Showing posts with label 1 John 2:18. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1 John 2:18. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

VI. APOSTOLIC TESTIMONY

Five of the Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ have left in their epistles instruction for the Church in all ages. Amongst other subjects of which they all treat, more or less, is that of the coming of the Lord, and the facts or moral features which precede that event. Thus the Apostle John (1 John 2:18) says, “Little children, it is the last time; and as ye have heard that Antichrist shall come, even now are there many Antichrists; whereby we know it is the last time”. This one passage shows us that the Church had then been taught concerning the coming of Antichrist; that the Apostle knew that they had received this teaching; and that it was right that Christians should understand that this is a thing that concerns the Church: in the beginning of the next chapter he speaks of the hope of our being like Christ when He shall be manifested: that is our hope; and because it is our hope, we may contemplate the rise and working of Antichrist, or of anything else that the Scripture says shall take place first. Opposers of simple Scripture teaching sometimes ask, “For which are you waiting, Christ or Antichrist?” The answer might be, “Which does the apostle teach us shall be first, the coming of Antichrist, or the revelation of Christ?” for if we take these things in their Scriptural order, we shall not go wrong. We wait for Christ, and therefore we can take heed to the warnings concerning the rise of Antichrist; “These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you”; and we can seek to be so instructed from God's Word as not to be entangled with the snares of the many Antichrists, or those of Antichrist himself, the denier of the Father and the Son. Will any one, with the Scripture before him, say that he there learns that the rise of Antichrist shall not precede the coming of Christ? Will he say that the warnings of the inspired Apostle have no application?

The Apostle James (Chapter 5) speaks of the evil characteristics of “the last days”; in contrast to which he ways, “Be patient, therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and the latter rain. Be ye also patient, establish your hearts; for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh” (7, 8). This, then, shows what the kind of waiting for the Lord's coming was which this Apostle taught: it was that in which “long patience” was needed. The expression, “the coming of the Lord draweth nigh”, is not one to be measured by mere interval of time, but rather with the intelligence of its absolute certainty, even though the intervening period might seem great.  [5]
It was not only revealed to the Apostle Paul that there would be evil days, both in the Church and in the world, before Christ's second advent, but he was also inspired by the Holy Ghost to communicate this as being profitable and needful warning. Not only do we find the prophetic statements in the Thessalonians to this effect, but also in other places. For instance: “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils”, etc. (1 Timothy 4:1). Until these things had been accomplished, the coming of the Lord could not take place. So, too, in the Second Epistle to Timothy, containing, as it does, what may be called the dying testimony of the Apostle: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come” (3:1). “Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived” (13). “The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (4:3,4). The servant of the Lord, in contrast to all this, had to look to the crown of life, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give in that day unto all that love His appearing. Thus the hope of the Lord's coming is in perfect harmony with the knowledge of intervening events. Indeed, if this had not been the case, not a single future occurrence, not a single direction which involves the knowledge of interval of time, could the Lord have given to His people. If a moral effect were thus to be wrought, it would be by the withholding of truth, and not by its communication. All the teaching of St. Paul's Epistles for the continuous guidance of the Church, assumes, as an admitted truth, that there would be those living on the earth, prior to the Lord's coming, who should be so guided.

Jude, in his one short epistle, gives a solemn testimony as to the condition in which the coming of the Lord (as prophesied of old by Enoch) should find the world and the Church. He does not communicate these things in order to discourage Christians, but rather that they might see proof of the faithfulness of God, and of the mercy of His warnings: “But, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before of the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; how that they told you that there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts” (17,18).

The Lord Jesus had declared to Peter “by what death he should glorify God” (John 21:19): thus that Apostle himself knew, and other Christians also knew, that the coming of the Lord could not take place until after He had thus suffered martyrdom. If our hope of the second advent be the same as theirs, we may at once see that absolute certainty of previous events does not interfere with it. Now the Apostle Peter was desirous that the hope of those coming after him should be the same as that which he had himself cherished and taught. He not only thought it meet while in this tabernacle to stir up believers by putting them in remembrance, but he says, in relation to his approaching death, which the Lord had shown him, “Moreover, I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance” (2 Peter 1:15). The scene on the Mount of Transfiguration had been a showing forth of the glory of Christ at His coming, and to this Peter directed the minds of Christians, teaching them that they ought to give heed to the prophetic word while waiting for the dawning of the day. What, then, were Christians to expect during the interval before the coming of Christ? “There shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction: and many shall follow their pernicious ways, by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of”; and so on throughout the second chapter. These were to be the expectations of those whose hope was like that of the Church as then taught. In warning of the heed which should be paid to the words spoken before by the holy prophets, and to the commandments of apostles, he draws their attention to one special point: “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of His coming; for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation?” (3:3,4). Thus the moral power of the hope of the coming of Christ was not marred in the apostles' days from their possessing a certain knowledge of events that would intervene: the apostles authoritatively taught this doctrine as being of importance to the Church; and if any doctrine of the second advent is now taught which cannot be held with such knowledge of events, or which would deny that such knowledge could be held compatibly with the maintenance of the hope, then we may be sure that such doctrine is not in accordance with Holy Scripture, and that, in fact, it sets aside its solemn teaching. The promise of His coming must be held as the promise was made, and not in some manner wholly different. At the Pentecostal preaching of the Gospel, the apostles of the Lord well knew that they were not setting forth that which was to bring in universal blessing; they knew that although the promise of the return of the Lord Jesus to reign was a portion of their testimony, it would not be as yet; and thus part of the exhortation of Peter was founded on that knowledge: “Save yourselves from this untoward generation” (Acts 2:40). Thus a definite interval was part of the original doctrine.

