Thursday, September 20, 2007
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Almost Midnight - The Rapture of the Church
What Is a Doomsdayer to Do?
Pursuing goals of lasting value is the most important decision we can make in life. The things we desire in our youth often end up being a source of regret later in life. God's people seem to have no better sense when it comes to discerning goals that have lasting value.
Most Christians are so inactive in their spiritual life that they have no meaningful impact on the world. The largest religious group in the U.S. is evangelical Christians. The idea of being an "evangelical" is that you are some who shares your faith with anyone who has not heard the good news. Even among prophecy-minded evangelical Christians, there is a shortfall in the willingness to witness to the lost, and we are the ones with the added belief that time is short.
Someone who closely follows prophecy can be called a doomsdayer. According to the dictionary, this is "one given to forebodings and predictions of impending calamity." If you are a believer who looks for the Lord's return, you are doomsdayer. The Bible tells us that dire events will herald Jesus Christ's return for the Church. As a faithful servant, it wise to be tracking the signs of the time.
There is a problem with watchfulness when it's the only thing Christians do. The internet is full of prophecy sites that exclusively focus on world news. The operators of these sites spend all their time looking for events that might trigger the rapture or the tribulation.
Right now, the growing tension between Israel and the Syria , Iran and Hezbollah axis is the most closely watched flashpoint. Over past few months, I've read some rather ghoulish warmongering articles produced by some prophecy writers. One site sent out a notice that war was about to start because an eyewitness in Israel had said that Arab farmers in the Jordan Valley had fled their fields. It turns out that the person doing the observing had taken a windshield tour doing the heat of the day - a time when the farmers would regularly be inactive.
I'm sure many people were disappointed that Hurricane Dean struck sparsely populated areas of Mexico. If it had plowed into a large city and caused massive destruction, the general thinking is that the end-time clock would leap forward. Because God's control the timing of all events, it's a waste of time to wish for calamity to strike.
Someone might say, "Hey Todd, don't you focus on doom and gloom subjects in your daily news and various updates?" The answer is yes. We do more doomsday reporting than many sites put together. Our goal is to warn people to get ready.
The critical difference between RR and most other sites is that we also do the work of an evangelist. With more than 15,000 articles on the site, we reach tens thousand of people with gospel-based information. As you can see from our section called "The Newest Articles," we are constantly adding new material to the site.
I find that time flies when you stay focused on doing the Lord's work. The day Dean was bearing down on the Yucatan Peninsula, I was busy adding four new articles to the site. I saved time by letting the secular media give me the summation: Dean, third-most intense Atlantic hurricane event.
When the rapture takes place, Rapture Ready will have a huge share of the left-behind market. It will be largely due to the fact that Christians today are too fixated on matters that have temporal importance.
One of the reasons I post these reality checks a couple times each year is because I realize the need to remind you folks of your commitment to contributing to the Kingdom of God. Someday, we will all have to stand before the throne of God and answer that magic question, “What did you do in my name?"
To avoid embarrassment, every believer should wisely be doing something so he or she can instantly reply, "This is what I did, Lord..."
You don't need to help here at RR, but it's vital to be productive in some area. I firmly believe you would be hard-pressed to find a better investment than this site.
In whatever area God has blessed you, put it to good use. If God has blessed you with a wonderful testimony of salvation or deliverance, share it with others. If God has given you a skill for expounding on the Holy Word, open up Microsoft Word and get cracking. If God has monetarily blessed you, RR can certainly use your financial support.
"And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be" (Rev. 22:12).
-- Todd
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Enduring Not-So-Sound Doctrine
Strange doctrines, rather than sound doctrine, is observably the order of our time. This is true whether considering doctrines of political thought, or doctrine within the Bible. On the former, the Apostle Paul prophesies: “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (2 Tim. 3: 13).
Paul was foretelling a time just before the end of the Church Age and the return of Christ, when the world system will become worse on an ever-increasing scale. Reprobate and sin-deluded men, who lie to and seduce people around them, will be part of that growing evil. Their doctrines of devils will be manifest in their ideologies. Since the politicians –the governmental leaders—of the world-system have the greatest opportunities to influence the way societies and cultures are bent, we can see Paul’s prophecy as lumping these sorts at the very top of his forewarning.
Paul also gave a straightforward prophecy about certain religious leaders and people in general who would fall for their deception during that same end-of-days time frame: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Tim. 4:3-4).
Unfortunately, I must report a disturbing reality –as my duty as a "watchman on the wall” in these days, which I believe to be the end of the Church Age. This generation is in the midst of what looks to be a time of growing evidence of geopolitical doctrine of demons combining with religious doctrines of devils. It seems we are well into the period the Apostle Paul declared would be the end-time era when people would “not endure sound doctrine.”
Now, I must parse my words carefully, here, because they must not be perceived to be a condemnation of particular individuals. As a matter of fact, although I have come to see the two men I’ve chosen to include for purposes of pointing to diversion from sound doctrine, both geopolitically and religiously, as not the shining knights they might appear to many, I nonetheless believe them to be sincere, and well-meaning for the most part. I view them as caught blindly up in the delusions they now espouse/perpetrate/perpetuate.
For purposes of brevity, I wish to dwell upon one issue that brings the end-time delusion involved in departing from sound doctrine into focus. The state of modern Israel is that issue.
Former President Jimmy Carter, being invited by pastor Bill Hybels’ Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois, contains profound prophetic overtones. The invitation represents severe departure from scriptural truth for certain. Carter’s views and declarations have long since departed from sound American foreign policy doctrine.
The former president, invited to speak at the 2007 Leadership Summit by Hybels’ church (a thing unthinkable without Hybels’ complete endorsement), has, like so many within the international community, advocated remedies in the Middle East egregiously counter-productive to the modern state of Israel. Hybels, by welcoming Carter and his views within a church-sponsored venue, throws fuel on the fire of anti-Semitism in the already-troubled diplomatic waters of the “Holy Land.”
Eighty thousand are reported to have attended the event, speakers for which included in addition to Mr. Carter, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, author John Ortberg, and British management guru Marcus Buckingham. The presentation was beamed into 176 sites via audiovisual technology. Hybels’ church website demonstrates the heart of the problem of departure from sound biblical truth, even among self-proclaimed “evangelicals.” The website lauded Carter as one who has demonstrated his prowess as a master of conflict resolution, as well as one who provides much-needed diplomacy and does invaluable humanitarian work throughout the world.
The following opinion, I believe, is one upon which to cogitate these days, in which Israel is looking increasingly to fit the characteristics and geopolitical position on the end-time landscape, i.e., Israel is more and more looking to be the marginalized and ostracized nation prophesied by Zechariah in chapters 12 and 14.
