Little children, it is
the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are
there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
1 John 2:18
A key sign of the working of the antichrist spirit is the ongoing and continual persecution of the Israelites. Moses had barely left Egypt with the people when they were attacked along the way to the land of promise by the tribe of Amalek. This was but the first of many nations to persecute the Jewish people. Their hatred earned them a promise from the LORD, “For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation (Exodus 17:16).” Amalek has all but disappeared from the lists of nations today; however, the vehement hatred of the Jews lives on.
Understanding that satan is the instigator of an antichrist spirit, one might ask what his twisted endgame is. First, the old serpent knew clearly that God would send a deliverer through the tribes of Israel. This verdict was spoken clearly at the fall of Adam. “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel (Genesis 3:15).” If the liar could but stop the promise of the Coming One he could prove that God is not omnipotent. Time and time again Israel would be attacked and persecuted. Even when Jesus was born, he tried one last time to kill him as an infant. The spirit of antichrist came upon Herod. “Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men (Matthew 2:16).” (We have also considered another demonic attempt to destroy Israel through leading the nation into idolatry. The enemy wanted to cause Israel to be punished by God, Himself. See “ The Spirit of Antichrist—Unbridled Lust.”)
Defeated with the cross and Christ’s resurrection, the
adversary’s reasoning for killing the Jew has changed. His hatred for the people through whom the
Messiah came, however, has not abated. Satan knows that God has covenant
promises dealing with the restoration of Israel to their ancient homeland and
now he is trying to annihilate them. He
understands that Jerusalem will be the capital city of Jesus upon His glorious
return, so destroying the Jewish people and the city of Jerusalem would again
prove that God cannot keep His promises.
The apocalyptic prophet saw this development in the last days. “And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it (Zechariah 12:3).” The last 150 years have been years of constant persecution for the children of Israel even while they’ve returned to their ancient home land in fulfillment of prophecy. This is but a sure sign that the end of days is upon us. One who wants to see can see that the nations of the world are ever more hostile to the Jews. They are literally surrounded by godless hate. The spirit of antichrist seems to be stronger every day as governments around the world led by the UN, itself, condemn the Jews. But this is not the end of the story—just the beginning!
The apocalyptic prophet saw this development in the last days. “And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it (Zechariah 12:3).” The last 150 years have been years of constant persecution for the children of Israel even while they’ve returned to their ancient home land in fulfillment of prophecy. This is but a sure sign that the end of days is upon us. One who wants to see can see that the nations of the world are ever more hostile to the Jews. They are literally surrounded by godless hate. The spirit of antichrist seems to be stronger every day as governments around the world led by the UN, itself, condemn the Jews. But this is not the end of the story—just the beginning!
When it seems things could not get much worse, it does. The person of the antichrist will show up and
the blood of millions will flow.
However, when it gets as bad as it can get, Christ returns. Let’s let
the Word remind us that Jesus Christ is Soon2Come!
“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a
white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in
righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and
on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but
he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is
called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon
white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth
goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall
rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness
and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name
written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
Revelation 19:11-16
The question is, whose side are you on? Will you give in to this antichrist spirit of hatred and suffer the fate of the great deceiver, or will you turn wholly to Christ and receive the pardon that only His precious blood can give? The choice is yours…choose quickly as He is surely waiting in the wings!