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[5] We also learn in the Epistle of James how to act and to speak in relation to present plans. In reproving those who plan what they will do, he tells them that what they ought to say is, “If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this or that” (4:15). He does not make instantaneous looking for the coming of the Lord the reason why such things should not be said or done. He does not say (as some now do), in speaking of things presently before them, “Unless the Lord come first”. 


Monday, August 11, 2014

THE BEAST AND THE FALSE PROPHET

“Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads   and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority” (Revelation 13:1-2).

The Beast and False Prophet are the two primary causes of persecution during The Great Tribulation. The Beast is sometimes called the Antichrist. In the Book of Daniel, he is referred to as a little horn. The Beast is both an individual and the coalition of 10 kings or rulers that will be under his authority. Daniel 7:7-11 describes a beastly kingdom in which several rulers are depicted as horns. One of these rulers (horns) excels the others and becomes the Beast. The False Prophet is an associate of the Beast.

The Great Tribulation begins when the Beast establishes The Abomination of Desolation. Prior to this time, the Beast will be advancing in position and power in preparation for his activities during the Great Tribulation. The Beast’s power and authority is granted to him by Satan (the dragon, Revelation 13:2-4).

Until the Abomination of Desolation, the Beast may not be readily identified for who he is. But when he sets up the Abomination of Desolation, his identity and purpose will be exposed to those who heed the Lord’s words warning to understand Daniel’s prophecy (Matthew. 24:15). At that time he will blaspheme the true God and declare that he (the Beast) is God. He will intensely persecute and kill those who oppose him fulfilling the prophesied Great Tribulation. During the reign of the Beast during the Great Tribulation, the False Prophet will perform signs and wonders to deceive

people (Revelation 13:13-14). He will also make an image of the Beast which he will bring to life. Those who refuse to worship the image of the Beast will be killed (Revelation 13:15).

The False Prophet will also institute a special mark often called the mark of the Beast (Revelation 13:16-18). People will not be able to buy or sell in the economies controlled by the Beast without the identifying mark in their hand or forehead. Apparently, this mark is only given to those who are willing to worship the Beast or his image. All who take the mark will suffer severe punishment during The Wrath of God (Revelation 14:9-11).

Some Christians and possibly some non-Christian nations will oppose the Beast (Daniel 11:32-35). Some who oppose him will be killed. Many nations, including Israel and Egypt, will be conquered by the Beast. Some, including Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon, will escape his efforts (Daniel 11:41-43).

The main purpose of the Beast will be the same as Satan’s—to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10). His rantings and ravings against the true God and God’s people will be particularly intense during most of the Great Tribulation.

For the entire 3½ years of the Great Tribulation, things will seem to go well for the Beast. Many will believe that the Beast and Satan are unconquerable (Revelation 13:3-4). Suddenly, his reign will be brought to an end by the coming of the Lord Jesus (2 Thessalonians 2:8). At that time, the people of God will be gathered from the earth and the people left behind (i.e., those who do not belong to God) will mourn because of the coming Wrath of God (Matthew. 24:30-31; Revelation 6:15-17).

During the Wrath of God, the Beast will suffer along with the other people on earth (Revelation 16:10-11). Between the sixth and seventh trumpets, the Beast will attack and kill the two witnesses of God (Revelation 11:7-14). There will be much rejoicing over the death of the two witnesses. The people probably will think that the death of these two witnesses will bring an end to the severe plagues of God‘s wrath. Three and a half days after the two witnesses are killed, they will be brought back to life and called up to Heaven.

Also prior to the last plague of the Wrath of God, the Beast will gather the people of the earth together at Armageddon for battle against God (Revelation 16:14-21; 19:17-21; see When is the Battle of Armageddon). Apparently, it will not be much of a battle. After this, the final plague of the Wrath of God will fall (Revelation 11:14-19; 16:13-21). The Beast and False Prophet will be thrown into the lake of fire where they will remain forever (Revelation 19:20).