"Jan Markell of Olive Tree Ministries takes issue with that assessment [that of Willow Creek Church’s website], noting that Carter has roamed the world delivering negative messages about America. ‘He stands up for dictators. He has not been pro-American in his diplomacy. He failed the Shah of Iran in 1979, which allowed Ayatollah Khomeini in, which resulted in our war on terror,’ she says. Markell says even some of his former staff members believe Carter is anti-Semitic. ‘That is why these 20 staff associates on the Carter Center staff resigned,’ she asserts. ‘They felt that [Carter's] book, Palestine--Peace, Not Apartheid, was just plain filled with, they said, “lies and fiction.” And many of them felt that Carter is just plain anti-Semitic,’ she adds. Markell says she cannot help but question the judgment of Hybels and Willow Creek for inviting someone like Carter to address the leadership conference…” (OneNewsNow.com, August 22, 2007.).
God’s dealing with the nation Israel is a massive part of His overall interaction with mankind. The truth involved within Jerusalem being the “apple of God’s eye,” and Abraham’s, Isaac’s, and Jacob’s progeny being central to the revelation and the wind-up of human history should be undeniable by true believers. But, as is demonstrated in this particular instance, Hybels’ approval of embracing those who, in effect, “curse” Israel, flies in the face of God Almighty. The action, for me, constitutes a possible fulfillment –in part at least—of Paul’s Holy Spirit-given prophecy that “the time will come when they will not endure strong doctrine.”
Certainly it appears these particular “evangelicals” are turning to a fable, exactly as prophesied –the fable that the land God promised Israel really belongs to the so-called "Palestinians.”
--Terry
The Singularity and The Second Coming In the near future, the technological advance of human civilization will become so rapid today’s human mind will be unable to comprehend its implications. The point in time at which this occurs is generally known as “the singularity,” and many believe it will usher in a new era for the human race. Throughout the world, many intellectuals and futurists have noted their belief in the nearness of the singularity, with quite a few predicting it will occur within our generation.
Jesus also foresaw the singularity, citing it as one of the foremost signs of the end of this age and the nearness of His Return.
The Singularity
So what is the singularity? And why is it any different from other events in human history? The singularity is a future point in time when societal, economic, and technological change increases at such a rapid pace that the unaided human mind cannot begin to imagine its implications.
The singularity is built on the concept that technological advance is not linear, but rather exponential. In other words, conventional wisdom (the linear view) holds that the next 100 years will bring the same amount of progress as the previous 100 years. However, those who predict the singularity (the exponential view) believe the next 100 years might possibly bring the equivalent of 20 or more 20th Centuries of progress.
Mere observation tends to support the exponential view of technological progress. For instance, the 20th Century brought more technological progress than the 19th Century. And the 1990’s brought more technological progress than the 1980’s. In fact, inventor Ray Kurzweil vividly illustrates the exponential increase in technology in his essay “The Law of Accelerating Returns“.
So if it’s true that the advance of technology is exponential in nature, so what? Hasn’t change been a part of the human condition for centuries?
Yes, change has always marked the times. But what makes the singularity different is the pace at which change will soon take place. The Industrial Revolution took place over the course of 200 to 250 years, during which the human race had adequate time to adjust to its widespread impact. However, the changes brought on by advanced technologies as we approach the singularity will be so rapid that changes equivalent in impact to the Industrial Revolution might well be forced on humanity within a two to three year period.
As a result of this exponential increase in technology (which includes computational power, advanced artificial intelligence, genetics, robotics, and molecular manufacturing), the current world power structure will be completely upended.
The Second Coming of Jesus Christ
As Christians, why should we care about the singularity? Shouldn’t we be focused on Jesus?
Although our trust should be completely in Jesus, it’s important to be aware of the singularity precisely because Jesus Himself pointed to the singularity as one of the foremost signs that His earthly Return and the establishment of His Millennial Kingdom are at hand. This revelation has been hidden in plain view of Christians for almost 2,000 years. Only now, in our generation, can we begin to fully comprehend the meaning of His words. In Matthew 24 (more generally known as the Olivet Discourse), His disciples asked Him to reveal the signs which would precede the end of the age and mark the moment of His Return. Jesus responded with the following statements:
“As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. ‘Tell us,’ they said, ‘when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?’ Jesus answered: ‘Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ, and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.’” Matthew 24:3-8 (NIV)
The various signs described by Jesus, which have occurred throughout history, will become more commonplace and more pronounced in the latter days, just prior to His Return. Jesus makes this clear in verse 8, when he equates these signs to “birth pains.”
This is one of the most important signs that the Glorious Appearing of Jesus Christ is close at hand – that the end times will be analogous to the birthing process. Jesus is clear that the signs He spoke of will be just like labor pains. So what does this mean? It means that, just like labor pains, the signs that mark the end of the age will appear with greater frequency and intensity as the end draws near.
This was a sign of such great importance that Jesus intentionally mentioned it first when answering his disciples’ questions. It is a sign equal in importance to the two monumental signs he mentions in the same conversation: the restoration of Israel as a nation (which has already happened) and the “abomination of desolation” (a still future event).
Wars, famines, earthquakes, pestilence, persecution and death of Christians, and the appearance of false prophets all mark the times in which we live. Since our generation has witnessed the reestablishment of Israel as a nation, we can be certain we live in the end times. As a result, each of the signs Jesus mentioned will occur with greater frequency and with greater intensity as His Coming draws near.
Signs of the Times
So how does this relate to the singularity? Jesus spoke about wars, earthquakes, and famines, but He didn’t say anything about technology.
Although Jesus didn’t specifically mention technology, He did point out an overall trend. He stated that certain signs would be just like labor pains, meaning they would occur with greater frequency and greater intensity as the birth (His Coming) drew near.
If you plot these two variables on a graph, having them increase over time, the end product would resemble an exponential curve. And the singularity is essentially an exponential curve. Jesus was pointing to the unprecedented nature of human events in the time just prior to His Return. The events which mark the times will resemble labor pains, meaning they will follow an exponential progression unique to our generation.
In addition, Jesus specifically mentions another sign:
“The time will come when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke about: the sacrilegious object that causes desecration standing in the Holy Place.” Matthew 24:15 (NLT)
In this verse, Jesus not only points out a specific sign, but He lets us know that the Book of Daniel is a credible source of information when it comes to the end times. As a result, we should expect that any signs of the end times mentioned by Daniel should also resemble labor pains. Does the Book of Daniel mention any specific signs relating to the end times? Yes, it does:
“But you, Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end. Many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase.” Daniel 12:4 (NLT) According to the Book of Daniel, two things will markedly increase just prior to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ:
1) Transportation
2) Knowledge
Not only will these signs increase, but they will do so exponentially. The labor pains analogy made by Jesus applies to these signs as well, meaning both the availability and power of transportation and knowledge will increase. Simple observation has shown this to be the case in the centuries since Jesus first spoke to His disciples.
