| Misconceptions about the Antichrist |
When will the Antichrist be revealed?
Although many eschatologist claim that Christians would not be on earth, at the time when the
Man of Sin appears. The bible specifically says that Christians not only would see the
manifestation of the Man of Sin, but would also be persecuted by him.
In 2 Thessalonians 2: 1-4 the Apostle Paul warned us not to be deceived by any spirit, writing
or man, for the return of the Lord and our gathering with Christ will not happen until there is a
falling away and the Man of sin is revealed. The words “falling away” refer to the Greek word
“apostasia,” which essentially means “rebellion. The rebellion spoken here could very well
refer to people rebelling against the Lord or simply falling away from the truth.
“Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our
gathering together unto him, 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. 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(KJV 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3).”
As it is clearly written above, prior to the return of Christ and prior to our gathering with the
Lord, there would first come a rebellion (falling away) and the Antichrist will be revealed. The
church will be on earth to see all of this happen.
Where would the Antichrist Appear?
In 2 Thessalonians 2:4-8, Paul continued by saying that the Antichrist will sit in the Temple of
Jerusalem where he will exalt himself above God, claiming that he is God.
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 (2 Thessalonians 2:4)
Concerning the manifestation of the Antichrist, in Matthew 24: 15-16 we read that Jesus
spoke to His disciple, saying, “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation,
spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains.” By this we know that the Antichrist
will not only sit on the Temple of Jerusalem, but will also enter the Most Holy Place (the
Holiest of Hollies), which is the holy sanctuary at the Temple of Jerusalem that only a High
Priest could enter once a year.
What will be the identity of the Antichrist?
No one knows exactly what would be the identity of the Antichrist.
Some eschatologists claim that he would be from Rome, some that he will be Russian and
some have claimed that he well be Jewish.
Although no one knows for sure, who the Antichrist will be, it is of great important that we
know that the Prophet Zechariah prophesied to Israel concerning the man of Sin, saying that
God would raise for Israel a foolish shepherd or king who would not care for the children of
Israel. Instead, this shepherd will eat the flesh of the sheep and will tear their claws into
pieces (Zechariah 11:15-17).
And the Lord said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd. For, lo,
I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall
seek the young one, nor heal that is broken, nor feed that standeth still: but he shall eat the
flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces. Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock!
the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and
his right eye shall be utterly darkened (KJV Zechariah 11:15-17).”
I can not said for certain that the Antichrist will be a Jewish man, but is imperative for both
Jewish People and Christians to know that the people of Israel would not allow nor accept
any man who is not the High Priest, let along any gentile to enter the Most Holy Place at the
Temple of Jerusalem; therefore, there is a great likelihood that the Man of Sin or Antichrist will
not only be a Jewish man, but also the High Priest, a Jewish Prophet or a renown Jewish
Rabbi.
Paul said that Jesus became the High Priest of all of Israel in the order of Melchisedec. He
also said that Jesus not only fulfilled the Law of Moses, but also put and end to sacrifices and
offerings, and entered the most holy sanctuary in heaven. Today, Orthodox and Ultra-
orthodox Jewish people not only would like to rebuild the Temple of Jerusalem, but would
also like to re-instate a High Priest, the Levitical Priesthood as well as sacrifice and offerings
according to the Law of Moses. The High Priest was also called HaCohenHaMoshiak, which
basically means “the Priest who is the Messiah.”
“For he (God) testifieth, Thou (Jesus) art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. For
there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and
unprofitableness thereof. For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better
hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God (Hebrews 7:17-19).”
“Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest
(Jesus), who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of
the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man (Hebrews 8:1-
2).”
Therefore, if Jesus is the true High Priests of Israel and the true Messiah, then any High
Priest after Him must be a type of anti-Messiah or anti-Christ. Paul specifically said that
anyone who tried to become justified by the Law had fallen from grace, meaning that such
person would be condemned. Imagine how would God the Father, feel seeing the very
Nation that He loved so much to the point that He gave His only begotten as a living sacrifice
for their reconciliation, would now select another king, Messiah or Christ. Imagine how would
God feel the day when He see an assembly of people at the Temple of Israel sacrificing bulls,
calves, sheep and birds as offerings for sins. It would be as saying to God, “the sacrifice of
your son was not sufficient.” I am not saying that this exactly how is going to happen, but I am
telling you that there is a great likelihood that this is how is going to happen
One thing is for sure; the man of Sin is None other than Satan
In verse 6, of 2 Thessalonians 2, Paul said to the church in Thessalonica that they knew what
“withholded” or withheld the Antichrist until the time when he is finally revealed. In verses 7-8,
Paul further clarify the mystery by saying that the one who now “letteth,” will let until he is
taken out of the way, then the Antichrist will be revealed. Then the Lord will destroy him at the
time of Christ return.
And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of
iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
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 (2 Thessalonians 2:7-8).
In the oldest translation of the New Testament, which was written in Greek, the word
“kateko,” is used for the words “withholded” and “letteth.” The word “kateko, is properly
translated “restrained.” Knowing this will help us understand that Man of Sin, who is none
other than Satan was already bound or restrained at the time of Paul, and whoever had him
restrained would continue to bind him until the time that Satan is to be released. Or else, how
is it that Christ is going to destroy Him at the time of His return as it is specifically stated in 2
Thessalonians 2:verse 8.?
Who are those who will receive the Antichrist?
Paul stated that the Antichrist or man of Sin would do the same work as Satan; having great
power to do great signs and false miracles to deceive with unrighteousness everyone who is
perishing because they did not accepted and received the truth that could save them. For this
reason, God will send them great delusions so that they believe the Antichrist’s lies and be
condemned for not receiving the truth and having found pleasure in unrighteousness (2
Thessalonians 2:9-12)
Jesus also warned against believing any man who were to said that Christ was here or there,
as many false Christs and false prophets would arise and will show great false miracles and
wonders; then he said that if anyone where to say to us that Christ or the Messiah had
appeared in the desert or in the Secret chambers or inner rooms of the Temple we are not to
believe him, for just as lightning that comes out of the east, and shines even unto the west, in
the same manner would be the return of Jesus the Son of man (Matthew 24:23-27). In these
verses Jesus makes it clear, that the Man of Sin or Antichrist, would be seen in the dessert
and also at the Temple of Jerusalem. Many would believe that he is the Messiah, but those
who live in Jesus’ words surely know that the next time that we see Jesus, it will be on the
clouds of heaven and not sitting at the Temple of Jerusalem as the Man of Sin will do when
he is manifested.
Jesus also warned us by saying that at the time when we see the abomination of desolation,
that was spoken of by Daniel (Antichrist) standing in the Holy Place, then those who were in
Judea should flee into to the mountains and those who were on their housetops should not
come down to take anything out of their house. Also those who are in the field of Judea
should not return to their house to get their clothes. For then there shall be such great
tribulation, as it has not been since the beginning of the world until that time, no would ever
be (Matthew 24:15-21).
Even though Jesus and Paul already warned us concerning the Antichrist or Man of Sin
stating that he will appear in the dessert and at the Temple of Jerusalem to deceive many and
to persecute both Christians and Jews. Many apostate Jewish and Christian people will be
deceived because of the blindness and hardness of their heart.
One thing for sure, the Antichrist would come first, he will deceive many by the false miracles
and signs that he will perform. He will bring great trial and persecution against the Church and
against the true Children of Israel; killing and imprisoning many for their faith in Jesus Christ
our Lord. Don’t be deceived.
