“I have
come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his
own name, him you will receive." John
5:43 NKJV
I
have been surprised in the past few years by what many might consider an
obsession by some to positively identify the coming world leader most commonly
called the antichrist. In many ways, it
might seem appropriate given the times in which we live, and the overwhelming
evidence which is pointing to the nearness of the rapture of the Church. Many very knowledgeable Bible scholars have
suggested that whoever this person is, he is alive and well and more than
likely a prominent individual active on the world political stage. Yet I also believe it is a fruitless endeavor
to attempt to identify him simply because the Bible makes it clear that his
identity will not be positively revealed until he tries to convince the world
that he is God.
"Let no
one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling
away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and
exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he
sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God." 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 NKJV
This
event occurs halfway through the seven year tribulation period so the question
which should be on everyone’s mind is why is he not recognized before
then? I cannot say for certain that this
man of sin is who Jesus is referring to in the passage from John, but the fact
that this coming world ruler will be not only received with open arms, but
embraced as the answer to all the world’s problems should certainly give one pause
for thought. There is obviously
something about this individual which makes him stand out from the other
leaders of the time, and the result is that he will succeed in gathering a
following which will propel him to a position of immense power.
"Do you
not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?" 2 Thessalonians 2:5 NKJV
The
fact that Paul had already taught the believers in this church about the
antichrist raises a question many people overlook which is simply this; where
did Paul learn about this man of sin?
Now you could certainly say that that it was part of the teaching he
received from the Holy Spirit, but I would also like to suggest that it might
have come from studying the book of Daniel which was readily available to him
when he studied as a young man in the synagogue. Remember what Paul said in his own words;
“I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of
Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according
to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all
are today." Acts 22:3 NKJV
So
then does it not make sense that Paul knew what Daniel had written concerning
this coming world ruler, and that he used that knowledge to teach the church at
Thessalonica? Whether that assumption is
true or not, the fact remains that Daniel was the first to give us a detailed
description of this individual and of his future attempt to conquer the
world. With this in mind I thought we
could spend a little time in examining what Daniel told us about him, not to
try and identify who he might be but rather with the idea of becoming familiar
with what he is like and how he is able to do what he will eventually do.
"I
considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little
horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots:
and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking
great things." Daniel 7:8 NKJV
Here
Daniel introduces us to this coming man of sin by calling him the “little
horn”. In the Bible, a horn is used to
signify a strong ruler and in this verse it would seem applicable because the
first thing he does is uproot three other horns as he starts to consolidate his
power. Most scholars agree that the
scenario here is that this leader demonstrates his power by conquering three of
the ten kingdoms (plucked up by the roots) and the remaining seven simply
capitulate because they believe resistance is futile. Obviously he has an agenda and his intent is
for it to culminate in world domination.
I
find it curious too that we are given descriptions which not only give insight
into his physical appearance but personality as well. Remember we have already found that a horn
signifies a strong ruler, yet notice also the passage mentions his eyes and his
mouth. Eyes signify intelligence and
insight, along with a shrewd and clever personality which can deceive. Also the
mouth which can speak “great things” which people will
find attractive and believable, but in the end will be misleading and
deceitful. Remember his ultimate goal is
to rule the entire world, so anything he says or does is to that end.
"The
coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power,
signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who
perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be
saved. And for this reason God will send
them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie," 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11 NKJV
In
the end, after all is said and done, you have to ask yourself why in the world
do people accept this man of sin as their leader and embrace him with open
arms? Is he really so deceitful that the
world is completely taken in by his lies and deception or is something else
going on here? A fact sometimes
overlooked is that this man of sin somehow manages to rise from whatever
position he now holds to the absolute ruler of the entire world in only three
and one half years, when he sits in the temple and proclaims himself to be
God! Looking at the world as it is today,
most if not all would say that the chances of that ever happening are virtually
impossible. Yet the Bible tells us it
will happen, and many are convinced that it is going to happen very soon.
So
just how is it that the coming man of sin is able to accomplish the
impossible? I think from what we find in
scripture it would be safe to say he has a little help, whether or not he
realizes it at the time. Next week we will
explore that question, and the answer might not be as simple as you believe.
Keep
watching.