The human knowledge base, transportation, and the pace of technological development are all increasing exponentially. Knowledge and transportation are widely available to both rich and poor now more than at any other time in human history. The power of knowledge and the speed of transportation have also increased markedly over the same time period. As they continue to increase in our time, humanity is fast approaching the event horizon known as the singularity. Jesus foresaw these events, and He clearly stated that these signs will herald His Second Coming.
Tribulation Unlike Anything the World Has Ever Seen
In addition to the aforementioned signs, Jesus told His disciples that just prior to His Return the world would experience a time of unprecedented tribulation that the world will never see again:
“Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. A person outside the house must not go inside to pack. A person in the field must not return even to get a coat. How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for mothers nursing their babies in those days. And pray that your flight will not be in winter or on the Sabbath. For that will be a time of greater horror than anything the world has ever seen or will ever see again.” Matthew 24:16-21 (NLT)
As the singularity approaches, advanced technologies will completely change the social, economic, and political power structure of the world. These changes will lead to unprecedented global tribulation as people struggle to deal with new generations of weapons, geopolitical upheaval, and massive unemployment.
As Mike Treder points out in his Future Brief article “A Global Surge Protector?”:
“Some refer to this as the next Industrial Revolution, and that is not an unreasonable comparison. The big difference, however, between previous industrial revolutions and the nanotech revolution is the time span covered. Steam engines, electricity, the automobile, telecommunications, computers: these all brought extreme transformations to society, but they each did so over a period of decades. When molecular manufacturing arrives, probably before 2020, a shock wave of change could reverberate around the world in only a year or two. Never before have disruptive impacts occurred so rapidly.”
The Transhumanist Movement
In preparation for the singularity, a new movement has emerged: the Transhumanist Movement. Calling themselves “singularitarians” and “transhumanists,” these people look forward to the singularity with a religious fervor. Many within the movement believe the singularity will lead to the emergence of “post-biological humans” who are able to shed their biological bodies and “upgrade their hardware.” Many believe that by downloading themselves into a network, they will effectively become “immortal.”
The bible points to a future time when the human race will have the audacity to directly challenge Jesus Christ in battle. By gathering their armies at Armageddon, the human race will attempt to “break the chains of God and set themselves free from His bondage.” Psalm 2 describes this monumental act of arrogance:
“Why do the nations rage? Why do the people waste their time with futile plans? The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the Lord and against His Anointed One. ‘Let us break their chains,’ they cry. ‘And free ourselves from this slavery.’ But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them.” Psalm 2:1-4 (NLT)
In the New Testament, in the same passage where Jesus describes the signs of His Coming to the disciples, He makes an interesting statement in light of our times:
“And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” Matthew 24:22 (KJV)
Through the centuries, this verse has been interpreted to mean that the Second Coming of Christ will arrive just before the human race managed to destroy itself, meaning the human race would cease to exist. However, it could mean that “no flesh will be saved” because the human race will transform itself into a race of “post-biological humans” intent on reshaping the universe according their own desires.
Given the history of human rebellion against God, it would be unwise to discount this possibility.
Conclusion
Regardless of whether or not speculations surrounding the technological singularity turn out to be reality or mere fantasy, Jesus Christ clearly communicated to His disciples that the times just prior to His Coming would resemble labor pains. As the hour of His Return draws near, the signs of the times will appear with greater frequency and intensity, reaching their climax at the Glorious Appearing. Given the abundance of evidence pointing to His imminent return, we should follow the command of Jesus to be watchful and alert, prepared at all times for His Return.
Furthermore, we should present this evidence to our friends and families, so that they too might share in the hope that is Jesus Christ. For the hour of His arrival is near, and a special crown awaits all those who eagerly anticipate His glorious return:
“And now the prize awaits me – the crown of righteousness that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that great day of his return. And the prize is not just for me, but for all who eagerly look forward to his glorious return.” 2 Timothy 4:8 (NLT)
Britt Gillette is founder of BrittGillette.Com, a website examining the relationship between bible prophecy and emerging trends in technology. For more information or to sign up for his email alerts, please visit http://www.brittgillette.com
The Nationality of the Antichrist
One of the great mysteries concerning bible prophecy and the end times is the national identity of the Antichrist. This is an important topic because it will eventually aid the last days generation of Christians in the correct identification of the Antichrist. Fortunately, the Bible provides us with several details regarding the nationalistic origins of this sinister personality.
His Roman Nationality
Although much debate surrounds his national identity, the Book of Daniel clearly states that the Antichrist will come from among the people whose armies destroy the Temple.
“A ruler will arise whose armies will destroy the city and the Temple.” Daniel 9:26 (NLT)
The City and the Temple referenced in this passage were destroyed in A.D. 70 by Titus and the Roman legions, but Titus was not the ruler referenced in this verse. Daniel 9:27 describes the ruler as one who will make a seven-year treaty with Israel, put an end to the sacrifices and offerings, and set up a sacrilegious object that causes desecration. These are events that will be fulfilled in the life of the Antichrist. According to Daniel, the Antichrist will come from among the people who destroyed the Temple. Therefore, we can be certain that the Antichrist will come from among the Roman people.
However, coming from among the Roman people does not automatically mean that the Antichrist will be of Italian heritage or Roman ethnicity. It simply means he must come from among those people who were part of the Roman Empire at that time. From an ethnic standpoint, this leaves the door open to countless possibilities. The Roman Empire covered most of the known world in its day, and Roman citizenship was extended to many non-Italian peoples. So how do we interpret this passage?
Most likely, Daniel 9:26 is a reference to the power base from which the Antichrist will operate. The Book of Daniel clearly states that the final world empire before the establishment of Christ’s Millennial Kingdom will be a resurrected form of the Roman Empire. In all likelihood, the Antichrist will be the ruler of this revived Roman Empire which will “devour the whole earth,” and in this way, Christians will be able to identify him as the Antichrist.
Is the Antichrist Syrian?
