Celebrating Christmas - Part 2

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Emphasizing the Birth of Christ – Is it Wrong?

I spoke in my previous post about the radio minister I heard recently while in commute. I told how his entire message could be summarized in explaining why it is wrong to emphasize the birth of Christ. His message was not that it is wrong to put up a Christmas tree; or that it is wrong to teach your children about Santa Claus; or that it is wrong to exchange gifts – the man actually preached that it is wrong for a preacher to emphasize the birth of Christ in his preaching! Rejoicing in the fact that God had become a man to put away our sins, according to this man, is a sin!

As for these people who hate the acknowledging of Christ’s birth – I do not understand them! I could take one month out of the year, and emphasize fasting and prayer, and that would be fine, according to them. I could take a month out of the year, and acknowledge the individuals who founded our church, or the pioneers of our movement, and that would be fine. But if I take a month out of the year, emphasizing and acknowledging that Jesus Christ the Son of God took upon Himself a body that it might be broken for my salvation – THAT WOULD BE A SIN! This would be funny if it were not sad.

I have good news for individuals like this man. Listen to me very closely. I preach the whole counsel of God. I preach the birth of our Lord, as well as the death. I preach His first coming, as well as His second coming. I preach about the need for children of God to be filled with the Spirit of God for the purpose of soul winning. I preach about Christ’s miracles that He performed. I preach about God’s plan for the nation of Israel. I preach against sin, whether individual iniquities or national immoralities. I preach the blood of Christ, as well His resurrection. You may limit yourself, but you shall not limit my preaching. I preach it all! The birth of Christ may be off limits to you, but to us who preach the entire Bible, we will declare that God Almighty became a man! And if we get carried away in this blessed thought, we may take the next six months to sing and preach about the birth of Christ! No aspect of Christ’s being; no subject of Christ’s person; no event in Christ’s life; no teaching from Christ’s lips; and no actions from Christ’s example is a sin for us to proclaim – and proclaim it we will!

The Deity of Christ

I beg the reader to stay with me a little longer. In my previous post, I made mention of the so-called Jehovah’s Witnesses. I explained that this cultish group is completely against the acknowledging of the birth of Christ.

I find it interesting that this same group who hates any emphasis brought upon the birth of Christ also denies the deity of Christ. The Jehovah’s Witnesses refuse to honor the Lord’s birth – and they also flatly deny that Christ ever was, is, or ever will be God Almighty. You may get a Jehovah’s Witness to refer to Christ as the Son of God, but you will never get a Jehovah’s Witness to admit that Christ is God!

I have seen this trend in other circles, not just within the “Kingdom Hall.” If you are reading this and you are a Christmas hater, let me ask you a simple question, and I will ask you personally if you contact me regarding this post – “Is Jesus God?”

Some teach that Jesus was God before He was born, but when Christ was born of the flesh, He ceased to be God. NONSENSE! If these people would just read the story of Christ’s birth, they would know better than that! Yes, Christ was God before He was born. But He was still God Almighty when He was born of the virgin Mary. Look at one of Isaiah’s prophecies regarding the birth of Christ:

Isaiah 7:14 – “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

This prophecy speaks specifically of Christ’s birth. The name of the child would be called Immanuel. Someone tell me the meaning of “Immanuel.” Matthew tells us. Listen to him:

Matthew 1:22-23 – “Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, GOD WITH US.”

Jesus is GOD WITH US – not at His death; not at His resurrection; not in heaven before His conception – but AT HIS BIRTH! No wonder the Jehovah’s Witnesses miss this. They’re not too fond of the birth of Christ!

Let us examine another prophecy of Isaiah regarding Christ’s birth:

Isaiah 9:6-7 – “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”

Notice again, the prophecy is specifically regarding the birth of Christ – “Unto us a child is born,” the prophet says. At His birth, what is the name given to Christ? “His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, THE MIGHTY GOD…” Did you see that?

Christ is called the Mighty God – not at His death; not at His resurrection; not in heaven before His conception – but at His birth! Christ did not cease to be God when He was born. Anyone who teaches this is a false teacher, and it would be wise to refuse them the time of day. Jehovah’s Witnesses would not be so mixed up if they’d only grow fond enough of the birth of Christ to study it!

Look with me at one more passage found in Hebrews 1:

Hebrews 1:6 – “And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.”

The “He” in this verse is God the Father. The verse deals specifically with the birth of Christ. When “He,” that is, the Father, brought His first begotten (Jesus Christ) into the world, He commanded all the angels to worship His Son. Notice two verses later, the Father is still speaking:

Hebrews 1:8 – “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.”

Look at it closely – the Father speaks to His Son, and says, “Thy throne, O GOD, is for ever and ever.” Who said that Jesus Christ the Son is God? God the Father says so! In Hebrews 1:8, the Father Himself refers to His Son as being God.

This verse also answers the question, “How long will the Son be God?” Just until He is born in the flesh? Just until He dies on the cross? Just until His resurrection? Just until He comes again? How long does the Father acknowledge that His Son is God?

Hebrews 1:8 – “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is FOR EVER AND EVER!”

Isn’t that simple? The Father declares the Son to be God, and declares Him to be God eternally. If the Jehovah’s Witnesses would stop bashing the birth of Christ long enough to study it, they would see that the Son of God is God the Son, and He is God eternally!

A Final Plea to Christians who Hate Christmas

To those Christians who do not celebrate Christmas in any way, let me say first that if you have been born again, having a genuine salvation experience, I consider you my brother or sister in Christ. It does not bother me that you do not celebrate Christmas. I do not care whether or not you put up a Christmas tree. I do not care if you set aside this time of year to reflect on the birth of Christ, or if you do not.

However, I must ask you the question, “Do you believe that Jesus Christ is not only the Son of God, but that He is also God Almighty?” If you have trouble referring to Jesus as God, then I will have trouble extending a hand of fellowship to you. A study of the birth of Christ would reveal to you that Christ was God before His birth, at His birth, during His earthly life, during His death, at His resurrection, and at the right hand of the Father. He never ceased to be God, and never will. If you stutter and stammer at these truths and cannot say flatly that Jesus Christ is God Almighty, no questions asked, then you have serious problems. Your Jesus is not the Jesus of the Bible.

I would leave you a word of warning:

Colossians 2:16 – “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days.”

You may not celebrate Christmas, and that is your prerogative. But when you judge someone in respect of a “holyday,” you are in disobedience to the scriptures. There are many who celebrate the birth of Christ during this time of year – and say what you will - whether you like it or not, they are not pagan. They are not worshipping the virgin Mary. They are simply rejoicing in a Biblical truth. You may respond by saying that if someone is merely honoring the birth of Christ, shouldn’t they honor it throughout the year? That is a good point, and I personally honor the birth of Christ throughout the year. But listen to the words of Paul the apostle:

Romans 14:5 – “One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.”

If your only complaint with someone acknowledging the birth of Christ during this time of year is that some do not acknowledge it year round, then remember – Paul the apostle says that it is perfectly acceptable to esteem one day above another!

