September 03, 2002 (4)
THE CHURCH UNDER ATTACK. An invasion of individuals calling them selves Christ, or the anointed one. Note, the name Christ is in the plural. Not one but many who will claim to be the Christ of God. This we already are experiencing and can be assured that it will increase the closer we come to the end of the age. Mt. 24:24 Unfortunately, not all will be prepared spiritually and with a knowledge of the Word to be able to recognize these persons as they make themselves known as Christ. Jesus warned that many would be deceived and follow after them. Mt. 24:5 A good practice to exercise is to always follow the Lord Jesus, and not man. Worship Jesus and not the preacher, however charismatic he may be. The warning also involved false prophets. By way of measurement; If the prophet is of God, the WHOLE prophecy must come to pass and not just a portion. Many times general and broad statements are made that the hearer may apply to his own situation and be duped into thinking that the prophecy was for him. Even if the prophecy come to pass and the prophet would misdirect the people to another God, other than the Lord, he is to be ignored. It is a test, testing your love for the Lord. Deut. 13:1-4 These have the ability to accomplish < great signs and wonders > amazing and miraculous signs performed by them. How frightening for those who dote on the spectacular and unusual events. So convincing and strong are these signs and wonders that if were possible, the very elect would be deceived by such fascinating works. Pray for the gift of discernment to be manifest in the church. It is an imperative for the church of today.
A SHOCKING PAROUSIA OR COMING. From a heart of care and love for every member of the body of Christ I make this a personal appeal that the Second Coming of Christ be restudied by all. The antichrist has a rapture, a parousia, a coming. Paul said that the antichrist would come with <all power, dunamis — dynamite >. The same Greek word used for the power of the Holy Spirit, the power of God. The antichrist will come with a great display of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders. If we are not completely equipped with the real thing how can we discern the imitation? One of the miracles that he will use is the apparent rapture or coming that is so commonly believed by so many today. Just a casual thing, where the governments and wealth of the world is transferred to the kingdom of God. 2 Thes. 2:8 Not only does the antichrist have a rapture, or a parousia, but like Christ, he will have a moment of revelation ( Greek – apokalupto). The Lord Jesus will be revealed (apokalupto). Lk. 17:30 The day of the Coming of Christ will not take place until after the antichrist has been revealed and run his course. The antichrist must come FIRST. 2 Thes. 2:3 He will be destroyed by the {<brightness>, epiphaneia, of the Coming, <parousia>, rapture of Christ). 2 Thes. 2:8 It is a certainty, that the haphazard attitude of the church today, toward any real preparation for the coming events will result in multitudes being deceived and misled into fulfilling the desires of the antichrist