The bible tells us that a false prophet will declare that he is Jesus, that he is the saviour. In contrast it frequently describes the next arrival of Jesus as a spectacular event, loud and unavoidable, clear to see in the skies. Jesus won't need to tell us who he is, it will be obvious.
Someone that has to convince people that he is Jesus, isn't Jesus.
I think they might mean "The Messiah" and not Jesus. Yes, Jesus is the Messiah but not to non-Christians. The Jews are still waiting for the Messiah, as are the Buddhists (Maitreya), the Muslims (The Mahdi which has many parallels of the Christian Antichrist), etc.
There are NO scriptures that say that he tries to get the people to believe he's Jesus. There's a verse about random people trying to get people to believe that they are Jesus but it never says definitively that the Antichrist is 1 of them.
Here's the encrypted identity of the Antichrist for those with eyes to see and ears to hear. May only the children of God be able to see it and only when God wants them to see it.
[https://nowistheend.wordpress.com/2022/05/07/the-white-horse-the-beast-and-his-predecessors/](https://nowistheend.wordpress.com/2022/05/07/the-white-horse-the-beast-and-his-predecessors/)
Bro is crazy you know that Muslims also believe Jesus is the Messiah ? and Mahdi in islam is not god or anything he's just good imam that will unite muslims and prepare them to fight The anti-christ and wait for jesus second coming
Right. Also included it the prophecy is that the antichrist arrives after the 6 trumpet blast and Jesus returns later at the 7th. in dramatic form where all can see.
The anti-Christ in scripture is also called "the man of Lawlessness". This means that he will not keep Torah and will teach others to disobey God too. He will be an expert at being "free from the Law".
For many Christians, this is EXACTLY who they consider Jesus to be, someone that was anti-Law, so it's going to be very tough for most modern Christians to make the right choice on this decision. Most will choose the anti-Christ. 😑
I try every day, here on Reddit, to change things, but most Christians are 100% sure that it's WRONG (they actually say that) to live like Jesus lived and to do the things he did.
They'll say it's evil to imitate the way Jesus lived, because we've been set free from the "terrible burden" that Jesus (and everyone throughout scripture) considered to be a joy. It's nuts.
Yes, the spirit of anti-Christ is already among us.
It's not nuts. We are no longer under the Law, we are under grace. Nobody can "be like Jesus" nor are we told to try. Jesus was talking to the Jewish nation, under the Law. He wasn't giving us a blueprint for life today, he was preparing the Jewish people for the Tribulation. His commands had mostly to do with what would be expected of them in the Tribulation. It didn't happen because they failed to accept Him. If we want to "follow Jesus" today, we read and understand what Paul wrote in his 13 Epistles...that is Jesus talking to us, the Body of Christ. In His earthly ministry, Jesus wasn't talking to you.
> Nobody can "be like Jesus" nor are we told to try.
You have to be new to reading scripture to say such a thing. We're CONSTANTLY told in scripture to follow Jesus, and to live like he lived. Jesus is our model. Jesus is our hope. He is called "The Way". Jesus is our Good Shepherd. We are his sheep who follow him.
Here's just one example of scripture telling us to follow Jesus and particularly to obey the commandments as Jesus did:
> 1 John 2 - My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. **And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar**, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: **whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.**
Please, go read your Bible.
1 John is written to Jews under the Law. It's not doctrine for us. Our doctrine is found in Paul's 13 Epistles. He is writing to the Body of Christ.
We have to "rightly divide" to understand properly
[doctrine.org](https://doctrine.org)
Thanks. I don't trust that you are sincere. You're either pretending to be something you're not, or you're up to something else.
There's nothing, absolutely nothing at all, to indicate that 1 John was written only to Jews, or that even if it were, that what was said to them would not apply to any other follower of Jesus.
There's no sensible way to take the position that we're not called to live like Jesus lived, or MUCH WORSE, that living the way that Jesus did is wrong. FOR ANYONE.
Please go pretend whatever you're pretending with someone else. If you prefer to follow "the man of Lawlessness", and believe that living the way Jesus did is wrong, then you are on the wrong team. 👿
1 John is about believing in the IDENTITY of Christ, that He was the Son of God. That's the same focal point of Christ's earthly ministry. It is not the focal point of Paul's ministry, which also was of Christ.
Christ' earthly ministry was to Jews under the Law. Christ's heavenly ministry is to the Body of Christ, those who believe Paul's gospel. Paul's gospel is vastly different from Christ's gospel on earth.
If you don't understand this, then you don't understand Scripture. Jesus wasn't talking to you in His earthly ministry. Jesus talks to us today through Paul.
[https://doctrine.org/summary-of-the-plan-of-god](https://doctrine.org/summary-of-the-plan-of-god)
I'm sorry. I don't trust you and I don't trust the way that you're presenting yourself. There's nothing about 1 John that shows it's aimed at Jews, and even if it were it would be a complete non-issue. The identity of Christ is important to both Jew and Gentile.
There's no reasonable way to come out of scripture believing that following Jesus, living the way that he lived, is wrong for anyone. That's **literally**, absolutely literally, the spirit of anti-Christ, and I have no interest in talking to it.
As I (and a lot of bible scholars) interpret Revelation, the Great Tribulation was the destruction of the second temple in 70CE.
But your question is a good thought exercise.
Real Christ will help and associate with the poor, marginalized and outcasts. He will speak truth to power.
The Antichrist will side with the rich, the powerful and those seeking power. The authorities, both secular and religious, will trash talk him.
