Misconceptions about the Antichrist
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Although many eschatologists (bible end time teachers) have written many books and articles concerning
the Man of Sin or Antichrist, many of the writings out there are not in accordance to the word of God.
Although many eschatologist are often puzzled by questions concerning the identity, the time when the
Antichrist is to appear, and whether Christians will be on earth to see the Man of Sin, many eschatologist
opt to publish literature answering these questions even though they can not support their claims.
Just as with any other end time prophetic topic, the only way to find the answer to these questions is for us
to go inside the bible, which is precisely what we will do in this article.
When will the Antichrist be revealed?
Although many eschatologist claim that Christians would not be on earth, at the time when the Man of Sin
appears. The bible specifically says that Christians not only would see the manifestation of the Man of Sin,
but would also be persecuted by him.
In 2 Thessalonians 2: 1-4 the Apostle Paul warned us not to be deceived by any spirit, writing or man, for
the return of the Lord and our gathering with Christ will not happen until there is a falling away and the Man
of sin is revealed. The words “falling away” refer to the Greek word “apostasia,” which essentially means
“rebellion. The rebellion spoken here could very well refer to people rebelling against the Lord or simply
falling away from the truth.
“Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together
unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as
from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not
come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition(KJV 2
Thessalonians 2:1-3).”
As it is clearly written above, prior to the return of Christ and prior to our gathering with the Lord, there
would first come a rebellion (falling away) and the Antichrist will be revealed. The church will be on earth to
see all of this happen.
Where would the Antichrist Appear?
In 2 Thessalonians 2:4-8, Paul continued by saying that the Antichrist will sit in the Temple of Jerusalem
where he will exalt himself above God, claiming that he is God.
Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God
sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God (2 Thessalonians 2:4)
Concerning the manifestation of the Antichrist, in Matthew 24: 15-16 we read that Jesus spoke to His
disciple, saying, “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the
prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judea flee
into the mountains.” By this we know that the Antichrist will not only sit on the Temple of Jerusalem, but will
also enter the Most Holy Place (the Holiest of Hollies), which is the holy sanctuary at the Temple of
Jerusalem that only a High Priest could enter once a year.
What will be the identity of the Antichrist?
No one knows exactly what would be the identity of the Antichrist.
Some eschatologists claim that he would be from Rome, some that he will be Russian and some have
claimed that he well be Jewish.
Although no one knows for sure, who the antichrist will be, it is of great important that we know that the
Prophet Zechariah prophesied to Israel concerning the man of Sin, saying that God would raise for Israel a
foolish shepherd or king who would not care for the children of Israel. Instead, this shepherd will eat the
flesh of the sheep and will tear their claws into pieces (Zechariah 11:15-17).
And the Lord said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd. For, lo, I will raise up
a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal
that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws
in pieces. Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his
right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened (KJV Zechariah 11:15-
17).”
I can not said for certain that the Antichrist will be a Jewish man, but is imperative for both Jewish People
and Christians to know that the people of Israel would not allow nor accept any man who is not the High
Priest, let along any gentile to enter the Most Holy Place at the Temple of Jerusalem; therefore, there is a
great likelihood that the Man of Sin or Antichrist will not only be a Jewish man, but also the High Priest, a
Jewish Prophet or a renown Jewish Rabbi.
Paul said that Jesus became the High Priest of all of Israel in the order of Melchisedec. He also said that
Jesus not only fulfilled the Law of Moses, but also put and end to sacrifices and offerings, and entered the
most holy sanctuary in heaven. Today, Orthodox and Ultra-orthodox Jewish people not only would like to
rebuild the Temple of Jerusalem, but would also like to re-instate a High Priest, the Levitical Priesthood as
well as sacrifice and offerings according to the Law of Moses. The High Priest was also called
HaCohenHaMoshiak, which basically means “the Priest who is the Messiah.”
“For he (God) testifieth, Thou (Jesus) art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. For there is verily
a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the
law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God
(Hebrews 7:17-19).”
“Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest (Jesus), who is set
on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true
tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man (Hebrews 8:1-2).”