In a final word of warning to Christians who refuse to celebrate Christmas, I would advise you to guard against any belief of yours to become a source of pride. If your stance of refusing to celebrate Christmas causes you to look down your nose at someone else, boasting of your spiritual state which is superior to theirs, you are DEAD WRONG even if you are right. If you are sold on the thought that refusing to celebrate Christmas is the correct teaching of the Bible, then I would remind you that having a good spirit every bit as important as having the right doctrine.

CONCLUSION

Yes, I celebrate Christmas. I exalt the Son of God as being God the Son. I am absolutely amazed at the love I see when the Son, in unison with the Father, agreed to take upon Himself a body for one primary purpose – that my sins would be laid upon that body, and that He who knew no sin would die for them! I am astounded that Christ would leave the splendor of heaven’s portals to come to this cold, dark world to bear my sins in His body, willingly dying for them!

I have often said that if Christ had been born in a palace, He would have taken an incredible step down! But Christ went further down than that! He left the glories of heaven to be a pauper! And excuse me for rejoicing in this great thought! I will continue to do so! I pity anyone who believes it is a sin to rejoice in such a great truth! How blinded they must be! They do not know a blessing when they see one!

I close with the words of Henry Barraclough:

Out of the ivory palaces,
Into a world of woe;
Only His great, eternal love
Made my Saviour go.

Go to Part 1

Celebrating Christmas - Part 1

To anyone who begins reading this post, my only request is that you read both parts in their entirety. Please do not contact me regarding its contents until you have read both parts in full.

“Do you celebrate Christmas?” That is the question that people often ask me at this time of year. Before I can give a clear answer, we must have a clear question; and the fact is, we do not. Making the question clear centers around defining clearly what is meant by the phrase, “celebrating Christmas.”

By “celebrating Christmas,” if you mean, “participating in the ancient, annual pagan festivals that occurred around the 25th of December,” then, no, I do not celebrate Christmas. If “celebrating Christmas” means “celebrating Santa Claus,” then, no, I do not celebrate Christmas. If “celebrating Christmas” means “exalting the virgin Mary to a place of deity,” as our Catholic friends do, then, no, I do not celebrate Christmas.

But, if by the term, “celebrating Christmas,” you mean “rejoicing in the fact that God Almighty humbled Himself, taking upon Himself human form; taking time to worship Jesus Christ, remembering that He willingly left the splendor of heaven to live in this cold, dark world, ultimately sacrificing His own life that we might live,” then, YES, I most certainly do celebrate Christmas!

Some Hate the Message of the Birth of Christ

Just down the road from my church, there is a cultish organization, known as the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses. These so-called witnesses of Jehovah, among other ludicrous beliefs, absolutely hate the idea of anyone taking time to acknowledge the birth of Jesus Christ. I will mention this group again later, but for now, just know that they hate the idea of “celebrating Christmas.”

While driving down the road about two weeks ago, I was listening to a minister preach a sermon on the radio. I do not know the name of the minister, nor the station to which I was listening. But the man’s entire sermon was centered on the evils of acknowledging the birth of Christ. I do not know how many lost sinners were converted through this message, but I can give a good guess.

The Apostles Never Preached the Birth of Christ…REALLY?

As for the radio minister I just mentioned, one of his reasons for hating the mention of Christ’s birth was that the apostles never preached the birth of Christ. And, Christ never commissioned us to preach the birth of Christ. The apostles were always preaching the resurrection of Christ.

Okay, let us examine this for a moment. First of all, it doesn’t take much to see the hypocrisy of this statement. This radio minister just told us that the apostles never preached the birth of Christ, and that is his reason for not preaching the birth of Christ. My question to him – Did the apostles ever preach the forbiddance of preaching Christ’s birth? The answer is no. So, if this minister is going to neglect to exalt Christ’s birth because the apostles never did, then he should neglect to condemn the exaltation of Christ’s birth, because the apostles never condemned it!

Second of all, this minister’s assumption that the apostles never emphasized the birth of Christ is simply dead wrong. All four of the gospel accounts recorded the fact of Christ’s coming into this world. Matthew and Luke give detailed accounts the story of Christ’s birth. John opens His gospel account with Jesus Christ being the Word.

John 1:1 – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

John furthermore explains that the Word was made flesh.

John 1:14 – “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

When was the Word made flesh? The answer is simple – at His conception and birth. John noted that God had been born in the flesh.

Mark makes mention of the fact that Jesus CAME in Mark 10:45. When did Jesus COME? He came when we was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the virgin Mary.

Paul, the apostle who wrote the greater part of the New Testament, spoke of Christ’s coming in the flesh.

Romans 1:3 – “Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh.”

Galatians 4:4 – “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.”

Philippians 2:5-8 – “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

I Timothy 3:16 – “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”

Peter, in I Peter 4:1, speaks specifically of Christ’s suffering IN THE FLESH.

The Hebrew writer makes several references to the birth of Christ.

Hebrews 1:6 – “And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.”

Hebrews 2:9 – “But we see Jesus, WHO WAS MADE A LITTLE LOWER THAN THE ANGELS for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.”

Hebrews 2:16 – “For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.”

Hebrews 10:5 – “Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me.”

John the apostle, not only in his gospel account, but also in his first epistle, makes reference to Christ being manifested. When was Christ MANIFESTED? You got it – at this conception and birth.

I John 1:1-2 – “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)”

I John 3:5 – “And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.”

I John 3:8 – “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”

In addition to his gospel account and epistles, John the apostle gives a detailed perspective on the birth of the man child, Jesus Christ, in Revelation 12.

The fact of the matter is that nearly every New Testament writer, at one point or another, emphasized the great truth that God had become man. So, the claim that the apostles never recognized the birth of Christ is absurd, to put it in a nice way.

TO BE CONTINUED…

Go to Part 2

A Post-Election Note

Daniel 2:20-21 - “Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding.”

Having just endured one of the most heated presidential races in United States history, it is clear that we live in a very divided nation. Some individuals are pleased with the results, to say the least; while others insist that the election's outcome means the end of the world as we know it.

From the standpoint of a genuine, Christian perspective, there are a few things of which I would like to remind Christians. These reminders will serve as both an exhortation and an encouragement.

1) First and foremost, never forget that God is on the throne. It is He who sets up kings and removes them! Consider the above text, Daniel 2:20-21. If a leader is not removed, it is ultimately because God did not remove them. The Bible plainly declares this truth. If God saw fit to leave a man in office, we should rejoice in the wisdom of God.

2) In the New Testament, there were no elected presidents, but rather totalitarian emperors who ruled with hostility. Yet, this did not hinder the church! The church of Jesus Christ suffered great persecution. However, the church grew in spite of this persecution! You never find Paul the apostle asking Timothy to pray that the next emperor would be a Christian emperor. The apostles were simply interested in doing the will of God. We should have the same attitude. No matter what president is elected, we should be about the Father's business.