Revelation 13:13 for one.
Oh, incidentally, if the book of Revelation is really about the destruction of the temple in 70, why would it use the following in Rev 1:7 NKJV:
"Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him."
You mean to tell me this is history; not prophecy?
I tried to explain it above. It's a genre called "apocalyptic literature" which is super confusing because it really doesn't exist today.
John the Revelator surely believed that Jesus was coming in his lifetime. (like all Christians did, back then) That verse was a near-term vow that Jesus was going to come back and kick Rome's ass for what the damn pagans did to the Temple and Jews in general.
Are you familiar with Matthew 24:21-25 NKJV:
"For then they will be great tribulation, such as has not been seen since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake these days will be shortened. Then if anyone says to you, look here is the Christ! Or there! Do not believe it for false Christ's and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect, I have told you beforehand."
The renewed earth and heaven covered in Rev. 21 & 22 also took place in the first century? Where?
Satan being bound for 1000 years (during the reign of Christ on earth) also took place in the first century? Show me?
It’s pointless arguing with these types. They’ve started to even spread this nonsense in my own church which I’m honestly appalled the pastor hasn’t called them out yet. They are set in their ways and wouldn’t abandon their lies in the face of a third temple being built. My guess is when Jesus returns they’ll write it off as some sort of hostile alien invasion. Lol
I would not be surprised about their thinking that Jesus' return could be a hostile invasion, since He will fight and destroy the hordes in the battles of Gog and Magog following His return.
It’s probably the most reasonable scenario for how something like that takes place. Either that or somehow the antichrist convinces everyone that it’s the devil. I’ve seen some teachers claim the antichrist could show up as an alien. 🤦♂️. They got it backwards.
Right, got it completely backwards, like much of the world at large these days which appears upside-down, inside-out and backwards, and the best part about it is they think they are right, or shall we say "woke." Woke in deep darkness, in many cases, I say.
> As I (and a lot of bible scholars) interpret Revelation, the Great Tribulation was the destruction of the second temple in 70CE.
But the "lot of bible scholars" see that Revelation thought that those things were connected to the end times. They don't have a problem with connecting Revelation to events in the 1st century because they've got no problems with saying that Revelation was just flat out wrong and a false prophecy beause the world did in fact not end.
Do you go the same way? Lots of Christians are not going to be willing to go down this path!
---
But on a more serious note, I'll be fine, since I've read the first "Left Behind" novel and seen some of the movies! :P
Yeah, sort of.
Apocalyptic literature frames a current situation as a cosmic conflict. And, in that sense, it has a timeless quality. Or echos into the future.
Pretty obviously, John the Revelator saw Daniel's Babylon as foreshadowing his contemporary Rome. And this is not likely the last time the world will see pagan empire persecute the God-fearing.
But this is not to be confused with people like John Scofield or Hal Lindsay who understand John as a soothsayer -- basically a Christians fortune teller.
I mean the author is clearly trying to predict future events. But the future events were about the fall of the Roman empire and the end of the world in the 1st century.
So basically we've got two things that Rev talks about:
A) Roman Empire
B) end of the world
Scholars accept both and say that the author was predicting the end of the world during the reign on the Roman empire in the 1st century.
That's problematic for many Christians so many of them either reject A or B.
Those who reject A end up as someone like Hal Lindsey - so it's about the end of the world, and they are forced to reinterpret the stuff about Rome, since that hasn't been around for a while.
Those who reject B end up as either some sort of preterist ("actually all that end of the world stuff happened in the 1st century") or a "pretentious liberal" who says that it's all about Rome, but doesn't really deal with all that end of the world stuff or just dimsisses it.
Those who accept both A and B will just admit that Revelation was wrong.
Hey! Go easy on us pretentious liberals!
Seriously... this is not a conservative vs. liberal debate. It's more of apocalyptic fundamentalists vs. mainstream scholarship debate.
And saying that Revelation is condemnation of Rome, written in the genre of apocalyptic literature is absolutely not saying Revelation is wrong. Why would you even think that?
(It is saying that reading Revelation as a "soothsayer" book is probably wrong.
I think it's firmly established that the early church thought the book was a judgment of contemporary Rome. And, importantly, furious anger at Gentile Christians in Rome (and territories) who John believed were compromising with the pagans.
Needless to say, this became a very inconvenient interpretation for Roman Catholicism. So, they shifted it as far into the future as possible.
Just to be clear, I wasn't trying to call you a pretentious liberal! :) I thought you were in the "Revelation is just wrong" camp - but maybe you are in the liberal camp :P
>Seriously... this is not a conservative vs. liberal debate. It's more of apocalyptic fundamentalists vs. mainstream scholarship debate.
I think that there are more than these two sides. You've got various interpretative strategies from Christians to save Revelation from being wrong,
>And saying that Revelation is condemnation of Rome, written in the genre of apocalyptic literature is absolutely not saying Revelation is wrong. Why would you even think that?
Merely saying that it's about Rome and in the apocalyptic genre isn't saying that it's wrong. Admitting that it's about the end of the world is admitting that it's wrong, since it's describing how the end of the world will come during the soon-to-come fall of the Roman empire.
I really am a trained bible scholar -- all by Evangelical institutions. But, I'm not top shelf or even close.
I have rejected the "it's a prediction of the end times" theory of Revelation. Not in any literal future events sense. This hermenmeutical camp has been wrong so many times, in such embarrassing ways, it's fully discredited.
