|
The Spirit of the Antichrist Much speculation has been made over the years as to where and when the
Antichrist written about in the Bible would arise and who he might be.
The Bible tells us not only will there be a future Antichrist, but
many lesser antichrists have arisen and will arise over time. In 1 John 2:18 we
read:
...even now many antichrists have arisen.
But what is a an "antichrist"? This is crucial to our
understanding of the where the future Antichrist might arise from.
A little further in 1 John 2 we find the definition of antichrist:
22 Who is the liar but he who denies
that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah)? This is the Antichrist, he who denies the
Father and the Son. 23 Whoever denies
the Son, the same doesn't have the Father. He who confesses the Son
has the Father also.
So then, an antichrist is basically someone who denies that Jesus is
God's son or that God has a son. This is very important. 1 John 4 tells us there is also a "spirit" of the Antichrist.
2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit who
confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,
3 and every spirit who
doesn't confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of
God, and this is the spirit of the Antichrist, of whom you have
heard that it comes. Now it is in the world already.
So denying that God has a son, or that Jesus Christ is not the son
and has not come in a
human body, is really from an evil spirit - the spirit of the Antichrist.
With that, let's look around the world and see who most promotes and affirms
the spirit of the Antichrist.
Islam Denies The Sonship & Deity Of Christ
(Note: The following text is from
http://www.answering-islam.org)
"The religion of Islam, more than any other religion, philosophy, or
belief system, fulfills the description of the antichrist spirit. The
religion of Islam makes it one of its highest priorities to very
specifically deny the deity of Jesus and His
relationship to the Father. In fact, it can very fairly be said that
Islam literally is a direct polemical response against the essential Christian doctrines,
making it a true antichrist religion.
But Muslims will be quick to argue that Islam teaches that Jesus is indeed
"the Messiah". But this is really just trickery. While it is true that
Islam does retain the title of Messiah for Jesus, when one asks a Muslim
to define what the title "Messiah" actually means in Islam, the
definitions given are always hollow and fall entirely short of
containing any truly messianic substance. In Islam, Jesus is merely
another prophet in a long line of prophets. Biblically speaking
however, the role of the Messiah, among other things, also entails being
a Divine Priestly Savior, a Deliverer and the King of the Jews. The Muslim Jesus, rather than being a
Messiah that saves or delivers Israel and all of his faithful followers
in any way, in the Islamic traditions, Jesus instead returns to lead
Israel's enemies against her in battle and to kill or convert all Jews
and Christians (which in fact is exactly what the future Antichrist will
be doing according to the Bible). This would be the equivalent of calling Adolph Hitler,
rather than Moses, Israel's deliverer. For now, we see that Jesus, via the apostle
John, informs us that just before the final hour a very specific "spirit" will dominate the earth. This spirit will deny many of the
essential biblical doctrines regarding who Jesus is and what He came to
do. Islam epitomizes this spirit perfectly. Look what the Quran
says about Jesus:
In blasphemy indeed are those that say that God is Christ the son of
Mary. -Surah 5:17 (Yusuf Ali)
They say: "God hath begotten a son!" - Glory be to Him! He is
self-sufficient! His are all things in the heavens and on earth! No
warrant have ye for this! Say ye about Allah what ye know not?
-Surah 10:68 (Yusuf Ali)
They said, "The Most Gracious has begotten a son"! You have uttered
a gross blasphemy. The heavens are about to shatter, the earth is
about to tear asunder, and the mountains are about to crumble.
Because they claim that the Most Gracious has begotten a son. It is
not befitting the Most Gracious that He should beget a son. -Surah
19:88-92 (Rashad Khalifa)
... the Christians call Christ the son of Allah. That is a saying from
their mouth; (in this) they but imitate what the unbelievers of old
used to say. Allah's curse be on them: how they are deluded away
from the Truth! -Surah 9:30 (Yusuf Ali)
Proclaim, "He is the One and Only GOD.
