Who is a liar but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the ANTICHRIST, even he that denies the Father and the Son I John 2:22

Transcription

1 Who is a liar but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the ANTICHRIST, even he that denies the Father and the Son I John 2:22

2 Who is Antichrist? Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia: Depending upon the interpreter the following may be viewed as the antichrist: Simon Magus the sorcerer of Acts 8:9ff Muhammad (founder of Islam) Nero, Diocletian, Julian, Caligula (Roman Emperors) The Pope Martin Luthor Byzantine Emperors

3 E. B. Elliot Four volume commentary titled Horae Apocalypticae A Commentary on the Apocalypse: Preterists Historcists Futurists

4 Preterism Bible prophecy has already been fulfilled. Second coming of Christ occurred in 70 AD Nero was the beast (i.e., Antichrist) View the writings of Revelation as events surrounding the destruction of Jerusalem

5 Historicism Roman Catholic church is the antichrist. Proof: Speak words of blaspheme (Rev. 13:5): The Pope is not only the representative of Jesus Christ, but he is Jesus Christ, Himself, hidden under the veil of human flesh. Catholic National, July We hold upon this earth the place of God almighty. Pope Leo XIII, Encyclical Letter, June 20, 1894 We confess that the Pope has power of changing g Scripture and of adding to it, and taking from it, according to his will. Roman Catholic Confessions for Protestants Oath, Article XI

6 Historicism / Proofs Persecution of the saints (Rev. 13:7): Roman Inquisition: Roman Catholic church persecutes all who are pronounced heretics. From the birth of Popery in 606, to the present time, it is estimated by careful and credible historians, that more than fifty millions of the human family, have been slaughtered for the crime of heresy by popish persecutors, an average of more than forty thousand religious murders for every year of the existence of Popery. - History of Romanism, pp. 541, 542. New York: 1871.

7 Historicism / Proofs

8 Quotes from Reformers Martin Luther Therefore, let whosoever will doubt, God s word and the proper p divine worship convinces me sufficiently that the Pope is the Antichrist, and the ecclesiastical orders are his disciples, which deceive e the whole world. - Id., Part 1, p We here are of the conviction that the papacy is the seat of the true and real Antichrist. (Aug. 18, 1520).

9 Quotes from Reformers John Wesley ( ) (Methodist): Speaking of the Papacy, John Wesley wrote, He is in an emphatical sense, the Man of Sin, as he increases all manner of sin above measure. And he is, too, properly styled the Son of Perdition, as he has caused the death of numberless multitudes, both of his opposers and followers He it is that texalteth th himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped claiming the highest power, and highest honour claiming the prerogatives which belong to God alone. Antichrist and His Ten Kingdoms, by John Wesley, pg. 110.

10 Quotes from Reformers John Calvin ( ) )(Presbyterian): Some persons think us too severe and censorious when we call the Roman pontiff Antichrist. But those who are of this opinion do not consider that they bring the same charge of presumption against Paul himself, after whom we speak and whose language we adopt I shall briefly show that (Paul s words in II Thess. 2) are not capable of any other interpretation than that which applies them to the Papacy. Taken from Institutes of the Christian Religion, by John Calvin

11 Quotes from Reformers The Westminster Confession of Faith (1647): There is no other head of the church but the Lord Jesus Christ. Nor can the pope of Rome in any sense be head thereof; but is that Antichrist, that man of sin and son of perdition that exalteth himself in the church against Christ and all that is called God. Taken from Philip Schaff s s, The Creeds of Christendom, With a History and Critical Notes, III, p. 658, 659, ch. 25, sec. 6

12 Futurism Events of Revelation yet to occur: Israel and temple shall literally exists on earth. Rapture for seven years in future. Battle of Armageddon Antichrist shall rule for 3 ½ years in the future. Christ will come with the saints to destroy him. Christ shall reign upon the earth for a thousand years. Futurists Hal Lindsey taught this in his best selling book, The Late Great Planet Earth as did Tim LaHaye in the very popular book series, Left Behind.

13 Who is Antichrist? Anti-Christ = against Christ Nero? Roman Catholic church and papal system? A man working under the shadow of Satan sometime to come? What does the Bible say?

14 Word found only 5 times in Bible There are many antichrist (not one) (I Jn. 2:18) Already exists in the world (I Jn. 2:18) Sometimes come from the church (I Jn. 2:18) Those who lie (I Jn. 2:22) Deny that Jesus is the Christ (I Jn. 2:22) Will not confess that Jesus is Christ (I Jn. 4:3) Deceive the world with erring doctrines (II Jn. 7)

15 Conclusion Is the antichrist Nero or Roman Emperors? Is the antichrist the Roman Catholic church / Popes? Is the antichrist some individual of the future? Who is the antichrist? People of all ages who lie, will not keep God s laws, and teach doctrines contrary to divine revelation eato anti-christ