
Anti-christ @ MindSay 
John R. Houk
© November 27, 2007
Rick Renner’s Sparkling Gems from the Greek has a devotional describing the characteristics of the Anti-Christ. Brother Renner points out that many Christians (Protestant and Catholic) have even named a person over the years whose actions seemed to fit the description of the Anti-Christ.
Yet truthfully these people have not demonstrated the key element of the Anti-Christ: That key element is the use of Supernatural Powers that have the potential to even fool Believers in Christ Jesus that the Anti-Christ is a Messianic figure representing God or proclaiming godhood itself.
So some of the names of the past labeled “Anti-Christ” may have had an anti-Christ spirit about them yet was not the bad dude himself. In reality the Anti-Christ will not be an obvious evil person like Nero, Caligula, Hitler, Mohammed (Christian perspective), Genghis Khan, a U.N. Secretary-General, a particular Pope, a Martin Luther or Christian Reformer or whatever name or official title a Christian seeker of the evil one is.
Ridiculously I have heard people named an anti-Christ because their secular or religious Officious title combined with an agenda that is opposite of another’s Christian mind-set labeled as the evil one. This naming is ridiculous because on a secular level they may have following marching orders of their leader (like say a Kissinger) or someone practicing their faith contrary to another group’s Christian belief system (Protestant versus Catholic Papacy). Those claims are based more on skewed prejudicial perceptions than Biblical descriptions.
I have my beliefs on what sort of person the Anti-Christ will come from based on my interpretation of the Bible combined with the insight of Apocalyptic Christian writers that I have agreed with; however even that may not be the case. Thus I will not name my scenario for it will certainly offend someone and I try real hard not to go to that place of offense.
I will mention this characteristic though. I believe the Anti-Christ (whether he emerges in my lifetime or the future) will not be perceived as an evil person until it is way too late for people to do anything to derail him in other way than described in the Revelation of John. He will begin with an instant stardom that comes with solving global geopolitical problems thought unsolvable without a global devastation of life centered on global perceptions of Israel.
For what it is worth I am neither a theologian nor an apocalyptic expert; therefore my thoughts may be wrong (but I don’t think so).
Rick Renner’s thoughts derived from analyzing the Greek language used in New Testament days (and the Greek used by the Alexandrian Jews that wrote the Septuagint) is good reading to contemplate on what the Anti-Christ will appear to be.
JRH 11/27/07
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The Appearance of the Antichrist
Rick Renner
Sparkling Gems from the Greek
November 27, 2007 Devotional Email
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; 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 2:3, 4
From my early childhood, I heard about the antichrist. In the many years that I’ve been a Christian, I’ve heard people speculate that this person or that person could potentially be the antichrist. However, although these individuals may have been forerunners to the antichrist, none of them turned out to be the long- anticipated Man of Lawlessness described in the Scriptures.
The Bible teaches us that at some point in the future, an evil ruler called the antichrist is going to step onto the platform of the world stage and take the leading role for a short time in the affairs of mankind. Many predecessors of the antichrist have already come and gone, but according to this scripture in Second Thessalonians 2, the real antichrist is still yet to be revealed in the last times.
Paul tells us about the supernatural appearance of the antichrist when he writes about the last days in Second Thessalonians 2:3,4. Paul writes, “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; 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.”
Paul says that before the antichrist can be revealed, first there must be a “falling away” that takes place in the world. The phrase “falling away” is taken from the Greek word apostasia, which describes a falling away or a revolt. The writer Plutarch used this word to describe a political revolt. In First Maccabees 2:15, the word apostasia is used to picture people who are turning away from the Lord. This word also occurs in the Septuagint version of Joshua 2:22, where it conveys the idea of rebellion against God. Thus, the word apostasia is a word that denotes rebellion, mutiny, and defiance.
Before the antichrist can be welcomed with wide- open arms by the world, a change in society’s mentality must first take place. Paul uses this word to predict a rebellion or mutiny against God that will occur in the last days. The text does not imply that this mutiny will occur within the Church; rather, it seems to point to a change in society’s attitude toward God.
Paul is describing a time when society’s attitude toward God and holy things will become mutinous. Once this anti-God and anti-godliness mentality pervades society, the world will be primed and prepared to receive this man whom Paul calls “that man of sin.”