"The Absolute
GOD. "Never did He beget, nor was He begotten. "None equals
Him." Quran 112:1-4
Say, "O followers of the scripture, Let us come to a
logical agreement between us and you: That we shall not worship
except GOD;
That we never set up any human beings as lords beside GOD." If they
turn away, say, "Bear witness that we are Submitters." Quran 3:64
The Messiah, the son of Mary, Was no more than a
messenger like the messengers before him, And his mother was a
saint. Both of them used to eat food. Note how we explain the
revelations for them, And note how they still deviate! Quran 5:75
The Quran literally pronounces a curse on those who believe that
Jesus is God's Son. People who say such things utter "gross blasphemies" and
are likened to "unbelievers" or infidels. Without question then, in this
regard Islam is an antichrist religious system. "Far be it from
God that he should have a son!" These words encircle the inside of the Dome of
the Rock Mosque in Jerusalem. This is the very location where for
centuries God's people; the Jews, worshipped in their Temple awaiting
their Messiah. This is also where Jesus, the Son of God and the Jewish
Messiah will someday rule over the earth. Islam has literally built a
monument of utter defiance to this future reality."
It's important to first understand the fundamentals of Islam through
The History of
Mecca (Makkah) The Forces of the
Antichrist There are clues in the Bible as to who the
forces of the Antichrist will be. The number one clue (for me) is
given in Revelation:
Rev 20:4 - I saw thrones, and they sat on
them, and judgment was given to them. I saw the souls of those
who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the
word of God, and such as didn't worship the beast nor his image, and
didn't receive the mark on their forehead and on their hand. They
lived, and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
There have been quite a few beheadings in the news lately,
mostly occurring in the Middle East by Muslims against "infidels".
ISIS/ISIL is making headlines as it tortures, crucifies and
beheads Christians in northern Iraq and Syria.
Very recently Muslims in Afghanistan stormed the UN mission there and
killed at least 11 people, 2 of which were beheaded! The
reason? A church in Florida burned a Quran. To Muslims this
is blasphemy, and the penalty for blasphemy is death. (It doesn't
matter to these Muslims that these UN workers had nothing to do with
the Quran burning and they would most likely have each personally
condemned the act). But understand that preaching that Jesus is the Son
of God is also blasphemy, and even more worthy of death than burning a
Quran (because they believe that saying God has a son is idolatry, and this is the
worst offense in Islam -
search the web for
Shirk Islam to learn more). If you look around the world, you
see that Muslims are the only religion who practice beheadings.
So this aligns perfectly with the Bible in relation to the forces of the
Antichrist.
 666 and the Antichrist
For almost 20 centuries Christians have speculated as to the identity of
the Antichrist. The Bible actually gives us clues, but the most
intriguing clue is Revelation 13:18:
Here is wisdom. He who has
understanding, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is
the number of a man. His number is six hundred sixty-six.
Did you know there are 666 words in the Quran? At least one
sect of Islam associates "the perfect number 666" with the Quran. The following
links to Islamic sites connect the Quran and it's Messenger, to
the number 666.
Search the Web for
quran
666 or
Quran
666. This is incredibly significant, for now we have at
least some Muslims embracing the number of the Antichrist. When we
consider the next section, the pieces all begin to fall into place.
Those in Islam
that believe in the number "666″ and its purity say that Satan used
Christians to pervert the Bible. They believe that the book of
Revelation was inspired by Satan and that he used the number "666″ as a
bad number in order to prevent Christian people from accepting the Quran
and the teachings of Mohammed because of fear. But someday all of
the events foretold in the Bible will come true, eg. the reign of the
Antichrist, requirement to worship him or his image, requirement to wear
his Mark on the right hand or forehead to be able to buy and sell - and
thus prove the prophecy was true and that it was given by ALMIGHTY GOD. And all those who
worshipped the Beast (Antichrist) or wore his Mark will be eternally condemned to the
Lake of Fire. This means everyone, Muslim and non-Muslim, who
wear the Mark of the Beast.
The Muslim Messiah - The Mahdi
In recent years it has become more generally known by western Christians that Muslim
traditions hold there will be "Muslim messiah" figure who will
arise in the final 7 years of this age. Amazingly, this person
bears striking resemblance to the Antichrist of the Bible.
Iran: On September 17, 2005, the newly elected
President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad addressed the United Nations
National Assembly in New York City. American President George W. Bush
sat in attendance. Concluding his speech, Ahmadinejad made a plea to
Allah to speedily bring forth the emergence of the mysterious Islamic
Messiah figure known as Imam Al-Mahdi. Did you know that the
Islamic Republic of Iran, founded after the Islamic revolution of 1979
has as one of its stated purposes to usher in the coming of the Mahdi?