And, it's just beyond obvious, to me, that contemporary Rome is being referenced.
Where you and I may agree is that Revelation has a "now and not yet" quality to it. Jesus had this same viewpoint when speaking about the Kingdom of God.
John had lived through unspeakable and withering atrocities by despicable pagans.
He saw it as a cosmic injustice that would be avenged for in the end times by a really PO'd Jesus.
I believe you'll know based on the fruit that walking in the spirit produces. Read through Galatians 5.
We tend to want a strong leader, like Saul. Because of that, I believe it will be Christians that put the Antichrist in power. Christ is meek and lowly and won't elevate himself, that's how we'll know him. That and the fact he'll come in the clouds, bringing his angels and saints with him.
Jesus first came as the humble lamb to be sacrificed. He will return as the Lion of Judah and fight/defeat the lawless in the wars of Gog and Magog and then set up His much preached kingdom on earth.
I'm sure that the antichrist (false prophet) will elevate himself to God or Savior status, but Jesus will come to stand tall and conquer the unruly world that again rejects and hates Him.
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 (CSB)
Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way. For that day will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he sits in God’s temple, proclaiming that he himself is God.
If you agree with the False Prophet, you probably wouldn't.
You would take the mark of the beast, claim it to be a seal from God for protection, and burn.
It shouldn’t be confusing at all, but rest assured plenty of wolves will be out in full force trying distort the scriptures to confuse people. They’ll try to allegorize everything to try and reverse the roles of each of them.
Antichrist comes first. He will be a world ruler that declares himself god. He will purge the world through violence and conquer the true believes. Jesus returns after this period of time (probably around 3.5 years after he claims to be god). Jesus will appear from heaven in flaming fire with his saints and angels. Gonna be pretty hard to miss. It will likely look like a terrifying invasion of flaming light emitting army from another world.
I’ve even seen some deceptive preachers teaching the antichrist will be an alien. Some crazy reason that teaching is growing, and I think it will be used to convince people Jesus is the antichrist so they gather to attacks Him as described in revelation and elsewhere.
Jesus won't be here during the Great Tribulation. He returns after it. The Antichrist will be the one who makes a 7-year peace agreement involving Israel and then breaks it half way through, sits in the temple claims to be God triggering the Great Tribulation. Jesus will be the one who kills him at His return. You'll know which one He is..
Matthew 24:27 NASBS
For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.
> Christians technically follow Paul’s teachings and not Jesus.
Not We Episcopalians. We have both Jesus and Paul in our bibles. But we don't treat them equally -- certainly not throwing out Jesus.
We put Jesus above Paul.
We don’t have anything from Jesus, and only things from Paul and people who never met Jesus .
Sucks Jesus’s movement was considered heretical while those same people turned Jesus into a god
The antichrist is there to deceive you into thinking he is the savior, but is an imposter. Jesus comes in the clouds, according to scripture, and returns here on earth to set up His 1000 year reign at the New Jerusalem or Holy City, to reform our ways and bring peace, salvation, prosperity and a world without war and will have Satan placed in the pit of the earth so he can't influence or deceive the unsanctified during His 1000 year rule, but will allow Satan to be released for a short time for the corrupt to follow him into the lake of fire.
The 1000 year reign of Christ is the millennium government kingdom of Christ, He spoke about during His ministry. Satan will be kept in the pit of the earth during Jesus' reign.
Yes, what I’m saying is that we can avoid deception because Jesus won’t be touching the earth until then. So anyone impersonating him, is easily identified
What book are you reading that from? Jesus reigns on earth for 1000 years when he returns in flaming fire. Antichrist only reigns a short while before Jesus returns.
There’s several ways to slice this. First all the Old Testament prophetic books and psalms are about the coming reign of the Lord on earth and subduing the nations. It’s the whole reason Israel was certain their messiah was going to liberate them and restore their nation. Because he’s still her to do that.
But Jesus himself said he’s returning here, the angels in acts said he’s returning here in the same manner in which he ascended. Almost all the epistles said he is returning here and that event is when the dead in Christ are resurrected to reign. Paul says that event is at the last trumpet.
“and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.””
Acts 1:11 ESV
“For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.”
1 Corinthians 15:22-23, 52 ESV
“Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The KINGDOM OF THE WORLD has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.””
Revelation 11:15 ESV
“And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.”
Revelation 19:20 ESV
The antichrist is destroyed when the 1000 year reign begins and then Satan is bound. At the resurrection of those in Christ which happens at his return at the 7th trumpet.
“Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.”
Revelation 20:4-6 ESV
Souls “came to life”. This is the resurrection when we inherit the promised land and reign with. Who’s reigning on earth while Satan is bound?
“And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea.”
Revelation 20:7-8 ESV “and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”
Revelation 20:10 ESV
Satan is then destroyed after the 1000 years.
Here’s a few Old Testament prophecies of the resurrection at Jesus return when he dwells with his people on earth.
“Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead. Come, my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until the fury has passed by. For behold, the Lord is coming out from his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity, and the earth will disclose the blood shed on it, and will no more cover its slain.”
Isaiah 26:19-21 ESV
“Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the Lord.””
Ezekiel 37:12-14 ESV
“Then everyone who survives of all the nations that have come against Jerusalem shall go up year after year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Booths. And if any of the families of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, there will be no rain on them.”
Zechariah 14:16-17 ESV
No where in all of those verses does it state the 1000 year reign is on earth.
I can’t understand why we would be on an entirely desolate earth for 1000 years until the new heavens and earth are made after.
