Daily Archives: February 27, 2013

The Final Nail in Antichrist’s Coffin – Part 2

Apologetics,

THE FINAL NAIL IN ANTICHRIST’S COFFIN – PART TWO

We need to examine the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church regarding the humanity of Jesus to determines whether or not it is consistent with the teaching of Scripture and how it stands up to John’s “antichrist test”.

The Church was faced with a problem. How could Jesus be born with stained flesh? To solve the problem, they developed the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. This does not refer to Jesus being born as a sinless baby but to Mary, the mother of Jesus. How could Mary, the “mother of God’ be sinful? So they taught that she was miraculously preserved from sin by having a sinless nature, different from us. And so it follows according to this doctrine, that Jesus took His mother’s nature, not ours.

This is a serious deviation from the clear teaching of Scripture and the main criterion by which the spirit of antichrist is identifiable.

But this also poses a problem. If Mary had a sinless nature, why did she confess the need for a Saviour? In her song, when she met Elizabeth after the angel Gabriel’s visit, she said, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour…” Luke 2:46b, 47 (NIV). This, in itself, nullifies their claim that she was immaculately conceived.

“In 1854, with the Bull Ineffabilis, (Pope) Pius IX solemnly proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, ‘…We declare, pronounce and define that the doctrine which asserts that the Blessed Virgin Mary, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God, and in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, Saviour of the human race, was preserved free from every stain of original sin, is a doctrine revealed by God and, for this reason, must be firmly and constantly believed by all the faithful.” (www.ewtn.com/library/papaldoc/jp2bvm23.htm).

Said Cardinal James Gibbons, (1834-1921) an American Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church: “We affirm that the second Person of the Blessed Trinity, by being born of a virgin, took to Himself, from her maternal womb, a human nature of the same substance as hers. She had been immaculately conceived.”

Mariology progressed to the point where the Church taught that she takes the place of Jesus as the only mediator between man and God, (but the apostle Paul taught: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 2:5 (NIV)), and becomes responsible for man’s salvation, (but, according to the writer to the Hebrews “Although He was a son, He learned obedience from what He suffered and, once made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him.” Hebrews 5:8 (NIV)).

“Through Mary’s manifold intercession she is now our advocate, helper benefactress and mediatrix who can bring us the gifts of eternal salvation and deliver our souls from death.” (The Catechism of the Catholic Church, page 252).

Without a doubt, the Reformers had a watertight case for the identity of the fourth beast of Daniel 7:7; 23-25 — the Roman Catholic Church; and the antichrist — the Papacy. In their arrogant claim to be the Vicar of Christ, the popes have taken the place of God in His temple, the church, have claimed revelation which contradicts His Word and have caused the deaths of millions both through vicious persecution of the saints and by the false doctrines which have deceived “the faithful” and led them to put their faith in Mary and not in Jesus Christ, who is the only Saviour of sinners and the only way to the Father.

The Apostle Paul had this to say about anyone who preached a gospel different from the one he preached: “But even if we, or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned.” Galatians 1:8 (NIV).

What does the Bible have to say about the final end of the antichrist?

“Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness (antichrist – writer’s comment) is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshipped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.

“…And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so until he is taken out of the way.

“And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of His mouth and destroy by the splendour of His coming…They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4; 6-8; 10b (NIV).

To conclude this short examination of the Bible’s identification of antichrist, this is not intended to throw stones at any individual, but rather to expose the errors of a system than has deceived millions of people. God’s mercy extends to every person who trusts in Jesus alone for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life, but He shares His glory with no-one else, regardless of who says otherwise.

However plausible the reasoning may be, it is nothing more than human reason and cannot stand against the indestructible Word of God. God’s word calls us to be noble, like the Bereans, who “received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” Acts 17:11b (NIV).

An interesting observation: The official title of the Pope in Latin is Vicarius Filii Dei. When we add up the numerical value of the Roman numerals, this is what we get:
V=5; I=1; C=100; A=0; R=0; I=1; V=5; S=0; Total =112
F=0; I=1; L=50; I=1; I=1; Total = 53
D=500; E=0; I=1; Total = 601
Grand total: 666!