SUMMARY

Term Definition:

The Beast refers to the individual, to the spirit that will come out of the bottomless pit (Revelation 11:7; 13:1) and to the government that is empowered by Satan during the Great Tribulation (Revelation 13:1-8). The Beast (the individual) is also called the Antichrist (1 John 2:18; 4:3), the little horn (Daniel 7:8; 8:9-11), the lawless one, and the son of perdition (2 Thessalonians 2:3, 8).

The False Prophet refers to an individual who assists the Beast, performs false signs, and demands that people worship an image he makes of the Beast (Revelation 13:11-17; 20:20). He is also called a beast and is demon possessed (Revelation 13:11; 16:13-14).

Significance of the Beast:

The Beast is the earthly source of the persecutions and problems of the Great Tribulation. His activities will produce great problems for God’s people on the earth.

Source of the Beast:

The Beast that comes out of the bottomless pit is the evil spirit that will indwell the man that is also called the Beast (Revelation 11:7; 13:1). His source of power is Satan (2 Thessalonians 2:9; Revelation 13:2, 4; Revelation 16:13-14).

Length of the Beast’s Activity:

The Beast has authority to act with blasphemy for 42 months during the Great Tribulation (i.e., 3½ years, Revelation 13:5). The Beast is active before the beginning of the Great Tribulation as he maneuvers himself into a position of power and authority, but the total length of time is not specified (Daniel 11:21-31). He also suffers punishment after the Great Tribulation during the plagues of the Wrath of God (Revelation 16:10-11). Finally, the Beast and the False Prophet gather the people against the Lord for battle at Armageddon where they are defeated and cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 16:13-16; 19:19-20).

Events Prior to the Beast’s Activity:

Since the Beast’s primary activity occurs during the Great Tribulation, all events that precede the Great Tribulation also precede his primary activity. Before the start of the Great Tribulation, the Beast will work to obtain a position of authority and power (Daniel 11:21-31). When the time is right, he will set up The Abomination of DesolationThis is the primary identifying event for the Beast and the start of the Great Tribulation (Matthew. 24:15, 21).

Events Associated with the Beast:

The Great Tribulation is primarily a result of the persecutions, blasphemies, and wars of the Beast. A few events are associated with him during the Wrath of God, but that is a time when he is suffering from the plagues of God’s wrath rather than functioning from a position of power.

God During the Beast’s Activity:

God is not the source of the troubles during the Beast’s reign and the Great Tribulation. He will provide some assistance to those who are persecuted by the Beast during that time (Daniel 11:33-34; Revelation 12:6, 13-16). The Lord Jesus will rescue His people from the Beast and bring an end to the Beast’s reign when He cuts the Great Tribulation short by gathering His people (Matthew. 24:21-22, 29-31; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-8; 2:8).

Christians During the Beast’s Activity:

Christians will oppose the Beast and explain to many other people the meaning of certain end-time events (Daniel 11:32-35). Christians will suffer the worst persecution that has ever been launched against God’s people (Matthew 24:15-22; Daniel 7:25; Revelation 13:7). Some will lose their lives (Daniel 11:33-35; Revelation 13:7-8), yet many will find a place of protection provided by the Lord (Daniel 11:34; Revelation 12:6, 13-16).

Satan During the Beast’s Activity:

Satan is the primary source of power for the Beast (Revelation 13:2-4).

Non-Christians During the Beast’s Activity:

Some non-Christians will apparently falsely claim to be Christians in an attempt to join with the people of God (Daniel 11:34). Many people will worship Satan (the dragon) because of the great authority he gives the Beast (Revelation 13:4). They will be required to worship an image of the Beast and to take a mark in their hand or forehead (Revelation 13:15-18). Because of their lack of love for the truth they will be easily deceived by the Beast and False Prophet (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12; Revelation 13:14). The people of Edom, Moab, and Ammon will escape the attacks of the Beast (Daniel 11:41).

Events Following the Beast’s Activity:

Since the Beast’s primary activity occurs during the Great Tribulation, all events that follow the Great Tribulation also follow his primary activity. After the Great Tribulation, certain signs will be seen in the sun, moon, and stars (see Appendix D) and Jesus will return to gather the church (see The Coming of the Lord). After those events, the Wrath of God will be poured out on the Beast and all who followed him (Revelation 14:9-11; 16:10). Eventually, the Beast and False Prophet will be thrown alive into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20).

Scripture references for the Beast and the False Prophet:


Matthew 24:15, 21; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12; 1 John 2:18, 22; 1 John 4:3; 2 John 1:7; Revelation 13:1-8, 11-18; Revelation 16:10-11; Revelation 17:3-14; Revelation 19:19-20; Revelation 20:20; Revelation 14:9-11; Revelation 11:7-14; Revelation 16:13-21; Daniel 7:7-8, 11, 19-27; Daniel 8:9-14, 23-26; Daniel 11:21-45.