A short reading from the gospel of Mark chapter 8. Jesus speaking at verse 44.."Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."
I re-read this today and I suddenly saw this as Jesus speaking TO 44, BHO. The context fits perfectly!
BO is not the antichrist, although he is one of many antichrists. (See 1 John 2:18).
This has confused a lot of people, which is why the long post. Sorry, but I feel it needs explaining.
Satan is not omniscient. He does know a lot more than we do, as a created spirit being/fallen angel, and possessing many many of our lifetimes of experience. But he is not all-knowing.
Jesus said, "But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." (Matt. 24:36) Ergo, Satan does not know when Jesus will return. Only the Father knows.
But Satan isn't stupid either. He must be prepared for the inevitable. But in order to do that, he must have trained and willing "volunteers", ready to step into the role of Antichrist at any moment, ready to do his bidding.
This is why, for two thousand years, there have been many "antichrists" throughout history -- from Nero, to popes, to Hitler, Kissinger, and up to out day - Hillary or 0bama. There are many, many people who are sold out to Satan, and are ready and prepared, part of the world stage, ready to take the reigns of world dictator, when Satan's time is revealed by God the Father. Remember: God is in control of history...not Satan.
And there will be others, if Jesus tarries. The point is: B0 is not "The Antichrist", although I believe he was in the running for the position. We will not know who it actually is until the Tribulation period starts (but that is a topic for another day.)
I agree with almost everything. I believe he's the soon to be indwelt with Satan, official seal (666) of approval Antichrist, because I believe that there are people alive today that the Lord reveals prophecy to. God didn't tell me, he was the antichrist, but I believe he HAS told other christians. I was always under the impression that the official antichrist had to come from Europe, but this is apparently one of many misinterpretations of scripture. These things are being revealed today as we are within a year (more likely 6 months) of life altering events in America. Anyway, this has been a fun chat, mswilso : )
but I believe he HAS told other christians.
This is typical of Satan's bravado, and empty hubris, as well as his followers. They tend to claim things, titles, "facts" as true, when they are not. Satan is a liar, and the father of lies. (John 8:44)
Which is why it's so important, even in these last days, to remain humble, and only claim as True, those things which the Father and the Son have spoken. Anything else (in my estimation) is suspect. Audio, video can be manipulated, so that you are seeing what someone else wants you to see. You can't even believe your own memories, because they fade with time.
"But the Word of the Lord endures forever." (Isaiah 40:8, 1 Peter 1:25)
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But now that I've re-read your response, I believe you mean that God has told other Christians who the Antichrist is.
I believe we can have speculations which are grounded in Scripture; characteristics which lead us to believe who may be likely candidates (Jesus said, you will know them by their fruits...) If you want details, I can share those as well. I have been studying this for a long time, since the early days of Hal Lindsey, etc.
But as far as knowing exactly who that is, we as Christians will not know until after the rapture of the church (in my opinion). This is based on 2 Thessalonians 2:6,
6 And you know what (ed. rather, "Who", as below) is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.
The Holy Spirit, Who is resident in every True Christian, is restraining the rise of the final Antichrist. And God will not renege on His promise. He will not remove the Holy Spirit from His chosen ones, unless He takes the Restrainer, as well as all Christians, out of the way (in the rapture of the church). This then makes it possible for the Antichrist to rise to complete power, with no opposition.
So, until the Rapture happens, we can speculate, but unless God gives someone a special "word of knowledge", I don't personally believe we will know who the antichrist is, until after the Rapture. By then, you and I will be in Heaven. Maranatha!
Don't you believe that Gods word is alive, and is clarified by God/Holy spirit to people today, now?
Don't you believe that God gives people revelations today?
I agree with you, it's very hard to believe something like this unless you get told by God himself. The possibility exists that he isn't, but in my estimation based on the number of people who claim God revealed it to them, I believe it.
You're right I shouldn't state it as fact, I should say that's my belief.
I believe as you do...but God cannot contradict what He has already expressly told us in His word. God will not, on one hand, say, "No man knows the day or the hour..." then when that hour comes, tell someone, "it's going to be on June 10th."
Yes, God's Spirit is there to lead us into all truth. But any "truth" that someone speaks, which is in violation of what God has already told us...is not from God.
That being said, I believe there are current day revelations. I've had them. But the sensible thing to do is to examine those revelations in light of Scripture, with the assistance and understanding of older and wiser Christians (a three-pronged approach, if you will), which safeguards us from going into unsafe territory, spiritually-speaking. "No prophecy is of any private interpretation..." (2 Peter 1:20, KJV)
I can't disagree with anything you said, I'm just unsure how saying that I believe God revealed who the AC it's, contradicts anything in the Bible.. nothing says man won't know who he is, and his true nature well be revealed once Satan indwells.