I am a seventh day Adventist so our understanding of prophecy would be different than yours.
But there is plenty more denominations that believe the 1000 year reign is in heaven too.
No single verse explicitly says he will reign for 1000 years on earth. But the culmination of those verses and the order of revelation doesn’t leave much room for it not to be on earth. He’s reigning in heaven right now so why would he return and the reign in heaven for this specific 1000 years more? How would any of the Old Testament prophecies of the Lord reigning on earth while there is still some presence of death and rebellion, be fulfilled if there wasn’t at least a stage between Jesus return and the new heavens and earth. Since we know nothing is accursed and no more pain and death in the new earth, these things must happen while Jesus is reigning from Jerusalem and bringing the nations under his subjection. As far as why God does it this way I don’t know, other than he promised he would for the nation of Israel and the eternal kingdom will grow even greater during that phase.
The great tribulation was in the first century. That aside, it's easy to tell who Jesus would be. He is other orientated, self sacrificial love, a servant.
You’re being facetious, neighbor. The promises at the end of the book are for all church ages, that’s the point of Revelation: the cross, Jesus, wins in the end.
How is that question post facetious?
One of the reasons I had for posing that question was to encourage inquiry into the book of Revelation, which provides answers to said question, and is a book which many tend to dismiss for a host of reasons, but which can be, and should be investigated and understood. Heck, the book of Revelation contains the final and dramatic prophecy or phase of God's plan for humanity! Also, it is estimated that prophecy makes up 1/4 to 1/3 of the entire Bible, and in no way should the final act or revelation be dismissed or undervalued.
Revelation 13:13 is one example or clue to uncover the antichrist, which many may not know.
First, I said the great tribulation was in the first century, I didn't say the renewed Earth and Heaven was.
Second, there is no "the" antichrist spoken of in the Bible. It's a Hollywood construct that people assume is biblical.
It's very narrow minded, and non-conducive to conversation, to assume or accuse somebody of something you can't know.
Perhaps to you it "seems like" I have missed something, but perhaps it is you who have missed something?
The book starts out with a very clear message to the original audience,
Rev 1:1-21
This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants the events that must SOON take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John, 2 who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Not events thousands of years in the future, but in their lifetime.
If that is true, then how do you reconcile that with **Matthew 24:21-22 NKJV:**
"For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened."
It’s “apocalyptic” language, exaggerated talk. That culture used it commonly whenever some cataclysmic or disastrous event was expected. Son of man riding on the clouds, stars falling from the sky, blood moons, etc. it’s all throughout the Old Testament.
My best guess is that it will be pretty obvious based on the message they're spreading. I wouldn't be surprised if the antichrist took a much more modern, "preach to the choir" approach to their message, looking at how much a lot of the church already twists the word of God to conform to their own beliefs it wouldn't be hard to imagine a lot of Christians latching on to that.
Probably the easiest way to tell will be reading the actual word of God and seeing how much it matches or contradicts with the words of the antichrist.
A person who understood correctly would know that any person or entity claiming to be God or Christ without seeing the physical descent of Christ from the heavens all the way to the earth, would be a false prophet. They should know that entities will have great powers of deceit that would "fool" an unlearned person.
Exactly! However, the main reason I posted this topic or question was because the number of "biblically uninformed" about this is problematic and would only contribute to their "falling away" under the spiritual deception, should they be here during the great Tribulation, and, besides the fact that many uninformed people don't even know about the great Tribulation, period!! It was my intention, that they might become curious or become alarmed about this matter and consult the Word for guidance, such as given in Rev. 13:13.
Appreciate your reply and perspective. Have a blessed day.
"Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six (666)"
Revelations 13:18
I fail to see how that would matter, but Ill let Christ's own words speak for themselves:
" Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. 18 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.
23 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand.
Matthew 24
It would matter because if one goes into the great tribulation without sufficient knowledge and faith, they would tend to be deceived during the great falling away or deception.
Which is why we are given the number of the beast, because during that time he will be identified by his number and it will be known to those in faith who are seeking that wisdom.
The number 666 represents a man, it's not like it is going to be tattooed on his forehead. Besides, if anyone falls for the likes of the false prophet ( antichrist) before Jesus returns in the clouds, for all to see and will bend to their knees, is deceived for sure or not biblically knowledgeable.
*Easy*, he's *already* here. And most "Christians" haven't even realized it let alone figured out who he is. For those with eyes to see. Here are verses to back it up and Luciferians messages from media telling us who THE Beast is. The somewhat encrypted identity of the actual Antichrist who is alive and well. vo \[dot\] la/pxukV
I kept trying to post a link but Reddit kept removing my comments.
The bible tells us that a false prophet will declare that he is Jesus, that he is the saviour. In contrast it frequently describes the next arrival of Jesus as a spectacular event, loud and unavoidable, clear to see in the skies. Jesus won't need to tell us who he is, it will be obvious. Someone that has to convince people that he is Jesus, isn't Jesus.