The Final Nail in Antichrist’s Coffin – Part 1

Apologetics,

ANTICHRIST – THE FINAL NAIL IN ANTICHRIST’S COFFIN – PART ONE

The Apostle John gives us the criterion for the ultimate test for the spirit of antichrist.

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognise the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.” 1 John 4:1-3 (NIV).

“Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.” 2 John 7 (NIV).

We have to determine what John meant by “has come in the flesh”. In his prologue to the fourth gospel, having placed Jesus squarely in the Godhead as the Word who was with God and was God, John makes this statement: “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 (NIV).

This is the wonder and the mystery of the gospel, that God Himself, the divine Logos, took on human flesh and became one of us, God with us, Emmanuel. What God would leave the glories and privileges of heaven to enter a fallen world and live among His people as one of them? But Jesus did!

Why did He do it? “Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death — that is, the devil — and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” Hebrews 2:14,15 (NIV). The King James Version states it this way — “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same…”

He had to have the same flesh as we have in order to identify with us. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, fused with the natural ovum of Mary, and was nurtured in her womb as a human baby. Scripture makes it clear that this is a mystery: “Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body…” 1 Timothy 3:16 (NIV) – (God was manifest in the flesh – KJV).

What does the Bible mean by “flesh” and “same flesh”? Paul said, in Romans 7:18, speaking of his struggle with his sinful nature, “I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature (“flesh” – KJV), for I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” He was aware of a power within him that warred against his higher desires and won, which he called his “flesh” or “sinful nature.”

Now the Bible expressly states that Jesus was born with the “same flesh” as we have. He had to in order to be an appropriate sacrifice for sin. Any other nature would have disqualified Him from taking our place in death as a punishment for sin.

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet was without sin.” Hebrews 4:14, 15 (NIV). The mystery of godliness is great, that Jesus was both fully God and fully man, sharing our human nature, susceptible to every temptation we face, and yet He was without sin.

“For this reason He had to be made like His brothers in every way, in order that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that He might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.” Hebrews 2:17,18 (NIV). Our faith stands or falls on this truth.

(To be concluded…)

So Who Is Right?

Apologetics,

SO WHO IS RIGHT?

Before I conclude these studies on the Biblical picture of antichrist in relation to the widespread popular teaching found in books, movies and current preaching and teaching, let me do a quick review.

Popular teaching presents the picture like this:

1. There will be a silent and secret rapture of the church during which Jesus will snatch believers away from the earth and the Holy Spirit will be removed with the church. This implies that Jesus’ return will happen in two parts; when He raptures the church and when He returns to the earth with the saints, separated by a period of time.

2. After the rapture, the antichrist will make his appearance in the world, an evil and powerful world leader who will come from outside the church. His appearance will trigger seven years of tribulation during which time people will still become believers in Christ.

3. He will invade the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem after three and half years, stop the daily sacrifice and proclaim himself to be God.

4. At the height of his power, Jesus will return with His saints in power and glory to overthrow the antichrist and set up His millennial reign on earth.

A serious study of Scripture contradicts these teachings on the following points:

1. Antichrist, as presented by both Paul and John, is not a single, evil individual who arises outside the church in the end times but a spirit that was already operating in people from within the church in their day. “Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.” 1 John 2:18 (NIV).

Anyone who manifests the treacherous spirit of Judas, one of Jesus’ trusted followers whom Jesus called ‘the one doomed to destruction,’ (John 17:12b; 2 Thessalonians 2:3b), is operating in the spirit of antichrist. “Every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of antichrist…” 1 John 4:3a (NIV). He is not an obvious evil character from outside the church but a less obvious trend in people within the church who occupy positions of leadership and influence.

2. The rapture will not be silent and secret: “For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17. (NIV). This is a fulfilment of the Feast of Trumpets which heralded the Day of Atonement in which God judged His people.

3. The Roman Empire, not the church or the Holy Spirit, was the restrainer, holding back the power of the Church until Rome fell and the centre of government moved to Constantinople.

