John Warns Us

John ends his first epistle with the ominous words: ‘Dear children, keep yourselves from idols’ (1 John 5:21) and although you may feel like his warning comes out of nowhere, it actually comes from John's awareness of the dangers we face now and the danger we'll face in the Last Times regarding the Antichrist.

John wanted all Christians to be equipped to deal with the Antichrist.

John received the revelation which today is the Book of Revelation. In his vision of the Last Times, John saw that an image would be worshipped by the entire World--the image of the Beast. Although the Beast itself is ugly (it has 7 heads and 10 horns), its image will be something beautiful.

The image of the Beast will be magnificent, impressive, and attractive--something like a hologram.

The Image of the Beast

Through the image of the Beast, Satan will mislead the entire World. The image will speak, it will be visible to all people everywhere, it will authorize people to buy and sell, and (for the person who will not adore it) it will decree death. That is, the image has a way of identifying people so that it might designate them for capital punishment.

The image of the Beast is truly a powerful and dangerous image. It is a wonder of technology. It is a marvel of artificial intelligence! But it will fall into the wrong hands. The image is a feat of the most brilliant minds in the field of computer science, but it will be harnessed by the False Prophet.

The Second Beast [the False Prophet] was given power to give breath to the image of the First Beast [the Antichrist], so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed.

It [the False Prophet] also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the Beast or the number of its name.

This calls for wisdom. Let the person who has insight calculate the number of the Beast, for it is the number of a man. That number is 666 (Revelation 13:15-18).

The image of the Beast will be the culmination of all idolatry. It will be the highest degree of idol worship to which the World will ever attain. It represents the capstone of all evil--but it will appear to be benevolent. So, it is entirely deceptive.

This magnificent image will appear to be religiously very correct--even though it's Biblically very wrong. Its wrongness stems from: 1) the counterfeit hope it offers, 2) its substitution of the True Messiah (Jesus) with another man, and 3) its gross misinterpretation of Bible prophecy.

The followers of the Antichrist commit to: 1) a worldly hope in 2) a man who is not the savior, by means of 3) a twisted interpretation of the Scriptures.

The image will be set up in the rebuilt Jerusalem Temple. The Antichrist authorizes the Jews to rebuild their Temple at the first Seal, and the daily sacrifice will reinitiate at that time, a sacrifice that hasn't been offered for almost 2000 years. The freedom for Jews to worship safely in their land is something most Christians strongly support--ant that's exactly why this is so deceptive.

Then, 3.5 years into the 7-year agreement, the Antichrist will order that the Temple sacrifices cease. Why will the Antichrist stop the sacrifices? Because they are part of the Old Covenant. He's going to announce the New Covenant!

The Antichrist will say that he is the fulfillment of God's promises. He'll say (like Jesus said) that the Old Testament has been fulfilled in him. He'll convince the World that he is the Messiah--the promised divine ruler of a new World. This will occur right after his resurrection from the Dead, so many people will easily trust him on the part about him being divine!

The Doctrine of Christ

But the key to the Antichrist's deception is not in that he promotes a biblical teaching. Rather, he'll suppress a biblical teaching. He is very crafty, so instead of pushing a lie, he ignores a truth--and that has the same effect as someone who straight-out lies.

So, what Truth does the Antichrist ignore? The Antichrist disregards the most basic Christian doctrine, the Doctrine of Christ. And in so doing, he squashes it.

The Antichrist will diplomatically and shrewdly refuse to acknowledge the most fundamental Truth of Christianity: that Jesus came in the flesh. That doctrine is expressed concisely by the Apostle Paul when he says that God sent Jesus in the likeness of the flesh of sin.

For what was impossible for the Law, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did. By sending his own Son in the likeness of the flesh of sin and concerning sin, he condemned sin in the flesh (Romans 8:3; LEB/Smith's).

If the Antichrist can keep people unaware of this doctrine, he will keep the door of salvation closed to the World. He's already been working hard to keep the Church in the dark on this Truth for 2000 years. And as of today, he has been very successful!

Any time you hear pastors say "Jesus was 100% God" or proclaim "Jesus was God," they have done the bidding of the Devil. They have robbed Christmas of its true meaning and have contradicted the basic Christian Truth--the Truth that Jesus came in the flesh!

Anytime you hear people glorifying Mary for being immaculate or sinless, that's also an effort to make Jesus super-human. But Jesus came as a human. He came in the human nature of sin. He did not have even the slightest hint of the divine nature.

The Antichrist’s goal is to rob the Church of the great Truth the Scriptures call the Doctrine of Christ, the teaching that Jesus came in the flesh. This doctrine comes to us from the Apostles who consistently affirm that Jesus was born with the human nature of sin.

