Posted on 09/28/2014 10:10:47 AM PDT by Kaslin
Many people—religious and non-religious—are asking questions about a word they hear the media use when referring to ISIS and other Islamist jihadists. That word is apocalyptic, which is used when specifically referring to the fatalism of Islamists.
People wonder, why do so many Muslims (both Sunni and Shiite) operate with such an “apocalyptic,” end-of-world mindset?
Our secular society, however, coupled with the media’s carelessness, is bandying about words like apocalyptic without using them properly and without explanation. That creates a great deal of confusion for some, many of which just throw up their hands in resignation and say, “I don’t understand this.”
But for those who want to understand, I am offering this 2-part column, taking excerpts from my newest book, Jesus, Jihad, and Peace. I hope this will put things into perspective, so when the media says that an Islamist entity (such as ISIS, al-Qaeda, Iran, etc.) operate with an apocalyptic vision, you can make sense of it.
The word apocalypse does not, in fact, refer to a disastrous, catastrophic, end-of-world event. It’s a Greek word, the root of which means revelation, or revealing things that are hidden. For instance, we know the last book of the Bible asRevelation, but in the original Greek language, it is Apokalupsae. It reveals what is happening in the heavenly realm, as well as events in the future.
The Concept of the Antichrist
Both the Old Testament and New Testament spoke of an end-times figure, the Antichrist, some six hundred years or more before Islam came on the scene. That timing will be important when I explain Islam’s “end of time” coming of a Mahdi in my next column.
The Antichrist is known by various names. Paul calls him “the lawless one,” “the man of lawlessness,” and “the man doomed to destruction” who “will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God” (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12). The most detailed description of the Antichrist is in Revelation 13, where the Apostle John refers to the Antichrist as “the beast.” The Old Testament prophet Daniel describes the abominable works of the Antichrist, but gives him no name or title (Daniel 9:27).
Who, then, is the Antichrist, whose brief but terrible reign is predicted in both the Old and New Testaments? He will be a world leader of unparalleled political, military, and religious power. He will be charming, persuasive, and popular beyond measure. The world will not know him as the “Antichrist,” but by some attractive name and appealing title. But just as the word “Antichrist” suggests, he will be the opposite of the Lord Jesus Christ in every way. Everything Christ is, the Antichrist is not; everything Christ is not, the Antichrist is.
Jesus came from heaven (John 6:38); the Antichrist comes from the Abyss, the spiritual domain of evil (Revelation 11:7). Jesus came in the name of the Father; the Antichrist comes in his own name (John 5:43). Jesus was despised by the world (Isaiah 53:3); the Antichrist is worshiped by the world (Revelation 13:3-4). Jesus came in humility as a servant (Philippians 2:7-8); the Antichrist comes in pride, claiming to be God (2 Thessalonians 2:4; Daniel 11:36). Jesus is the truth (John 14:6); the Antichrist is the lie (2 Thessalonians 2:9-11). Jesus is the Son of God (Mark 1:1; Luke 1:35); the Antichrist is the son of perdition (2 Thessalonians 2:3 KJV).
The Apostle Paul tells us that the mystery (or secret) of godliness is that God Himself has appeared to us in human flesh (1 Timothy 3:16)—and that the mystery (or secret) of lawlessness is that Satan has produced a counterfeit Christ, the Antichrist, Satan wrapped in human flesh (2 Thessalonians 2:6-8). Jesus is the true Shepherd; Satan will have his evil shepherd, the Antichrist. Jesus is the Holy One of God; the Antichrist will be the lawless one of Satan. Jesus is the Man of Sorrows; the Antichrist will be the man of sin.
One Antichrist and many antichrists
First of all, the Antichrist is coming—a lawless man who will come in Satan’s power, demanding to be worshiped as God, destroying all those who love God. But John tells us that there are many other antichrists, lesser deceivers who are also self-exalting, evil, and destructive. They are antichrists, but they are not the Antichrist.
Jesus tells us that, shortly before His return, the Antichrist will arise during a time of global chaos and confusion, when the world is in political, social, financial, and ecological upheaval. The terrified people of the world, desperate for a strong leader, will turn to this man and give him control of the governments of the world.
Daniel tells us that the Antichrist will speak “boastfully” (Daniel 7:8), yet it is clear that these will not be empty boasts. The Antichrist will appear to possess superhuman brilliance. He’ll be the ultimate smooth talker, the greatest con-man who ever lived, and he’ll unite the nations under his rule. At first, he’ll seem to be a wise and benevolent dictator, bringing peace, prosperity, and hope. But once he is firmly in control of the gears and levers of power, he’ll reveal his true intentions.
