Prophecy - The End Times

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by UntoHim

Well, every once in while I like to give recognition to a beautiful nut, and to the blind squirrel that found it.

Yeah but … Is that beautiful nut one of my missing Buckeyes?

[Nell]

ANTICHRIST
Who is he? Unknown. If you Google "who is Antichrist?" you will definitely get some "ideas", even a few names. In years past, some actually gave a specific date for the 2nd Coming. These dates could obviously be called "dates the 2nd coming" will NOT happen. We could also look at these names as "who the Antichrist ISN"T", IMHO.

Scriptural Aliases for Antichrist:
What does the Bible say about the kind of guy we might look for?

Daniel 8:23 A fierce king, Master of intrigue
23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.
24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.

Daniel 9:26 A “prince” who is to come after “threescore and two weeks”.
26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

Daniel 11:21 A vile man
21 And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.

Zach. 11:16-17 An idol shepherd who abandons the flock.
16 For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces.
17 Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.

2 Thess. 2:3 One who brings destruction
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

2 Thess. 2:8 The lawless one
7 For the mystery of lawlessness doth already work: [f]only there is one that restraineth now, until he be taken out of the way. 8 And then shall be revealed the lawless one, whom the Lord [g]Jesus shall [h]slay with the breath of his mouth, and bring to nought by the manifestation of his [i]coming; 9 even he, whose [j]coming is according to the working of Satan with all [k]power and signs and lying wonders,

Rev. 13:1 the “beast”
and [a]he stood upon the sand of the sea.
And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns ten diadems, and upon his heads names of blasphemy. 2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his throne, and great authority. 3 And I saw one of his heads as though it had been [b]smitten unto death; and his death-stroke was healed: and the whole earth wondered after the beast;

Nell

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Nell

ANTICHRIST
2 Thess. 2:3 One who brings destruction
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

2 Thess. 2:8 The lawless one
7 For the mystery of lawlessness doth already work: [f]only there is one that restraineth now, until he be taken out of the way. 8 And then shall be revealed the lawless one, whom the Lord [g]Jesus shall [h]slay with the breath of his mouth, and bring to nought by the manifestation of his [i]coming; 9 even he, whose [j]coming is according to the working of Satan with all [k]power and signs and lying wonders,

Nell

The following verses (vv. 10-12) have been even more striking to me. V.9 says, "The coming of whom ..." referring to this "lawless one."

These last few years have displayed such a growing "delusion, the operation of error, (v.11) sent by God Himself to those who rejected the love of truth, that they all would believe the lie."

This partly explains the great apostasy. Not just in the church, but all mankind rejecting what is true, what is truth. People are even losing the ability to find and know what is true.

[Nell]

Originally Posted by Ohio

The following verses (vv. 10-12) have been even more striking to me. V.9 says, "The coming of whom ..." referring to this "lawless one."

These last few years have displayed such a growing "delusion, the operation of error, (v.11) sent by God Himself to those who rejected the love of truth, that they all would believe the lie."

This partly explains the great apostasy. Not just in the church, but all mankind rejecting what is true, what is truth. People are even losing the ability to find and know what is true.

Ohio,

What exactly was rejected? Paul addresses this:

Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

The truth is clearly seen and understood. Today we see everywhere the consequences of rejecting what is clearly seen and understood. Judgment comes with a strong delusion..

Nell

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Nell

Ohio,

What exactly was rejected? Paul addresses this:

Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

The truth is clearly seen and understood. Today we see everywhere the consequences of rejecting what is clearly seen and understood. Judgment comes with a strong delusion..

Nell

Yes, and this delusion affects both the Christian and not.

"The god of this age has blinded the thoughts of the unbelieving." - 2 Cor 4.4

"So God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies. Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth." - 2 Ths 2.11-12

"Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed—the one who brings destruction." 2 Ths. 2.3

This shows what incredible difficulties will face God's children in the final days. They will be surrounded by those who reject all semblance of truth. Basic honesty will be abandoned. Brotherly love will be a frozen relic.

Many seem to focus on what is happening in the world, but the way the world thinks must precede that.

[Nell]

Originally Posted by Ohio

Yes, and this delusion affects both the Christian and not.

"The god of this age has blinded the thoughts of the unbelieving." - 2 Cor 4.4

"So God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies. Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth." - 2 Ths 2.11-12

"Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed—the one who brings destruction." 2 Ths. 2.3

This shows what incredible difficulties will face God's children in the final days. They will be surrounded by those who reject all semblance of truth. Basic honesty will be abandoned. Brotherly love will be a frozen relic.

Many seem to focus on what is happening in the world, but the way the world thinks must precede that.

This includes believers who resist simple acknowledgement that there is a day of reckoning coming. It's been a long time coming. As a result, believers, rather than paying attention as we are commanded to do, dismiss the end times as "you've been saying that for hundreds of years", and it hasn't happened yet. This is a delusion. Labeling the serious warnings as "fearmongering" is a delusion.