3) Although the New Testament church was persecuted and flourished under such persecution, it is not godly to wish for persecution. I understand that Christians in the United States have loved and enjoyed their freedoms - and rightly so. We are commanded to pray for our leaders, that we have a PEACEABLE LIFE, not a life of persecution! I Timothy 2:1-2 - “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”

4) It is not enough to pray for our leaders, but speak of them respectfully.  Both Peter and Jude speak of them who are “not afraid to speak evil of dignities (II Peter 2:10; Jude 8).”  Paul refers to civil leaders as the “minister of God.”  It is not required for us to like our leaders, but it IS required of us as Christians to pray for, and respect our leaders.   

5) Remember that we are living in the last days, and the Bible plainly teaches that in the last days of God's dealings with the church, the world will get worse, not better. This, of course, does not mean that we accept defeat. We will still preach the truth. We will still present the gospel to the lost in an effort to win them to Christ. As hostility and hatred towards the true Chruch increases, the church of Jesus Christ should increase its evangelistic efforts! Daniel teaches us that, in the Great Tribulation, the antichrist will do exploits. This simply means that the antichrist will be working! But, Daniel also notes, that, during that same time, there will be those who know their God, and they, too, will DO EXPLOITS! This shows us that when the devil is at work, God is at work! Where sin abounded, grace did MUCH MORE ABOUND!

6) Love your country! I have met people in my walk through this life who insist that it is sinful for a person to express any kind of patriotism. Away with such foolishness! Daniel prayed one of the most powerful prayers in the Bible in Daniel 9. It was a prayer born out of deep love and a heavy burden for his own people - the Jews! Paul stated that his desire for Israel is, that they might be saved! Jeremiah was called the weeping prophet; not because he wept over the Assyrians or the Babylonians, but because he wept over HIS OWN PEOPLE! And I love the people of this great nation, and will pray for my own nation before I pray for any other nation.

7) While we love and pray for our nation, remember that God is a God of justice and judgment. We cannot kill over fifty million babies without stirring the wrath of God. We cannot redefine marriage, shaking our fist in the face of God, calling His definition of marriage a lie, and expect to get by with it. When God cannot find enough righteousness in our land, He will turn this nation upside down with His divine judgment. Until judgment comes, God's people must pray for a revival in the land. We must pray for God to shake us, and awaken us to His truths.

8) Remember - though it is a dark time in which we live, those who live in the thickest darkness are the ones who need light the most! God didn't call us to be a light where everyone is a Christian; He called us to be a light in the dark! America has seen better days, but what a privilege to let our light so shine in THIS DAY IN TIME! Think of it: God trusted you and me to be His light in the present darkness! We know that the night is dark and long, but God saw that you and I, with the power of the Holy Ghost, could shine for our Lord in the hour in which we live! So be encouraged! Let your light so shine before men!

Give Attendance to Reading

I Timothy 4:13 – “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.”

In the above text, Paul the aged minister is writing to Timothy the young minister, admonishing him to give attendance to reading, exhortation, and doctrine. I would like to provide, for whatever it may be worth, some instructions to Christians in general, but especially to ministers, regarding reading books.

It is a good thing for Christians and ministers to be readers of good literature. I have heard ministers boast of neglecting to read anything outside of the Bible. While this may sound spiritual to some, I fail to see the spirituality in it. Solomon wisely declared that a wise man will hear, and will increase learning (Proverbs 1:5). Some ministers boast of getting their doctrine solely from the Bible, without any help from any author. I heard one minister say, “My library has only sixty-six books!” These same ministers, however, preach to their people the importance of going to church and being taught. Why is it okay for me to be taught from a man speaking from behind a pulpit, but it is not okay for me to be taught from a man presenting his teaching in the form of a written publication?

Make no mistake about it – caution does need to be exercised when reading literature of any kind. So, I would like to present some “rules for readers.” If you are going to read from sources outside the Bible, here are some guidelines to consider.

#1 – The Bible is Supreme

Fall in love with the Bible! No amount of books can compare to the Bible. I advise new converts and young preachers to read extra-biblical sources very little. It is good for young Christians and young preachers to soak themselves in the Bible, under the leadership of a good pastor, in a good Bible-believing church. Other than reference books (a good dictionary, a concordance, and a Bible dictionary – but not commentaries), do not read sources outside of the Bible until you know what you believe, why you believe it, and until you are sure that reading a different viewpoint will not turn you away from the fundamentals of the faith. When you come to the place that you are ready to read other material than the Bible, never let your time reading ABOUT THE BIBLE replace your time reading the Bible itself.

#2 – A “Good” Library is Better than a “Big” Library

Many young Christians, especially young ministers, when they set out to have their own library, try to build a large library. AVOID THIS! Get books you will actually read. Ask your pastor which authors he can recommend. Bro. Ralph Cox once said that a preacher does not need a big library; just a good one! I would rather have a handful of good, solid books that occupy just one shelf of a bookcase, as to have rooms filled with junk. Do not fall into the trap of buying books for the sake of showing off a large library to your guests.

#3 – Remember that Your Favorite Author is Human

As you begin to read after different authors, you will develop favorite authors. This is fine as long as you never forget that any author you read after is human, and has the capability of being wrong in his opinion. Never develop the attitude that something is truth just because your favorite author believes it. I have several authors that I consider to be my favorites. However, there is no author in my library with whose opinions I agree completely. Do not lose the ability to think for yourself. Do not be afraid to read a book, and say to yourself, “I do not agree with that.” Any author has the capability of being wrong. If you believe everything you read, then stay with the Bible. You can believe everything it says.

#4 – Read a Variety of Subjects

When it comes to reading, do not get in a rut! Read books that cover a variety of subjects. While it is perfectly fine to have a favorite subject to read, venture out into other subjects. Read books that provoke you to pray. Read books that cause you to study the Bible deeper. Read books that cover subjects about which you are passionate. Read books that deal with prophecy. Read books that deal with different aspects of salvation. Read books that cover the great doctrines of the Bible. Read biographies of great Christian men and women. Read missionary narratives. There is too much edifying literature out there to read the same subject all the time!

#5 – Read a Variety of Authors

Personally, I prefer used books over new. I like the old authors much better than contemporary authors. I like Louis Albert Banks, Harry A. Ironside, B.H. Carroll, Vance Havner, Jack Hyles, and many others. But occasionally, when perusing through books at a used book store, I’ll come across a book by an author of which I have never heard. If it appears by thumbing through the book that the author believed in the fundamentals of the faith, I often purchase the book. I have found great authors that I otherwise would have missed.

#6 – Redeem the Time with Reading

We live in a very busy time. There is so much to do. Perhaps the reader says, “I do not have time to read much.” Make time. There is a good chance that you will find yourself in a waiting room of some kind in the next month or so. Instead of inspecting worldly magazines for something worthwhile to read, bring something good to read. As for me, I always have my Bible, as well as something else to read. If I find myself waiting, I read.