Therefore, if Jesus is the true High Priests of Israel and the true Messiah, then any High Priest after Him
must be a type of anti-Messiah or anti-Christ. Paul specifically said that anyone who tried to become
justified by the Law had fallen from grace, meaning that such person would be condemned. Imagine how
would God the Father, feel seeing the very Nation that He loved so much to the point that He gave His only
begotten as a living sacrifice for their reconciliation, would now select another king, Messiah or Christ.
Imagine how would God feel the day when He see an assembly of people at the Temple of Israel sacrificing
bulls, calves, sheep and birds as offerings for sins. It would be as saying to God, “the sacrifice of your son
was not sufficient.” I am not saying that this exactly how is going to happen, but I am telling you that there is
a great likelihood that this is how is going to happen
One thing is for sure; the man of Sin is None other than Satan
In verse 6, of 2 Thessalonians 2, Paul said to the church in Thessalonica that they knew what “withholded”
or withheld the Antichrist until the time when he is finally revealed. In verses 7-8, Paul further clarify the
mystery by saying that the one who now “letteth,” will let until he is taken out of the way, then the Antichrist
will be revealed. Then the Lord will destroy him at the time of Christ return.
And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth
already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.And then shall that Wicked be
revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of
his coming (2 Thessalonians 2:7-8).
In the oldest translation of the New Testament, which was written in Greek, the word “kateko,” is used for the
words “withholded” and “letteth.” The word “kateko, is properly translated “restrained.” Knowing this will
help us understand that Man of Sin, who is none other than Satan was already bound or restrained at the
time of Paul, and whoever had him restrained would continue to bind him until the time that Satan is to be
released. Or else, how is it that Christ is going to destroy Him at the time of His return as it is specifically
stated in 2 Thessalonians 2:verse 8.?
Who are those who will receive the Antichrist?
Paul stated that the Antichrist or man of Sin would do the same work as Satan; having great power to do
great signs and false miracles to deceive with unrighteousness everyone who is perishing because they did
not accepted and received the truth that could save them. For this reason, God will send them great
delusions so that they believe the Antichrist’s lies and be condemned for not receiving the truth and having
found pleasure in unrighteousness (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)
Jesus also warned against believing any man who were to said that Christ was here or there, as many false
Christs and false prophets would arise and will show great false miracles and wonders; then he said that if
anyone where to say to us that Christ or the Messiah had appeared in the desert or in the Secret chambers
or inner rooms of the Temple we are not to believe him, for just as lightning that comes out of the east, and
shines even unto the west, in the same manner would be the return of Jesus the Son of man (Matthew 24:
23-27). In these verses Jesus makes it clear, that the Man of Sin or Antichrist, would be seen in the dessert
and also at the Temple of Jerusalem. Many would believe that he is the Messiah, but those who live in
Jesus’ words surely know that the next time that we see Jesus, it will be on the clouds of heaven and not
sitting at the Temple of Jerusalem as the Man of Sin will do when he is manifested.
Jesus also warned us by saying that at the time when we see the abomination of desolation, that was
spoken of by Daniel (Antichrist) standing in the Holy Place, then those who were in Judea should flee into to
the mountains and those who were on their housetops should not come down to take anything out of their
house. Also those who are in the field of Judea should not return to their house to get their clothes. For
then there shall be such great tribulation, as it has not been since the beginning of the world until that time,
no would ever be (Matthew 24:15-21).
Even though Jesus and Paul already warned us concerning the Antichrist or Man of Sin stating that he will
appear at the Temple of Jerusalem and in the dessert to deceive many and to persecute both Christians
and Jews. There would be many Jewish People and Christians claiming so called “believer” who would be
deceived because of the blindness and hardness of the heart they continue to reject the truth.
One thing we know for sure, the Antichrist would come first, he will deceive many by the false miracles and
signs that he would perform, then he will bring great trial and persecution against the Church and against
the true Children of Israel; killing and imprisoning many for their faith in Jesus Christ. Don’t be deceived.