by David Dewitt

Created on: October 18, 2008

In recent days I have heard a lot of talk about the coming of the Antichrist, maybe you have too. The majority of what I have heard seems a bit on the unusual side but some makes sense, at least from our human perspective. I believe that if we are going to speak of the things that Jesus has said are coming, we need to have our facts straight.

Let me say before I go any further, that I am not going to try to identify someone as being the Antichrist, nor am I going to be completely exhaustive in this study. There is a great deal of information in the Bible regarding the Antichrist. My goal is to bring some clarity to a subject that seems to have many confused today.

I will be limiting this study to one of the key passages from the New Testament on the Antichrist, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12

There will be an Unnecessary Confusion (1-2)

Paul makes his purpose clear from the beginning of this passage that he wants everyone to understand the facts of the coming of Christ. The issue is clear that there was indeed some serious confusion over this matter in the Thessalonian church. Isn't the same true today? There are so many theories and differences of opinion that it can make people extremely confused. The same was true in the days of Paul.

The problem for the Thessalonians was that they were becoming upset over statements made that they had missed the Second Coming. As Christians, we should not be worried about the coming of Christ, nor should we be worried about the statements made about various prophecies.

How do we combat misunderstanding of the scripture?

1.) Read the Bible daily

2.) Study the Bible methodically

3.) Seek Bible teachers and experts that can be trusted

4.) Be critical in your thinking

Satan's desire is to create confusion about God's Word. He knows that if people understand the Word, they will be enlightened and possibly saved. This is the last thing that Satan wants because every time someone is saved they are removed from his kingdom.

There will be an unlikely Power Rise (3-4)

Paul makes a clear connection that the Second Coming will not occur until after the rise of the Antichrist. Before the Antichrist can rise there will be a rebellion. The Greek word here is apostasia, which is where we get our English word apostasy. The word means much more than rebellion, it is to revolt and fall away. What Paul is saying is that there will be a time when millions upon millions revolt against God. Before God brings His final judgment on the earth, there must be a massive

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