In response to your questions, we have received a wealth of email on the
topic of the Antichrist. The questions vary but center around the topics ‘who
is’ and ‘what will happen’ concerning the prophesied figure called the
Antichrist. Not my favorite topic, but here we go.
The concept of the Antichrist is a combination of two prophecies.
First, The Gospels of the Bible record Jesus’ prophecy of doom and
destruction and the fact that there would be internal conflict among the
Jews. This prophecy states that the foreseen events would take place in the
time of and be witnessed by those alive as he spoke. The prophecy was
fulfilled when the Romans destroyed the temple of the Jews. Just prior to
the destruction of the temple, there was tremendous internal conflict taking
place among the Jewish factions within its walls. This conflict turned ‘brother
against brother’ in bloody battles as the Jews struggled for political and
religious control. During that time, the Jews were awaiting the coming of a
political leader that they believed would establish the Jewish nation apart
from Roman rule. This all took place at a time when the Romans were marching
against the Jews and were intent on re-establishing political control of
that nation. The prophecy Jesus presented was for the Jewish nation and has
been fulfilled.
Secondly, the Revelation of Jesus Christ is the last book of the Bible.
The original title of the book was simply ‘The Apocalypse of John.’ It
was later changed to reflect the Christian concept of the Second Coming. The
word apocalypse means the unveiling of the future through symbolism. During
the time of the writing, Nero Cesar was actively persecuting the Christians.
He was the first Roman emperor to do so. It may be noted that when Nero
Caesar is spelled in Hebrew consonantal letters they add up to the mystic
number 666 and that the writer, John may have been referring to Nero.
However, most scholars believe that John was referring to Caesar Domitian.
Domitian encouraged emperor worship, demanded to be addressed by the
title ‘lord’ and made an effort to force his subjects to worship him.
Considering Domitian the Antichrist, the Christians refused. John realized
that the church needed new revelation of Jesus Christ to confirm its faith.
The prophecy of John was specific to the need of strengthening Christians in
their refusal to bow to the emperor. Historically, the prophecy has seen its
day.
These prophecies are now combined and considered by the Christian Church
to proclaim the Second Coming of Jesus. Because the belief has been taught
for generations, it is well imbedded in the consensus paradigm of that
belief structure. Beliefs do get imbedded. Imbedded beliefs are part of the
paradigm.
The Paradigm Thing
We are not apes, but the following gives good example of how such a
belief can become deeply imbedded.
Start with a cage containing five apes. In the cage, hang a banana on a
string and put stairs under it. Before long, an ape will go to the stairs
and start to climb towards the banana. As soon as he touches the stairs,
spray all of the apes with cold water. After a while, another ape will make
an attempt with the same result – spray all the apes with cold water. Do
this until no ape will approach the stairs.
You can now turn off the cold water. If any ape tries to climb the
stairs, the remaining apes will try to prevent it even though no water
sprays them. They have learned.
Now, remove one ape from the cage and replace him with a new one. The new
ape will see the banana and will want to climb the stairs. To his horror,
all of the other apes will attack him. He will soon learn. After a few
attempts and attacks, he will know that if he tries to climb the stairs, he
will be assaulted.
Next, remove another of the original five apes and replace it with a new
one. The newcomer will go to the stairs and the other apes will attack him.
The previous newcomer will take part in the punishment with enthusiasm.
Again, replace a third of the original apes with a new one. The new one
will make it to the stairs and will be attacked. Two of the four apes that
beat him have no idea why they were not permitted to climb the stairs, or
why they are participating in the beating of the newest ape, but they will
take part in the punishment with enthusiasm. It is just the way things are.
After replacing the fourth and fifth original apes, all the apes that
were ever sprayed with cold water have been replaced. Nevertheless, no ape
will ever again be permitted to approach the stairs. It is just the way
things are.
This will work as long as the apes are fed. As soon as an ape becomes
hungry enough and strong enough, that ape will succeed in making his or her
way to the reward. Others will follow. No other intervention is needed. The
process reverses itself. There will probably be a struggle or two.
Again, we are not apes, but the lessons we learn about what is considered
‘out of reach’ for us are the same as that banana in the ape cage. It is
just the way things are.
What will happen?
Basically, the same thing that happened with the Y2K prophecy. It will
not take place. A paradigm shift is taking place and our awareness is
expanding, but Jesus has no intention of returning in the flesh to this
reality structure.
For the fun of it, from another perspective, the word Christ is not Jesus’
last name. It is a noun and it means ‘Anointed.’ Jesus was called The
Christ or The Anointed by his followers, but he did not reserve the title
for himself. Rather, he proclaimed that this Anointing is the natural
relationship that every man and woman has with God. The Anointing takes
place when an individual realizes this relationship with God.
The Christian belief system teaches that God requires a literal blood
sacrifice for sins in order to gain a state of oneness with God, and that
Jesus fulfilled this requirement. It further teaches that mankind is
conceived and born in sin and has no hope of gaining this relationship of
Oneness with God without outside intervention.
As the consensus paradigm expands, individuals around the world are
beginning to understand the reality of ‘I and The Father are One.’ This
will cause a tremendous conflict in all belief and reality structures.
Anointing without intervention is not believed possible. Anti-Christ may
well be called Anti-Anointing. That pretty much narrows the field down when
the question, ‘Who is the Antichrist?" arises.
The Antichrist may be any entity, individual or belief structure,
proclaiming that mankind is not naturally blessed with a One on One
relationship with God.
Walk in Peace