The Greek word used here for “sin” is the word anomia. Translating the word anomia as “sin” is unfortunate, for the word anomia actually means without law and carries the idea of a lawless attitude. It has a definite article in Greek, which tells us emphatically that this individual is not just any person with a lawless attitude; rather, this is a reference to the man of lawlessness or the antichrist.
Paul points to a time when this evil leader will be “revealed.” The word “revealed” is the Greek word apokalupto. It is a compound word, using the words apo and kalupto. The word apo means away, and the word kalupto is something that is veiled, covered, concealed, or hidden. When these two words are compounded, they form the word apokalupto, depicting a veil that has been removed, exposing what is behind the veil that was formerly concealed or hidden from view. Paul uses this word to inform us that a day is coming when the antichrist — who has been concealed and hidden from public view — will suddenly appear. In that moment when he suddenly emerges on the world scene, it will be as if a stage curtain has been pulled out of the way so that he can make his grand appearance.
Paul calls this wicked leader “the son of perdition.” The word “perdition” is from the Greek word apoleia, which speaks of something that is doomed, rotten, ruinous, or decaying. Although this world leader may boast that he will lead the world to a higher and better day, what he will actually bring to the world is doom, destruction, ruin, rot, and decay. No redeeming value can be found in anything produced by the antichrist’s rule. In the Greek text, Paul uses a definite article, loudly signaling that this evil world ruler is in a category like none other before him. He is not simply another evil person. He is THE Son of Doom and Destruction.
Next, Paul tells us that this wicked world leader will be one “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.” The Greek word for “opposeth” is antikeimai, which means opposed to or against everything that is established. There is no doubt that this is a clear reference to the antichrist.
The word “antichrist” means against Christ. Thus, the Greek word used in this verse tells us that this evil leader will be against everything having to do with God. It is important to note that the Greek grammar used in this verse paints the picture of a continual, unending, and perpetual resistance against the things of God. This is not just a one- time resistance against the things of God; rather, this poisonous quality will be deeply ingrained in the character of the antichrist. Everything in this evil ruler will be opposed to God and all that He represents.
Paul also warns that the antichrist “exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped.” The word “exalteth” is the Greek word huperairo, which means to exceedingly exalt oneself or to be exalted highly. In this case, it is the idea of someone being exalted too highly. According to Paul, the antichrist will go to all lengths to exceedingly exalt himself in the eyes of the world. As we continue to study this verse, we discover that this wicked ruler will even attempt to sit in God’s rightful place in the temple and elevate himself higher than God Himself !
Paul says that the antichrist will oppose and exalt himself above all “that is worshipped.” The word for “worship” is the Greek word sebasma, which refers to anything that can be worshiped, including God. Here we see that the antichrist will attempt to stop the practice of worshiping God and demand that he become the primary focus of human attention and worship.
Then Paul prophesies that the antichrist will sit in the very place of God in the temple. The word “temple” is the Greek word naos. It is sometimes used to refer to the innermost part of the temple and may be interpreted as the Holy of Holies. On the basis of this verse, many scholars assert that the antichrist will enter a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem, where he will go into the Holy of Holies and decree himself to be God incarnate.
Wasn’t this exactly what Lucifer attempted to do when he declared that he would exalt himself above the very throne of God? Isaiah tells us of Lucifer in Isaiah 14:13,14: “For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.”
Following the long-held desire of Satan, the antichrist will again attempt to take the very place of God in the temple. Paul tells us that the antichrist will commit the ultimate offense of “shewing himself that he is God.” The Greek word for “shew” is the word apodeiknumi, which actually means to vividly portray; to point out; to illustrate; to show off; or to make a vivid presentation. This is the picture of the antichrist using all possible means to demonstrate that he holds a rank that is even higher than God Himself.
In Second Thessalonians 2:9, Paul warns that the antichrist will even employ supernatural signs and wonders to try to prove that he is God. He says, “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders.”
The words “with all” are from the Greek words en pase, which emphatically declares that the antichrist will come with all power — implying that he will make his grand appearance with all kinds of power and supernatural displays. The Greek word for “power” is dunamis, which describes something that is explosive or dynamic. It is where we get the word dynamite. This means that when the antichrist appears, he will come with all kinds of powers that are truly extraordinary in the opinion of the lost world.
