Paul's Passing Thoughts

In part 1, I contend  that a literal interpretation of God’s word demands a particular verdict; the antichrist will indeed be an actual person. I think this excerpt from part 1 is worth repeating:

” We will use 2Thessalonians 2:1-9. This biblical text is a descriptive narrative saturated with the idea that the antichrist is an actual person. In this text, no less than eight personal pronouns are used to refer to him. In addition, these personal pronouns are used in every noun case possible: subjective, objective, and possessive. Furthermore, two appositive personal pronoun phrases are used to describe him as well. Also, in this same text; besides adjectives that are used to describe him, he is the object that receives action from three other subjective  nouns, God, the Holy Spirit, and Satan.”

Allegory is never that grammatically specific, especially in Scripture. So, we answer the next question: does it matter? Well, considering the amount of press that he gets in Scripture, I would say yes with no hesitation. However, I will only focus on two primary reasons, even though there are many others. First, the Antichrist is an important sign post. Christ said the following in Matthew 16:3;

“And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.”

Christ chastised those who were not able to discern the signs of the times. This was the primary issue with the Thessalonians that Paul addressed in a major text regarding the antichrist. He had taught them about the antichrist in order to insulate them from harmful error, but they forgot [2Thess. 2:5].

“Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,[2Thessalonians 2:3].”

Not knowing the future can lead to deception. In this case, the Thessalonians were sent a bogus letter, supposedly from Paul, saying the resurrection had already passed. They should have known the letter was bogus because of what Paul had previously taught them, especially in regard to the antichrist.  Likewise, for those in the tribulation period, it will be absolutely critical to know facts in regard to the antichrist. Why? Well, because the beginning of the tribulation period will be marked by many claiming to be Christ and backing up their claims by working wonders and miracles [Matthew 24:5, 23-25]. This time will also be marked by the Antichrist signing a major treaty with Israel [Daniel 9:27]. Other descriptions of him in Daniel will make his appearance on the world scene unmistakable by those who are familiar with scripture. According to what Paul also told the Thessalonians, the antichrist himself will also be performing miracles [ 2Thess.2:9]. Those not familiar with signs regarding the antichrist will be left wide open to deception, and will in-fact be deceived according to  truth that leads to salvation. In many, many cases, what people believe about the antichrist will determine their eternal fate[ 2Thess. 2:10-12 Matt.24:4,5].

Secondly, knowledge concerning the antichrist is important for discerning truth in this present age. The Apostle John warned that many forerunners of the antichrist have gone out into the world in this present age [1John 2:18]. Therefore, knowledge of the antichrist that is coming will give us insight into the antichrists of  this age. Furthermore, it seems possible, in regard to the age that we live in presently, that the antichrist could appear before his grand opening which will mark the beginning of the tribulation period. Though we will not know positively  that it is him, it would certainly serve to jettison urgency in the lives of knowledgeable Christians, which is always a good idea [However, keep in mind that the Bible doesn’t exclude the possibility of a period of time between the rapture and the beginning of the tribulation period, though improbable]. There is also indication that Christians should expect a great “falling away” in close proximity to the appearing of antichrist, good information to be aware of.

Those who teach that antichrist will not be a literal person do no favor to Christianity; in fact, they may be contributing to satanic deception. God did not include eschatology within Holy writ for entertainment purposes or filler. The connections Christ and Paul make between eschatology and eternal consequences is evident, and understanding the time and age we live in, is in-fact critical to the interpretation of scripture in many instances.

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