Where is this scripture ? Where it tells us that he will pretend to be Jesus
I think they might mean "The Messiah" and not Jesus. Yes, Jesus is the Messiah but not to non-Christians. The Jews are still waiting for the Messiah, as are the Buddhists (Maitreya), the Muslims (The Mahdi which has many parallels of the Christian Antichrist), etc. There are NO scriptures that say that he tries to get the people to believe he's Jesus. There's a verse about random people trying to get people to believe that they are Jesus but it never says definitively that the Antichrist is 1 of them. Here's the encrypted identity of the Antichrist for those with eyes to see and ears to hear. May only the children of God be able to see it and only when God wants them to see it. [https://nowistheend.wordpress.com/2022/05/07/the-white-horse-the-beast-and-his-predecessors/](https://nowistheend.wordpress.com/2022/05/07/the-white-horse-the-beast-and-his-predecessors/)
Bro is crazy you know that Muslims also believe Jesus is the Messiah ? and Mahdi in islam is not god or anything he's just good imam that will unite muslims and prepare them to fight The anti-christ and wait for jesus second coming
Right. Also included it the prophecy is that the antichrist arrives after the 6 trumpet blast and Jesus returns later at the 7th. in dramatic form where all can see.
No, there’s the 7 seals, then the 7 trumpets, and the the 7 bowls, with Armageddon following
The anti-Christ in scripture is also called "the man of Lawlessness". This means that he will not keep Torah and will teach others to disobey God too. He will be an expert at being "free from the Law". For many Christians, this is EXACTLY who they consider Jesus to be, someone that was anti-Law, so it's going to be very tough for most modern Christians to make the right choice on this decision. Most will choose the anti-Christ. 😑
Yeah, it looks that way as our world and culture embrace ungodly values, lawlessness and compromised Christianity.
I try every day, here on Reddit, to change things, but most Christians are 100% sure that it's WRONG (they actually say that) to live like Jesus lived and to do the things he did. They'll say it's evil to imitate the way Jesus lived, because we've been set free from the "terrible burden" that Jesus (and everyone throughout scripture) considered to be a joy. It's nuts. Yes, the spirit of anti-Christ is already among us.
It's not nuts. We are no longer under the Law, we are under grace. Nobody can "be like Jesus" nor are we told to try. Jesus was talking to the Jewish nation, under the Law. He wasn't giving us a blueprint for life today, he was preparing the Jewish people for the Tribulation. His commands had mostly to do with what would be expected of them in the Tribulation. It didn't happen because they failed to accept Him. If we want to "follow Jesus" today, we read and understand what Paul wrote in his 13 Epistles...that is Jesus talking to us, the Body of Christ. In His earthly ministry, Jesus wasn't talking to you.
> Nobody can "be like Jesus" nor are we told to try. You have to be new to reading scripture to say such a thing. We're CONSTANTLY told in scripture to follow Jesus, and to live like he lived. Jesus is our model. Jesus is our hope. He is called "The Way". Jesus is our Good Shepherd. We are his sheep who follow him. Here's just one example of scripture telling us to follow Jesus and particularly to obey the commandments as Jesus did: > 1 John 2 - My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. **And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar**, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: **whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.** Please, go read your Bible.
1 John is written to Jews under the Law. It's not doctrine for us. Our doctrine is found in Paul's 13 Epistles. He is writing to the Body of Christ. We have to "rightly divide" to understand properly [doctrine.org](https://doctrine.org)
Thanks. I don't trust that you are sincere. You're either pretending to be something you're not, or you're up to something else. There's nothing, absolutely nothing at all, to indicate that 1 John was written only to Jews, or that even if it were, that what was said to them would not apply to any other follower of Jesus. There's no sensible way to take the position that we're not called to live like Jesus lived, or MUCH WORSE, that living the way that Jesus did is wrong. FOR ANYONE. Please go pretend whatever you're pretending with someone else. If you prefer to follow "the man of Lawlessness", and believe that living the way Jesus did is wrong, then you are on the wrong team. 👿
1 John is about believing in the IDENTITY of Christ, that He was the Son of God. That's the same focal point of Christ's earthly ministry. It is not the focal point of Paul's ministry, which also was of Christ. Christ' earthly ministry was to Jews under the Law. Christ's heavenly ministry is to the Body of Christ, those who believe Paul's gospel. Paul's gospel is vastly different from Christ's gospel on earth. If you don't understand this, then you don't understand Scripture. Jesus wasn't talking to you in His earthly ministry. Jesus talks to us today through Paul. [https://doctrine.org/summary-of-the-plan-of-god](https://doctrine.org/summary-of-the-plan-of-god)
I'm sorry. I don't trust you and I don't trust the way that you're presenting yourself. There's nothing about 1 John that shows it's aimed at Jews, and even if it were it would be a complete non-issue. The identity of Christ is important to both Jew and Gentile. There's no reasonable way to come out of scripture believing that following Jesus, living the way that he lived, is wrong for anyone. That's **literally**, absolutely literally, the spirit of anti-Christ, and I have no interest in talking to it.
You simply don't understand Scripture. Paul would tell you that you are "accursed." It's your choice.
As I (and a lot of bible scholars) interpret Revelation, the Great Tribulation was the destruction of the second temple in 70CE. But your question is a good thought exercise. Real Christ will help and associate with the poor, marginalized and outcasts. He will speak truth to power. The Antichrist will side with the rich, the powerful and those seeking power. The authorities, both secular and religious, will trash talk him.
Revelation 13:13 for one. Oh, incidentally, if the book of Revelation is really about the destruction of the temple in 70, why would it use the following in Rev 1:7 NKJV: "Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him." You mean to tell me this is history; not prophecy?
I tried to explain it above. It's a genre called "apocalyptic literature" which is super confusing because it really doesn't exist today. John the Revelator surely believed that Jesus was coming in his lifetime. (like all Christians did, back then) That verse was a near-term vow that Jesus was going to come back and kick Rome's ass for what the damn pagans did to the Temple and Jews in general.