The Greek word for “sign” is semeion. This word denotes an act that points the viewer in a certain direction or an action performed to prove a point. It also means a beacon, a signal, or a sign. Just as a sign on the road gives directions to a driver, these supernatural feats are intended to point the attention and focus of the world to the antichrist.
The word “wonder” is the Greek word teras, and it is often translated miracles. This refers to something that causes people to marvel or to be amazed. The same word is used in Matthew 24:24, where Jesus warns that false prophets will perform wonders in the last days to deceive and to draw people away after themselves. Here it is used to say that when Satan finally has the opportunity to introduce his antichrist to the world, the evil ruler will energetically attempt to take the very place of God — even using lying signs and wonders to show that he is God.
When you put all these Greek words together, you discover that Paul’s words in Second Thessalonians 2:3, 4, 9 could be interpreted:
“In light of these things, I urge you to refuse to allow anyone to take advantage of you. For example, you won’t need a letter to tell you when the day of the Lord has come. You ought to know by now that this day can’t come until first a worldwide insurgency, rebellion, riot, and mutiny against God has come about in society.
“Once that occurs, the world will then be primed, prepared, and ready to embrace the Man of Lawlessness, the one who hates law and has rebellion running in his blood. This is the long-awaited and predicted Son of Doom and Destruction, the one who brings rot and ruin to everything he touches. When the time is just right, he will finally come out of hiding and go public!
“Do you understand whom I am talking about? I’m describing that person who will be so against God and everything connected with the worship of God that, if you can imagine it, he will even try to put himself on a pedestal above God Himself — sitting in God’s rightful place in the temple and publicly proclaiming himself to be God!
“This evil one will be energized by Satan himself as he makes his arrival known to the world with all kinds of dynamic supernatural powers — powers that are truly extraordinary. These lying signs and wonders and supernatural feats have only one purpose: They are designed to draw attention to the Lawless One and to make the world stand in awe of him.”
Any Christian who is sensitive to the Spirit of God is keenly aware that we are living in a time when society’s attitude toward God is radically changing. The world is being primed and prepared to throw open its arms and receive this world ruler who will oppose God and bring rot, ruin, and destruction to mankind. Unfortunately, the lost world doesn’t realize that it is being slowly seduced and trained for this moment the devil has long awaited.
As believers, we have no need to be afraid, for none of this will affect those who know Jesus Christ. However, it will affect those who are lost and without God. They will fall under the supernatural hypnotism of this devil-anointed leader. And if they don’t come to know Jesus Christ before all of this occurs, they will be ensnared in the trap that the entire world is about to fall into in the days to come.
Please realize what a critical time you are living in right now. Jesus is coming quickly. Those who know Him will escape many of these trials and temptations, but those who don’t know Him will be caught in the delusion and devastation. It’s good to rejoice that you will escape, but what about those you love? What are you going to do to ensure that they escape the evil days that are coming upon the earth?
In light of this clear teaching of Scripture, don’t you think it’s time for you to reach out to your unsaved friends and family members and speak to them about the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ? Ask the Holy Spirit to give you an opportunity to speak to them; then let Him fill your mouth with the right words as you earnestly plead with them to make Jesus Christ the Lord of their lives.
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Lord, I ask You to give me the boldness I need to present the Gospel to my friends and family members who are unsaved. I know that if they don’t receive Jesus, they will be lost in sin and caught in the delusion that is coming upon the world in the days to come. I don’t want to stand before You knowing that they are lost because I was too afraid to open my mouth and tell them of Your saving blood. Holy Spirit, please give me the boldness I need and the right words to speak to those who are near and dear to my heart. When I stand before You, I want to be assured in my heart that I did everything I could to rescue those who are lost and perishing. Please help me to do this and to start today!
I pray this in Jesus’ name!
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I confess that I am not afraid to testify of Jesus Christ to others. In fact, the love of God compels me to reach out to those who are lost. I know I will give account for those I could have reached but didn’t, so I will do everything I can to speak to them, to reach them, and to make sure they have an opportunity to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ. If they refuse to listen or to receive, I will be freed from my responsibility. My part is just to make sure they had a chance to hear and to believe. The Holy Spirit is empowering me to testify, so starting today, I will follow His leading and speak to unbelievers about Jesus as God provides opportunities for me to do so.