4. The influence of antichrist arose after the restrainer was removed and in the wake of a massive falling away during which the churches moved away from the simplicity and power of the early church with it devotion to Christ and faithfulness to the teachings of the apostles and became more and more ritualistic and dominated by the church of Rome.

5. The Roman church, led by a succession of corrupt popes, became self-exalting, usurping the authority of God in His own temple, the church. It became a man-led and man-centred kingdom (Daniel 7:19-21), making great claims for itself. It was powerful and made war on the saints, (between the 6th and 18th century, the Roman Catholic Church has murdered 150 million in the name of the church!).

6. According to historians, it was the church, not the barbarians who came down from the north, that cause the Dark Ages. It was the church that stifled learning, reasoning, scientific discovery and philosophy. The Bible was taken away from the people, illiteracy was encouraged and even the priests could not read the Bible.

The church, which had been an organism of life and blessing to the world, had become a monster. The Reformers of the 16th century stood up against Rome and called the people back to the Bible.

(To be continued…)

Be Careful Who You Follow

Christian Life, ,

BE CAREFUL WHO YOU FOLLOW

(Jesus) quoted a proverb: ‘Can a blind man lead a blind man?’ Wouldn’t they both end up in the ditch? An apprentice doesn’t lecture the master. The point is to be careful who you follow as your teacher.” Luke 6:39,40 (The Message)
Wise counsel! Be careful who you follow as your teacher. Some people are leaders and others are followers; perhaps the majority are followers. Why do people choose to follow who they follow? Is it because the leader is clever, rich, beautiful, handsome, successful, or popular? Something elevates another in our eyes and so we follow but with very little regard to where they are leading us. The focus is on the present. We are dazzled by appearances and set off after them because we aspire to being like them.
Believers in Jesus are just as prone to follow all kinds of spiritual leaders, those who are eloquent, or appear to be blessed because they are wealthy, or successful because they run big churches or because they have spectacular ministries.
In Jesus’ day, it was the religious boffins that people followed, those who appeared to be far more “holy” than the common people. There was no shortage of visible religious performance from them, for example, from the Pharisees. However, Jesus questioned their destination. “If you are following them as your teachers, do you know where they are going? What is the end result of what they are teaching you?” He urged people to examine their fruit. Is it good fruit? Did their teaching bring them into greater bondage to keeping rules and “doing” stuff, or more freedom to love, trust and worship God?
Jesus called the religious leaders blind. Why? Because they had no idea where their teaching would land them and they were unaware that their destination was “the ditch”. What makes such leaders blind? The Apostle Paul gives us the answer in 2 Corinthians 4:4 – “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of glory of Christ who is the image of God.” They refused to accept the truth that Jesus is the Son of God and the way to the Father. They created their own way which they thought would take them to God but instead led to judgment because they believed that God would receive them on their terms.
Jesus declared categorically, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6. How do we know He spoke the truth? How do we know we can trust Him? He predicted His own death and resurrection and pulled it off. That should be enough to convince us that He spoke the truth! He said that if we believe in Him, entrust ourselves to Him and follow His way, He would give us eternal life and take us to the Father.
When we choose who we are going to follow, we need to look carefully at where that allegiance is going. Is the person we are following trustworthy? Is he/she capable of delivering on their promises, even if they have said nothing? What is the expected outcome of their way of life?
Sound counsel indeed! Be careful who you follow as your teacher. They are going somewhere. Do you want to go with them?