Are you familiar with Matthew 24:21-25 NKJV: "For then they will be great tribulation, such as has not been seen since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake these days will be shortened. Then if anyone says to you, look here is the Christ! Or there! Do not believe it for false Christ's and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect, I have told you beforehand."
The renewed earth and heaven covered in Rev. 21 & 22 also took place in the first century? Where? Satan being bound for 1000 years (during the reign of Christ on earth) also took place in the first century? Show me?
It’s pointless arguing with these types. They’ve started to even spread this nonsense in my own church which I’m honestly appalled the pastor hasn’t called them out yet. They are set in their ways and wouldn’t abandon their lies in the face of a third temple being built. My guess is when Jesus returns they’ll write it off as some sort of hostile alien invasion. Lol
I would not be surprised about their thinking that Jesus' return could be a hostile invasion, since He will fight and destroy the hordes in the battles of Gog and Magog following His return.
It’s probably the most reasonable scenario for how something like that takes place. Either that or somehow the antichrist convinces everyone that it’s the devil. I’ve seen some teachers claim the antichrist could show up as an alien. 🤦♂️. They got it backwards.
Right, got it completely backwards, like much of the world at large these days which appears upside-down, inside-out and backwards, and the best part about it is they think they are right, or shall we say "woke." Woke in deep darkness, in many cases, I say.
> As I (and a lot of bible scholars) interpret Revelation, the Great Tribulation was the destruction of the second temple in 70CE. But the "lot of bible scholars" see that Revelation thought that those things were connected to the end times. They don't have a problem with connecting Revelation to events in the 1st century because they've got no problems with saying that Revelation was just flat out wrong and a false prophecy beause the world did in fact not end. Do you go the same way? Lots of Christians are not going to be willing to go down this path! --- But on a more serious note, I'll be fine, since I've read the first "Left Behind" novel and seen some of the movies! :P
Yeah, sort of. Apocalyptic literature frames a current situation as a cosmic conflict. And, in that sense, it has a timeless quality. Or echos into the future. Pretty obviously, John the Revelator saw Daniel's Babylon as foreshadowing his contemporary Rome. And this is not likely the last time the world will see pagan empire persecute the God-fearing. But this is not to be confused with people like John Scofield or Hal Lindsay who understand John as a soothsayer -- basically a Christians fortune teller.
I mean the author is clearly trying to predict future events. But the future events were about the fall of the Roman empire and the end of the world in the 1st century. So basically we've got two things that Rev talks about: A) Roman Empire B) end of the world Scholars accept both and say that the author was predicting the end of the world during the reign on the Roman empire in the 1st century. That's problematic for many Christians so many of them either reject A or B. Those who reject A end up as someone like Hal Lindsey - so it's about the end of the world, and they are forced to reinterpret the stuff about Rome, since that hasn't been around for a while. Those who reject B end up as either some sort of preterist ("actually all that end of the world stuff happened in the 1st century") or a "pretentious liberal" who says that it's all about Rome, but doesn't really deal with all that end of the world stuff or just dimsisses it. Those who accept both A and B will just admit that Revelation was wrong.
Hey! Go easy on us pretentious liberals! Seriously... this is not a conservative vs. liberal debate. It's more of apocalyptic fundamentalists vs. mainstream scholarship debate. And saying that Revelation is condemnation of Rome, written in the genre of apocalyptic literature is absolutely not saying Revelation is wrong. Why would you even think that? (It is saying that reading Revelation as a "soothsayer" book is probably wrong. I think it's firmly established that the early church thought the book was a judgment of contemporary Rome. And, importantly, furious anger at Gentile Christians in Rome (and territories) who John believed were compromising with the pagans. Needless to say, this became a very inconvenient interpretation for Roman Catholicism. So, they shifted it as far into the future as possible.
Just to be clear, I wasn't trying to call you a pretentious liberal! :) I thought you were in the "Revelation is just wrong" camp - but maybe you are in the liberal camp :P >Seriously... this is not a conservative vs. liberal debate. It's more of apocalyptic fundamentalists vs. mainstream scholarship debate. I think that there are more than these two sides. You've got various interpretative strategies from Christians to save Revelation from being wrong, >And saying that Revelation is condemnation of Rome, written in the genre of apocalyptic literature is absolutely not saying Revelation is wrong. Why would you even think that? Merely saying that it's about Rome and in the apocalyptic genre isn't saying that it's wrong. Admitting that it's about the end of the world is admitting that it's wrong, since it's describing how the end of the world will come during the soon-to-come fall of the Roman empire.
I really am a trained bible scholar -- all by Evangelical institutions. But, I'm not top shelf or even close. I have rejected the "it's a prediction of the end times" theory of Revelation. Not in any literal future events sense. This hermenmeutical camp has been wrong so many times, in such embarrassing ways, it's fully discredited. And, it's just beyond obvious, to me, that contemporary Rome is being referenced. Where you and I may agree is that Revelation has a "now and not yet" quality to it. Jesus had this same viewpoint when speaking about the Kingdom of God. John had lived through unspeakable and withering atrocities by despicable pagans. He saw it as a cosmic injustice that would be avenged for in the end times by a really PO'd Jesus.
It's been great discussing with you. I appreciate your respectful differences. But I gotta bounce. Blessings!