#7 – Magazines, Periodicals, Newspapers, Etc.

For a very low price, you can subscribe to good periodicals. Find a few periodicals that are sound in doctrine. By reading periodicals, you will be subjecting yourself to various subjects and authors. My personal favorite periodical is the Sword of the Lord. It is an independent, fundamental, Christian publication. As for secular newspapers and magazines, caution should be exercised. Personally, I subscribe to no secular magazine or newspaper. Of course, there is nothing wrong with many secular magazines, but as Christians and ministers, there is enough Christian material out there to waste time and money with much else.

#8 – Read Authors with Whom You Disagree

Again, I stress that it is very important that you know what you believe and why you believe it before you do much reading at all. But it is good to read after authors with whom you disagree. By reading someone with a differing viewpoint with my own, I am accomplishing some things. First, I am learning! The fact is this: we do not learn much by reading only after those who agree with us! Second, those who disagree with me are giving me reasons why they disagree with me. When I see their reasons for their beliefs, I can make a stronger argument against their teaching when I teach or preach. There are few things worse than a minister trying to slam the Jehovah’s Witnesses, but in doing so, he makes it clear that he doesn’t even know what they believe. In my library, I have literature from organizations that are far from fundamental. I have some of their literature so I can accurately represent them when I speak of what they believe. Third, even though I disagree with the author on a position, the author may have something good to say, which brings me to my next point.

#9 – Learn to Eat the Fish, and Throw Away the Bones

If I am reading a good book when I stumble upon a sentence with which I disagree, I do not throw the book in the trash. As I stated previously, there is no author, minister, preacher, or teacher with whom I agree completely. You may be someone who keeps up with my blog posts, and you may think you agree with everything I say. But I promise you, if we sat down and talked for a while, there would be a verse of scripture that you will see differently than me. But I won’t plug my ears to what you have to say. Even though you may not agree with me on everything, you may say many things from which I can glean. As the saying goes, “Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water.” If the author you are reading disagrees with you on one point, but much of what he says is good, glean from the good and ignore the bad. Look at it this way – what if people quit listening to what YOU have to say because they disagree with one point you make? The fact is that you would have no audience.

#10 – Be a Regular Reader of this Blog!

In all your reading, don’t forget to read my blog! Read it regularly! Subscribe to my posts. There are posts covering many Biblical subjects. Conservative, fundamental, and Bible-believing to the core, I have tried to present the Bible in a way understandable to the reader. Give me feedback. I love to hear from readers. Thanks to everyone who drops me a line to let me know you are reading! As long as you keep reading, I’ll keep writing.

The Church and the Great Tribulation - Part 2

Will the Church Go Through the Great Tribulation? -Continued

The Church IS APPOINTED to Tribulation

So far, we have examined two truths from the book of I Thessalonians; first, that the church is not appointed to suffer the wrath of God; and second, that the church has already been delivered from the wrath to come. In the same book (I Thessalonians), the same author (Paul the apostle) tells us that the church, though not appointed to wrath and delivered from wrath, IS APPOINTED to tribulation:

I Thessalonians 3:3-4 – “That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.”

No statement could be clearer. The church is subject to tribulations and afflictions in this life. This truth is reiterated throughout the New Testament.

Luke 21:12 – “But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and PERSECUTE you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake.”

John 16:33 – “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have TRIBULATION: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Acts 14:22 – “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much TRIBULATION enter into the kingdom of God.”

Romans 5:3 – “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that TRIBULATION worketh patience.”

Romans 8:35 – “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall TRIBULATION, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?”

II Corinthians 7:4 – “Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our TRIBULATION.”

Revelation 1:9 – “I John, who also am your brother, and companion in TRIBULATION…”

Revelation 2:9 – “I know thy works, and TRIBULATION, and poverty,”

Revelation 2:10 – “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have TRIBULATION ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”

The Church is Delivered from Tribulation

Here is what we know thus far from scripture: first, that the church is not appointed to suffer any of the wrath of God; second, that the church is delivered from the wrath of God; third, that the church, although delivered from wrath, is appointed to suffer tribulation.

Now, I present to the reader a fourth point. The church is delivered from tribulation. You say, “Wait a minute! You just said the church would have to suffer tribulation, and now you’re saying that the church is delivered from tribulation!” Yes, that’s what the Bible teaches. There are tribulations I will have to endure, and there are tribulations that will come upon the world that I will never have to go through. Look with me:

Romans 2:5-11 – “But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, TRIBULATION AND ANGUISH, UPON EVERY SOUL OF MAN THAT DOETH EVIL, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God.”

There is tribulation and anguish reserved, on the day of wrath, for every soul of man that doeth evil. This is tribulation that is directly related to coming of the day of wrath. During this time, there is tribulation and anguish that no part of the church of Jesus Christ will go through; it is reserved entirely for EVERY SOUL OF MAN THAT DOETH EVIL. The “tribulation and anguish” in these verses cannot be the general afflictions and tribulations that are appointed to the church. It must, then, speak of the Great Tribulation, which is reserved, not for the church, but for every soul that doeth evil. Although the church is appointed to suffer tribulations, these verses make it plain that there is tribulation and anguish that is reserved only for evildoers, and not for the church. This tribulation that is reserved for evildoers, and not for the church, is the time period known as the Great Tribulation! We see clearly that there is a difference between the tribulations to which the church is appointed, and the tribulation and anguish reserved for evildoers, the Great Tribulation. When you read a verse that uses the word, “tribulation,” the context of the verse will easily allow you to determine whether he is speaking of the tribulations of this life to which the church is appointed, or the Great Tribulation, which is reserved for evildoers.

There are those who teach that the church will go through, either some or all, of the time period known as the Great Tribulation. Among this crowd, I am often accused of teaching that the church will not suffer. The truth is this – the church of Jesus Christ was born in suffering. The first centuries of the church were stained with blood. In recent years, there has been much persecution against the church today. Muslim countries hate freedom, hate Christians, hate Christ, and hate the church. Christians, on a regular basis in many of these countries, are beheaded for their faith. The Bible teaches plainly that Christian will suffer, and for two millenniums, Christians HAVE SUFFERED.

But although Christians have been suffering for two millenniums, NO CHRISTIAN HAS EVER SUFFERED IN THE TIME PERIOD KNOWN AS THE GREAT TRIBULATION. Paul was beheaded for the gospel. He suffered tribulation. But did Paul suffer in the time period known as the Great Tribulation? No, for that time is yet future. Peter was crucified upside down. He suffered for Christ. But did Peter suffer in the time period known as the Great Tribulation? No, for that time is not yet here. My point is this – the church has suffered for two thousand years, but the church has not gone through the Great Tribulation, for the Great Tribulation has not yet occurred. When a person pulls out the verses that promise tribulation to the church, these verses do not prove that the church will endure the Great Tribulation. This is proven by the fact that saints through the ages have suffered for their faith, as those verses promised, but none of those saints have passed through the Great Tribulation. It is possible to suffer tribulation without suffering during the time period known as the GREAT TRIBULATION! The church does not have to go through the Great Tribulation in order to suffer!

