the "man of sin" and the "false prophet"? Or is there more to the story than that? The answer is deeply personal and forces Christians to examine the very core of their relationship with Jesus Christ.
© 2023 United Church of God Australia
All correspondence and questions should be sent to . Send inquiries regarding the operation of this Web site to .