I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!
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Rick Renner Ministries | PO Box 702040 | Tulsa | OK | 74170
While volunteering to run a friend's store today, I am surprised that so many mothers are talking about taking their kids out of school tomorrow because it's the sixth day of the sixth month of the sixth year. Older kids are scaring the younger ones by regarding this as "The Day of the Beast." Maybe it's all that fuss over the number 666 which is supposed to be the number of the devil in the book of Revelations in the Bible. Thing is, if you knew anything about numerology, you'd realize that the number 666 is actually a very lucky number, being that it is a triple trinity number -- actually the number 6 is the higher vibration of 3, so, really 666 is the number 3 repeated six times. Whether it's regarded as part of Christian mythos or not, the number 6 is a number that represents the family, compassion, and domesticity. I'm surprised Christians don't interpret this number more positively. Interpreting the number 6 within the Christian creation story, Man was created on the sixth day and the Supreme Being is three persons (Father, Son and Holy Ghost). The number 666 could then be interpreted as a number that represents men trying to take away the power of God, or more positively, men becoming one within God's power. I guess it all depends on whether or not you want to see 666 as the glass half full or half empty!
No matter what I think, 666 is commonly known as the Number of the Beast in Book of Revelation chapter 13, verses 17-18. "Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number [is] Six hundred threescore [and] six..." However, according to other translations of the Bible, some maintain that recent discoveries show that 616 could possibly be the correct number of the beast, and not the commonly known 666.
However, if are Jewish, the three 6's of 666 add up to the number 18. The number 18 is a number for life and considered a holy omen. Perhaps this beast that's spoken of so hotly could be a "wolf in sheep's clothing?"
Some people regard June 6, 2006 (06/06/06) and June 6, 1906 are the days of the Beast, however there's no proof that these days really have anything to do with the Beast. To most people in the world it's just another day and just another number.
Some other 666 trivia (ripped from the pages at Wikipedia):
666 is also the value of the kilohertz frequency of the Bodenseesender, a big AM radio station in South Germany, which is receivable at night in all of Europe.
It is also the frequency of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Canberra station.
In the United States, 666 is a brand name of cough syrup.
666 is the port number used by the game Doom (by id Software) when playing against another player via TCP.
In Unix and similar operating systems, a file permission of 666 (which is not uncommon) grants all users read and write permissions on the file.
666 is the sum of all the numbers on a typical roulette wheel.
666 is the numerical value of: "ועתה יגדל-נא כח אדני" ("Ata yigdal na koach Ado-nai"; Now, let the power of my Lord grow) (Numbers 14:17). This was Moshe's prayer invoking Divine Mercy on behalf of the Jewish People. So if you're Jewish, like I said before, this is a good number!
CSX Transportation currently has a GE AC6000CW with the number 666.
666 is a nickname for Benzene Hexachloride, a powerful insecticide and pediculicide. Its chemical formula is C6H6Cl6.
Apple's first computer, the Apple I, was priced at $666.66.
Organic molecules are based on carbon-12, with 6 Protons, 6 Neutrons and surrounded by 6 Electrons.
So, what do I think is gonna happen tomorrow, you know, being the next Day of the Beast and all?
I'm betting that hordes of evil undead will take over the landscape, therefore ending all wars currently going on as the world's military forces will be needed to combat the zombie outbreak. Pretty soon we'll be be living in a George A. Romero movie! In any case...
Have a great Day of the Beast everyone!!!
Tomorrow is Official Anti-Christ Day!!! 06-06-06
Celebrate this day by showing your true evil nature....
hehehe....