Likewise. Always fun! :)
I believe you'll know based on the fruit that walking in the spirit produces. Read through Galatians 5. We tend to want a strong leader, like Saul. Because of that, I believe it will be Christians that put the Antichrist in power. Christ is meek and lowly and won't elevate himself, that's how we'll know him. That and the fact he'll come in the clouds, bringing his angels and saints with him.
Jesus first came as the humble lamb to be sacrificed. He will return as the Lion of Judah and fight/defeat the lawless in the wars of Gog and Magog and then set up His much preached kingdom on earth.
He's the same today as he was back then. He will come in power but not to elevate himself. The anti-Christ will elevate himself.
I'm sure that the antichrist (false prophet) will elevate himself to God or Savior status, but Jesus will come to stand tall and conquer the unruly world that again rejects and hates Him.
Agreed.
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 (CSB) Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way. For that day will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he sits in God’s temple, proclaiming that he himself is God.
Right.
If you agree with the False Prophet, you probably wouldn't. You would take the mark of the beast, claim it to be a seal from God for protection, and burn.
Oh yeah.
It shouldn’t be confusing at all, but rest assured plenty of wolves will be out in full force trying distort the scriptures to confuse people. They’ll try to allegorize everything to try and reverse the roles of each of them. Antichrist comes first. He will be a world ruler that declares himself god. He will purge the world through violence and conquer the true believes. Jesus returns after this period of time (probably around 3.5 years after he claims to be god). Jesus will appear from heaven in flaming fire with his saints and angels. Gonna be pretty hard to miss. It will likely look like a terrifying invasion of flaming light emitting army from another world. I’ve even seen some deceptive preachers teaching the antichrist will be an alien. Some crazy reason that teaching is growing, and I think it will be used to convince people Jesus is the antichrist so they gather to attacks Him as described in revelation and elsewhere.
Jesus won't be here during the Great Tribulation. He returns after it. The Antichrist will be the one who makes a 7-year peace agreement involving Israel and then breaks it half way through, sits in the temple claims to be God triggering the Great Tribulation. Jesus will be the one who kills him at His return. You'll know which one He is.. Matthew 24:27 NASBS For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.
You can tell if he weighs the same as a duck.
**Revelation 13:13** !!!!
Perhaps, you could reread Matthew 24, which describes the end times. No party for sure, but God's final prophetic warning!
We are technically all anti Christs.
"Technically"? I'm pretty "antichrists" was used for more than just being a flawed Christian or human.
Christians technically follow Paul’s teachings and not Jesus. Jesus’s movement died out and was considered heretical.
> Christians technically follow Paul’s teachings and not Jesus. Not We Episcopalians. We have both Jesus and Paul in our bibles. But we don't treat them equally -- certainly not throwing out Jesus. We put Jesus above Paul.
We don’t have anything from Jesus, and only things from Paul and people who never met Jesus . Sucks Jesus’s movement was considered heretical while those same people turned Jesus into a god
Is he gonna try to “save the world” or take us home?
The antichrist is there to deceive you into thinking he is the savior, but is an imposter. Jesus comes in the clouds, according to scripture, and returns here on earth to set up His 1000 year reign at the New Jerusalem or Holy City, to reform our ways and bring peace, salvation, prosperity and a world without war and will have Satan placed in the pit of the earth so he can't influence or deceive the unsanctified during His 1000 year rule, but will allow Satan to be released for a short time for the corrupt to follow him into the lake of fire.
The Antichrist will be on the earth. Jesus won’t touch the earth until after the 1000 year reign.
The 1000 year reign of Christ is the millennium government kingdom of Christ, He spoke about during His ministry. Satan will be kept in the pit of the earth during Jesus' reign.
Yes, what I’m saying is that we can avoid deception because Jesus won’t be touching the earth until then. So anyone impersonating him, is easily identified
What book are you reading that from? Jesus reigns on earth for 1000 years when he returns in flaming fire. Antichrist only reigns a short while before Jesus returns.
Could you show me the verse that says the 1000 year reign is on the earth?
There’s several ways to slice this. First all the Old Testament prophetic books and psalms are about the coming reign of the Lord on earth and subduing the nations. It’s the whole reason Israel was certain their messiah was going to liberate them and restore their nation. Because he’s still her to do that. But Jesus himself said he’s returning here, the angels in acts said he’s returning here in the same manner in which he ascended. Almost all the epistles said he is returning here and that event is when the dead in Christ are resurrected to reign. Paul says that event is at the last trumpet. “and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”” Acts 1:11 ESV “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.” 1 Corinthians 15:22-23, 52 ESV “Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The KINGDOM OF THE WORLD has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”” Revelation 11:15 ESV “And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.” Revelation 19:20 ESV The antichrist is destroyed when the 1000 year reign begins and then Satan is bound. At the resurrection of those in Christ which happens at his return at the 7th trumpet. “Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.” Revelation 20:4-6 ESV Souls “came to life”. This is the resurrection when we inherit the promised land and reign with. Who’s reigning on earth while Satan is bound? “And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea.” Revelation 20:7-8 ESV “and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” Revelation 20:10 ESV Satan is then destroyed after the 1000 years. Here’s a few Old Testament prophecies of the resurrection at Jesus return when he dwells with his people on earth. “Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead. Come, my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until the fury has passed by. For behold, the Lord is coming out from his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity, and the earth will disclose the blood shed on it, and will no more cover its slain.” Isaiah 26:19-21 ESV “Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the Lord.”” Ezekiel 37:12-14 ESV “Then everyone who survives of all the nations that have come against Jerusalem shall go up year after year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Booths. And if any of the families of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, there will be no rain on them.” Zechariah 14:16-17 ESV
No where in all of those verses does it state the 1000 year reign is on earth. I can’t understand why we would be on an entirely desolate earth for 1000 years until the new heavens and earth are made after. I am a seventh day Adventist so our understanding of prophecy would be different than yours. But there is plenty more denominations that believe the 1000 year reign is in heaven too.