Repentance Delivers from Great Tribulation

We have already seen that the church, though appointed to tribulation, is delivered from the tribulation and anguish that is reserved for evildoers, the Great Tribulation. Now let us examine another verse that promises that repentance delivers from great tribulation:

Revelation 2:20-22 – “Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.”

In these verses, Jesus is speaking to the church in Thyatira. Evidently, there was a woman with a spirit like Jezebel, the rebellious woman in the Old Testament. Jesus clearly states that if Jezebel would repent, as well as those who committed adultery with her, they would be delivered from great tribulation. We have already seen that if a person repents and follows Christ, they WILL SUFFER tribulation. But here, we are told that these that committed adultery would be cast into great tribulation, EXCEPT THEY REPENT! Repentance will keep you from the tribulation mentioned in these verses. If you repent, turning to Jesus Christ for salvation, you are appointed to suffer. You will suffer tribulation. But there is a tribulation mentioned here that you will NEVER SUFFER. It can only be the Great Tribulation that is coming upon the whole world.

The Great Tribulation is the Judgment of God

II Thessalonians 1:6 – “Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to RECOMPENSE TRIBULATION to them that trouble you.”

Here, we see that there is a tribulation reserved for those who afflicted the saints. Yes, the saints will suffer the afflictions and tribulations of life. But this verse speaks of a tribulation that is recompense, or reimbursement, to those who afflicted the people of God. It is a tribulation reserved for those who afflicted the saints; it is not a tribulation for the saints. It can only be speaking of the Great Tribulation from which we are delivered.

The Great Tribulation is a Time of Wrath

We have already seen clearly that the church is delivered from the wrath of God in its entirety. Jesus referred to the Great Tribulation as “days of vengeance” and “much wrath upon this people”:

Luke 21:20-23 – “And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.”

Jesus here speaks of “the desolation.” In Matthew 24, verses 15 and 21, Jesus places the abomination of desolation as being brought about in a time of great tribulation. In the verses above, Jesus states that the days of the desolation, an event taking place in the Great Tribulation, are days of vengeance, and “wrath upon this people.” The days of Great Tribulation are days of wrath, and the church has been delivered by the cross of Christ from the wrath to come.

Concluding Verses

Revelation 3:10 – “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.”

Luke 21:36 – “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”

The Church and the Great Tribulation - Part 1

Will the Church Go Through the Great Tribulation?

Before us we have a much disputed question in our day, a question that sparks interest in some and initiates division in others. Sadly, in spite of the complexity of the doctrine of the second coming of Christ, this one question seems to dominate the entire study of prophecy for some. Some preachers have the idea that studying the subject of prophecy means studying whether or not the church will go through the Great Tribulation. There is so much more in the study of prophecy than simply this question. But this question is legitimate, and I will answer it with scripture.

To understand the question more clearly, one must understand that in the end time, there is a time period known as the Great Tribulation:

Matthew 24:21 – “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.”

This time period has not yet happened. It is reserved for the end of time as we know it. It will occur when the Antichrist, the last world dictator, will be revealed. There is another event that will happen in the end of time. It is called the rapture of the church, a time when the true church of Jesus Christ will be raptured, or caught up to meet the Lord in the air:

I Thessalonians 4:16-18 – “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

The great question here is this – I know there is a time period coming known as the Great Tribulation. I know there is an event coming called the rapture of the church. But will the rapture of the church happen BEFORE the Great Tribulation (we refer to this teaching as “Pre-tribulation” or “Pre-trib”), IN THE MIDDLE of the Great Tribulation (we refer to this teaching as “Mid-tribulation” or “Mid-trib”), or AFTER the Great Tribulation (we refer to this teaching as “Post-tribulation” or “Post-trib”)? That is the question.

The Church is not Appointed to Wrath

I touched on this very briefly in my recent posts on the day of the Lord, but I will hit it again as it is necessary. This is the foundational point in answering the question at hand. To see whether or not the church will go through the Great Tribulation, one must understand, first and foremost, that the church of Jesus Christ WILL NOT and MUST NOT suffer the wrath of God.

I Thessalonians 5:9 – “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.”

There can be no misunderstanding here – the church is not appointed to suffer the wrath of God. Concerning this truth, it appears to me that we have much unity in the body of Christ. It seems that all Bible students agree on this one point. I know of no one anywhere who teaches that the church will suffer the wrath of God. Regardless of whether a person believes that the church will depart from this world before, during, or after the Great Tribulation, everyone agrees that the church will not be here for the wrath of God. I know of some who define their position as PRE-WRATH, meaning the church will leave before the wrath of God is poured out. It seems that everyone agrees with this point – the point that the church is not appointed to suffer the wrath of God.

The Church is Delivered from the Wrath to Come

I heard a man tell this story once. He said that in a certain town many years ago there was a tornado that went through, devastating the entire area. There was a church there. The church, like many other buildings in town, was destroyed. People died, including some of the church people. The pastor of the church, who was said to have been a man of God, said that he felt like the tornado was sent by God as wrath and judgment upon that town. The wrath of God that was demonstrated in the tornado, the preacher said, was not APPOINTED for the church in that town, but it was rather appointed for the wicked. But even though the church in that town was not appointed to the wrath of the tornado, the church still suffered some of it. The preacher then used I Thessalonians 5:9, which states that the church is not appointed to wrath, to say that even though the church is NOT APPOINTED to wrath, the church still may have to suffer some of it.

NOT SO! Not only is the church of Jesus Christ not appointed to wrath, but in the finished work of Jesus Christ upon the cross of Calvary, we are already delivered from wrath!

I Thessalonians 1:10 – “And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.”

Just as sure as the church has been delivered from the pit of hell, not to suffer a single flame of it, the church has also been delivered from the wrath of God, not to suffer a single bit of it.

TO BE CONTINUED...

The Man of Sin - Part 6

Who is Keeping the Antichrist from Being Revealed?

In defining the restrainer, it is important to understand a few principles beforehand. First, the Bible calls this restrainer a “he” in II Thessalonians 2:7. Second, it makes logical sense that He who restrains the Antichrist must be stronger than both the Antichrist and the dragon (Satan) that gives him his power.

Greater is He that is in You

Do we have an individual in scripture who is stronger than the coming Antichrist and the devil who is already in the world? Yes we do!

I John 4:4 – “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

John said, “Greater is he that is in you!” This provokes the question, “Who is in us?” To answer this, let us begin with John’s gospel:

John 1:12 – “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.”

According to the above verse, John 1:12, who becomes a son of God? Those who RECEIVE HIM by BELIEVING on His name. You do not become a child of God by baptism; you do not become a child of God by speaking in tongues; you do not become a child of God by submitting to a dress code; you do not become a child of God by faithful church attendance. It is solely and completely by trusting Jesus Christ, believing on Him alone for salvation. At that moment, the sinner becomes a child of God!

