Antichrist: Satan’s Masterpiece Deception (7)

If we would not fall into Satan’s traps, we must have an relationship and experience with Jesus through His Word, is our only safety. Satan applies what the Greeks did at Troy; what he can’t accomplish by force, he succeeds by deception, the Trojan horse.

It’s his highest aim to receive worship, and his way of deceiving Christians into worshiping him is through his front man, the Antichrist, which has the same effect of as a wolf in sheeps clothing.  While we’ll identify who Antichrist is in our next study, this study will focus on what some of the concepts of the Antichrist are. 

What are two characteristics of Antichrist? 1 John 2:22
“Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.“

How does he deny Christ? Titus 1:16
“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”

Antichrist is father of the lie and denies life by murder, who is he, primarily? John 8:44
“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.“

What’s the more common name for the Devil? Revelation 12:9
“And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”

What does “Anti” in Antichrist mean? N. Webster’s 1828
“A preposition signifying against, opposite, contrary, or in place of”.

What is the experience of Satan and his followers in relation to Christ as King? Luke 19:14
“But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.”

Before he was thrown out of heaven, who did Satan  think should reign ”in place of” Christ? Isaiah 14:12-14
“12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.”

Has Satan the Devil’s thoughts of reigning in place of Christ changed today? Matthew 4:8-9
“8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.”

Does he seek rulership openly or through a medium, a front man? 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3
“1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 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. 3 Let 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”. (See also Genesis 3:1-5)

Is it true that Antichrist seeks to be in place of Christ and even above? 2 Thessalonians 2:4
“Who 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.”

Where else can be seen that he is doing all to use the position of Antichrist? Daniel 7:25
“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.”

Can he actually change God’s law? Matthew 5:17-18
“17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”

Antichrist is also called a leopard-like beast, who gave him his position as Antichrist? Revelation 13:2
“And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.” (See verses 1-5 for context)

Church history teaches us that the empire of Rome, being pagan, openly denied Christ by persecuting His followers. But being unsuccessful as the blood of martyrs became seed to grow more Christians, Satan has to change mode of operation. 

He covered up pagan worship with a Christian garment, and introduced a false Christ whose teaching is against Christ in heaven. Thus, when Christians worship this false Christ, they are in fact worshiping the dragon, Satan. 

Only God is able to show us how close the counterfeit resembles the truth:

Are we Christian because we claim to be, or by mare performing of miracles? Matthew 7:21-23
“21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.“

How do we avoid being swept away by Antichrist’s flood of overwhelming deceptions? Matthew 7:24-27
“24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.”

We must have a personal relationship with Jesus and a personal understanding of the Bible. We need to believe only what it supports, discarding human traditions, the opinions of priests and pastors, which are as shifting sands, unless supported by the Scriptures.

Friend,

Is this your desire to build your house on the Rock Jesus? Are you willing to say to Him: “If there is something I believe that does not agree with Your Word, I am willing to give it up”?

Then do purpose in your heart to read less of what people say about the Bible, and read the Bible itself daily on your own (if you are not doing so already) and put it into action in your life, even if it’s one verse you study and understand. This is our only safeguard through the coming crisis speared by Antichrist.