Daniel Chapter 8 provides us with further clues in regard to the life and times of the Antichrist. In it, the angel Gabriel explains Daniel’s vision of a Ram and Goat as events relating to the Greek Empire of Alexander the Great. In a claim verified by history, Gabriel states that following the death of Alexander, the empire will be divided into four parts. From one of those four parts, the Antichrist will arise:
“The shaggy male goat represents the king of the Greek Empire. The four prominent horns that replaced the one large horn show that the Greek Empire will break into four sections with four kings, none of them as great as the first. At the end of their rule, when their sin is at its height, a fierce king, a master of intrigue, will rise to power. He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause a shocking amount of destruction and succeed in everything he does. He will destroy powerful leaders and devastate the holy people.” Daniel 8:21-24 (NLT)
Daniel Chapter 11 provides an in-depth examination of the history of the breakup Alexander’s empire, describing historical events relating to the King of the North and the King of the South. The latter part of the chapter describes the Antichrist, identifying him with other historical figures who have held the title “King of the North.” This, along with the passage cited above, clearly links the Antichrist to the Northern Kingdom of the divided Greek Empire. This kingdom was ruled by one of Alexander’s generals, Seleucus, who ruled the areas of Syria, Mesopotamia, and Persia. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that the Antichrist will in some way be linked to this geographic area of the Middle East.
Isaiah Chapter 10
In addition to Daniel 8, the prophet Isaiah also offers some interesting insight concerning a “king of Assyria”:
“After the Lord has used the king of Assyria to accomplish his purposes in Jerusalem, he will turn against the king of Assyria and punish him – for he is proud and arrogant. He boasts, ‘By my own power and wisdom I have won these wars. By my own strength I have captured many lands, destroyed their kings, and carried off their treasures. By my greatness I have robbed their nests of riches and gathered up kingdoms as a farmer gathers eggs. No one can even flap a wing against me or utter a peep of protest.” Isaiah 10:12-14 (NLT)
Although not directly identified by Isaiah, this king of Assyria bears a striking resemblance to the Antichrist. Both the Book of Daniel and the Book of Revelation describe the Antichrist as proud and arrogant, boasting arrogantly and blaspheming God Himself. His boast that “no one can even flap a wing against me or utter a peep of protest” also fits the description of the Antichrist as given in the Book of Revelation:
“They worshiped the dragon for giving the beast such power, and they worshiped the beast. ‘Is there anyone as great as the beast?’ they exclaimed. ‘Who is able to fight against him?’” Revelation 13:4 (NLT)
Isaiah 10, coupled with Daniel 8, lends support to the idea that the Antichrist will somehow be connected to political power in this region of the world.
Is the Antichrist Jewish?
Is the Antichrist Jewish? Although there is no definitive answer, two Bible verses provide us with good reason to believe he will be. The first appears in the Book of Genesis when God prophesies the coming of Israel’s Messiah and Satan’s Antichrist.
“From now on, you and the woman will be enemies, and your offspring and her offspring will be enemies. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 3:15 (NLT)
Later on, when Jacob is blessing his sons, he makes this prophecy about Dan:
“Dan will govern his people like any other tribe in Israel. He will be a snake beside the road, a poisonous viper along the path, that bites the horse’s heels so the rider is thrown off.” Genesis 49:16-17 (NLT)
This reference to a serpent striking a heel may indicate that the Antichrist will be a Jew from the tribe of Dan, but it isn’t certain and many reasonable people are divided on this issue.
In addition to this reference to the tribe of Dan, the Book of Daniel points out that the Antichrist will worship himself above all else:
“Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.” Daniel 11:37 (KJV)
This passage is often referenced by those who believe the Antichrist will be of Jewish heritage. The fact that he will have no regard “for the God of his fathers” is viewed as a reference to the monotheistic God of the Jews.
Adding further fuel to speculation that the Antichrist might be Jewish is the following passage from the Book of Revelation:
“Then I saw another beast come up out of the earth. He had two horns like those of a lamb, and he spoke with the voice of a dragon.” Revelation 13:11 (NLT)
This verse states that the Antichrist will “come up out of the earth,” a biblical phrase often associated with the promised land and the Jewish people. Throughout the Old Testament, the earth is used as a symbol for Israel, while the sea is used as a symbol for the Gentile peoples:
“And now in my vision I saw 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.” Revelation 13:1 (NLT)
The verse above is a reference to the Antichrist’s kingdom, which as stated before, will be a revived form of the Roman Empire – thus emerging from among the Gentile people. But all the authority of this kingdom will be exercised by “the beast from the earth” referenced in Revelation 13:11:
“He exercised all the authority of the first beast. And he required all the earth and those who belong to this world to worship the first beast, who death-wound had been healed.” Revelation 13:12 (NLT)
The first beast, whose “death-wound had been healed,” is the revived Roman Empire. The Book of Daniel clearly states that this world empire will re-emerge in the last days, thus becoming healed of its mortal wound. But the one who rules it will “come up out of the earth.” Could this be a reference to the Antichrist’s Jewish heritage?
Will the Jews Accept the Antichrist as Messiah?
All the speculation surrounding the Antichrist’s possible Jewish heritage lends itself to another question: Will the Jews accept the Antichrist as their Messiah? Many believe that the following statement by Jesus is really a prophecy that the Jewish people will accept the Antichrist as their Messiah:
“I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.” John 5:43 (KJV)
The Antichrist would have to be Jewish in order to be accepted by Israel as the Messiah. Many believe this scripture points to a specific person in the future who will “come in his own name” and be accepted as the Redeemer of Israel.
Conclusion
It is an absolute certainty that the Antichrist will arrive on the world scene as the ruler of a revived Roman empire. However, it is less certain whether or not he will be of actual Italian descent or some other ethnic background. Several scriptures offer the possibility that he could be Assyrian, Greek, or Jewish. But none of them offer us the definitive statement contained in Daniel 9:26.
So how do we rectify these seemingly contradictory prophecies concerning the Antichrist’s nationality? Is he Roman? Italian? Jewish? Assyrian? Greek? He doesn’t necessarily have to be exclusively one or another. He could be an Assyrian Jew born and raised in Italy, or any number of possible combinations. We don’t know for certain, but history indicates that each of these prophecies will be harmonized when the Antichrist finally appears.
Two thousand years ago, the seemingly contradictory prophecies of the first coming of the Messiah were all harmonized in the life of Jesus Christ who was a Nazarene born in Bethlehem who came out of Egypt. With the benefit of hindsight, we can see how this was possible, but for the Jewish scholars who lived before the birth and ministry of Jesus, these prophecies were a topic of intense debate. Would the Messiah come from Nazareth, Bethlehem, or Egypt? The answer, of course, was all three.
In similar fashion, a debate continues today in regard to the prophecies of the Antichrist and his national identity. But no matter how much we speculate on the ultimate meaning of the scriptures, we won’t know the absolute truth until God’s appointed time. As such, it is wise to study these prophecies and teach them to others, so that Christians of the Antichrist’s generation will be able to positively identify him based on sound Scriptural evidence.
May the Lord Jesus Christ, upon His Return, find us actively engaged in teaching these truths to others. Until then, live with a patient and enduring faith that His Return is soon upon us.
