The Fall of Satan and Rise of the Antichrist - The identity of he is Satan. 2Thesalonians 2:1-17 By Craig C. White Have you ever wondered if the church would see the Antichrist? Of course we are looking for the return of Jesus. But the revelation of the Antichrist on earth may be the sign of Christ’s return! Early church members at Thessalonica did not want to miss the return of Jesus. Many were saying that Christ was here or that He was appearing over there (Mat 24:26-27). The early church members didn’t know what to think. Paul told them that one event had to happen before Christ would come back to collect his church. 2Th 2:1-3 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; What is “a falling away”? Some teach that this references a worldwide “apostasy”; in other words “a turning away from God”. While there will be a major corrupting of world religion, I don’t think it is referenced here. First the bible teaches that none seek after God (Psa 14:1-3, Psa 53:2, Rom 3:10-18), and that no nation follows after him. So the world is already “fallen away” from God. However I do admit that things will get worse. Second the word “and” in the phrase “and that man of sin” is more often copulative than cumulative. In other words “and” usually means even, so, or then and only sometimes means also or too. In our case “and” means “then”. So, “a falling away” and “that man of sin be revealed” are not two accumulative events. Instead, the second event relies on the first. The second event can only happen because the first event happened. The statement, “except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed” has an “until…; then…” structure. Like this: The rapture can’t happen until the falling away occurs; then because the falling away occurred the man of sin will be revealed”. The man of sin can only be revealed because something or someone first falls away. The second event can only happen because the first event happened. It is the same case in the phrase “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him”. It also has an “until…; then…” structure. Like this: The rapture can’t happen until Jesus Christ comes; then because Jesus Christ came the church will be gathered together to him”. Jesus is able to gather us together because first He comes. The second event can only happen because the first event happened. Get it?? 2Th 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. We still haven’t defined “a falling away”. Let’s look at the surrounding statements. Verses 3&4 are jam-packed with descriptions of the “man of sin”. Obviously verses 3&4 are describing the “antichrist”. The antichrist is a wicked man empowered by Satan. He will be exposed to the entire world, including the church members!!! That’s why Paul is writing this! 2Th 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? Evidently Paul had previously told the church members in Thessalonica about this in person. 2Th 2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. According to Paul we should already understand what he is saying! But don’t jump to conclusions! The word “withholdeth” means to hold fast or stay. So the stay (or delay) of “a falling away” is preventing the antichrist from being revealed. 2Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. The “mystery of iniquity” is simply the working of wickedness in the world. Specifically it is the working of Satan’s plan to make himself God of this world. Things will get much worse when the antichrist is revealed. The identity of the word he is in question here. Whoever he is, prevents (or stays) the antichrist from being revealed until he is “taken out of the way”. Most Christians read this verse and immediately think that he refers to the Holy Spirit taken away in the raptured church. I don’t think so. The word he is still referring to someone who has yet to have “a falling away”! The words “letteth” and “let” are the same word as “withholdeth” in verse 6. The word “taken” can also be translated “fall”. So he prevents the antichrist from being revealed until he falls!!! The Holy Spirit is not taken out of the way before the antichrist can be revealed. The Holy Spirit is not taken out of the way at all. People are saved during the tribulation (Rev 7:9-14), and their spirits are in heaven! Jesus said, Joh 3:5 “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God”. 2Th 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: So after he falls, the antichrist will be revealed. Jesus will kill the antichrist when He returns to the earth at the end of the seven year tribulation period. This is not to be confused with Jesus’ coming in the air to gather his church before the tribulation period (which is mentioned in verse 1 at the top of our study). 2Th 2:9-10 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. This verse is still talking about the antichrist. However another person is mentioned. That is Satan. BINGO!! We finally have the last piece of our puzzle! The identity of he is Satan. The phrase “a falling away” in verse 3 is describing Satan’s fall out of heaven. The antichrist is a man who is empowered by Satan after Satan falls to earth. Did you know that there will be a war in heaven, and God will throw Satan out? Rev 12:7-12 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 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. 10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. 12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. When the devil is cast out of heaven he will empower the antichrist to do false miracles and deceive all who have rejected God. At that time the church will enter the kingdom of God. That is to say, the church will be resurrected bodily and raptured into heaven! Do you mean that Satan can enter heaven? Yep he can now, but soon he will be thrown out for good. He will be thrown to earth. That’s why we need to be warned to look out for the man that Satan will empower! Today Satan travels between heaven and earth. He also accuses believers of committing sin. Job chapter 2 illustrates Satan’s travels between heaven and earth. Job 2:1-2 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD. 2 And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. It is possible that Satan and his angels have already been thrown out of heaven. This may be evidenced by the turbulent uprisings in the middle east. The Heathen are raging, (Read “Why do the Heathen Rage?“) and we may be waiting only for the revealing of the Antichrist before the Rapture and Tribulation. Now we can summarize verses 1-3 at the top of our study. The day that Christ comes back to earth (the day of Christ) to collect his church (our gathering together unto him) will not happen until Satan is cast out of Heaven (a falling away) when it becomes obvious that he is empowering a specific man on earth (that man of sin be revealed). To put it very plainly, Jesus will not come back for his church until the antichrist is revealed. To put it another way, the rapture of the church will not occur until the antichrist is exposed. Or the revelation of the antichrist is the sign of the rapture! I know this comes as a shock to most of you. But it helps to put things into perspective. Like the church members in Thessalonica we can now understand the sign of Jesus’ coming for the rapture. Unlike the church members in Thessalonica we are much closer to that event. I expect to see the antichrist exposed within the next few years. The world is quickly moving toward an end time scenario (read my commentary titled The Leopard is Upon Us). After we see the antichrist exposed for who he is, with lying wonders and blasphemy; then be on the lookout (Luk 21:28-36) for Jesus to come in the air, to raise the dead and rapture the living! Alleluia!!! 2Th 2:11-12 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. Because people have rejected God’s love for them, and have rejected God’s son sent to die for them (Joh 3:16), He will “send them strong delusion”. The word “delusion” means “a straying from orthodoxy or piety”. All people who have rejected the truth of salvation by Jesus’ blood will be persuaded of their own righteousness by another way. This of course is true of all false religions; but it reminds me mostly of “the emerging church”. The emerging church is an all-inclusive so called “Christian” movement that contains eastern philosophy and ritual; including yoga, meditation, and contemplative prayer as a means to personal holiness. It denounces bible teaching, and is being promoted by some of your favorite “Christian” leaders. Even without the influence of the miracle working antichrist, most people I know are eagerly awaiting this kind of religion (including most pastors). The fact that the “the emerging church” is on the move persuades me to think that Satan’s fall and the exposing of the antichrist is eminent. Don’t allow yourself to be deceived! 2Th 2:13-14 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. I hope you believe the good news of salvation through Jesus’ blood shed for you. Mat 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 2Th 2:15-17 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. 16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, 17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work. It is a shame that this chapter is so widely misunderstood. It was written so we would understand the sign of Jesus’ coming for his church. For some reason, people don’t want to hear this perspective. I think the world is prepared for the antichrist. We should be prepared for the sign of Jesus’ coming. Also be prepared so that you are not deceived by the miracle working antichrist. Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Now let me see if I have this straight. Satan’s fall enables the revealing of the antichrist which prompts Jesus’ return which enables the rapture! Wow, I probably should have said that in the first place. Amen. hightimetoawake/the-fall-and-rise-of-the-antichrist/
Posted on: Sun, 23 Jun 2013 21:52:51 +0000
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