In the early 1800's, the Russians, who were being attacked by the French, thought antichrist was Napoleon.
After I was born again, the church group I attended thought antichrist was Henry Kissinger. I don't know why? This was the first time I heard of antichrist. It was 1975.
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The apostle Paul tells us the truth about this matter.
Paul says antichrist comes through the church.
II Thessalonians 2:3-4 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; 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.
"The falling away" would come first.
Church people would "fall away" from scripture.
The scripture was the restraint that held antichrist back from the church.
As soon as portions of scripture were removed from church groups, antichrist was free to move in and be revealed.
Paul explained that this had to happen before Jesus returns.
(II Thessalonians 2:3-4) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day (of the Lord) shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 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.
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I was so upset when I heard pastors at church twist scripture, explain scripture away, and omit scripture. I went to each of these pastors in private and talked to them about this.
Each pastor became very angry with me when I told them and not one pastor ever showed shame in the way he had mishandled scripture nor was there ever a pastor who repented.
How can this be?
One day, the following word was given me by the Spirit of God explaining everything to me.
I heard this word: "restraint"
II Thessalonians 2: 1-8 NASB Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things?
And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed.
(Immediately, God opened my eyes and I knew that "restraint" was the removal of scripture from the church groups.)
7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only HE (Jesus/ The Word / The Scriptures) who now restrains will do so until HE (Jesus, The Word) is taken out of the way.
Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming;
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So they are being taught that "once saved always saved", ignoring many scriptures warning us that we must continue in the truth.
Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.
Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest HE also spare not thee.
Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
Some fail to continue in HIS goodness. Some start the race, even with joy, only to lose their love of the way of God and go another way.
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The apostle Paul shows by the following scripture that he was aware that he could be a castaway if he failed to run the Christian race properly.
I Corinthians 9:24-27 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
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John 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in MY word, then are ye MY disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
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And to the church in Revelation, Jesus warned:
Revelation 2:4-5 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
Revelation 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
We should see by this that names can be blotted out of the book of life.
Matthew 24:12-13 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
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