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Pursuing goals of lasting value is the most important decision we can make in life. The things we desire in our youth often end up being a source of regret later in life. God's people seem to have no better sense when it comes to discerning goals that have lasting value.
Most Christians are so inactive in their spiritual life that they have no meaningful impact on the world. The largest religious group in the U.S. is evangelical Christians. The idea of being an "evangelical" is that you are some who shares your faith with anyone who has not heard the good news. Even among prophecy-minded evangelical Christians, there is a shortfall in the willingness to witness to the lost, and we are the ones with the added belief that time is short.
Someone who closely follows prophecy can be called a doomsdayer. According to the dictionary, this is "one given to forebodings and predictions of impending calamity." If you are a believer who looks for the Lord's return, you are doomsdayer. The Bible tells us that dire events will herald Jesus Christ's return for the Church. As a faithful servant, it wise to be tracking the signs of the time.
There is a problem with watchfulness when it's the only thing Christians do. The internet is full of prophecy sites that exclusively focus on world news. The operators of these sites spend all their time looking for events that might trigger the rapture or the tribulation.
Right now, the growing tension between Israel and the Syria , Iran and Hezbollah axis is the most closely watched flashpoint. Over past few months, I've read some rather ghoulish warmongering articles produced by some prophecy writers. One site sent out a notice that war was about to start because an eyewitness in Israel had said that Arab farmers in the Jordan Valley had fled their fields. It turns out that the person doing the observing had taken a windshield tour doing the heat of the day - a time when the farmers would regularly be inactive.
I'm sure many people were disappointed that Hurricane Dean struck sparsely populated areas of Mexico. If it had plowed into a large city and caused massive destruction, the general thinking is that the end-time clock would leap forward. Because God's control the timing of all events, it's a waste of time to wish for calamity to strike.
Someone might say, "Hey Todd, don't you focus on doom and gloom subjects in your daily news and various updates?" The answer is yes. We do more doomsday reporting than many sites put together. Our goal is to warn people to get ready.
The critical difference between RR and most other sites is that we also do the work of an evangelist. With more than 15,000 articles on the site, we reach tens thousand of people with gospel-based information. As you can see from our section called "The Newest Articles," we are constantly adding new material to the site.
I find that time flies when you stay focused on doing the Lord's work. The day Dean was bearing down on the Yucatan Peninsula, I was busy adding four new articles to the site. I saved time by letting the secular media give me the summation: Dean, third-most intense Atlantic hurricane event.
When the rapture takes place, Rapture Ready will have a huge share of the left-behind market. It will be largely due to the fact that Christians today are too fixated on matters that have temporal importance.
One of the reasons I post these reality checks a couple times each year is because I realize the need to remind you folks of your commitment to contributing to the Kingdom of God. Someday, we will all have to stand before the throne of God and answer that magic question, “What did you do in my name?"
To avoid embarrassment, every believer should wisely be doing something so he or she can instantly reply, "This is what I did, Lord..."
You don't need to help here at RR, but it's vital to be productive in some area. I firmly believe you would be hard-pressed to find a better investment than this site.
In whatever area God has blessed you, put it to good use. If God has blessed you with a wonderful testimony of salvation or deliverance, share it with others. If God has given you a skill for expounding on the Holy Word, open up Microsoft Word and get cracking. If God has monetarily blessed you, RR can certainly use your financial support.
"And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be" (Rev. 22:12).
-- Todd
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Enduring Not-So-Sound Doctrine
Strange doctrines, rather than sound doctrine, is observably the order of our time. This is true whether considering doctrines of political thought, or doctrine within the Bible. On the former, the Apostle Paul prophesies: “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (2 Tim. 3: 13).
Paul was foretelling a time just before the end of the Church Age and the return of Christ, when the world system will become worse on an ever-increasing scale. Reprobate and sin-deluded men, who lie to and seduce people around them, will be part of that growing evil. Their doctrines of devils will be manifest in their ideologies. Since the politicians –the governmental leaders—of the world-system have the greatest opportunities to influence the way societies and cultures are bent, we can see Paul’s prophecy as lumping these sorts at the very top of his forewarning.
Paul also gave a straightforward prophecy about certain religious leaders and people in general who would fall for their deception during that same end-of-days time frame: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Tim. 4:3-4).
Unfortunately, I must report a disturbing reality –as my duty as a "watchman on the wall” in these days, which I believe to be the end of the Church Age. This generation is in the midst of what looks to be a time of growing evidence of geopolitical doctrine of demons combining with religious doctrines of devils. It seems we are well into the period the Apostle Paul declared would be the end-time era when people would “not endure sound doctrine.”
Now, I must parse my words carefully, here, because they must not be perceived to be a condemnation of particular individuals. As a matter of fact, although I have come to see the two men I’ve chosen to include for purposes of pointing to diversion from sound doctrine, both geopolitically and religiously, as not the shining knights they might appear to many, I nonetheless believe them to be sincere, and well-meaning for the most part. I view them as caught blindly up in the delusions they now espouse/perpetrate/perpetuate.
For purposes of brevity, I wish to dwell upon one issue that brings the end-time delusion involved in departing from sound doctrine into focus. The state of modern Israel is that issue.
Former President Jimmy Carter, being invited by pastor Bill Hybels’ Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois, contains profound prophetic overtones. The invitation represents severe departure from scriptural truth for certain. Carter’s views and declarations have long since departed from sound American foreign policy doctrine.
The former president, invited to speak at the 2007 Leadership Summit by Hybels’ church (a thing unthinkable without Hybels’ complete endorsement), has, like so many within the international community, advocated remedies in the Middle East egregiously counter-productive to the modern state of Israel. Hybels, by welcoming Carter and his views within a church-sponsored venue, throws fuel on the fire of anti-Semitism in the already-troubled diplomatic waters of the “Holy Land.”
Eighty thousand are reported to have attended the event, speakers for which included in addition to Mr. Carter, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, author John Ortberg, and British management guru Marcus Buckingham. The presentation was beamed into 176 sites via audiovisual technology. Hybels’ church website demonstrates the heart of the problem of departure from sound biblical truth, even among self-proclaimed “evangelicals.” The website lauded Carter as one who has demonstrated his prowess as a master of conflict resolution, as well as one who provides much-needed diplomacy and does invaluable humanitarian work throughout the world.
The following opinion, I believe, is one upon which to cogitate these days, in which Israel is looking increasingly to fit the characteristics and geopolitical position on the end-time landscape, i.e., Israel is more and more looking to be the marginalized and ostracized nation prophesied by Zechariah in chapters 12 and 14.
