I have one maxim when it comes to Satan: He is a clever and cunning fellow. Put another way, he is NOT stupid. An always popular topic among Christians is the “Antichrist.” Who is he? When will he appear? What should we expect? And so on… I contend that, if Satan truly is a clever and cunning fellow, he will do the unexpected.
When I was 16 years old, I met a very intense young Christian. I always remembered his warning. If you are looking for an Antichrist who is a Hitler-like figure foaming-at-the-mouth and brandishing a 666-branding iron, you will be snookered. You are looking in all the wrong places.
In the book of Revelation, the “beast from the sea” uses its power to “wage war against the saints, and to overcome them”; that is, to kill them. If the “Dragon” cannot overcome you through deception and false prophets, well, execution always is a quicker and more permanent solution. But the focus in the book is NOT on how the “beast” engages the wider world, but on its determination to destroy the “saints” – those “who follow the Lamb wherever he goes.”
In the popular interpretation, the Antichrist is a global political and military leader who uses overwhelming military and economic power to impose his will on other nations, groups, and “peoples.” Whether this understanding is correct, already there is an “entity” on the world scene that uses its vast military and economic might to impose its will, policies and agendas on other nations, governments, groups, and even individuals.
I do not know whether the popular interpretation of the “beast” will prove correct, or whether we are close enough to the end of the age for this prophecy to begin to unfold. However, if the popular view is correct, well, already there is a very viable and plausible candidate on the world scene, one that fits the popular expectation ‘to a T.’ And there is one, and ONLY ONE, organization on the near horizon that does so.
Maybe if we spent more time monitoring international affairs, we would perceive the danger. I am not going to name this “entity.” I remain unsure about how all this will fit together, so it would be premature to do so. However, it does not take a rocket scientist to figure this out, let alone one of today’s self-anointed prophets, whether true, false, or simply “mistaken.” The real danger is that a great many Christians have already compromised and even allied with this “beast.”
What I am saying is this – In addition to becoming “wise as serpents” – (again, “he” is NOT stupid) – and “gentle as doves” – (stress on “becoming”) – we need to decide exactly where and in whom have we placed our loyalty.
Jesus is the ABSOLUTE Lord of the entire Cosmos. His kingdom is not a “democracy”; he does not run for election or rule by consensus. In his realm, there is no concept of “dual citizenship” or room for split loyalties. Historically, governments did not persecute Christians over doctrinal disputes, but because Christians gave their total allegiance to Jesus. “Caesar is Lord!” “No,” the Christian responded, “Jesus alone is Lord.” Hitler did not care whether you were a Calvinist or not, only that you declared him alone “The Leader.”
In the book of Revelation, humanity is divided into two and only two groups – Those who render homage to the “beast,” and those who “follow the Lamb wherever he goes.” There is no third alternative – no neutral ground. If you do not follow the Lamb “wherever he goes,” you take the “mark of the beast” and your name is erased from the “Lamb’s book of life.” Instead of trying to decode the number ‘666’ or worry about barcodes and microchips, we need to prioritize “following the Lamb wherever he goes” – Stress on the “wherever he goes,” which often means to places we would prefer to avoid.
Ironically, many church leaders declare that the real battle for Christians is against “spiritual forces in high places,” that the weapons of our warfare are “spiritual,” not “carnal.” Yet almost immediately they turn to the most carnal and corrupt system on the face of the earth, using its carnal means to work for the “meat that perishes.” This is extremely dangerous. When Jesus returns at the end of the age, only ONE kingdom will be left standing – HIS. We better be sure whose side we are on before that day arrives.
I mean, Satan, that clever fellow, tempted Jesus with absolute political power, yet he refused it. What did he know that we do not? Why was it NOT okay for God’s designated king to use the political forces of this fallen age, but it is perfectly fine for us, maybe even obligatory?
One day, probably sooner than later, this “beast” that has already “ascended from the sea,” will turn and bite a great many of us on the backside.
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Insights into Bible Prophecy 