#1 WHO IS ANTI-CHRIST? - 2 apostasies

Many theologians and Bible scholars teach that the coming anti-Christ is The Beast - the head of the revived Roman Empire, seen today as the European Union. Some even claim that the pope is the anti-Christ. When asked who the 'false prophet' is, who will also be cast alive into the lake of fire after the battle of Armageddon, they nonchalantly answer: "Oh, that's the Beast's side-kick".
That's hardly a satisfactory answer, so let's look at this properly.........

US embassy, Tel Aviv, Israel

1.  TWO TYPES OF APOSTASY
We are going to check out this 'anti-Christ' guy so let's begin with noticing that apostle Paul tells us that first comes 'apostasy' or 'falling away' (2 Thess 2:3) before 'the man of sin' is revealed. If you pay attention to world news you will see that there are 2 types of apostasy growing at an astonishing rate: civil apostasy in government, and ecclesiastical apostasy in churches. This is easily shown by the US embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel, bathed in rainbow lights to celebrate 'gay pride' - a key plank in US foreign policy, causing deep offence to African nations that President Obama has been visiting. Meanwhile 'Christian' churches proudly celebrate 'gay marriages'. Agreed??...civil apostasy and religious apostasy. Yeah, hard to believe but we will see that none of this takes God by surprise.

2.  THE BIBLE A JEWISH BOOK??
Before we go looking at this 'anti-Christ' guy, let's be reminded that this weird Bible is not really a Christian or Catholic book but a collection of sacred JEWISH writings, written entirely by JEWS (except poss Luke), about their foundation, promises, slavery, escape, laws, wandering, blessing, idolatry, captivity, return, rejection of Jesus.... ...and future forced acceptance of Jesus Christ as the Messiah, and finally - reign with Him. (Romans 9:4-5) Included are some letters written to Christians. This world will NEVER learn that God will not let the Jews or their Book be exterminated, even tho' every empire in history that has mistreated the Jews has collapsed and every attempt to destroy their Book has failed. Gen 12:3

3.  WHO IS ANTI-CHRIST?
So we notice 2-fold apostasy today and we open this weird Jewish Book to find that the only references to this 'anti-Christ' guy come from one apostle - once a fisherman and disciple of that very special Jewish rabbi, Jesus of Nazareth. John tells us in his letters that 'the anti-Christ' will...deny that Jesus is the Christ and deny the Father and the Son. (That makes claims that the pope is the anti-Christ look ridiculous!) This title 'Christ' comes from Greek: 'Christos' or anointed One, who was called 'mashiyach' in Hebrew, or Messiah - only in Daniel 9:25-26, where the angel Gabriel is instructing Daniel on what the future holds for Daniel's people (Jews) and the holy city (Jerusalem). 
This is all very Jewish.

4.  ARMAGEDDON
We are going to work backwards, starting with Armageddon.  
A real place?? Sure! 
The Hill (Tel) of Megiddo overlooks the Jezreel Valley in Israel, where they are looking for oil & gas right now... why?...cos Bible prophecy says it's there...and won't that add fuel to the fire! 

Who will inspire the nations to assemble at Armageddon? The dragon, 'the beast' and 'the false prophet' - the evil triumvirate. (Rev 16:12-16)
Who is the dragon? The ancient serpent, the devil, Satan (Rev 12:7-9) 

What happens to them?...

5.  WHO GETS CAST ALIVE INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE?
We found out the identity of the dragon (devil/Satan)...but these 2 other guys?? One is 'the beast' and the other....'the false prophet', and they are both cast alive into the lake of fire. (Rev 19:19- ; 20:10)
(This has been prepared for the devil and his angels. Matt 25:41)
You often hear it claimed that 'the beast' is the future leader of the revived Roman Empire (the European Union) but when asked who this other guy is, you get the answer: "that's his side-kick" - not a very satisfactory answer, remembering that prophecy is mostly Jewish, beginning with Abraham. (Gen 20:7)
Let's keep searching.....

Click here for Part 2: 
http://hotspuds.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/who-is-anti-christ-part-2.html