The spirit of antichrist

There in we actually have two definitions.
1. Religion: An order in which Christians conduct their behavior and actions.
2. Religion: The defining of beliefs (right or wrong) as a group.

Before I go any further, maybe you would like a little background on me. Not only have I pastored since the mid 1990's, but have practiced KJV apologetics for almost as long with a degree in biblical studies from Andersonville Baptist Seminary. I have an honorary doctorate in eschatology from Millennium University, now closed but none the less it was biblically academic in it's time. Church Historian well before I gave in to the call to preach taught by Bro. John H. Davis Sr. (Trail of Blood scholar). I count all this nothing next to Christ and Him crucified and then risen for me.

Continuing my last post (#38) Such versions that are new which I consider apostate which would be: International Children's Bible, New Living Translation, & New World Translation. And these I would consider coming from the medelings on man's mind by the spirit of the AC to translate them in such a manner.

By the way, I didn't start this thread to begin a "my Bible is better than your thread" but to point out how powerful the spirit of antichrist can be in this present world.

A majority that says we have two forms of Grace my friend.

So you like me accept some but reject some.
This is why I hate to put man made labels on another's beliefs.

Look at the impartiality of God's Grace. The belief that God's Grace is singular and equally available to all, regardless of background or identity, underscores the inclusiveness and universal form of His divine love and mercy.

This principle is reflected in several key verses:

Romans 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

Acts 10:34-35 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

These verses affirm that God's Grace and Salvation are available to everyone, telling us that no one is favored over another in God's eyes. This understanding can lead to a more cohesive and inclusive view of God's plan for humanity.

Dispensationalism also believe in the rapture of the church separate from the second coming of Jesus but I reject that, and you accept that.
So what say you?

That I'm not appointed unto wrath. Plain and simple. The pre-rapture calling out is not exclusive to the dispensationalis bunch, but was taught well before their nonsense ramblings were presented by Amzi Dixon, Cyrus Scofield, John Darby, and Clarence Larkin...

Well God's wrath is not poured out until the seven vials after Jesus returns.
The great tribulation is not God's wrath.
How do you get around Rev, 20:1-6 and what is said about the first resurrection?

Getting back to the Spirit of anti-christ------
The evidence is very clear that it is alive and well today. More so than ever before.
It is present everywhere. In our government, workplace, family, community, church leaders, Bible schools, "your church" and my church, and this forum.
The problem is most do not see it because they do not know what to look for.
Maybe they do not want to see it.

And that's an issue we can pick up later seeing you've gone on with the OP...

Quite so, then the question is "what" can this spirit accomplish in this evil time? What's his limits???

He has and will accomplish much more, AS GOD ALLOWS.
If I understand Scripture right, Satan has been given a time that if not shortened by the return of Jesus all mankind and all Gods creation would be destroyed.
The Spirit of antichrist is the Spirit of Satan.
Satan knows his final destination will do all within his power to take as many as he can with him and to destroy this earth as well.
Folks we ain't seen nothing yet.
Best you be right with God today because great tribulation is coming.

I suspect strongly that although we think things are worse today than they were in the past, in fact they aren't. Given the technology we have, we are more aware generally of happening in the world than any previous generation, and at the same time, we are ignorant of history. This combination leads to significant misinterpretation of prophetic material.

Consider for a moment how modern-day Jews still look for their Messiah. We know He has already come. Have we as (primarily) Western Christians overlooked some key events in history that we really should consider, and are thereby looking forward to fulfillment of certain prophecies when we should be looking back?

Thanks Dino,

But we're told that things will get worse and worse aren't we? And the spirit of antichrist is driving them I would think...
2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

Just a thought. The context of these verses is: 2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come., is it not? It's speaking of the last days...

Either that or the father of lies has lied so much, he has himself fooled. Just sayin...
John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