Messiah’s Biblical-Historical Time Line

Apologetics, ,

MESSIAH’S BIBLICAL-HISTORICAL TIME-LINE

Having examined what the Bible has to say about the identity of antichrist and the circumstances in which he would be revealed, it is time to answer a few important questions.
The first question is: Does the Bible accurately predict the time of the coming of Messiah and the events surrounding His earthly life? How does this fit into God’s time frame?
When Daniel realised that Israel had been in captivity for almost seventy years, and that, according to Jeremiah’s prophecy (Jeremiah 25:11,12), God would bring judgment on Babylon, he began to pray for God’s mercy on His people and His city. In response, Daniel was visited by the angel Gabriel, who came with a message from God. “Seventy sevens are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy.
“Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘seven’s and sixty two ‘sevens’…After the sixty two ‘sevens’, the Anointed One will be cut off and will have nothing…” Daniel 9:24,25a (NIV).
Historically, the picture looks like this: In 445 BC Artaxerxes, king of Persia, issued a decree for the Jews to rebuild Jerusalem (Daniel 9:25,26). (The first seven ’sevens’ probably refer to the time of the rebuilding of the temple). According to Biblical scholarship, Jesus, ‘the Prince’, entered Jerusalem on a donkey in 32 AD and a few days later He was rejected as Israel’s king and crucified, ‘putting an end to sin, atoning for wickedness, and bringing in everlasting righteousness’ because He would be ‘cut off and have nothing.’
There is a discrepancy between the lunar calendar of the Jews and the solar calendar we use today. Daniel’s timeline was calculated according to the Jewish lunar year of 360 days, not the solar calendar of 365¼ days. (For a fuller discussion of Daniel’s prophetic timeline, go to http://www.harvardhouse.com/prophetictech/new/linear.htm#top).

ANTICHRIST’S BIBLICAL–HISTORICAL TIMELINE
The second question we must ask is: Can we verify the identity of antichrist as the papacy and Daniel’s fourth beast as Rome and subsequently the Holy Roman Empire of the Middle Ages from history? How does this fit in with Biblical prophecy?
First of all, as we have already discovered, the Apostle Paul made it clear that the day of the Lord would not come until after the ‘rebellion’, the falling away from the faith, occurred, after which the antichrist would be revealed. He described the nature of the antichrist as someone who would come in the nature of Judas, from within the church, set himself up in God’s temple (the naos – the Holy of Holies which Paul consistently equated with the church), and proclaim himself to be God (2 Thessalonians 2:3,4). Daniel adds that he would have eyes and a mouth that would speak boastfully and that he would make war on the saints (Daniel 7:20).
(We have already discussed the ‘rebellion’ in a previous article – Antichrist Revealed)
The western section of the Roman Empire fell in 476 AD, but the Byzantine Empire continued to be ruled by Caesars from Constantinople, the capital. The power and influence of the Church of Roman was growing and began to dominate the known world until the Emperor Justinian who ruled from 527-565 AD, re-organised the government of the Empire and issued a decree in 538 AD, giving the pope total control of all the churches. (This marks the beginning of the 1260 years of oppression of which the angel spoke in Daniel 7:25b).
Daniel (in Daniel 7:15-28), records the angelic interpretation of his dream of the four beasts which parallel Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the statue recorded in Daniel 2. The fourth beast is a kingdom which would devour the whole earth with terrifying cruelty. A king would arise from this kingdom who would speak against the Most High God and oppress His saints for a time, times an half a time. This time period is generally accepted among biblical scholars to mean three and a half years, forty two months or 1260 days according to the interpretation that a day is equivalent to a year in the prophetic calendar. “For forty years – one year for each of the forty days you explored the land – you will suffer for your sins and know what it is like to have me against you.” Numbers 14:34, hence 1260 days would equal 1260 years.
Justinian’s decree in 538 AD gave the pope absolute power over all the churches and over the whole of Christendom. From then on the papacy and the church began to control even the politics of the empire. In 800 AD Charlemagne, king of the Franks, was crowned emperor by Pope Leo III and founded the Holy Roman Empire. In the years that followed 538, the power of the papacy was absolute and the persecution of believers escalated until at least 150 million Christians were slaughtered at the hands of the church.
In 1798, exactly 1260 years later, Napoleon’s Chief of Staff, Louis-Alexandre’ Berthier, “entered Italy, invaded the Vatican, organized the Roman republic, and took the pope Pius VI as prisoner back to Valence (France) where, after a torturous journey under Berthier’s supervision, the pope died, dealing a major blow to the Vatican’s political power.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis-Alexandre_Berthier)
According to Revelation 13:3 (NIV), “One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was astonished and followed the beast.” History bears witness to the fatal wound and the healing of the wound – today the papacy has a following of 1.2 billion people.
(To be continued…)