The very moment one believes on Jesus Christ for salvation, not only does he become a child of God, but something else happens.

Galatians 4:6 – “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”

Because a person is a son of God, God sends the Spirit of His Son, the Holy Ghost into his heart. Let’s get this straight! A person does not receive the Holy Ghost because he tarried; a person does not receive the Holy Ghost because he has been faithful; a person does not receive the Holy Ghost because he spoke in tongues. The Holy Ghost lives within a person because that person is a child of God!

The Holy Ghost, the Spirit of God, lives within you and me who are saved by the grace of God. John was speaking of the Holy Ghost when he said “Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.” This definitely qualifies the Holy Ghost to be the restrainer. He is greater than the devil, and is therefore greater than the Antichrist who receives his authority from the devil.

Another Look at Judas

In part 3 of this series, I discussed Judas Iscariot – the Antichrist in Christ’s day. It would benefit the reader to read part 3 of this series if you have not already. Judas hanged himself at the time that Christ was on trial. Judas was gone before the Holy Ghost descended on the day of Pentecost. It had to be that way! The Holy Ghost’s arrival itself would hinder the Antichrist from remaining on the scene.

Didn’t the Holy Ghost Exist Before Pentecost?

Critics of my opinion may point out that the Holy Ghost existed before Pentecost. True! David declares the Holy Spirit’s omnipresence:

Psalm 139:7-8 – “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.”

Yes, the Holy Ghost most certainly existed before Pentecost. In addition to this, the Holy Ghost also worked prior to Pentecost. The Holy Ghost came upon men so that they prophesied in the Old Testament. The Holy Ghost departed from men in the Old Testament.

But still yet, Jesus Himself promised TO SEND the Holy Ghost after He ascended to heaven. I did not say that; Christ said that!

John 16:7 – “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”

What was special about the Spirit’s descent on the day of Pentecost? If the Holy Ghost was already omnipresent, then what is so exceptional about the day that Christ sent Him on the day of Pentecost?

The answer is simple. Just as the Son received a body in a little town called Bethlehem, the Holy Ghost received a body on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem. The body in which the Holy Ghost lives is called the church. In this manner, the Comforter CAME. I hear preachers say, “We need another Pentecost.” Nothing could be further from the truth. We do not need another Pentecost any more than we need another Bethlehem. We do not need another Pentecost any more than we need another Calvary. The Holy Ghost descended on the day of Pentecost to dwell in a body called the church, and He will never depart from the church.

John 14:16 – “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you FOR EVER.”

It is true that Jesus Christ came to this earth as a babe in Bethlehem. After His death, burial, and resurrection, He ascended into heaven, departing from this earth. In the same manner, the Holy Ghost descended from heaven on the day of Pentecost to live in a body called the church. And, just as sure as Jesus departed, ascending to heaven, the Holy Ghost will one day depart from this earth. You say, “I thought the Holy Ghost would never leave the church.” I say, “You’re right. The church is going with Him.” When the Holy Ghost leaves this world, taking the church with Him, then and only then can the man of sin be revealed.

How Can People be Saved after the Holy Ghost is Gone?

Here is a question often brought up by the critics. In their mind, the Holy Ghost cannot be the restrainer because salvation would not be possible if the Holy Ghost is absent. The Holy Ghost, though He will ascend from this earth with the church, will not cease to exist after the church is gone. I am not teaching that, when the Holy Ghost is taken out of the way, that He will be non-existent. Just as the Holy Ghost existed and worked BEFORE his DESCENSION on the day of Pentecost, He will exist and work AFTER his ASCENSION with the church in the rapture. Just as Abraham believed God and was counted righteous before the Holy Ghost DESCENDED, others will believe God and be counted righteous after the Holy Ghost ASCENDS with the church. There was salvation BEFORE the Holy Ghost came in Acts 2, and there will be salvation AFTER the Holy Ghost leaves in the rapture.

The Job Description of the Holy Ghost

Another reason I believe the restrainer is the Holy Ghost is found in His very job description:

John 16:8 – “And when he [the Comforter] is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.”

The One who is restraining the MAN OF SIN is the same One who was sent to reprove the WORLD OF SIN.

The Holy Ghost will one day be removed from the scene, taking the church with Him. But until then, His voice is still crying out:

Revelation 22:17 – “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

The Man of Sin - Part 5

Who is Keeping the Antichrist from Being Revealed?

II Thessalonians 2:6-8 – “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…”

We have before us a most debated passage of scripture. Paul writes to the Thessalonian church regarding this man of sin. Paul teaches plainly two truths regarding the “restrainer”: first, that there is a restrainer, defined as someone who is withholding the Antichrist’s power, keeping him from being revealed; and second, that the Thessalonians, at the time of Paul’s writing, already knew the identity of this restrainer. “Ye know what withholdeth that he [the man of sin] might be revealed in his time,” Paul said. Since the Thessalonians already knew the personage of whom Paul was speaking, Paul did not take the time to state it in this passage. I have often wished that Paul would have just written a few more words to clearly identify this restrainer again for the Thessalonians, and thereby end the debate once for all. The Holy Ghost, however, with divine wisdom and purpose, withheld this information from us. The fact of the matter is this: the Bible does not state expressly who the restrainer is. I am very dogmatic when the Bible states something explicitly. But when the Bible does not clearly identify the restrainer, it would not be wise for Christians to break fellowship because of differences on the subject. I will therefore give briefly some theories I have heard, then I will give my own opinion.

Some Say the Restrainer is Human Government and Law*

Perhaps among the oldest of opinions regarding the restrainer is that it is identified by human government and law. Some state that the human government that hindered the Antichrist from being revealed was the Roman Empire. Paul stated in II Thessalonians 2 that the restrainer would be taken out of the way, and then the man of sin would be revealed. The Roman Empire WAS taken out of the way, but the Antichrist still has not been revealed.

As for the restrainer being human government in general, a simple study in Revelation will show that even after the Antichrist is revealed, there will still be human government. In Nebuchadnezzar’s vision of the world empires, human government DOES come crashing down, but not until after the reign of the Antichrist. So it cannot be human government that is taken away so that the Antichrist can be revealed.

Some Say the Restrainer is Satan

I have heard this by some, especially by some who promote a post-tribulation rapture of the church. Revelation 13:4 states that it is the dragon (the devil) that gives power to the beast. Since Satan has refrained from giving the Antichrist this power as of yet, he cannot come on the scene. This sounds feasible until we hear Paul’s words stating that the restrainer “will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed…” The Antichrist will not be revealed until whoever is restraining him is removed. If Satan is keeping the Antichrist from being revealed, then Satan must be removed prior to the Antichrist’s arrival. However, Revelation 20 shows us the removal of Satan into the lake of fire, but not until AFTER the reign of the Antichrist, and after the Millennium.