In my 80 years I have seen many things happen. Most have been to our advantage. such as making a living and having things our parents only dreamed of.
But I have also seen the moral and spiritual decline and at a much faster rate in recent years.
We have been blessed to live in a country where we are still free to worship, teach, and live as we believe the Scripture teaches.
Satan has taken advantage of that freedom to deceive many by his false teachers.
Satan has always been able to "work the system" to his advantage. NEVER sell him short.
While we have enjoyed these blessing, most of the world has not. Our fore fathers did not.
Scripture states in many places that before Jesus returns, this freedom will end at the hands of Satan.
Most in this country do not believe they will suffer as our fore fathers did nor many Saints in the world suffer every day.
Seem they think we here in the US are just to righteous to suffer the tribulations that are to come.
They are not prepared spiritually, mentally, or physically to deal with what is coming.
Very few even believe that a wick, evil, violent person is coming that will unleash his wrath on all of God's creation and the few who do believe he is coming will not recognize him because they are looking in the wrong place and for the wrong person even though the Scripture gives us detailed information about him, where he comes from, how much time he is allowed, what he will do, signs of his coming and his final end.
There was a time I believe I would see this man of sin before I died, but at 80 I probably will not.
Some of you will.
I pray you study the Scripture so you will not be surprised.

"The last days"... of what? We typically assume Paul meant "the last days of all time, of the Earth, of humanity"... but he didn't specify that. He was writing between 40-65 AD. Given that the Levitical system and much of the nation of Israel were wiped out around 70 AD, it is plausible that Paul meant those last days rather than the end of all time.

Dino, Paul didn't have a specific chronological understanding of the "last days." While he and the early Christians believed in the imminent return of Christ, they didn't have an exact timeline. Paul's constant message was for believers to always be ready and vigilant, emphasizing the importance of preparedness rather than predicting exact dates.

When discussing the "last days," it's important to consider that biblical prophecies often span different contexts and time periods. For example, Daniel 7:25 and Amos 8:11-12 both speak of future events without specifying exact timelines. They knew these events would come, but the precise timing was not revealed to them.

Daniel 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall vex the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

Amos 8:11-12 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the south, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it.

The term "last days" can be understood in a bunch of ways. While it may have had immediate relevance to the early church, it also holds a broader application to the ultimate fulfillment of history according to Christian eschatology. The "end" in these prophecies refers to the final fulfillment of God's plan, not just a historical event followed by ongoing persecution afterwards.

Paul's writings, like other biblical prophecies, carry a sense of eschatological urgency, urging believers to remain faithful and prepared for the eventual return of Christ Jesus. This message is timeless and relevant for all generations, including our present age. In my mind, this present age... By looking at prophecies and teachings as a continuous thread through history, we see that vigilance and readiness are the central themes. It's not about pinpointing an exact moment but about living in a state of constant readiness and faithfulness.

Your perspective is deeply appreciated. You've seen a lot over your 80 years, and your views are invaluable. I completely agree with your views about the moral and spiritual decline we're witnessing, especially in recent times.

We’re blessed to have the freedom to worship and live by Scripture, but you're right, Satan takes full advantage of this. The spiritual and moral decline is alarming, and many people are unprepared for what's coming. The warnings in Scripture about the end times are clear, and we need to be spiritually, mentally, and physically ready. It's a big deal that we need to study Scripture diligently, so we're not caught off guard.

Your servant sir...

On what biblical basis do you make this assertion?

Again, what's your biblical basis for this claim (bolded)? It appears that you have a conclusion looking for a rationale.

Agreed. None of us knows "our" day or hour. However, since Hal Lindsay (and probably before), people have been claiming that Jesus' return is imminent... and He hasn't come yet. It's time Christians started taking a critical look at interpretations proven wrong and stop empowering those who make them.

Not at all... Paul's letters often show a sense of urgency about the return of Christ, and also showing he expected it to happen sooner rather than later at a specific, distant point in time.

1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

In these passages, Paul includes himself and those who might still be alive at Christ’s return, showing he thought it could happen within his life time.

Paul encourages believers to be constantly ready for Jesus’s return, rather than setting a specific time.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-2 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night."

Here, Paul is very clear that the timing of the "day of the Lord" is unknown, and is going to come unexpectedly. Paul’s teachings also show that he considered his own time to be part of the "last days," a period extending from Christ’s resurrection to His return.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."

Paul describes behaviors and attitudes that were already evident in his time, showing he saw himself as living in these "last days." He also advises against focusing on specific dates or times, but rather on living righteously in anticipation of the Lord’s return.

Romans 13:11-12 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

Paul tells the brethren to recognize how urgent the present time is without providing an exact timeline for the end.

Is this enough of a biblical basis my friend? It's clear that Paul preached an imminent expectation of Christ’s return without providing specific chronological details. His focus was on being ready and on righteous living in the present time, rather than predicting exact dates. This provides a "strong biblical basis" that Paul didn't have a specific chronological understanding of the "last days."