The Weblog of Trenton & Nichole Adams

The Anti-Christ of the END

For quite some time, I've been wanting to put scriptures together about the Anti-Christ. I have never had the motivation to do so. But, recently there were some discussions happening on a forum, which made me get a lot of what I know about the Anti-Christ together. So, this is the fruit of that. Keep in mind that I haven't followed any post-trib rapture believers writing's on this topic, until after I had a firm understanding on all of this for myself. I have done my best to keep myself untainted.

I try to focus mostly on the Anti-Christ (it hurts to say that LOL ), as that is what this is about. But, some other scriptures are relevant to the end times, and help with some understanding. Keep in mind that it's very important that this be studied very thoroughly, in conjunction with the scriptures provided. This will help with your understanding of what I'm saying. I also ask that you try and put the preconceptions, that you might have, away for awhile, and try and look at the end times from a whole new perspective.

Luke 21:36 (KJV) Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

This can be linked to Revelation 22:18, in that those who are not accounted worthy to escape these things, will suffer them. That includes both sinners, and at the very least, those who add to the book of revelation. We can also link this verse to Revelation 12:6,17, as I believe the Lord will protect some of us, in the wilderness.

Just as in the past, God is going to save His people from the wrath to come, by keeping them in the world. Noah and lot were not taken out of the World, but they were saved from the evil. Yashua specifically prayed to the father, not that we would be taken out of the world, but that we would be kept from the evil. See John 17:14-16. The word evil is defined as troubles such as peril, labours, toils, annoyances, etc (see G4190).

I believe that He spoke this, to show that we would be kept during the hour of temptation that shall come upon the whole world, not taken out of it. Some say that Lot was taken out of danger's way, and that's why we will be. First off, just because something happened in the bible, does not mean it sets the stage for it to happen again. Secondly, I happened to notice, when looking up the scriptures about Lot and his family, that Lot's wife simply "looked" back. If you look at the original Hebrew definition of that word, it actually is simply to gaze, or behold, whatever it is. So, if she was destroyed, and Lot and his two daughters were not, then why? It appears that Lot was actually protected supernaturally. If you read a few verses prior, the angels had originally told Lot to flee over the mountains. But he wanted to stay in the plain. Now, why flee over the mountains? Would it not make sense that when a massive city destruction happens like that, that there would be some fall out, and the mountains would provide protection? Well, instead of that, the angels allowed him to stay in the plains, and God still saved him, even though he appeared to be at ground zero. Of course, it's really hard to know for sure, but it certainly is a thought.

If you read Revelation 3:10, and look up the word "kept", it is defined as "to guard", or to keep by military force. There is a very good reason that it was translated the way it was. Namely because the pre-trib idea of being caught up before the trouble that comes upon the land, cannot possibly be attributed to this scripture. I believe He is eluding to the fact that He will keep us by spiritual military force. In other words, the angels of heaven will be given charge over us. No one can harm us, except we be appointed by the Father to suffer for His name. The plagues will not touch us either. But, remember, that was only one of the letters to the churches, not all of them. Not all Christian will escape persecution, or even the plagues (see Revelation 22:18). Remember though, this is the God who overthrew Soddom and Gomorrah, divided the red sea with a wall of water on either side, destroyed Israel's enemies with angelic hosts so that Israel would not have to lift a finger to fight, wrote on tables of stone, and many other amazing and wonderful works. Is it so hard to believe that my God will protect us AMIDST THE EVIL?

Isaiah 26:19-21 (KJV) Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead 20Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. 21For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.

Above, the scripture very much seems to be talking about the outpouring of God's wrath in Revelation, when the 7 vials are released upon the earth. There have also been numerous people who have had dreams and visions of the end. And in them, they are shown how God keeps them in the hour of trial, and does not take them out of it.

Furthermore Daniel says that we go through the tribulation. It very specifically says that the anti-Christ wears out the saints of the most High. It also says that he prevails against them. Then it goes on to say that this all happens in order to purge them, and to make them white. For the sake of understanding the connections between scriptures, we must look at some scriptures related to the anti-Christ, which are all talking about the same time period. Some of the scriptures, regarding the anti-Christ, that are DIRECTLY connected with the VERY end, and are listed below, are in Daniel 2:44-45, Daniel 7:8-10, Daniel 7:19-22, Daniel 7:25, Daniel 11:45-12:3 and 2 Thessalonians 2:8

Daniel 2:44-45 (KJV) And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. 45Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.	Daniel 7:8-10 (KJV) 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. 9I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. 10A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.
Daniel 7:19-22 (KJV) Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet; 20And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows. 21I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; 22Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.	Daniel 7:25 (KJV) And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
Daniel 11:35 (KJV) And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed	Daniel 11:45-12:3 (KJV) And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him. 1And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. 2And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
2 Thessalonians 2:8 (KJV) And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:	Mark 13:14-16 (KJV) But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains: 15And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house: 16And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.

There are some very specific points that are important to make regarding the above scriptures. I will proceed to show the connections between these scriptures.

1. All of these are referring to the time of the VERY END
2. Some of them are directly connected by this man who has a mouth speaking great things, against the God of heaven. This is important because it links them all together, showing that Paul was speaking about the same man (2 Thessalonians 2) as portrayed in Daniel.
3. It's important to note that the anti-Christ is given/allowed the power to overcome the saints until the very end (Daniel 7:21-22). This happens during the last three and a half years of the tribulation (Daniel 7:25).

Now, we know the anti-Christ is revealed before we get out of here, and is destroyed at the brightness of His coming, when the stone of Daniel 2 smashes the image. Paul says it very clearly, and he's only teaching from what is written in Daniel. This is not some new revelation of his, as I hope we can now see clearly.