Some Say the Restrainer is the Church

While this opinion is, I believe, closer to the truth, I cannot embrace the idea that the church of Jesus Christ is the restrainer. There are two verses that are commonly used to prove this, being Matthew 5:13, in which Jesus tells his disciples “ye are the salt of the earth”; and Matthew 5:14, in which Jesus tells his disciples “ye are the light of the world.” Salt preserves against corruption, and light repels darkness. In the same way, the church keeps the man of sin from being revealed, they say.

Suppose I spoke to one who believes the church is the restrainer. I would ask him one question. When did the church begin? Did the church of Jesus Christ begin at the cross? At Pentecost? Or perhaps some time before either of these events?

Suppose he answers my question regarding the church’s beginning, stating that the church began either at the cross or at Pentecost. If that be the case, then the church was not yet on the earth when Jesus told his disciples “ye are the salt of the earth” and “ye are the light of the world.” If the church began either at the cross or on the day of Pentecost, then Christ was not speaking to the church when He made the above statements. In this case, any believers in Christ, whether before the church was founded or after the church is gone, would be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Even tribulation saints would be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, and we know that tribulation saints will not keep the Antichrist from being revealed.

Now, back to my question to the one who believes the church is the restrainer. Suppose that, when I ask him regarding the church’s beginning, he says that the church began BEFORE the cross, and BEFORE Pentecost. Suppose he makes it clear that there WAS a church upon the earth at the time of the Sermon on the Mount, when Jesus identified His disciples as the salt of the earth and the light of the world. In that case, I would point out that the Antichrist was present on the earth at that time. Judas Iscariot was the devil incarnated (John 13:27). Jesus identified Judas as being a devil (John 6:70). Judas, like the Antichrist of the end time, was called the son of perdition (John 17:12). I elaborated on this in detail in part 3 of this series, so I will not elaborate here. But these considerations keep me from believing that the restrainer is the church.

*Pentecost, J. Dwight. Things to Come. Dunham Publishing Company. Findlay, OH. ©1953. pp. 259-260.

The Man of Sin - Part 4

The Mystery of Iniquity

II Thessalonians 2:7, 8 – “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.”

In the above passage, we are told that “the mystery of iniquity doth already work.” What is meant by the phrase “mystery of iniquity”? I will discuss it in this post.

It is important to understand that the man of sin has not yet been revealed. In spite of what some say, we are not currently in the Great Tribulation, and the Antichrist is not here yet. The above passage, II Thessalonians 2:7-8, shows us three things: first, that someone is “letting,” or hindering, the Antichrist from being revealed; second, that whoever is hindering the Antichrist will one day be removed from the scene; and third, that this removal will allow the Wicked One (Antichrist) to be revealed. I will discuss later who is hindering the Antichrist from being revealed. But at this time, it is important to know that the Antichrist has not yet been revealed.

Today, there is much confusion on the subject of the Antichrist, and such confusion is uncalled for, since the Bible is so plain. I have heard far-out teachings that have striven to make Babylon of Revelation 18 to mean the United States. Some time ago, I had a man come to my church. After church, he told me that the American government has concentration camps throughout the country, ready to unload Christians at any time. I told this man that I already heard that Christians in America were headed for concentration camps – when Bill Clinton was president. And it never happened. I have heard that the new healthcare law mandates that every American receive a computerized chip in their hand in 2013. Some interpret this to be the mark of the beast.

Let us get some things straight. The first thing to get straight is the fact that funny, unscriptural teachings such as these do not arise from those who obey the myriads of New Testament verses that command us to watch, look for, be ready for, and wait for the coming of the Lord. These teachings always come from those who are looking for the Antichrist. Another truth to get straight is the truth that neither the United States, nor any American president, is the Antichrist. The man of sin will not rule from America. Understand this: we are not in the Great Tribulation, and the Antichrist is not yet revealed.

Our text, however, lets us know that although the Antichrist cannot be revealed until someone else is taken out of the way, the MYSTERY OF INIQUITY is already at work. This mystery of iniquity is what John calls the “spirit of antichrist.”

I John 4:3 – “And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.”

I showed in the previous post how that the Antichrist will be influenced by the devil himself, as was Judas Iscariot. But devils of hell have been working for more than two thousand years to bring about this final empire ruled by the man of sin. There is a spirit of antichrist working in all the world, and we are seeing it more and more in the United States.

The Modern Cry for Unity

This spirit of antichrist, or mystery of iniquity, manifests itself in many ways. First, we see the mystery of iniquity in the modern cry for “unity.” In Revelation 3:10, we are told that the hour of temptation will come upon ALL the world. In Revelation 13:3, John tells us that ALL the world wondered after the beast. In Revelation 13:7, it is made clear that the beast will rule over ALL nations. In Revelation 13:8, we are told that ALL that are upon the earth will worship the beast (excepting those whose names are in the book of life). In Revelation 13:12, the false prophet will exercise ALL the power of the beast. In Revelation 13:15, the false prophet causes ALL to be killed who do not worship the beast. In Revelation 13:16, the false prophet causes ALL to receive the beast’s mark. As you can see, the Great Tribulation is a time that will involve ALL. The message of the Antichrist is “Let’s ALL come together. Let’s all worship together.” Ever heard that? I’m sure most readers have heard phrases such as these. While “unity” sounds good, we cannot unite with devils. I cannot join hands with Muslims and Buddhists. If a man prays to St. Jude, I cannot worship with him. If a man denies that Jesus Christ, while upon the earth, was God manifested in the flesh, I cannot join hands with that man. It is good and pleasant for brethren to dwell together in unity (Psalm 133:1), but it is abominable for believers to join together with unbelievers (II Corinthians 6:14). Unity is important for the body of Christ, but we must be wary of any religious leader who promotes unity with unbelievers. Any such religious leader is operating in the spirit of antichrist – the mystery of iniquity.

The Desire for the Miraculous

Not only is the modern cry for unity evident that the spirit of antichrist is already at work, but there is further evidence in the modern desire for the miraculous. We live in a day where many are infatuated with someone who claims to have some type of miraculous power. If a man of God rises to expound upon the scriptures, most churchgoers today act bored to death. If a man of flesh, however, blows on people, claims to heal people, or announces in a church services that someone in the crowd has a headache, people follow after it like a maggot on molded meat. When the Antichrist and false prophet are the scene, they both will perform miracles. Notice:

II Thessalonians 2:4 – “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.”

Revelation 13:3 – “And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.”

Revelation 13:13, 14 – “And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.”

Let me be clear. I do not care if they can tell you your phone number. I do not care if they can tell you where you are aching. I do not care who they heal, how much they heal, or what miracles they can do. If they are not preaching the pure, unadulterated gospel of Jesus Christ – the gospel of faith in the finished work of Christ and faith in Him alone to be saved – the gospel that produces a holy life, causing the believer to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, then their anointing is a false one. They are then operating by the spirit of antichrist; not by the true Holy Spirit of God. A man’s work is not validated by any miracles he does; but rather by the Word of God. If a man’s message doesn’t line up with the book, he is a false prophet!

