Rise of the Antichrist

Week two in the church-wide study of the end times. This week: the rise of the antichrist. The spirit of the antichrist is already in the world.

1 John 4:1-6 - Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you will know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world: therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them.

1 John 2:18 - Children it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know it is the last hour.

While reading the following passage focus not on what's unclear, but what is clear - which is a lot.

Rev 13:1-10 - And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear's, and its mouth was like a lion's mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. And they worshipped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshipped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?"

And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming His name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all who dwell on earth will worship it, and everyone who has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. If anyone has an ear, let him hear.

If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes, if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for endurance and faith for the saints.

God is sovereign - is was God who allowed the beast to have the authority, but only for a season. The dragon is Satan, and the heads have been determined to be certain nations.

Believers have hope and are encouraged to stand strong.

The saints won't worship the beast because they've been given a heart for Jesus. Always examine your heart. Obedience happens when my heart is in the right place - focused on Jesus. The choices I make when my heart is in the right place should be so much better than the ones I used to make.

The call to endure - grab hold of the promise: the Lord is faithful and will help you endure.

Bible engagement is the best way to grow in Christ, according to a ten year study.

Pray for discernment that we would not be deceived by the spirit of the antichrist that is present in all who deny Jesus is the Messiah.

Pray for a spirit of courage and faith for all believers as we get closer to the presence of the actual antichrist.

Grant is love for those who live out false doctrines and deny Jesus as Lord; give opportunities for gospel conversations with those who are far from God.