Satan is fully capable of coming up with this idea and many others, just to make Christians believe the antichrist is something besides what it REALLY is.
1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: [b]and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come,[/b]
OK, so this was something they were taught, when they were previuosly taught the gospel. That "antichrist" shall come. So what was it that John was referring to?
First you have to understand the true meaning of "anti", before you will really understand the term "anti" Christ.
Here is the Perseus site for looking up Greek words, as they were used in the first century and before.
You must know what the word "anti" meant to those in the first century. Because since it has been what I call "religisized", into a completely different meaning.
http://old.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/resolveform?lookup=anti&type=begin&lang=greek&searchText=&options=Sort+Results+Alphabetically&formentry=1&lang=greek
You can look the word up for yourself, in four different lexicons, if you just click on the first box.
You will find the basic meaning of the Word is "in the place of" or "instead of", "over against".
But it did not mean as it came to mean in our culture and language "against". In fact it simply means a false Christ. Or a Christ in place of the real Christ. Hence and imposter.
Paul also spoke of it in these terms.
1 Cor 11:1 Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.
2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity (single one way only) that is in Christ.
4 For if he that cometh preacheth [b]another Jesus[/b], whom we have not preached, or if ye receive [b]another spirit[/b], which ye have not received, or [b]another gospel[/b], which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
This "other Jesus" (another Jesus), was produced by teaching "another" or "perverted" gospel, and brought with it "another" spirit. This WAS and IS THE ANTI-CHRIST.
Why did Paul say that they might well bear with a person coming in preaching another gospel, other than the one they had already received?
Well for one thing, this was ordained by God, simply meaning "planned", so that he could tell who really loved the truth and who did not.
Look what he says in the next chapter, in context with what he has just said.
1 Cor 11:18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be [b]divisions[/b] among you; and I partly believe it.
19 [b]For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.[/b]
Paul said that THERE MUST BE HERESIES among them. In other words people coming up with every wind of doctrine with a view to deceive. People who did not "rightly divide the word of truth, to show themselves apporved. Why MUST there be heresies among them? Because Jesus foretold it, and it's what God uses to determin who will stand approved before him. If you don't hold the truth, you will not stand approved. It is only those believers who stand approved for rightly dividing the word of truth, that will be "chosen" for a special purpose in the end. Though many others will ultimately be saved.
This was FORETOLD by Jesus Christ, and this is the full meaning of what Christ taught.
Peter also warned about them.
2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be [b]false teachers among you[/b], who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
This is all the same thing, what John was talking about, Paul and then Peter.
Again what did John say...exactly....?
1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: [b]and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, [B]EVEN NOW ARE THERE MANY ANTICHRISTS;[/B] whereby we know that it is the last time.
And next he tell you where they came from.
19 [b]They went out from us,[/b] but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: [b]but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.[/b]
Who were these people? These are the same people that Paul was talking about to the Corinthians. People who made up false teachings. BELIEVERS who came up with HERESIES.
And why did they go out? Well mainly because they were asked to LEAVE.
Titus 3:10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
A man that is a "heretic", is a man that makes up "heresies". Heresies are perverted teachings of the gospel. Hence he makes up "another gospel". Hence when you have "another gospel", you have "another Jesus", IN PLACE of the original or an ANTI-Jesus, hence ANTI-CHRIST, as well as an anti-gospel, and an anti-spirit.
The word "reject", is the Greek word "paraiteomai, meaning; to ask beside, ask aside, get rid of by askng, beg off from, to excuse one's self.
Now look at the context of the word used in the scripture above.
Titus 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
9 [b]But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;[/b]
11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
So in the first century, what did these hereticks do? The studied the Word and came up with all kinds of arguments about this kind of stuff. foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; And of course then too about the gospel itself. And eventually Paul's letter too.
2 Peter 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; [b]in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.[/b]
17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
They were all taught and warned of these things, and Jesus taught of it, and this is what they were teaching. The full understanding of what Jesus meant when he made such statements as follows.