As we see these things on the rise in the religious world, it is clear that the mystery of iniquity – the spirit of antichrist – is already at work.

The Man of Sin - Part 3

The Son of Perdition

II Thessalonians 2:3, 4 – “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; 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.”

In the previous post, I made the following statement: “Although the Bible gives many names for the man of sin, it is worthy to note that the Bible does not provide the name of the man of sin.” The Bible certainly gives many names, or titles, to this coming man of sin. Since I am using II Thessalonians 2 as my main text for this brief study, I have been using the term “man of sin” as the chief reference to him. This phrase “man of sin” shows us that the Antichrist will in fact be a man. While some insist that the Antichrist is merely a spirit, the Bible teaches that a MAN is coming to have dominion over the nations of this world. Others insist that the Antichrist is simply a system. However, the Bible reveals to us the truth that the Antichrist is a man of sin.

In II Thessalonians 2:3, he is called the man of sin, as well as the son of perdition. In addition to these titles, he is called the Wicked One (II Thessalonians 2:8); the Little Horn (Daniel 7:8); the Prince that shall come (Daniel 9:26); the Vile Person (Daniel 11:21); the Wilful King (Daniel 11:36); the Antichrist (I John 2:18); the Beast (Revelation 13:1).

In this post, I will examine closely the phrase “son of perdition,” and its relation to the man of sin. This phrase is only found twice in the entire Bible:

John 17:12 – “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.”

II Thessalonians 2:3 – “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.”

In the former passage, the phrase “son of perdition” is used by our Lord to identify Judas Iscariot, the Lord’s apostle who betrayed him. In the latter passage, the phrase is used in reference to the Antichrist, the man of sin. Both Judas Iscariot and the coming Antichrist are referred to as “the son of perdition.” Some Bible scholars insist that there is no connection between these two Bible characters. However, they are the only two characters in the scriptures given this title. In addition to this, there are more similarities between these two characters.

Both Judas Iscariot and the Antichrist were influenced by Satan himself. Some men are possessed with devils; but Judas was influenced, not by a devil, but by Satan himself:

John 6:70 – “Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?”

Here, Judas is called a devil by our Lord. The reason our Lord made such a statement can be found in Luke’s gospel:

Luke 22:3 – “Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.”

Judas was called a devil by our Lord, not because he was possessed of devils; but rather because he was indwelt by Satan himself. Judas was the only man in the Bible, besides the Antichrist, who was influenced by Satan in this manner. The Antichrist, as Judas was, will be influenced by Satan himself. The Antichrist will not be possessed by devils, but rather by Satan himself:

Revelation 13:4 – “And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?”

Here, it is clear that the beast (man of sin) will receive his power from the dragon, who is identified in Revelation 20:2 as Satan. The Antichrist will not be influenced by devils, but rather by the prince of devils – by Satan himself.

It is also noteworthy that Judas came on the scene at the time of Christ’s first coming. The Antichrist will arrive at the time of Christ’s second coming.

It is also noteworthy that when Judas Iscariot hanged himself, the Bible does not say that he went to hell:

Acts 1:25 – “That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go TO HIS OWN PLACE.”

In Revelation 13, John saw the beast coming up out of the sea. The Antichrist comes up from somewhere beneath. I believe he is the same spirit that was in Judas Iscariot. When Judas died, he went beneath, I believe, to the bottomless pit. In Revelation, he will come again from that pit, in the person of the Antichrist.

The Man of Sin - Part 2

Identifying the Man of Sin

The Name of the Man of Sin

Although the Bible gives many names for the man of sin, it is worthy to note that the Bible does not provide the name of the man of sin. Look what Isaiah said concerning Cyrus, a Persian king:

Isaiah 45:1 – “Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut.”

In the above verse, Isaiah prophesies concerning a king by the name of Cyrus. The time of this prophecy is at least 150 years before Cyrus comes on the scene. From the time of Isaiah’s prophecy to the fulfillment thereof was about 175 years! About 175 years before it happened, God told us through His prophet that a man by the name of Cyrus, a king of Persia, would rise up, and would command the city of Jerusalem to be restored. Listen to me very carefully. God Almighty gave us the name of the Persian king Cyrus more than 150 years prior to Cyrus’ coming on the scene.

Dear reader, we live in a time where people have tried, and continue to try, to name the man of sin. I am amazed that sincere people get caught up in trying to figure out who the man of sin is. Has it ever dawned on you, that the God who named King Cyrus no less than 150 years before he came on the scene could have given us the name of the man of sin had He wanted us to know? It would not have been any more of a challenge for God Almighty to put the name of the man of sin in the Bible than it was for Him to put the name of Cyrus in the scriptures! Before looking at this man of sin, this Antichrist, I want you to know this – naming him is not important! Down through the years, those who have tried to name the Antichrist have been wrong 100% of the time! Why are you so attracted to figuring out who the Antichrist is, when identifying the Antichrist has never once been successful?

As to the art of naming the Antichrist, I have heard some hilarious guesses! Of course, there are your classic examples – Mussolini, Hitler, and Franklin Roosevelt. Then, there are more modern examples. Ronald Reagan was supposed to be the Antichrist because his first name had six letters; his middle name had six letters (Wilson); and his last name had six letters! I know people who, at the moment of this writing, believe that Bill Clinton is the Antichrist, though Clinton is not currently in power. Some teach that the current president of the United States is the Antichrist. I have even heard it taught that Joe Biden is the Antichrist!

This kind of goofy nonsense originates from a perfectly blended combination of ignorance and foolishness! The fact of the matter is this: God did not tell us who the Antichrist is! Had he wanted us to positively identify the Antichrist, He could have identified Him as plainly as He did King Cyrus! Constantly, the New Testament Christian is admonished to be ready for the Christ, but never the Antichrist! You will never find the words, “wait,” “be ready for,” or “look for” in regard to the awful things coming upon the earth, or to the Antichrist. But many times, you will find that we are commanded to “wait,” “be ready for,” and “look for” the coming of the Son of man! Christ told us to “watch” for His coming repeatedly. Only ONCE do we find the word “watch” in reference to the Great Tribulation and the horrible things that will happen then:

Luke 21:36 – “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”

The only time we are exhorted to watch with regard to the things coming upon the earth, we are commanded to watch and pray always, that we might escape them!

The Man of Sin vs. the Son of Man

It is striking to me that all of those who are interested in identifying the Antichrist seem to be equally uninterested in the promotion of the Christ. If I preach that Jesus is coming, and those who have rejected Him will be lost eternally, those who try to name the Antichrist are bored to tears. If, however, I preach that the Antichrist is coming, and hard times are coming, and you better be ready to suffer, these same folks who are trying to name the Antichrist would be moved to an altar of weeping and wailing! What if these people got as excited about Christ as they do Antichrist? We’d have such a revival we wouldn’t know what to do with all the revival fire! No matter how much we study prophecy, or the Antichrist, let us never give the Antichrist the place we ought to give the Christ!

TO BE CONTINUED…