"Jan Markell of Olive Tree Ministries takes issue with that assessment [that of Willow Creek Church’s website], noting that Carter has roamed the world delivering negative messages about America. ‘He stands up for dictators. He has not been pro-American in his diplomacy. He failed the Shah of Iran in 1979, which allowed Ayatollah Khomeini in, which resulted in our war on terror,’ she says. Markell says even some of his former staff members believe Carter is anti-Semitic. ‘That is why these 20 staff associates on the Carter Center staff resigned,’ she asserts. ‘They felt that [Carter's] book, Palestine--Peace, Not Apartheid, was just plain filled with, they said, “lies and fiction.” And many of them felt that Carter is just plain anti-Semitic,’ she adds. Markell says she cannot help but question the judgment of Hybels and Willow Creek for inviting someone like Carter to address the leadership conference…” (OneNewsNow.com, August 22, 2007.).
God’s dealing with the nation Israel is a massive part of His overall interaction with mankind. The truth involved within Jerusalem being the “apple of God’s eye,” and Abraham’s, Isaac’s, and Jacob’s progeny being central to the revelation and the wind-up of human history should be undeniable by true believers. But, as is demonstrated in this particular instance, Hybels’ approval of embracing those who, in effect, “curse” Israel, flies in the face of God Almighty. The action, for me, constitutes a possible fulfillment –in part at least—of Paul’s Holy Spirit-given prophecy that “the time will come when they will not endure strong doctrine.”
Certainly it appears these particular “evangelicals” are turning to a fable, exactly as prophesied –the fable that the land God promised Israel really belongs to the so-called "Palestinians.”
--Terry
The Singularity and The Second Coming In the near future, the technological advance of human civilization will become so rapid today’s human mind will be unable to comprehend its implications. The point in time at which this occurs is generally known as “the singularity,” and many believe it will usher in a new era for the human race. Throughout the world, many intellectuals and futurists have noted their belief in the nearness of the singularity, with quite a few predicting it will occur within our generation.
Jesus also foresaw the singularity, citing it as one of the foremost signs of the end of this age and the nearness of His Return.
The Singularity
So what is the singularity? And why is it any different from other events in human history? The singularity is a future point in time when societal, economic, and technological change increases at such a rapid pace that the unaided human mind cannot begin to imagine its implications.
The singularity is built on the concept that technological advance is not linear, but rather exponential. In other words, conventional wisdom (the linear view) holds that the next 100 years will bring the same amount of progress as the previous 100 years. However, those who predict the singularity (the exponential view) believe the next 100 years might possibly bring the equivalent of 20 or more 20th Centuries of progress.
Mere observation tends to support the exponential view of technological progress. For instance, the 20th Century brought more technological progress than the 19th Century. And the 1990’s brought more technological progress than the 1980’s. In fact, inventor Ray Kurzweil vividly illustrates the exponential increase in technology in his essay “The Law of Accelerating Returns“.
So if it’s true that the advance of technology is exponential in nature, so what? Hasn’t change been a part of the human condition for centuries?
Yes, change has always marked the times. But what makes the singularity different is the pace at which change will soon take place. The Industrial Revolution took place over the course of 200 to 250 years, during which the human race had adequate time to adjust to its widespread impact. However, the changes brought on by advanced technologies as we approach the singularity will be so rapid that changes equivalent in impact to the Industrial Revolution might well be forced on humanity within a two to three year period.
As a result of this exponential increase in technology (which includes computational power, advanced artificial intelligence, genetics, robotics, and molecular manufacturing), the current world power structure will be completely upended.
The Second Coming of Jesus Christ
As Christians, why should we care about the singularity? Shouldn’t we be focused on Jesus?
Although our trust should be completely in Jesus, it’s important to be aware of the singularity precisely because Jesus Himself pointed to the singularity as one of the foremost signs that His earthly Return and the establishment of His Millennial Kingdom are at hand. This revelation has been hidden in plain view of Christians for almost 2,000 years. Only now, in our generation, can we begin to fully comprehend the meaning of His words. In Matthew 24 (more generally known as the Olivet Discourse), His disciples asked Him to reveal the signs which would precede the end of the age and mark the moment of His Return. Jesus responded with the following statements:
“As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. ‘Tell us,’ they said, ‘when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?’ Jesus answered: ‘Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ, and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.’” Matthew 24:3-8 (NIV)
The various signs described by Jesus, which have occurred throughout history, will become more commonplace and more pronounced in the latter days, just prior to His Return. Jesus makes this clear in verse 8, when he equates these signs to “birth pains.”
This is one of the most important signs that the Glorious Appearing of Jesus Christ is close at hand – that the end times will be analogous to the birthing process. Jesus is clear that the signs He spoke of will be just like labor pains. So what does this mean? It means that, just like labor pains, the signs that mark the end of the age will appear with greater frequency and intensity as the end draws near.
This was a sign of such great importance that Jesus intentionally mentioned it first when answering his disciples’ questions. It is a sign equal in importance to the two monumental signs he mentions in the same conversation: the restoration of Israel as a nation (which has already happened) and the “abomination of desolation” (a still future event).
Wars, famines, earthquakes, pestilence, persecution and death of Christians, and the appearance of false prophets all mark the times in which we live. Since our generation has witnessed the reestablishment of Israel as a nation, we can be certain we live in the end times. As a result, each of the signs Jesus mentioned will occur with greater frequency and with greater intensity as His Coming draws near.
Signs of the Times
So how does this relate to the singularity? Jesus spoke about wars, earthquakes, and famines, but He didn’t say anything about technology.
Although Jesus didn’t specifically mention technology, He did point out an overall trend. He stated that certain signs would be just like labor pains, meaning they would occur with greater frequency and greater intensity as the birth (His Coming) drew near.
If you plot these two variables on a graph, having them increase over time, the end product would resemble an exponential curve. And the singularity is essentially an exponential curve. Jesus was pointing to the unprecedented nature of human events in the time just prior to His Return. The events which mark the times will resemble labor pains, meaning they will follow an exponential progression unique to our generation.
In addition, Jesus specifically mentions another sign:
“The time will come when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke about: the sacrilegious object that causes desecration standing in the Holy Place.” Matthew 24:15 (NLT)
In this verse, Jesus not only points out a specific sign, but He lets us know that the Book of Daniel is a credible source of information when it comes to the end times. As a result, we should expect that any signs of the end times mentioned by Daniel should also resemble labor pains. Does the Book of Daniel mention any specific signs relating to the end times? Yes, it does:
“But you, Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end. Many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase.” Daniel 12:4 (NLT) According to the Book of Daniel, two things will markedly increase just prior to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ:
1) Transportation
2) Knowledge
Not only will these signs increase, but they will do so exponentially. The labor pains analogy made by Jesus applies to these signs as well, meaning both the availability and power of transportation and knowledge will increase. Simple observation has shown this to be the case in the centuries since Jesus first spoke to His disciples.