Matt 24:24 For there shall arise [b]false Christs[/b], and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
25 [b]Behold, I have told you before.[/b]
Mark 13:22
For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
Deut 13:1
23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.
Matthew 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
Mark 13:6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
Luke 21:8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
Again this was the same thing John was saying here:
1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: [b]and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, [B]EVEN NOW ARE THERE MANY ANTICHRISTS;[/B] whereby we know that it is the last time.
And next he tell you where they came from.
19 [b]They went out from us,[/b] but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: [b]but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.[/b]
So when they were told to leave, becasue they would not give up their heresies. What did they do? They went out preaching "CHRIST" and coming in his "name", saying Jesus was the Christ, BUT teaching ANOTHER GOSPEL.
AND they have continued right on up to our day doing this very thing.
Remember what Paul told the Corinthians when he warned them of another Jesus, another gospel, and another spirit?
1 Cor 11:1 Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.
2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: [b] I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.[/b]
3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity (single one way only) that is in Christ.
What happens when you are presented as a chaiste virgin to Christ? You are taught the TRUTH. When that truth become CORRUPTED, you are no longer a chaiste virgin, but a HARLOT. WHY? Because you have received ANOTHER JESUS, by receiving another gospel. And when you have received another gospel you also receive another spirit, which is a DEVIL or deceiving spirit.
Hence you are filled with a deceiving spririt, also called a spirit of whoredom and a spirit of slumber.
I hate to say, this but this was already taking place 2000 years ago. The gospel that 99.999999% that most churches and individuals know and teach today, is not the one Jesus and the apostles taught, but is inherited from the very ones that "went out", were asked to leave, that began heresies clear back in the first century.
This guy that is coming along now and teaching that the antichrist is Islam et. does not really know the Bible. It was EASY for Satan to set up Islam to look like what Christianity would like the antichrist to be, because Christianity wants it to be everythig but what it really is. Because the antichrist is THEM.
I personally was originally indoctrinated with a false gospel, the gospel of the antichrist harlot church. I was a true believer, but "born" in Babylon. Now I am headed back to Jerusalem, to build the wall (figuritivly). Seeking and searching the Word of truth. Getting rid of all false teachings, and coming to a knowledge of the truth.
Hope you all do the same, and I know that God is working in people I see it here. But I also see that "other guy" here too.
In the end we each will think the other is the antichrist. We actually do it now, but don't always say so. The proof will be when the hammer comes down, and those who have held to a false gospel, start persicuting their fellow christians.
Don't follow these yahoo antichrist hunters. Rather look for the "antichrist" in YOU. Work the word and live it and get rid of all false beliefs that are based on verses of scripture taken out of context to form "another gospel".
This is an addition:
I like this statement made by Chris Simpson of New Wine ministries, which I just happened upon this morning, regarding one heretical movment.
Quote:
A common misconception among those who have not studied the scriptures is that the calling out those who would cling to heretical doctrines or errors and is somehow unloving or judgmental. May we remind you that Paul called out heretics and unrepentant sinners by name to warn others of falling into their trap. Consider:
"This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme." [1 Timothy 1:18-20]
"This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes."
[2 Timothy 1:15]
"Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words." [2 Timothy 4:14-15]
"But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." [Galatians 1:8-9]
Notice Paul said: ALL THOSE IN ASIA ARE TURNED AWAY FROM ME."
And that in another place before this took place it says:
Acts 10:10 And this continued by the space of two years; [b]so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus,[/b] both Jews and Greeks.
So again, the heretics became more numerous and greater than the true believers, who held to the original truth. And this is why I say we inherited heresies, and think they are the truth. What is commonly called orthodox is also full of errors.
And again Jude speaks of these same men, remember to make an error, is to form "another gospel" and if you have "another gospel" you have "another Jesus. And this also brings with it another "sprirt".
Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
Jude 1:4 For there are [b]certain men crept in unawares,[/b] who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, [b]turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.[/b]
Turning the "grace of our God" into laciviousness, means "turning the GOSPEL of grace into a gospel of lasiviousness. Hence "another" gospel. This is the gospel you were all indoctrinated with, when you went to Church, and it does not matter which church you went to.
Read the context of Jude. It talks about how they pervert the gospel of grace into saying that there is not JUDGEMENT to the believer. Hence your once saved always saved doctrine no matter what you do.
And look again at the scripture I already listed concerning hereticks. Look what Paul says, in the first verse of that admonition.
Titus 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things [b]I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works.[/b] These things are good and profitable unto men.
9 [b]But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;[/b]
11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
So this is PAUL speaking, that Timothy was to AFIRM CONSTANTLY, that they which have believed might be careful to MAINTAIN GOOD WORKS.
WHERE YOU GOING TO FIND THAT TAUGHT TODAY IN ANY CHURCH IN THE LAND?
And if they do teach it, then they still have no understanding of what those "good works" are, and take people back under the Law. So every their understanding of what "good works" are under Christ is perverted.
Satan does not care which way you go. Into the Law or into Lawlessness, as long as you don't find the truth of the original gospel.
So everything I say here is truth and is only a "part" of the original gospel that Jesus and his apostles taught.
You could believe and teach everything I say here and still hold to a false gospel in every other area.
You can strongly "contend for the faith", and be contending for that inherited lie, that has been passed down for generations.
You could get out of their lies, only to then search and study the scriptures, and make up your own lies.
The point is you want to be a LOVER OF TRUTH. Only then will you eventually become a disciple of the Lord, and eventually get rid of all your error by continuing in his word. and then eventually know the truth and be set free.
If you don't really love the truth, then here is what God will do to you.
2 Thes 2:8 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:
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2 Thes 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; [b]because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:[/b]
12 That they all might be damned [b]who believed not the truth,[/b] but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
This could already be you. After all this was Paul for a time. In fact Paul is set forth as an example of people who would believe on God thereafter.
1 Tim 1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
13 [b]Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.[/b]
Paul was not an "unbeliever". Paul believed in the true God. Paul believed in the comming messiah, the Christ. He just did not believe in the right one, did not believe the true gospel.
But this is why God picked Paul.
15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
16[b] Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.[/b]
Paul is a pattern of what the antichrist was going to be like. People who loved and were zealous for God, but held to "another gospel". That is most probably you. I know it was me for the first 10 to 12 years of my Christian life.
I looked and looked for the antichrist, and then looked in the mirror one day and found it was ME.
But I thought...no....I was FULLY PERSUADED, THAT I BELIEVED THE TRUE GOSPEL.
It took years for me to UN-learn just about everything I once held to be the truth. And I was orthodox with a penticostal charasmatic tilt.
Think you are above error?
Every word that comes out of your mouth, or typed onto a page, that is an erronious understanding of God's word is blasphemy against the holy spirit, and you are in danger of commiting the unforgivable sin in speaking that the Word which was given by the holy spirit, says something other than what it really says.
But "oh well" it's just a book. I can form any opionion I want about it. And dream up any idea I wish and slather it around.
Hey, not saying anything I haven't done.
Be GLAD....BE OVERJOYED, that God is not willing that any of US should perrish, but that all of US should come to repentance.
Repentance of what? Repentace of believing not "a lie" but THE LIE, another gospel.
Again in all of this I have said, you could believe and still hold to another gospel. I'm sure I still hold falsehoods that will eventually be revealed to me. And where I fall is in PRACTICE most of all.
Again thank God for his longsuffering towards us, who are injurous, blasphemers, doing what we think is the Word and in reality an antichirst gospel.
Regards,
El Harris
4 For if he that cometh preacheth [b]another Jesus[/b], whom we have not preached, or if ye receive [b]another spirit[/b], which ye have not received, or [b]another gospel[/b], which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
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