Hey who knows...the anti-christ might even be born....*Wtf0rz..Oh Noez...lol* Apparently the masses are already freaking out about 06-06-06....6-6-6 hahaha...comeon people get over it...the antichrist is going to be born so just deal with it okay? :D
remember all those chain letters you never sent from your email box...well you better send them if you don't want the apocalypse tomorrow...see...your friends were just looking out for your well being when they sent those...so called "annoying" chain letters...but it's up to you to prevent the Apocalypse...so send them NOW! :)
Can you tell I am enjoying this just a little too much? yeah that's what I thought...:D
“According to Le-way”
It was a long time ago but some of you may remember. It was the fall of 1992 and Ozzy was in the midst of his No More Tears Tour. I bought two tickets but my companion copped out at the last minute. I was not about to miss my first opportunity to see my favorite singer in concert so I went by myself! The months and years that lead up to the concert consisted of a lot of drug abuse… especially LSD and Marijuana! On this particular night all I had was a bag of weed and enough money to buy some drinks once I arrived. My prior experience with LSD and my maturity level contributed to the events of the evening.. During the concert I screamed out several phrases that I hoped would fuck with my fellow concert goers. The words “I’m here!” and “Blue Ball” referenced things personal to me relating to LSD trips I had taken. I expected no one to literally understand but maybe I’d get them to think about what my screams in the night meant! I was surprised when Ozzy seemed to take notice and even put his arms out in a hi-Hitler fashion as if directed at me! I thought nothing more of it till the next day…
The following morning I went about drinking beer and smoking weed as usual. I decided to put in the No More Tears CD in tribute of the concert I had just attended when it happened. There is no way I could have known it at the time but I would never be the same! I played it over and over again in a state of bewilderment that grew more and more exciting every time I heard what was on it. It was me! It was my name! My name was on an Ozzy Osbourne song! I couldn’t believe it! I have since come to accept it.
The following months developed into full blown schizophrenia. There seemed to be nothing I could do to get the refrigerator to shut up or find the listening devices and cameras the radio station must have put in my room. Sounds that used to mean nothing now spoke directly to me and were apparently out to get me. The days and weeks turned into months that gave birth to years that I would have to spend like this. I often thought of getting back at the demon society that put me there. I was mad even if Ozzy never heard a thing I said! Eventually, help found me because I was incapable of finding it myself...
There is a part of this story that I’ve so far left out that you need to know about. I came to hate religion. In particular I despised the Christian religion for pretending to be right when it clearly wasn’t even fair. I thought that God (if one existed) would be wrong to base forever on something like what religion a person is. It shouldn’t matter what you call or do not call God. God is the God of everyone or He is the God of no one. I now know I was right.
Religion is just a bunch of different ways to worship the same God. Le-way (what I call my religion) is nothing more than a brand new way to worship God. It doesn’t have to be the right way or the best way but it is my way and a way, I think, is worth sharing with the rest of world.
One day last fall I was getting drunk in the woods not too far from my parents house where I was staying when something unusual happened. I saw what appeared to be a dark figure resembling a knight in shining armor materialize before me. The creature, whatever it was, stood before me without saying a word for what seemed like forever. Then without any warning reached for the sword at it’s side and struck me down. The next think I knew I was in the spirit and standing before the Lord. God did not say a word to me but instructed a 4 headed beast to show me what is to come.
I was surprised to hear the beast speak in such an innocent tone to me that I was not frightened. The beast explained to me in great detail what I am supposed to share with mankind. The way to go to Heaven is to surrender the knowledge of good and evil but anyone who gives their life to God accomplishes this. I was right to say that it doesn’t matter what you call or do not call God. God knows who His followers are! It was explained to me that people who are willing to surrender the knowledge of good and evil will become at one with God and serve Him like our arms and legs do us. This is what it means to achieve Nirvana, enter Paradise, or go to Heaven!
But God in His fairness has prepared a place for the rest of humanity too! The place is called Utopia and is where bad things don’t happen to good people. The better you live your life, the better your life will be. It’s what’s called Perfect On-going Justice (like Karma but better) We will get to experience Actual Free-will or, in other words, the absence of any demonic and or psychic influences. People will get to design the spiritual environment of their choosing (so far as Perfect On-going Justice permits). The best thing is that God has decided to give everyone a Permanent 2nd Chance to surrender their knowledge of good and evil and go to Heaven (because forever should be based on forever and not a human lifetime). And there will finally be Liberty and Justice for All..
The Prayer of Le-way:
“God, whose names are great and many,
I ask that there may be justice for both friend and foe
And for myself.
Amen.”
Sincerely,
Mr. Tinkertrain
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