Warning
against the Anti-Christ's - May 27, 2007
Intro; It is apparant we live in a wicked age. Jesus said, that in the last days that men
would do what their hearts desire and that is what has happened. Today, John talks about what is the Spirit of
the anti-christ and the difference between it and the church. Today we will spend time talking about this.
1. John reveals twice in vs 18, that the end of
the age and its hour has come. John
believed as
we do that we are living in the last
days. Climate change, war, terror,
hatred for Israel, politics
based on oil and resources. All the attention focused on the middle east
is all an indicator that
we are living in the last days. If you have not pick up my study on the last
days, please do so it
is available in the church foyer.
2. John reveals to the church in Ephesus and to
us that the anti-christ is here. This
morning
we will examine this spirit from the three
foremost biblical authorities on this spirit.
John,
Jesus and Paul. Many believe the actual
person who will become the antichrist is alive
somewhere right now just waiting his
time. John reveals that the antichrist
is not just a person
but a spirit and It is shown in these ways
and these are its charactertistics.
a. By people going out from among us. vs 19,
People get saved and then for one reason or
another they live and feel that they are no
longer subject to the church, it leaders, teachings,
organization and dotrinbe. The spirit of the antichrist operates on
pride. Some feel they are
to spiritual or superior in their outlook
than the church. Talk about two yong men
at
Sunnyside.
John says that individuals under this spirit do not remain true to the
truth. They are
the ones looking for the last fad or
spiritual high.
b. John reveals that the spirit of anti-christ
lies and why not it is based upon satan the father of
all lies.
vs 22
c. Those under this influence deny that Jesus is
the Christ. Every religion in the world
is under
the iinfluence of the spirit of
anti-christ. vs 22
d. They deny the relationship between the Father
and the Son. They discount and dismiss
the
trinity.
The J.W`S and Mormans both of which I have extensive experience deny
Christ is
part of the trinity. Even people within the Pentecost umbrella
deny the trinity. vs 22
e. John makes it clear that a person that does
this is aligned with the antichrist. vs
22
f. John again reveals this spirit's
characteristics in in 1 John 4:3 and 2 John 7, that it will deny
that Jesus came in the flesh. To deny Jesus coming in the flesh denies his
humanity and all
He did on the cross. The denial is at the core of redemption. If Jesus did not come in the flesh
there is no physical substitute sacrifice
for sin. There would be no broken body
to deal with
infirmities, iniquities, transgressions,
sickness, sorrows, lack of peace, and
healing as
Isaiah pictured it for us in Is 53:4-6.
g. Without Jesus coming in the flesh. His precious blood that was shed could not
bring
forgiveness, total removal of sin, victory
over death, hell and the grave. Eternal
life would not
be ours.
Because of the blood, we have success, access to the throne of God in
prayer and
so many other things that time does not
permit me to further explain. John had a
more clearer
picture of this spirit than any other New
Testament writer. John saw The Gnostic
belief that
attack the church in its early stages do
this. He called this spirit and its
promoters deceivers.
3.. Jesus revealed in
Matt 24:9-15. The characteristics of the
world preceeding the antichrist.
This again helps identify the spirit of
anti-christ.
a. It hates, persecute and kills those who
belong to God. vs 9
b. It causes many to turn from the truth,
betray and hate those in the faith. vs
10
c. It causes people to believe in false
prophets and false truth. vs 11
d. It causes an increase in wickedness because
anything goes. vs 12
e. The love of many will grow cold. vs 12
f. The spirit of the antichrist wants to
profane & displace the worship of God with itself. vs 15
4. Paul saw the spirit of antichrist in the
physical form in 2 Thess 2:1-12 where Paul talks his
characteristics as follows.
a. It is a spirit of rebellion and
lawlessness. vs 3
b. It opposes, and exalts itself over anything
of God. It wants worship and even claims
to be
God. vs 4
c. It is the secret
power behind lawlessness. vs 7
d. It displays
countfeit miracles, signs and wonders and every sort of evil to deceive those
who
are perishing. vs 9-10
e. It preys upon
people that refuse to love the truth and be saved. vs 10
f. It is especially powerful with people who
delight in wickedness. vs 12
g. In Rev 13 and 17, it is know as the
beast. Whose main objective is power,
prestige, worship
and domination.
5. John then contrasts the spirit of the
antichrist to what a true believers possesses.
True
beleivers have.
a. An anointing from the Holy One. You have been set aside dear friends for holy
service with
a calling, power, authority and
enablement. vs 20
b. There is a sense of belonging, a desire to
stay connected with God and the community of
believers.
You know that the church is not perfect but you are willing to be part
of the solution
instead of an outside critic. vs 19
c. You know the truth and you know it has no
lie. You believe every word in the bible
and
promote it to others because you know it
has set you free and it will do the same for others.
vs 21
d. You acknowledge the Son and you have the
Father. Jesus to you is both Saviour and
Lord.
You publicly testify of HIs Lordship by
you words, deeds, thoughts and attitudes.
e. You make a commitment to keep what you heard
from the beginning. You work to stay
fresh, full of vision, strength and be
committed. vs 24
f. This allows you to remain in Christ and
possess eternal life. You will always
have the Father
and the Son.
3. Frank Thompson revealed in his Bible outline
that this passage is talking about the rise of
antichrist's with their apostacy and
denial of Christ. This is the sign of
the last time period.
a. This passage is an exhortation to remain in
the truth with the assurance that divine anointing
will give all the need instructions.
b. I want to point out three things in
closing. First, Paul point out in 2
Thess 2:7, that the Holy
Spirit is holding back this spirit and
until He is removed this spirit cannot fully manifest itself.
Where does the Holy Spirit live. In Us.
We hold back this spirit.
Secondly, Jesus will destroy
this spirit with the breath of His mouth
and with the splendor of His coming.
Jesus is coming
back church. Lastly, God has allowed people to be under
this spirit`s influence. I believe
we need to pray for people to be set free
from this. Close with John confronting
Cerinthus.
No comments:
Post a Comment