Ahmadinejad is just being true to the beliefs of their Islamic republic.
Here's an article "Iran
website heralding 'Mahdi'". Here's the
Wikipedia
article about the Mahdi. Here's an
excellent webpage giving us the Mahdi and Antichrist profile and
here's another. Here's a summary of similarities of the
Antichrist and the Mahdi:
-
A Powerful Political And Military World Leader.
From the Bible we learn that in the last-days the Antichrist will
emerge as a man who will lead a very powerful world empire the likes
of which history has yet to produce. From the Islamic
traditions and Muslim scholars the Mahdi, like the Antichrist, is
also prophesied to be a political and military world leader
unparalleled by any other throughout world history.
-
A Spiritual World Leader. The Bible
establishes the fact that the Antichrist will be a spiritual leader
whose authority will be forcefully acknowledged worldwide.
Anyone who does not worship him or his image will be put to death.
Likewise, the Mahdi of Islam will be the leader a worldwide worship
movement. It will be a worship movement that will seek to cause
anyone who practices any religion other than Islam to renounce their
faith and worship Allah, the god of Islam. The Mahdi, "will
govern the people by the Sunnah of their Prophet and establish Islam
on Earth." And, "Islam will be victorious over all the religions."
-
Targeted Campaign Against Jews And Christians.
The Bible is very clear that Satan, through the Antichrist, will
specifically target first Jews and then Christians for death.
It says, "He was given power to make war
against the saints and to conquer them" Rev
13:7. And, "He will speak against
the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times
and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for a time,
times and half a time (3 1/2 years)" Daniel
7:25. The Bible is clear then, that the Antichrist will
specifically target those who resist his attempts to establish his
cult
religion all over the earth. From the book of Revelation as well as
the Prophet Daniel, we see that the two groups that Satan is most
enraged against are the Jews and the Christians.
Interestingly enough, Islamic tradition speaks much of the Mahdi's
special calling to convert Christians and Jews to Islam, yet speaks
very little specifically of conversions from other faiths. It seems
as though converting Christians and Jews to Islam will be the
primary evangelistic thrust of the Mahdi.
-
The Establishment Of The Temple Mount As The Seat Of
Authority. According to the Bible the Antichrist will
specifically set up his "throne" in "God's Temple". The
location of the Jewish Temple has always been on Mt. Moriah in
Jerusalem. Today, Mt. Moriah, sometimes known as the Temple
Mount or in Arabic as Haram Al-Sharif, is the location of two
Mosques and is considered to be the third holiest site of Islam.
Likewise the Mahdi is said to attack Jerusalem and re-conquer it for
Islam in order that the new Islamic rule over the earth will be
established from Jerusalem.
-
Seven Year Treaty With Israel. After rising to
power the Antichrist is said to "confirm" a treaty with the nation
of Israel for seven years. Again, similarly the Mahdi is said
to be one who will initiate Islam's fourth and final treaty between
"the Romans" and the Muslims. (Romans should be interpreted
as Christians or the West in general -- the executioners of Nicholas
Berg in their pre-execution statement addressed President Bush as, "You, O dog of the Romans").
-
The Rider On A White Horse. The final
similarity between the Antichrist and the Mahdi that we will discuss
here is the fact that both the Antichrist and the Mahdi
are identified with a biblical passage that describes a rider on a
white horse. While this could be literal, it is most probably a
symbolic picture of the two men. The amazing thing is that the
origin of the biblical tradition of the Antichrist on a white horse
and the origin of the Islamic tradition of the Mahdi on a white
horse are both attributed to the same passage in the Bible - Rev
6:1-2.
-
Both have a false prophet. Revelation is
clear about the Antichrist having a false prophet:
But the beast was captured, and with him the
false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf.
Rev 19:20. One of the interesting aspects of
the coming of the Mahdi is that he is to be accompanied by "Jesus".
In Islam, Jesus was a great prophet, but a lesser prophet than
Mohammed (rather than the unique Son of God who paid for man's sin
and rose from the dead). They think their Jesus will somehow appear on Earth
when the Mahdi arrives.
But our Jesus warned us there would be false Messiahs and that "many would
come in my name". So a false Messiah appearing is not surprising to us who know the
scriptures and our Lord.
