Okay, today, we bite the bullet and we talk about the really really really uncomfortable stuff. The stuff that makes my skin itch and my eyes twitch. The stuff you’ve likely never heard me talk about before because even while we study the book of Revelation, I really like to find the hope and the highlights.
Today, we talk about the Anitchrist. What it is and what it isn’t. Is this a threat to us, or are we promised to be in the clear?
First, let’s understand what the word anitchrist means. In english, the pre-fix “anti” means ‘against’. However, this word was originally spoken in Greek. In Greek, the prefix “anti” has additional meanings. It can mean ‘against’, but it also means ‘instead of’. Yes, antichrist, INSTEAD OF CHRIST.
So now understand, when John writes in 1 John 2:18, “Dear children, the last hour is here. You have heard that the Antichrist (capital A) is coming, and already many such antichrists (little a) have appeared. From this we know that the last hour has come.” This Antichrist to come (capital A), is the one people will choose instead of Christ. Already, there are many antichrists (little a’s) who choose and promote something instead of Christ.
And with this, we must be so careful. Anything we choose instead of Christ is extremely dangerous.
Now it’s easy to dismiss ourselves believing we know better and would never choose anyone but our Jesus – but really, examine yourself. Is there anyone or anything you turn to for guidance instead of Jesus? Hello, the google and ChatGPT. Has that become your go-to? Tarot cards, stars, crystals – that’s not Jesus. I’m not saying using ChatGPT for a little help is wrong – I’m saying it’s extremely dangerous when it becomes your main source of guidance and answers. It’s NOT JESUS.
Is there something you turn to for strength instead of Jesus? Are all those self-help books more important than God’s word in your life? Is your husband or your best friend the one who gives you strength? Uh oh, I hate to tell you this, but honey, that’s a problem.
Is there something you’re counting on to save you instead of Jesus? Your good works, your success, your money, your stuff.
There are all these little antichrists (little a) running around in our lives. The things we choose instead of Jesus. How does God feel about that? Oh, God is very clear. Deuteronomy 4:24, “The Lord your God is a devouring fire; he is a jealous God.” Not jealous as in petty envy, but rather jealous as in passionately devoted and desiring exclusive love and worship. Our Creator knows when we begin choosing anything over him, we’re in trouble. There’s a line in a Lauren Daigel song that gets me every time. It says, “I will always live in wonder of the fact that I awaken jealous love.”
You awaken jealous love. A love that is passionately devoted to you. A love that desires your exclusive choice. God the Father, Jesus Christ the son, and the Holy Spirit are one. When you choose something instead of this trinity, you choose an antichrist. Something instead of.
Now, when John is being given the clear visions of the Tribulation to come in Revelation, he sees a beast. This beast is who we refer to as the Anitchrist (captial A), we’ve been warned about. It’s not pleasant to read about, but it is necessary. Jesus says YOU NEED TO KNOW, that’s why he is revealing this to us.
Revelation 13: 1-7, “Then I saw a beast rising up out of the sea. It had seven heads and ten horns, with ten crowns on its horns. And written on each head were names that blasphemed God. This beast looked like a leopard, but it had the feet of a bear and the mouth of a lion! And the dragon (remember, that’s Satan) gave the beast his own power and throne and ...