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In gross contradistinction we find that the words used in relationship to the future return of the Lord Jesus are also to be applied to the antichrist. We have seen that he will have his moment of revelation, (Gr. Apokalupto). His revelation will come at the time scheduled by the Lord. 2 Thess. 2:6 He will be revealed as the man of sin, a title totally befitting him. As the man of sin, he is the absolute, the extreme, the very ultimate, the totally demon possessed sinner. He is diametrically the opposite to the Lord Jesus. Yet, he will imitate the Lord Jesus and will convince the ungodly that he is the Christ and has come to lead and direct them. 2 Thess. 2:4.
The man of sin, the son of perdition, the great impersonator in order to present a believable front to the peoples of the world will have his own Coming (Gr. Pariousia). John saw the spectacular rising of this individual as coming up out of the sea (the masses of humanity). His sudden appearance on the scene, his political powers displayed by his heads and his horns and the beast like nature displayed give him an immediate advantage over the uninformed and the unsaved of the world. Plus the fact that the dragon, Satan, will delegate his power, his throne and the fullness of his authority to him which will make him to be a man of extreme authority. Rev. 13:1-2 Further proof that he must come before the second coming of the Lord Jesus is seen in his ability to make war with the saints. So, very obviously, some saints are still around during the tenure of his reign for he makes war with them. Rev. 11:7.
There is no light, frivolous second coming of the Lord Jesus which will rescue all his saints from tribulation and persecution. Ask the saints in India, China and Africa about persecution for Christ’ sake. Persecution is included in one of those last day signs which precede the coming of the Lord Jesus. Jesus also included the betrayal by parents, brothers and sisters, kinsfolk and friends causing some to be put to death. Luke 21:16 For all the evidence of these last day signs being fulfilled, the Lord Jesus said the end is not yet. Mark 13:7 He indicated that these things were to be but the beginning of sorrows. In regard to the completion of all the prophetic utterances pertaining to the end of the age and the second coming of the Lord Jesus, on a scale of one to ten, we are at one. The intensity of the prophecies recorded in the Gospels reach their awesome climax in the book of Revelation. The full impact of the seals, the trumpets and the seven last vials are far from reaching their last great crescendo. Never fear Jesus is coming but not until all of His Word in relation to that glorious event has been accomplished.