There is more, but these are the main points which connect
the Biblical Antichrist with the Muslim Mahdi. I recommend reading
answering-islam.org to learn much more. And now for the most
amazing discovery about this connection.
Crucial Advice
Now to you Muslims reading this I give you a challenge from your own
Quran. Does it not say,
You shall not accept any information,
Unless you verify it for yourself.
I have given you the hearing, the eyesight, and the brain,
And you are responsible for using them.
- Quran 17:36
"Let there be no compulsion
in religion;
TRUTH
stands out clear from error!"
- Quran 2:256
Jesus said,
"And you shall know
THE TRUTH
and the Truth shall set you free!"
- John 8:32
No other person has had such an effect on human lives as Jesus. He
came back to life again and millions say they know Him today as a
friend, healer and helper in their lives. He healed while on Earth
and He still heals today! Below are some links to see the real
testimonies of former Muslims who have had life-changing experiences and
found forgiveness and hope with the living Saviour, Jesus Christ.
In my own experience, I can testify as to what Jesus did for me.
He made me into a new person in a "lightning strike" sort of way - I was
born-again and filled with the Spirit of the living God. If Jesus
wasn't the Son of God, he could not have changed me - but he did change
me (and millions of others) and so he can only be the Son of God.
Only God can make a person to be born-again (its a spiritual cleansing
of your sins, after which you feel like a newborn baby inside).
Then you have a connection to God and a new relationship with the
Heavenly Father for the rest of your life. Its amazing and anyone can have this - if you
will only believe you will be rewarded with forgiveness and his Spirit.
But if you refuse to believe then you will go on to the grave as you are now
- unforgiven and headed for hell (in the Lake
of Fire forever and ever). Does Islam advocate violence and conquest? Consider
these verses from the Quran and Islamic tradition:
-
Truly, god loves those who fight
-
Fight and slay the pagans wherever you find them, and
seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every
stratagem
-
Chop off their hands and chop off their fingertips
-
When you meet the unbelievers, chop off their heads
-
Fight and slay those who don't convert wherever you
find them
-
Believers, take neither Jew nor Christians for your
friends
-
Those who follow Muhammad are ruthless to unbelievers
-
Those who reject Islam are "the vilest of creatures"
and thus deserve no mercy
-
Fight them until Islam reigns supreme (throughout the
world)
There are more than 100 verses in the Quran
advocating the use of violence to spread Islam, which is exactly how
Islam was historically spread. The word "Islam" has been falsely proclaimed by
Muslims to be a peaceful. The word Islam, actually means "submission" to
the loveless Muslim god of intolerance. Muhammad led 27
military campaigns against innocent villages and caravans & planned 38
others. When your city/nation is conquered by Muslims, you are
given 3 choices: 1. Convert to Islam, 2. Have your head cut off,
or 3. Live as a second class citizen, being treated like a dog and taxed
into oblivion. This is a fact. You can look into it yourself
and see.
“I am the prophet that laughs
when killing my enemies.” (Hadith)
If a Muslim commits acts of violence he or she is
acting in according to the example set by its founder, Mohammed and the
teachings of the Quran. Contrast this with Christianity:
Do Christians always live up to such ideals? No, but
this is what we will be held accountable to. When Anders Breivik
massacred all those people in Norway recently, he was acting against the
gospel of Jesus Christ and the entire New Testament teaching. No
true follower of Jesus Christ would or could do such a thing. So
now you see there are big differences between Islam and Christianity.
Christians & Jewish martyrs say;
"I will die
for what I believe". A Muslim jihadist says;
"you will die
for what I believe"....or another way of saying it, "I will
kill you
for what you believe"
Here are some excellent Youtube links of Muslims who have
found Jesus as Saviour
How the Quran led man to Christianity
Dr. Nasir Siddiki of well known Middle Eastern family, amazing man
of God
The Wonderful Conversion Story of a Saudi Christian Lady
From Sharia suffering Muslim to Atheist to Christ
Miracle healings and many conversions to Jesus Christ in Pakistan
Watch this African woman healed of a horrible body poison disease -
in Jesus name!
Boy in Africa Raised From the Dead after being dead for 24 hours!!
Muslim Journey to Hope
|