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the Devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death... For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way... (Hebrews 2:14-17; LEB)

Battle With the Gnostics

John was an ardent defender of the Doctrine of Christ because he had many dealings with the Gnostics, a dangerous sect in the Church of his day. The Gnostics said that Jesus was a spirit-being and that he did not have the same nature as us. They also taught (as today's Jehovah's Witnesses do today) that Jesus was resurrected in spirit, but not in body. That's because they thought all flesh is sinful--so (they think) "why be resurrected and get stuck with sin for all eternity?"

Like most Greek philosophies, the Gnostics thought that the body was bad and the spirit is good. So John wrote against the Gnostics in his first and second epistles, warning Christians not to let them into their houses. Here's what John said:

Whoever goes ahead [meaning someone who goes beyond the Truth of Scriptures by adding to it] and does not remain in the Doctrine of Christ does not have God.

He who abides in the Doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this Doctrine [the Doctrine of Christ], do not receive him into your house nor greet him… (2 John 1:9-10; NKJV)

The Foundation of the Foundations

The author of Hebrews calls this very precious teaching, the Doctrine of Christ, by another name: the elementary teaching about the Christ. It is the most basic Truth to which Christians hold. It’s the basis of the doctrines we call the foundations--and there are seven foundations.

Since they are so basic to sound doctrine, you do well to memorize them. Here's the passage from which we learn them:

Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of:

1.) repentance from dead works, and of

2.) faith toward God, of 

3-4.) instruction about baptisms and

5.) laying on of hands, and about

6.) the Resurrection of the Dead and 

7.) eternal judgment (Hebrews 6:1-2; NASB).

Apostles made it their aim to establish foundations. They wanted believers to have firm foundations, but the Antichrist has a different aim. He aims to completely undermine the foundations. He doesn't want anyone to believe the Truth we call the Doctrine of Christ.

Once Christians ignore, abandon, or lose this truth (that Jesus came in the flesh of sin, the same human nature you and I have), there is no power in the Gospel to save. If the Lord Jesus had not become as we are in every way (Hebrews 2:14, 17), and if he was not tempted in every way just as we are (Hebrews 4:15)—then there is no sacrifice for our sins!

If Jesus did not have the same human nature of sin with which every person is born (Romans 8:3)—that is, if he did not come in the flesh—then God’s forgiveness has become inaccessible. The Gospel has been nullified. God’s salvation is deactivated when a person will not acknowledge that Jesus came in the flesh.

Without this Truth, the Doctrine of Christ, there is no foundation for Christianity. There is no saving Gospel. We either recognize that Jesus came in the flesh, or the Jesus we're preaching is the wrong Jesus. And that's exactly who the Antichrist wants us to believe in--the wrong Jesus!

Who is that "wrong Jesus"? It's the Antichrist. He wants us to believe that he is the Messiah. He comes to us on a white horse just like Jesus. He'll fight wars to protect Israel, just like Jesus. He'll serve in the Temple and his divine nature will be recognized by all--just like Jesus!

Crisis of Confusion

John knew that the Antichrist will seize upon the confusion surrounding Jesus’ identity. Do you know that? If you don't, then learn it quickly because confusion about Christ is increasing all the time.

The Antichrist takes advantage of people's ignorance. Not coincidentally, the number one matter of confusion among Christians right now is a lack of clarity on Jesus' identity. That's why the time is ripe for the Antichrist to propose his own gospel.

It’s remarkable, but the Apostle John knew 2000 years ago that the present-day confusion would make believers vulnerable to the deception of the Antichrist. So, John warns his readers about the deception of the Antichrist throughout his epistle. Here's something else he says:

Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the World (1 John 4:2-3).

…many deceivers have gone out into the World who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the Deceiver and the Antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.

Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the Doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the Doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this Doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him (2 John 1:7-13; NKJV).

The Image of the Beast

Idolatry is when people ascribe spiritual value to a material object. When people place spiritual worth on a physical item, that’s idolatry. And the Age of the Gentiles—which is the current period of human history in which we live—will conclude with widespread idolatry. From the Temple in Jerusalem, idolatry will go global.

The people of the World will focus their trust on an image. That image the whole World will be able to see--and that  image will speak. It will be the image of the Beast!

The second Beast [the False Prophet] was given power to give breath to the image of the first Beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed (Revelation 13:15).

The whole World was filled with wonder and followed the Beast… they also worshiped the Beast and asked, ‘Who is like the Beast? Who can wage war against it?’

… it was given authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation. All inhabitants of the Earth will worship the Beast (Revelation 13:4, 7-8).

Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, and many other kings have built images of themselves throughout history. Lenin, Stalin, and Mao Zedong famously build statues of themselves. Kim Jong Un in North Korea has some now—but never has a ruler built an image of himself that speaks. The Antichrist will.

Hi-Tech Lie

The Antichrist will exploit technology to create an image that speaks to everyone on the planet. This is now possible through satellite, holographic, and digital technology—and much of that technology is available on your cell phone.

Nearly every human being on the planet will love and adore the Antichrist’s image because it will grant them the freedom to buy and sell. (That includes buying food and clothes and a license to do business). For example, those who receive the number of the Beast will be able to sell on the local and global marketplace.

