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The "Antichrist" and His Empire |
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The purpose of this study is to acquire information about the person "antichrist," where he will arise, and the nations who will comprise his empire. The main sources of this information come from the books of Daniel and Revelation. More information is found in various Old Testament prophets, and the Gospels and Epistles of the New Testament. On this subject, that which is written in the Gospels comes from the book of Daniel. Much, which is described in the book of Revelation, has a direct connection to the book of Daniel. Daniel, then, becomes the foundation upon which other revelations or prophecies are built or follow.
If we happen to be the ones who will witness these times of Daniel's seventieth week it is imperative that we have all the knowledge and understanding possible to recognize the times. As astounding as it may seem to us, with all the intense interest in the end times and the return of Jesus, people are going to fail to see it until it is too late. Whenever Jesus says "take heed" we had better come to attention and take the warnings with deadly seriousness. Paul also warned not to fall asleep and be caught in darkness. The onslaught will begin cunningly, with guile, in deceit and with all deception. It will take the world and all those who sleep in total surprise. The time is so hidden from us that all generations, from Christ's first coming until today, have lived in suspense of these events. So, we study to arm ourselves with knowledge and preach the message to the world that Jesus is coming and be prepare for Him.
The only insight, which we may claim today for understanding these prophecies, is a spiritual open mind. Only the Spirit of God can teach and lead us into the truth. We must not expect to understand all or come to know all. Just as with the first coming of Jesus, the prophets wrote repeatedly of which they did not understand. However, the record of the New Testament gives understanding of much of what was hidden from them. Without doubt there is much hidden from us today, but those who will live and experience these prophetic events will know many of these hidden truths. What we do not now know, we have no need to know. Our only position is to believe and accept the message of these writings, and that message is: Jesus Christ will come again, and He will rule. The message for all mankind is to be prepared for their future. Two details of the future concern us: first, where will we spend the future, and second, how will we be situated in that future. Life or death in the Judgment of God will dictate the destiny of us all. If death, then hell is the verdict. If life, then either shame or joy in our judgment, will determine our standing within God's Eternal Kingdom. Without doubt God desires our obedience to Him and has thus given us so much knowledge of what will surely come to pass.
1 Thess. 5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say. Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
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Next: Chart of Daniel's Prophecies and John's Revelation |
This page last updated September 14, 2004 at 10:21am
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