THE ANTICHRIST IS COMING

John wrote of the coming of such an ultra-evil person and even several people as the antichrist, mentioned in both I and II John.  He wrote, “… it is the last time: and as you have heard that antichrists shall come …” (I John 2:18), and he intensifies the warning, pointing out, “… This is the spirit of the antichrist … even now is already in the world.” (I John 4:3, NIV)  Do we take it seriously?

At this moment in history, with evil alliances forming and war being fought and threats of worse to come, it seems to be vividly spelled out in John’s writing in Scripture.  And hanging in the background of those two verses is even something just as or more frightening and pointing to authoritarian regimes to come.  For example, facial recognition technology, iPhone services, drone development, social networks, and all kinds of cyber-tools to trace our every step.  These things make the emergence of the antichrist far more believable from a logical framework than ever before.  “What does it point to?” we ask.  The controlling power over the masses, making authoritarian power far more likely and even controlling much of the earth more efficient.  And, not to be political, but the ending of a democratic system, it’s all becoming something of the past—all of these things and more are coming.  Who can doubt “it is the last time”?

And now international pandemics and plagues like COVID and the omicron variant; even as I write, some 370 million people in China are in forced lockdown!  And then other kinds of deadly viruses mutate globally; what comes next?  And now, artificial intelligence arises!

So then, we are contending with something more powerful and uncontrollable than we have ever known.  There are now systems in place more powerful than one could ever have anticipated in our childhood—now it’s part of 21^st century life.  It has put all of mankind into a “worry mindset” about continual instability worldwide and continual control of all of us. Every corner of the world is now affected.

And those words in the Book of Revelation that seemed so far-fetched just a few years ago, now so very possible today, “He required everyone … to be tattooed with a certain mark … And no one could get a job or even buy in any store without the permit of that mark … or the code number of his name … the numerical values of the letters in his name add to 666!” (Revelation 13:16-18, TLB)

Just recently, Michael and Jan walked through the huge international airport in London; millions pass through it every year.  As they came to go through Customs, there was only a momentary pause before the gate opened.  Why?  Because in less than forty seconds their faces were recognized!  How very efficient, and how very dangerous that system could be in the wrong hands.  The antichrist’s taking advantage of all this technology and using it for control of the masses—this is no longer a religious idea that is, at best, remotely possible, but, as John said, “already in the world.”  Let all this stop us to think seriously!

It is becoming a world hubbed around false news, lies and corruption in high places—the rot has started to show—the antichrist cometh!  And it is, frankly, impossible to exaggerate how incompetent and unaware leaders, once trusted to lead, now are. Believe me, reading the books John wrote under God’s guidance has never been more timely.

The antichrist is hidden, but here.  He is cruel, iron-fisted but eager to take control of people.  Even now, internationally there are evil people who boldly claim to have the right to be “presidents-for-life.”  All are potential antichrists.  The systems are now firmly in place that defy censorship and represent high-coercion authoritarian systems.

No assurances are trustworthy outside of Bible promises; that should not be hard to believe for anyone today!  So, what is positive in all this?  The answer is found in chapter 14 of Revelation, “Let this encourage God’s people to endure patiently every trial and persecution, for they are his saints who remain firm to the end in obedience to his commands and trust in Jesus.” (verse 12, TLB)

There are the commonly quoted verses from Hebrews 13, “… here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.” (verses 14-15)  And then let us all recall this, “… ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:5-6, NIV)

John tells us this:  “And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.” (I John 2:28, NIV)  John goes on to add the practical way to prepare for the last days, “Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.” (I John 3:21-22)

As the Book of Revelation closes, we find these words, “… God, who tells his prophets what the future holds, has sent his angel to tell you this will happen soon. Blessed are those who believe it and all else written in the scroll.” (Revelation 22:6-7, TLB)  And finally this: “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen!” (Revelation 22:20-21, TLB)