… [the False Prophet] forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the Beast or the number of its name (Revelation 13:16-17).

Buying and Selling

How critical will buying and selling be in the midst of a chaotic world plagued by earthquakes, meteorite showers, darkness, wars, and injustice? When war, scarcity, natural disasters, and destruction prevail, people desperately seek solutions. The False Prophet will offer them the socio-economic solution they are looking for.

The False Prophet will offer people what the Bible calls ‘the image of the Beast’—an image which surely will go by another much more attractive name. The False Prophet is an expert deceiver, and will make the image of the Beast get great press and is presented to the World as benign. But he does this in order to deceive as many people as possible.

Do You Know God?

Our deliverance from the deception of the Last Times comes primarily by knowing the True God. Do you know who he is? He's the Father.

Jesus was sent by the Father and he serves the Father. Jesus obeyed God in all things and only said what God ordered him to say. Because we’re so firm in our faith in Christ Jesus, we will not be deceived or led astray by anyone else claiming to be the Son of God—even if that person has the economic, military, and religious authority to save the World!

… the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is True. And we are in Him who is True by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the True God and eternal life (1 John 5:20).

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves his Child as well (1 John 5:1).

… we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the World. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God (1 John 4:14-15).

Believing a Lie

Have you noticed that churches are filled with people who don’t know God? They simply don’t know him. They have been taught wrongly. Most of them think that Jesus is the One God. They have no clue who the Father is.

These people are easy prey for the Antichrist. He’ll exploit their ignorance. He'll call himself the Christ. He'll call himself divine. For those clueless believers, that sounds like the right person to trust. But it won't be the right person to trust. It'll be the Antichrist.

… many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many… (Matthew 24:5; NKJV)

The mark of a true believer is that he knows the Father. How does he know who the Father is? Because Jesus revealed the Father to him! Here's what Jesus prayed regarding this revelation:

… this is eternal life: that they know you, the Only True God… I have revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the World… Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you for I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them.

They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me… Righteous Father, though the World does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made your name known to them, and will continue to make you known… (John 17:3, 6-8, 25-26)

Jesus continues to make God known, even today.

Accepting Jesus

Jesus also continues to make himself known. Jesus confronted the Pharisees about who they accept as God’s Son. Knowing that the Antichrist would trick the Jews, Jesus told them 'I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me' (John 5:43).

Jesus knew that the Antichrist will present himself as the Savior of the World, the Messiah. So Jesus confronted the Pharisees. Knowing that the Antichrist will sit in the Temple, acting like the Son of God, Jesus told the Pharisees point blank: '...if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him' (John 5:43).

Would the Pharisees accept Jesus as the Son of God? No. But they will accept another. They’ll accept someone who is the self-declared son of God. And so will the whole World along with them. The Pharisees and the whole World will believe in someone who says he has the divine nature. They'll believe in the Antichrist.

Seeking God's Glory

Jesus sought God’s glory and God gave it to him. Jesus was resurrected by God, so he obtained the glory God gives. Didn't God give Jesus glory? But most people are incapable of noticing this about Jesus. They're too busy thinking that he is God to notice that God made Jesus Lord.

I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the Only God? (John 5:43-44)

Most people are unable to seek the glory that comes from the Only God and Father. It requires a kind of faith they do not have. Because of that, like the Pharisees, they are incapable of accepting Jesus as the Messiah. Like the Pharisees, people today will also fall right into the trap of the Antichrist.

What's the root of their problem? They are locked into this World. They seek the honor, respect, and glory of men. They pursue the esteem of their bosses, family, and friends. They do not seek the glory that comes from the One True God, which is what Jesus did. They don't even understand what it means to pursue glory from God.

Who Is Who?

Are you prepared to face the deception of the Antichrist? You are only prepared if you hold fast to the Truth that Jesus came in the flesh. The baby born in Bethlehem came to us 100% human. Jesus was born completely human and he died completely human.

The One True God is immortal. The One God is the Father, not Jesus. Jesus died. Jesus was mortal.

Jesus’ death proves that Jesus was not the One True God. Jesus did not have the divine nature--which is exactly why he could die. He was mortal. The One True God cannot die.

Neither can the One True God be tempted. But Jesus was tempted in every way.

Again, you must believe that Jesus had the human nature of sin. Flee from anyone who does not bring this doctrine to you. Flee from them. Don't welcome them into your house. Be free from the spirit of the Antichrist.

Jesus Saves

Jesus didn't sin. Such a victory over temptation is wonderful because he could have sinned. He was then as we are now. He came in the flesh--in the human nature of sin. He was susceptible to every temptation.

The fact that Jesus triumphed while in the flesh means that you and I (who are now in the flesh) can also triumph over sin--but only if we use the means he used. Following in his footsteps is required of anyone who will overcome temptation.

If we trust in Jesus, and follow him by faith, we will obtain the same resurrection he obtained! We too will be saved from death. We too will obtain eternal life and glory.