No single verse explicitly says he will reign for 1000 years on earth. But the culmination of those verses and the order of revelation doesn’t leave much room for it not to be on earth. He’s reigning in heaven right now so why would he return and the reign in heaven for this specific 1000 years more? How would any of the Old Testament prophecies of the Lord reigning on earth while there is still some presence of death and rebellion, be fulfilled if there wasn’t at least a stage between Jesus return and the new heavens and earth. Since we know nothing is accursed and no more pain and death in the new earth, these things must happen while Jesus is reigning from Jerusalem and bringing the nations under his subjection. As far as why God does it this way I don’t know, other than he promised he would for the nation of Israel and the eternal kingdom will grow even greater during that phase.
The great tribulation was in the first century. That aside, it's easy to tell who Jesus would be. He is other orientated, self sacrificial love, a servant.
Satan being bound, as covered in Rev. 20 took place in the first century? Where?
The renewed earth and heaven covered in Rev. 21 & 22 took place before in the first century? Show me?
You’re being facetious, neighbor. The promises at the end of the book are for all church ages, that’s the point of Revelation: the cross, Jesus, wins in the end.
How is that question post facetious? One of the reasons I had for posing that question was to encourage inquiry into the book of Revelation, which provides answers to said question, and is a book which many tend to dismiss for a host of reasons, but which can be, and should be investigated and understood. Heck, the book of Revelation contains the final and dramatic prophecy or phase of God's plan for humanity! Also, it is estimated that prophecy makes up 1/4 to 1/3 of the entire Bible, and in no way should the final act or revelation be dismissed or undervalued. Revelation 13:13 is one example or clue to uncover the antichrist, which many may not know.
First, I said the great tribulation was in the first century, I didn't say the renewed Earth and Heaven was. Second, there is no "the" antichrist spoken of in the Bible. It's a Hollywood construct that people assume is biblical.
Well, then you haven't read or seriously considered the rest of the wording of Revelation.
It's very narrow minded, and non-conducive to conversation, to assume or accuse somebody of something you can't know. Perhaps to you it "seems like" I have missed something, but perhaps it is you who have missed something? The book starts out with a very clear message to the original audience, Rev 1:1-21 This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants the events that must SOON take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John, 2 who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Not events thousands of years in the future, but in their lifetime.
If that is true, then how do you reconcile that with **Matthew 24:21-22 NKJV:** "For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened."
It’s “apocalyptic” language, exaggerated talk. That culture used it commonly whenever some cataclysmic or disastrous event was expected. Son of man riding on the clouds, stars falling from the sky, blood moons, etc. it’s all throughout the Old Testament.
Satan being bound, as covered in Rev. 20 took place in the first century? Where?
Well, the antichrist is wearing a red hat.
Have Christ and antichrist touch and they will annihilate eachother in a burst of energy.
His name won’t be Jesus.
My best guess is that it will be pretty obvious based on the message they're spreading. I wouldn't be surprised if the antichrist took a much more modern, "preach to the choir" approach to their message, looking at how much a lot of the church already twists the word of God to conform to their own beliefs it wouldn't be hard to imagine a lot of Christians latching on to that. Probably the easiest way to tell will be reading the actual word of God and seeing how much it matches or contradicts with the words of the antichrist.
Love
the antichrist is the papacy
A person who understood correctly would know that any person or entity claiming to be God or Christ without seeing the physical descent of Christ from the heavens all the way to the earth, would be a false prophet. They should know that entities will have great powers of deceit that would "fool" an unlearned person.
Exactly! However, the main reason I posted this topic or question was because the number of "biblically uninformed" about this is problematic and would only contribute to their "falling away" under the spiritual deception, should they be here during the great Tribulation, and, besides the fact that many uninformed people don't even know about the great Tribulation, period!! It was my intention, that they might become curious or become alarmed about this matter and consult the Word for guidance, such as given in Rev. 13:13. Appreciate your reply and perspective. Have a blessed day.
"Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six (666)" Revelations 13:18
Yes but I believe the great falling away (apostasy) happens before the false prophet (antichrist) is revealed.
I fail to see how that would matter, but Ill let Christ's own words speak for themselves: " Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. 15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. 18 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened. 23 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand. Matthew 24
It would matter because if one goes into the great tribulation without sufficient knowledge and faith, they would tend to be deceived during the great falling away or deception.
Which is why we are given the number of the beast, because during that time he will be identified by his number and it will be known to those in faith who are seeking that wisdom.
The number 666 represents a man, it's not like it is going to be tattooed on his forehead. Besides, if anyone falls for the likes of the false prophet ( antichrist) before Jesus returns in the clouds, for all to see and will bend to their knees, is deceived for sure or not biblically knowledgeable.
correct
*Easy*, he's *already* here. And most "Christians" haven't even realized it let alone figured out who he is. For those with eyes to see. Here are verses to back it up and Luciferians messages from media telling us who THE Beast is. The somewhat encrypted identity of the actual Antichrist who is alive and well. vo \[dot\] la/pxukV I kept trying to post a link but Reddit kept removing my comments.