2 Thessalonians 2-4 (KJV) That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand (or could happen at any moment). 3Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, AND that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

Now, Paul is very emphatic here. He's encouraging us to not be deceived. That day is not going to come, except there come a falling away (apostacy) first, and then the man of sin will be revealed, and then we will get out of here. But, until the anti-Christ is revealed, and he persecutes us, we will not see the second coming. Paul is very specifically saying don't think that the day of Christ, as in His second coming, will happen until these other things occur, and the time is NOT at hand (or could happen at any moment) until they do.

On more simple to understand terms, especially take note how Paul is very specifically dispelling the pre-trib rapture view.

1. He addresses the people, telling them not to think that day of Christ is at hand, or could happen at any moment.
2. He shows how certain things must come to pass before the day of Christ.

Paul is very SPECIFICALLY referring to Daniel 7:8-10 (anti-christ's kingdom destroyed by God, and the judgment is set), Daniel 7:25 (anti-Christ speaking out against God), Daniel 11:45-12:3 (destroyed at HIS second coming), and Daniel 8:25 (matched to 2 Thessalonians 2:8, thereby being broken without hand), and Daniel 2:44-45 (destroyed at HIS second coming), and Daniel 7:19-22 (persecution of the saints, and Christ's second coming).

How do we know this? One key phrase is 2 Thessalonians 2:4, where Paul says he exalts himself above all that is called God, and sits in the temple of God, showing that he is God. The anti-Christ IS the abomination of desolation. Yashua said that the abomination of desolation would stand in the Holy Place (Mark 13:14-16). Paul says that He will sit in the temple showing himself to be God, in 2 Thessalonians 2:4. Daniel 11:36 says that he is going to exalt himself above God, just as Paul spoke, and Daniel 11:31 says that the abomination of desolation is setup, being in context with v36 (exalting himself above God), the anti-Christ IS the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet, Yashua (Mark 13:14-16), and Paul (2 Thessalonians 2:4).

I think, if you study really carefully, the scriptures I have given, and the connections I have made, and do it PRAYERFULLY, you will see that this idea of pre-trib rapture is totally not even conceivable in the scriptures. Both Yashua and Paul very specifically warned against it as a great deception.

Luke 21:8 (KJV) And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.

Some important points He is making here.

1. don't be deceived by the deception He's about to tell us about
2. many will come in His name, claiming Yashua is in fact Christ. i.e. they will claim to follow Christ.
3. these people will be saying that the time draweth near, as in He could appear at any moment. The bible teaches clearly that Christ cannot come until certain events occur. He is only coming as a thief in the night to those who do not watch for Him (1 Thessalonians 5:1-5). Watching for Him does not entail looking up to heaven all the time, expecting Him to return at any moment. It entails living a holy life, obeying His commandments, and doing His will, which is the being sober and watchful that 1 Thessalonians 5:1-5 is talking about.

Of course, Christ can not appear at any moment. He's not coming back until the 7th trumpet, and until all of the scriptures related to His arrival, are fulfilled. Some of those things are...

1. persecution of the saints, by the anti-Christ, as shown above
2. wars and rumors of wars
3. really bad famines
4. the sun and moon being darkened, and the moon turning to blood.

Some of these are beginning to happen, but nothing MAJOR has happened yet that would show us that the time is near.

Some would argue that we can't prepare for a refining/purging at the end, to make us white. They think that we, who do not believe in pre-trib rapture, believe that we are going to stand against the anti-Christ. Well, I have several points to make in that regard.

1. The preparation is one in the heart, not in the physical real world. But, I believe some preparation physically is also wise.
2. We will not partake of His wrath, we are protected from it. Lot was, and so shall we be! Except for those who add to the book of Revelation, whether they are Christians, or whether they are not.
3. I don't think we can "stand against the anti-Christ". The bible very specifically says, in Daniel, that he will be given the power to overcome the saints, not vice-versa. The exception to being overcome by the anti-Christ is those who are prepared a place in the wilderness, and will be kept from the hour of temptation (Revelation 3:10 and Revelation 12). Although, I do believe that the two witnesses will stand against the anti-Christ, and his people (Revelation 11).
4. So yes, there will be a difference between the prepared, and the unprepared. The prepared will stand for righteousness, and will not deny the faith. The unprepared will not be able to stand the pressure, and will deny Christ before men, causing Him to deny them before the Father.
5. The parable of the ten virgins is very vital to all of this. We are to prepare, by storing up our oil, against the time of waiting for Christ's return. i.e. the tribulation.

Sometimes people think I'm rude, saying that the pre-trib view is a deception of Satan, and that they are deceiving people in teaching it. But, the reality is, if you teach a false doctrine, you are deceiving people. It's really that simple. I believe that I have false doctrines now and then as well. I believe many people who love God, do teach deceptions, ignorantly. God forbid that they should do it willingly. Would I be derilect of my duty to just drop that aspect (of it being a deception)? After all, Yashua and Paul thought it very important to emphasize that.

In summary, I think I should make several points.

1. Daniel 7:21-22 shows that the anti-Christ overcomes the saints, purges them, makes them white, and kills many of them. The most important note about this, is that it happens until the ancient of days sits, at THE judgment. In other words, Christians are persecuted during the tribulation, right until the end. If this were not so, a pre-trib rapture would be an option.
2. Christ's return cannot happen at any moment. There are prerequisites to His return, and our catching away. (Matthew 24, 2 Thessalonians 2)
3. The abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, Yashua, and Paul is the anti-Christ.
4. As I study the end time scriptures more and more, it becomes increasingly difficult to believe in a "secret" rapture that Christ nor Paul spoke about, and in fact spoke against.