Eschatology
This has been written about many times, so why write about it again? Simple: It needs to be talked about more today than ever.
Word Antichrist:
Strong’s NT words and Thayer’s Greek Lexicon: Antichrist – antíxristos (from antí, “opposite to, in place of” and Xristós, “Christ”) – appropriately, opposite to Christ; someone acting in place of (against) Christ; “Antichrist.” Usage of Antichrist is either one who puts himself in the place of, or the enemy (opponent) of the Messiah.
Consider replacement theology, in which the Western church supposedly replaced Israel. That stance is similar to the above definition of Antichrist. Even though the definition alludes to an individual, it also connects to systems or doctrines. It also addresses false teachers and false prophets.
Extracted from Thayer’s Greek Lexicon
The name ὁ ἀντίχριστος was formed perhaps by John, the only writer in the N. T. who uses it (five times); he employs it of the corrupt power and influence hostile to Christian interests, especially that which is at work in false teachers who have come from the bosom of the church and are engaged in disseminating error: 1 John 2:18 (where the meaning is, ‘what ye have heard concerning Antichrist, as about to make his appearance just before the return of Christ, is now fulfilled in the many false teachers, most worthy to be called Antichrists.’ 1 John 4:3; and of the false teachers themselves, 1 John 2:22; 2 John 7. In Paul and the Rev., the idea but not the name of Antichrist is found, yet the conception differs from that of John. For Paul teaches that Antichrist will be an individual man (cf. B. D.as below), of the very worst character (τόν ἄνθρωπον τῆς ἁμαρτίας (or, ἀνομίας); see ἁμαρτία, 1), instigated by the devil to try to palm himself off as God: 2 Thessalonians 2:3-10. The author of the Apocalypse discovers the power of the Antichrist in the sway of imperial Rome and his person in the emperor Nero, soon to return from the dead: Revelation 13 and Revelation 17. (Often in ecclesiastical writings.) (See B. D. under the word (American edition for additional references), also B. D. under the article, Thessalonians, Second Epistle to the; Kähler in Herzog edition 2, i. 446f; Westcott, Epistles of St. John, pp 68, 89.)
Extract from the Lexham Bible Dictionary
The term “Antichrist” could mean either “against Christ” or “in place of Christ.”
While the term “Antichrist,” which originates in the New Testament, appears infrequently in Scripture, the concept of the Antichrist appears numerous times in the New Testament.
Because the broader concept appears more often than the specific term, multiple perspectives have been presented on “Antichrist,” leading to the understanding that the better phrase to discuss the issue may be “eschatological antagonist.”
The Synoptic Gospels present the concept of the Antichrist in a discourse by Jesus, in which He warns His disciples concerning things to come.
The description of these “false Christs” (ψευδόχριστοι, pseudochristoi) parallels the description appearing in the Pauline text, indicating that the term “false Christ” functions as an equivalent term to “Antichrist” (ἀντίχριστος, antichristos).
Second, Thessalonians provides the earliest written New Testament statements concerning the Antichrist concept (accepting that Paul’s writings are among the earliest in the New Testament)
Today, unlike at any time in history, we find ourselves inundated by all sorts of doctrine, explanations, theories, and, in many cases, a brand-new gospel message that omits any mention of the blood of Christ, repentance, obedience, and sacrifice. Today, we find feel-good sermons that do not challenge followers to be more like Christ but more involved with activities that do not lead to being more like Christ but to be more like the world around us. How do we address concerns within our assemblies when very few even understand the issue? Eschatology is a necessary doctrine that must be taught and retaught so those who wish to follow Jesus will understand more about Him and where He is leading us by engaging Him in His written words.
2 Thessalonians 2:1–4 (NLT): Events before the Lord’s Second Coming
“1 Now, dear brothers and sisters, let us clarify some things about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered to meet him. 2 Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us. 3 Don’t be fooled by what they say. That day will not come until a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the one who brings destruction. 4 He will exalt himself and defy everything people call God and every object of worship. He will even sit in the temple of God, claiming that he is God.”
The above scripture shows us that there will be those who attempt to stir up the people by announcing that the day of the Lord is upon us. Paul tells us not to believe them regardless of their claims. Paul tells us that that day will not occur until the Son of Perdition, that man of lawlessness, is revealed. In addition, we see Paul talking about the “great rebellion,” known as the apostasy. Notice that this falling away (apostasy) does not occur until after the man of lawlessness is revealed. The gathering to meet the Lord Jesus is also after the man of lawlessness is revealed, and the statement about gathering to the Lord is not a catching away into thin air; the idiom is about being protected by the Lord. This man of lawlessness is not Satan because Paul lets us know in verse 9 that this man of lawlessness will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles. Now let me add here that this lawless one is an Antichrist, one who portrays himself as someone instead of Christ while in opposition to Christ. What a time that will be!
So, why do I title this post the “Antichrist – Eschatological Antagonist?” Let me take you back to 2 Corinthians 12:6-7, where Paul has an issue with a thorn in his flesh, and Job chapter 1, where Job’s integrity, blamelessness, and fear of God are tested.
In 2 Corinthians, it states, “If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So, to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.”
Job 1:6-12 we see where God permitted Satan to test Job. As a result, Job went through many trials and tribulations that I doubt any of us could endure today. In essence, Satan became a thorn in Job’s flesh, just trying to thwart him from being fearful of God, from remaining a man of integrity, and from being blameless. Of course, Paul was not blameless, afraid of God, or a person of integrity, at least not until after his conversion. At that point, things changed with Paul, and God saw the need to keep him humble. Paul was given great authority and power, while Job was not. The point is that Satan’s proxies will do whatever is necessary to prevent the worldwide spread of the Gospel and the permanence of a Jewish state. Prophecy fulfillment will be the target of Satan, resulting in all his Antichrists becoming antagonistic to those who are reminding those who belong to Jesus to be ready and watchful.
Replacement Theology:
Replacement theology is another form of Antichrist “acting in place of.” Scripture used to support this theology is Matthew 21:43, “Therefore say I unto you, the kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.” You can read more on this divisive theology at Got Questions. Consider what this theology promotes: This theology promotes an instead of the Jew, the Gentile, i.e., church or in Greek (ekklésia) or those called out from the world and to God. The point is that Satan is out to destroy Israel and all the Jews and replace them with his followers. It could be some one-world religion or something far eviler where the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is replaced by Satan, which is this serpent who has been attempting to replace God since Adam and Eve. In short, replacement theology is of the antichristos ideology.
On the issue with Paul and Job, God permitted Satan to test them, and with Paul, he was given a messenger from Satan to keep him humble. Who gave or permitted this messenger of Satan to afflict Paul? Interesting!
So, you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. Matthew 24:42
I pray that this post will be helpful in some way.
Mike Kovach
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