Matthew 24:37-39 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

What were the days of Noah like?

Genesis 6:5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 7 And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. (there's more...)

Romans 1:20 still applies today, I think. No excuses. If you believe the Bible, you have to believe all of it and not try to explain the scary parts away. No excuses.

Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

[Nell]

Rev. 13:11-18 Abomination of Desolation
11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. 12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. 15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

16 And he caused all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18 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.

Daniel 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand

2 Thess. 2:2-4 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

Antichrist as revealed by John: There is antichrist and the spirit of antichrist, which may be possessed by others.

1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
1 John 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
1 John 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

Nell

Originally Posted by Ohio

The following verses (vv. 10-12) have been even more striking to me. V.9 says, "The coming of whom ..." referring to this "lawless one."

These last few years have displayed such a growing "delusion, the operation of error, (v.11) sent by God Himself to those who rejected the love of truth, that they all would believe the lie."

This partly explains the great apostasy. Not just in the church, but all mankind rejecting what is true, what is truth. People are even losing the ability to find and know what is true.

isn't that time now? Here in Germany, in the new government, more than half of them left out the sentence "with God's help" when they were sworn in. And evil, sin is called good, and good evil.

and this bible text fits a single autocrat who is currently putting people in fear and terror, i sit here and am helpless when i see how he himself is fooling politicians.

daniel 8, 15-27 15 When I, Daniel, had the vision and was trying to understand it, suddenly someone who looked like a man stood before me. 16 At the same time I heard a voice over the Ulai Channel calling out to him, "Gabriel, explain the vision to him!" 17 Then he came up to me. When he approached, I was so startled that I fell to the ground. But he said to me, "You, man, should understand that this vision pertains to the last days." 18 As he said this, I lay stunned on the ground, face to the ground. Then he touched me and put me back on my feet. 19 Then he said: "I will explain to you what will happen at the end of the judgment. For it is about the time when the end will come. 20 The ram with the two horns means the kings of Media and Persia, 21 the shaggy one The great horn between the goat's eyes is the first king of the Greek kingdom.* 22 That it broke off and that four others grew up in its place means: From the people of Greece there will be four kingdoms*, but not so many Having power like the first king. 23 Then when the reign of these kingdoms comes to an end, and the measure of the apostates of Israel is full, a bold and deceitful king* will appear. 24 He will become very powerful, though not by his own strength, and 25 Through his cunning he succeeds in deception. In his greatness he will kill many unsuspecting people. Even against the supreme Lord he will rise up, but eventually be crushed without human intervention*. 26 What you have heard about the evening and morning sacrifices is also true. But you should keep well what you have seen, for it relates to many days (Google Translate)

ist diese zeit nicht jetzt? hier in Deutschland, die neue Regierung? von denen hat über die hälfte bei ihrer vereidigung, den satz mit gottes hilfe weggelassen. Und Böses, Sünde wird gut genannt, und Gutes Böse.

und dieser bibeltext, passt zu einem einzelnen autokraten, der aktuell die menschen in angst und schrecken versetzt, ich sitze hier und bin hilflos, wenn ich das sehe, wie der selbst politiker hinters licht führt.

daniel 8, 15-27 15 Als ich, Daniel, die Vision hatte und sie zu verstehen suchte, stand plötzlich einer vor mir, der wie ein Mann aussah. 16 Gleichzeitig hörte ich eine Stimme über dem Ulai-Kanal, die ihm zurief: "Gabriel, erkläre ihm die Vision!" 17 Da kam er auf mich zu. Als er näher trat, erschrak ich so sehr, dass ich zu Boden stürzte. Doch er sagte zu mir: "Du, Mensch, sollst verstehen, dass diese Vision sich auf die letzte Zeit bezieht." 18 Während er das sagte, lag ich wie betäubt auf der Erde, das Gesicht auf dem Boden. Da berührte er mich und stellte mich wieder auf die Beine. 19 Dann sagte er: "Ich will dir erklären, was am Ende des Strafgerichts geschehen wird. Denn es geht um die Zeit, in der das Ende kommt. 20 Der Schafbock mit den beiden Hörnern meint die Könige von Medien und Persien, 21 der zottige Ziegenbock das griechische Königreich. Das große Horn zwischen den Augen des Ziegenbocks ist der erste König des Griechenreiches.* 22 Dass es abbrach und dass an seiner Stelle vier andere aufwuchsen, bedeutet: Aus dem Griechenvolk werden vier Reiche entstehen*, die aber nicht so viel Macht haben wie der erste König. 23 Wenn dann die Herrschaft dieser Reiche zu Ende geht und das Maß der Abtrünnigen Israels voll ist, wird ein frecher und hinterlistiger König* auftreten. 24 Er wird sehr mächtig werden, wenn auch nicht durch eigene Kraft, und wird ungeheures Verderben anrichten. Was er unternimmt, wird ihm gelingen. Er wird die Starken vernichten und Gottes heiliges Volk ins Verderben stürzen. 25 Dank seiner Schlauheit gelingt ihm der Betrug. In seinem Größenwahn wird er viele ahnungslose Menschen umbringen. Selbst gegen den höchsten Herrn wird er sich erheben, aber schließlich ohne menschliches Zutun* zerschmettert werden. 26 Auch was du über die Abend- und Morgenopfer gehört hast, ist wahr. Doch du sollst das, was du gesehen hast, gut verwahren, denn es bezieht sich auf viele Tage."