The way has been paved for such a leader. Atheists, humanists, New Age mystics, Hindus, Buddhists, and Islamists have little in common with each other—but they all share in the belief that Jesus is not the only way to salvation. There are even many self-styled “Christians” who deny the Lord’s claim to be the only way to God. So it will be easy for the Antichrist to establish himself to many as an acceptable alternative.
In these days of muddled and confused worldviews, it is vitally important to know the truth. After all, Jesus said, “The truth will set you free.” As events unfold, we need to see them not only through the cameraman’s lens, but also through the lens of biblical revelation.
That the Antichrist is coming is known—only the timing is unknown. Although we know not the hour of night that the thief comes, we must be prepared nonetheless.
In next week’s article (Part 2), we’ll take a look at the striking parallels between the Antichrist and Islam’s Mahdi (savior).
Why does this sound so familiar?
Pong for later
short of it is the Antichrist == muslims Mahdi
We don’t have to accommodate the end time prophecy of a valid theology to that of an invalid theology.
The only significance that it retains in our framework is how it will inspire followers of that religion to act in troubled times. They will no doubt attempt to identify their end-time figures, but there is absolutely no reason for them to appear in sequence or even at all — our own end time story will determine the outcome, Mahdi or no mahdi.
Personally, I believe that we may have had the major end time prophecy fulfilled and Hitler as anti-christ, battle between Germany and Russia also pivotal, and the last seventy years possibly the allegory of the millennial kingdom, so that the final phase of the end time may lead directly to the heavenly kingdom and the eternal rule.
That may actually mean that no further “anti-christ” figure is necessary although certainly an eruption of demons from the abyss is well underway.
“Assuming” you’re thinking of president Obola, he’s far from meeting the description. A pathetic little failed community organizer who can “only” deceive 47% of American adults, while the other 53% mostly despise his azz and the rest of the world laughs in his face, won’t cut it.
Hmmm.
Yep, I did, which is why I put the word “assuming” in quotes, as in ass/u/me. Pardon me if I was mistaken. To whom were you referring in your post?
"The Antichrist will appear to possess superhuman brilliance. He’ll be the ultimate smooth talker, the greatest con-man who ever lived, and he’ll unite the nations under his rule. At first, he’ll seem to be a wise and benevolent dictator, bringing peace, prosperity, and hope. But once he is firmly in control of the gears and levers of power, he’ll reveal his true intentions."
The words say that the Antichrist, before he is revealed, will be the greatest con-man who ever lived, that he will unite the nations under his rule. Then, once he has control of all the world's power, once he has become welcomed as the world's benevolent dictator, he will reveal himself.
If those words are interpreted literally, there is no man on the world stage at the present time who demonstrates the capability or capacity to unite all the nations under his rule and assume control of of all world powers.
You apparently read the words very differently. If you believe such a man exists on the world stage, but prefer not to name him, that's okay by me. Enjoy your day.
Yes, we know all too well who fits the description!
the obambam is an effiminate, stuttering, and wholly incompetent babling idiot, used like a sockpuppet by the big money and power players of the world...
in that sense, i can only 'see' a [little "a"] antiChrist...
there is no doubt however, that a large percent of the US voting public [i doubt 50+%, but i digress] did believe that he could calm the waters and heal the world... Im not a world traveler, so i dont have the pulse of the masses, [especially the muzzie masses] and the man on the street opinions of the obambam and his influence to them, but its possibly signifigant as well...
Revelation doesnt say that the [big "A"] Anti-CHRIST will 100% dupe all people...so I [we] may simply be seeing the pod people for what they are, with their dead eyes and bs lying tongues stinging our ears, and maybe *that* is why im so damn disgusted and cant even repulsed to not even want to look at his/it/their faces when they pop up oin a picture...
might also be why my guts have had a constant gnawing feeling for years now, going back to the toons admin and even further as a child...
Lord Jesus has the power and strength and dominion over them, it will be revealed when He comes back and takes His seat in this world and the next...
till then, keep yerself at the ready to dispatch the new american head choppers and friends...
We just won't know until he is revealed.
You do realize, don't you, that these two statements are contradictory?
It is like you know that someone is under that rock, but it is only when you lift up that rock that you really who it is.
Way back ~ 2009 I remember Chris Matthews saying how Obama’s moral authority would keep the worlds bad guys in check.
Recall how Biden used to say that he would sit down with the bad guys leaders and say to them ‘Here's the deal jack...”
I thought, what idiots buy this tripe?
So, we all may be right and we all may be wrong. We won't know for sure until the Lord makes His entrance.
That is why He says to look up and keep the faith.
Well said, Slyfox.
“...I thought, what idiots buy this tripe?...”
Clearly enough idiots to elect him twice.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.