The human knowledge base, transportation, and the pace of technological development are all increasing exponentially. Knowledge and transportation are widely available to both rich and poor now more than at any other time in human history. The power of knowledge and the speed of transportation have also increased markedly over the same time period. As they continue to increase in our time, humanity is fast approaching the event horizon known as the singularity. Jesus foresaw these events, and He clearly stated that these signs will herald His Second Coming.
Tribulation Unlike Anything the World Has Ever Seen
In addition to the aforementioned signs, Jesus told His disciples that just prior to His Return the world would experience a time of unprecedented tribulation that the world will never see again:
“Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. A person outside the house must not go inside to pack. A person in the field must not return even to get a coat. How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for mothers nursing their babies in those days. And pray that your flight will not be in winter or on the Sabbath. For that will be a time of greater horror than anything the world has ever seen or will ever see again.” Matthew 24:16-21 (NLT)
As the singularity approaches, advanced technologies will completely change the social, economic, and political power structure of the world. These changes will lead to unprecedented global tribulation as people struggle to deal with new generations of weapons, geopolitical upheaval, and massive unemployment.
As Mike Treder points out in his Future Brief article “A Global Surge Protector?”:
“Some refer to this as the next Industrial Revolution, and that is not an unreasonable comparison. The big difference, however, between previous industrial revolutions and the nanotech revolution is the time span covered. Steam engines, electricity, the automobile, telecommunications, computers: these all brought extreme transformations to society, but they each did so over a period of decades. When molecular manufacturing arrives, probably before 2020, a shock wave of change could reverberate around the world in only a year or two. Never before have disruptive impacts occurred so rapidly.”
The Transhumanist Movement
In preparation for the singularity, a new movement has emerged: the Transhumanist Movement. Calling themselves “singularitarians” and “transhumanists,” these people look forward to the singularity with a religious fervor. Many within the movement believe the singularity will lead to the emergence of “post-biological humans” who are able to shed their biological bodies and “upgrade their hardware.” Many believe that by downloading themselves into a network, they will effectively become “immortal.”
The bible points to a future time when the human race will have the audacity to directly challenge Jesus Christ in battle. By gathering their armies at Armageddon, the human race will attempt to “break the chains of God and set themselves free from His bondage.” Psalm 2 describes this monumental act of arrogance:
“Why do the nations rage? Why do the people waste their time with futile plans? The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the Lord and against His Anointed One. ‘Let us break their chains,’ they cry. ‘And free ourselves from this slavery.’ But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them.” Psalm 2:1-4 (NLT)
In the New Testament, in the same passage where Jesus describes the signs of His Coming to the disciples, He makes an interesting statement in light of our times:
“And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” Matthew 24:22 (KJV)
Through the centuries, this verse has been interpreted to mean that the Second Coming of Christ will arrive just before the human race managed to destroy itself, meaning the human race would cease to exist. However, it could mean that “no flesh will be saved” because the human race will transform itself into a race of “post-biological humans” intent on reshaping the universe according their own desires.
Given the history of human rebellion against God, it would be unwise to discount this possibility.
Conclusion
Regardless of whether or not speculations surrounding the technological singularity turn out to be reality or mere fantasy, Jesus Christ clearly communicated to His disciples that the times just prior to His Coming would resemble labor pains. As the hour of His Return draws near, the signs of the times will appear with greater frequency and intensity, reaching their climax at the Glorious Appearing. Given the abundance of evidence pointing to His imminent return, we should follow the command of Jesus to be watchful and alert, prepared at all times for His Return.
Furthermore, we should present this evidence to our friends and families, so that they too might share in the hope that is Jesus Christ. For the hour of His arrival is near, and a special crown awaits all those who eagerly anticipate His glorious return:
“And now the prize awaits me – the crown of righteousness that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that great day of his return. And the prize is not just for me, but for all who eagerly look forward to his glorious return.” 2 Timothy 4:8 (NLT)
Britt Gillette is founder of BrittGillette.Com, a website examining the relationship between bible prophecy and emerging trends in technology. For more information or to sign up for his email alerts, please visit http://www.brittgillette.com
The Nationality of the Antichrist
One of the great mysteries concerning bible prophecy and the end times is the national identity of the Antichrist. This is an important topic because it will eventually aid the last days generation of Christians in the correct identification of the Antichrist. Fortunately, the Bible provides us with several details regarding the nationalistic origins of this sinister personality.
His Roman Nationality
Although much debate surrounds his national identity, the Book of Daniel clearly states that the Antichrist will come from among the people whose armies destroy the Temple.
“A ruler will arise whose armies will destroy the city and the Temple.” Daniel 9:26 (NLT)
The City and the Temple referenced in this passage were destroyed in A.D. 70 by Titus and the Roman legions, but Titus was not the ruler referenced in this verse. Daniel 9:27 describes the ruler as one who will make a seven-year treaty with Israel, put an end to the sacrifices and offerings, and set up a sacrilegious object that causes desecration. These are events that will be fulfilled in the life of the Antichrist. According to Daniel, the Antichrist will come from among the people who destroyed the Temple. Therefore, we can be certain that the Antichrist will come from among the Roman people.
However, coming from among the Roman people does not automatically mean that the Antichrist will be of Italian heritage or Roman ethnicity. It simply means he must come from among those people who were part of the Roman Empire at that time. From an ethnic standpoint, this leaves the door open to countless possibilities. The Roman Empire covered most of the known world in its day, and Roman citizenship was extended to many non-Italian peoples. So how do we interpret this passage?
Most likely, Daniel 9:26 is a reference to the power base from which the Antichrist will operate. The Book of Daniel clearly states that the final world empire before the establishment of Christ’s Millennial Kingdom will be a resurrected form of the Roman Empire. In all likelihood, the Antichrist will be the ruler of this revived Roman Empire which will “devour the whole earth,” and in this way, Christians will be able to identify him as the Antichrist.
Is the Antichrist Syrian?