[Raptor]

Originally Posted by Frie...

isn't that time now? here in Germany, the new government? more than half of them left out the sentence with god's help when they were sworn in. And evil, sin is called good, and good evil.

and this bible text fits a single autocrat who is currently putting people in fear and terror, i sit here and am helpless when i see how he himself is fooling politicians.

Putin? the Antichrist? No way. Read about the 10 horns in Daniel 7, they need to come first. 10 Kingdoms out of which Antichrist comes. Where are the ten kings today? Not here yet.

Putin is NOT that strong, attractive, cunning, able, or powerful to be the Antichrist. And he is definately NOT deceiving most of the world. There have been many worse than him.

Raptor, Thanks.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Raptor

Putin? the Antichrist? No way. Read about the 10 horns in Daniel 7, they need to come first. 10 Kingdoms out of which Antichrist comes. Where are the ten kings today? Not here yet.

Putin is NOT that strong, attractive, cunning, able, or powerful to be the Antichrist. And he is definately NOT deceiving most of the world. There have been many worse than him.

Agreed. Good points, Raptor. The Antichrist will initially be considered the savior of the [western] world. Israel will consider him the long-awaited Messiah. Thugs like Putin, however, may help set the stage for his arrival on the world scene. NATO may be the visible strength of his military power. The current weaknesses in WashDC may transfer the real western leadership to Europe real soon, since they are on record saying our top global “threat” is white supremacy and the use of proper pronouns.

[Timotheist]

Originally Posted by Ohio

Agreed. Good points, Raptor. The Antichrist will initially be considered the savior of the [western] world. Israel will consider him the long-awaited Messiah. Thugs like Putin, however, may help set the stage for his arrival on the world scene. NATO may be the visible strength of his military power. The current weaknesses in WashDC may transfer the real western leadership to Europe real soon, since they are on record saying our top global “threat” is white supremacy and the use of proper pronouns.

Agree about America. My personal speculation is that the US will be greatly weakened at the end times. Of course this could happen in an instance if WWIII happens. Europe will have to stand on its own against a Russia/China alliance.

[UntoHim]

Originally Posted by Frie...

Isn't that time now? Here in Germany, in the new government, more than half of them left out the sentence "with God's help" when they were sworn in. And evil, sin is called good, and good evil.

And every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.
(1 Jn 4:3)

I find postulating about future prophesies really fascinating, but if taken too far or emphasized too much in common ministry, it can be a distraction from what we as Christians are facing in the here and now. It may seem like a small thing for these German politicians to leave out "with God's help" (many American government officials have been trying to get "In God we trust" removed from our money for decades) but how much further of a step is it to officially deny that Jesus is from God?

Brothers and sisters, the spirit of the antichrist is in the world already. In fact, the spirit of the antichrist has been given at least a two thousand year head-start before the actual antichrist hits the scene. I fear that if God's people do not recognize the spirit of the antichrist, they will be easily deceived by the actual antichrist. Here is a chilling passage from Daniel that should give us a good idea of what we are up against:

And the king shall do as he wills. He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods. He shall prosper till the indignation is accomplished; for what is decreed shall be done. He shall pay no attention to the gods of his fathers, or to the one beloved by women. He shall not pay attention to any other god, for he shall magnify himself above all.
(Daniel 11:36,37)

Everywhere we look today certain people "speak astonishing things against the God of gods". Certain people are magnifying themselves above all. Yes, the spirit of the antichrist in now already in the world. And this spirit of the antichrist has already taken up arms against God's people. The battle is here. The battle is now. Yet the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but they have divine power to destroy strongholds. And our battle is not against the actual people speaking the astonishing things, or even against the people who deny the Jesus is from God, but against the principalities and powers behind them.
-

Danke, ihr drei. So ähnliche Gedanken kamen mir auch. Es macht große Angst. das man das erleben muss.

Thank you, the three of you. Similar thoughts came to me. It is very frightening. that you have to experience that. - -Nell

[Nell]

Whoa! Rampant speculation on the President of Turkey, Erdogan being antichrist. Rather than give you links, I suggest that you type "Erdogan Antichrist" in your browser and read the speculation for yourself. It's interesting. There is some compelling ... stuff.

Nell