Theology Friday - The Antichrist Revisited & the End of the World

Last week I hit on the antichrist, arguing against the mainstream Christian notion that such a figure is a Biblical reality. Though I still hold a somewhat strong sentiment against the idea of there being a single figure that will be designated as THE antichrist, and believe the Bible does not porport to there being any such single figure, aside from Satan, I'm interested in what your views may be and why you come to such a conclusion.

With so much going on in the world, between political upheavels, war, climate change (in Melbourne and Tasmania, they are experiencing the hotest tempretures on record - not one day, but several consecutive record days - the record dating back to 1855) and all the economic troubles and strife, it's not hard to think that the end is near... it's also not hard to believe that some, single figure will rise amongst this and take a strong leadership initiative... 

Jesus talks at length of the end of the world in Matthew 24. There is much that He says that has already happened...

Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me(v.9) - this actually did happen after the temple was destroyed in Jerusalem and where we read in v.15...

The "abomination that causes desolation" - referring to the Roman invasion of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple by the Flavian Dynasty (the Invasion of Jerusalem was begun by Vespasian, who then succeeded Nero as emperor, and finished by his son Titus... Titus himself becoming emperor after his dad, followed then by his younger brother Domitian... they are referred to as the Flavian Dynasty). This dynasty caused more damage to Christianity than Nero ever could, from Vespasian's construction of the Colosseum to Titus's desecration of the Holy of Holies in the Temple to Domitian's ruthless persecution of Christians which is written of extensively in the Book of Revelation (Domitian himself being referred to as the abomination by the apostle John - he also referred to Domitian as the second Nero - "Nero redivivus" - Many contemporaries of the Book of Revelation believed Nero to be alive and expected his return. With the second coming of Nero they also expected the return of Jesus. Nero had made a name for himself by his cruelty and licentiousness. The Christians in particular had reason to dread him. Under him the first persecution took place. The second occurred under Domitian. But unlike Nero's persecution, Domitian's persecution was not confined to Italy, but spread throughout the provinces. Many Christians were put to death, many were banished -Eusebius, Hist. Eccl., III, 17-19).

But there is something that stands out in all that Jesus said in that chapter which obviously has not happened... His return... Why is there then this mixture in Jesus' words of immediate events and events that have not yet happened? ...and why did He say that the generation of His time would experience all He said? 

I guess the trick here is to be consistent in our interpretation of the passage.

What are your thoughts?

Comments

[William Attaway]

I think that if you look at the entire Scriptural record, namely 1 John 2 and 2 Thessalonians 2 among others, you'll see that many of the Biblical writers, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, saw the antichrist as a person who would appear in the last days. Revelation builds on this, with this idea appearing in the middle of the book during the last days, the darkest times for those who have set themselves against Christ. I would have a hard time arguing that Paul and John did not see the antichrist as being a real person.

I think a case can be made convincingly that "the abomination that causes desolation" refers to Antiochus Epiphanes, but bear in mind that prophecies can have a fulfillment at one point in history and a greater fulfillment later (i.e. Isa. 7:14). It could be that Daniel's words referred to both.

It's important to gain an understanding of the history behind the text. It's equally important to understand that God can use events as a type of foreshadowing of a greater fulfillment later.

That's my two cents. Looking forward to others weighing in!

[Wes Husted]

I've probably studied prophesy, end time prophesy in particular, and the book of Revelation more by far than any other single subject in the Bible. I've also had the special blessing of leading many studies in both eschatology and the book of Revelation itself and I can honestly say that no other studies or classes like them bring a peace and a depth to our faith more than knowing God has a plan, that he's revealed that plan to us, and seeing that plan unfold over the course of time.

Through all of it I've had many students who were fascinated with the specifics - is there a real anti-christ, is he the Pope, is the Catholic church the church of the False Prophet, will the Roman Empire rise up again to be his kingdom, and numerous guesses at the meaning of 666.

In all of these questions the answers will vary depending on your worldview and the theological position you take on such topics as dispensationalism, literal interpretation, allogorical interpretation, pre- post or amillenialism and so on. Each view can equally defend its position on a specific question, but it appears no single view can answer everything -primarily becasue God has not chosen to reveal all to us.

However, if we step back just a bit theologically we can all agree that Christ is coming again and when he does a period of horrible judgment will occur. A part of that climatic return involves Satan who until the very end will remain defiant, attempting at every turn to take from God his very creation.

The "AntiChrist" - the opposer of Christ will convince millions upon millions that lies are the truth and that he is the real Messiah. His message and his power will convince many to follow him right up until the moment Christ destroys them all once and forever. Is he a man, a power, a government or all three - each of us will have a different view, but he very much will be real.

My personal view is that Satan's goal is to so completely replace God - proclaim to be God and above God that he will replicate an unholy trinity, Satan, The AntiChrist and The False Prophet and that while the Holy Trinity's number is easily 777 Satan's mark will be 666. I hold to the literal view of a single person as the AntiChrist ruling from the Middle East using a form of government much like the Romans where the head is both head of the state and of the church. How else could his image be placed in God's Temple causing the abomination?

But no matter my view, I tell anyone who asks me to watch for the signs we know - signs that Christ told his disciples and tells us that when they happen know that the end is near. Be careful not to be fooled by the calamities of the day and threats of global warming, wars, famines, earthquakes, horrible inhumanities caused by man himself - these have all occurred on the earth time and time again - even Christ told us these are not the signs. What did he say were the signs...keep your eyes on Jerusalem that will tell you more than anything else about Christ's Second Coming - the rest will be revealed in God's great and perfect time.