Daniel Chapter 8 provides us with further clues in regard to the life and times of the Antichrist. In it, the angel Gabriel explains Daniel’s vision of a Ram and Goat as events relating to the Greek Empire of Alexander the Great. In a claim verified by history, Gabriel states that following the death of Alexander, the empire will be divided into four parts. From one of those four parts, the Antichrist will arise:
“The shaggy male goat represents the king of the Greek Empire. The four prominent horns that replaced the one large horn show that the Greek Empire will break into four sections with four kings, none of them as great as the first. At the end of their rule, when their sin is at its height, a fierce king, a master of intrigue, will rise to power. He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause a shocking amount of destruction and succeed in everything he does. He will destroy powerful leaders and devastate the holy people.” Daniel 8:21-24 (NLT)
Daniel Chapter 11 provides an in-depth examination of the history of the breakup Alexander’s empire, describing historical events relating to the King of the North and the King of the South. The latter part of the chapter describes the Antichrist, identifying him with other historical figures who have held the title “King of the North.” This, along with the passage cited above, clearly links the Antichrist to the Northern Kingdom of the divided Greek Empire. This kingdom was ruled by one of Alexander’s generals, Seleucus, who ruled the areas of Syria, Mesopotamia, and Persia. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that the Antichrist will in some way be linked to this geographic area of the Middle East.
Isaiah Chapter 10
In addition to Daniel 8, the prophet Isaiah also offers some interesting insight concerning a “king of Assyria”:
“After the Lord has used the king of Assyria to accomplish his purposes in Jerusalem, he will turn against the king of Assyria and punish him – for he is proud and arrogant. He boasts, ‘By my own power and wisdom I have won these wars. By my own strength I have captured many lands, destroyed their kings, and carried off their treasures. By my greatness I have robbed their nests of riches and gathered up kingdoms as a farmer gathers eggs. No one can even flap a wing against me or utter a peep of protest.” Isaiah 10:12-14 (NLT)
Although not directly identified by Isaiah, this king of Assyria bears a striking resemblance to the Antichrist. Both the Book of Daniel and the Book of Revelation describe the Antichrist as proud and arrogant, boasting arrogantly and blaspheming God Himself. His boast that “no one can even flap a wing against me or utter a peep of protest” also fits the description of the Antichrist as given in the Book of Revelation:
“They worshiped the dragon for giving the beast such power, and they worshiped the beast. ‘Is there anyone as great as the beast?’ they exclaimed. ‘Who is able to fight against him?’” Revelation 13:4 (NLT)
Isaiah 10, coupled with Daniel 8, lends support to the idea that the Antichrist will somehow be connected to political power in this region of the world.
Is the Antichrist Jewish?
Is the Antichrist Jewish? Although there is no definitive answer, two Bible verses provide us with good reason to believe he will be. The first appears in the Book of Genesis when God prophesies the coming of Israel’s Messiah and Satan’s Antichrist.
“From now on, you and the woman will be enemies, and your offspring and her offspring will be enemies. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 3:15 (NLT)
Later on, when Jacob is blessing his sons, he makes this prophecy about Dan:
“Dan will govern his people like any other tribe in Israel. He will be a snake beside the road, a poisonous viper along the path, that bites the horse’s heels so the rider is thrown off.” Genesis 49:16-17 (NLT)
This reference to a serpent striking a heel may indicate that the Antichrist will be a Jew from the tribe of Dan, but it isn’t certain and many reasonable people are divided on this issue.
In addition to this reference to the tribe of Dan, the Book of Daniel points out that the Antichrist will worship himself above all else:
“Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.” Daniel 11:37 (KJV)
This passage is often referenced by those who believe the Antichrist will be of Jewish heritage. The fact that he will have no regard “for the God of his fathers” is viewed as a reference to the monotheistic God of the Jews.
Adding further fuel to speculation that the Antichrist might be Jewish is the following passage from the Book of Revelation:
“Then I saw another beast come up out of the earth. He had two horns like those of a lamb, and he spoke with the voice of a dragon.” Revelation 13:11 (NLT)
This verse states that the Antichrist will “come up out of the earth,” a biblical phrase often associated with the promised land and the Jewish people. Throughout the Old Testament, the earth is used as a symbol for Israel, while the sea is used as a symbol for the Gentile peoples:
“And now in my vision I saw 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.” Revelation 13:1 (NLT)
The verse above is a reference to the Antichrist’s kingdom, which as stated before, will be a revived form of the Roman Empire – thus emerging from among the Gentile people. But all the authority of this kingdom will be exercised by “the beast from the earth” referenced in Revelation 13:11:
“He exercised all the authority of the first beast. And he required all the earth and those who belong to this world to worship the first beast, who death-wound had been healed.” Revelation 13:12 (NLT)
The first beast, whose “death-wound had been healed,” is the revived Roman Empire. The Book of Daniel clearly states that this world empire will re-emerge in the last days, thus becoming healed of its mortal wound. But the one who rules it will “come up out of the earth.” Could this be a reference to the Antichrist’s Jewish heritage?
Will the Jews Accept the Antichrist as Messiah?
All the speculation surrounding the Antichrist’s possible Jewish heritage lends itself to another question: Will the Jews accept the Antichrist as their Messiah? Many believe that the following statement by Jesus is really a prophecy that the Jewish people will accept the Antichrist as their Messiah:
“I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.” John 5:43 (KJV)
The Antichrist would have to be Jewish in order to be accepted by Israel as the Messiah. Many believe this scripture points to a specific person in the future who will “come in his own name” and be accepted as the Redeemer of Israel.
Conclusion
It is an absolute certainty that the Antichrist will arrive on the world scene as the ruler of a revived Roman empire. However, it is less certain whether or not he will be of actual Italian descent or some other ethnic background. Several scriptures offer the possibility that he could be Assyrian, Greek, or Jewish. But none of them offer us the definitive statement contained in Daniel 9:26.
So how do we rectify these seemingly contradictory prophecies concerning the Antichrist’s nationality? Is he Roman? Italian? Jewish? Assyrian? Greek? He doesn’t necessarily have to be exclusively one or another. He could be an Assyrian Jew born and raised in Italy, or any number of possible combinations. We don’t know for certain, but history indicates that each of these prophecies will be harmonized when the Antichrist finally appears.
Two thousand years ago, the seemingly contradictory prophecies of the first coming of the Messiah were all harmonized in the life of Jesus Christ who was a Nazarene born in Bethlehem who came out of Egypt. With the benefit of hindsight, we can see how this was possible, but for the Jewish scholars who lived before the birth and ministry of Jesus, these prophecies were a topic of intense debate. Would the Messiah come from Nazareth, Bethlehem, or Egypt? The answer, of course, was all three.
In similar fashion, a debate continues today in regard to the prophecies of the Antichrist and his national identity. But no matter how much we speculate on the ultimate meaning of the scriptures, we won’t know the absolute truth until God’s appointed time. As such, it is wise to study these prophecies and teach them to others, so that Christians of the Antichrist’s generation will be able to positively identify him based on sound Scriptural evidence.
May the Lord Jesus Christ, upon His Return, find us actively engaged in teaching these truths to others. Until then, live with a patient and enduring faith that His Return is soon upon us.
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