Lawlessness Points to the Return of Christ
Something is terribly wrong! I recently read of an unbelievable crime that took place last week in Waukesha, Wisconsin. This crime did not happen downtown in a large city like Atlanta or Chicago. Waukesha is a small town with a population of less than 9,000 people. This was not gang related or even connected to drugs. The crime involved an attempted murder on a twelve-year-old girl by two of her friends. The victim was stabbed nineteen times by her friends as the perpetrators sought to impress a fictional, ghoulish character on the internet who appears in horror stories. Both suspects had a fascination with stories about death and horror and planned this assault on their friend in an attempt to act out their fantasy.
The Bible teaches that the last days will be a time of incredible lawlessness. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 says that this lawlessness must happen before the return of Christ: “Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction.” While this passage is speaking specifically of a time called the Great Tribulation Period, we know that the days leading up to the beginning of this seven-year period will be times of great spiritual darkness. The “man of lawlessness” will be a chosen leader during the Tribulation Period, but I believe it also means that he will be alive and well before the Tribulation starts and before the Rapture of the Church takes place. I also believe that Satan is working to create an environment where the “man of lawlessness” will be accepted. This is happening now. The story of this attempted murder in Wisconsin sends chills down my back as it seems to be nothing less than demonic. Satan is working to lead people, and even children, to do the unthinkable. The darkness around us is growing as the stage is being set for a spiritual conflict unlike any conflict ever experienced in history.
I have no doubt that the last days are upon us. Jesus told us to be alert and to be on watch. He is coming again. Let’s be diligent and faithful as we await His return.
4 Comments
Judy Miller
Yes, and not to be weary in well doing. There is new joy every morning. God supplies all our needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus. What a wonderful promise this is. Every morning put on God’s armor anew and be alert, be on watch and be ready. Jesus is coming soon!
Dave
Actually the Return of the Christ has already occurred. He is just waiting to declare himself when the world is ready to receive him. But it is definitely not the end of the world.
timriordan
Thanks for your comment Dave. It is true that there are some who believe Christ has already returned, but I do not believe that is true. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 speaks of the Rapture of the Church (though the word “Rapture” is not used) as being a time when Christians are “caught up together” to meet the Lord in the air. This has obviously not happened yet. The Books of Ezekiel and Isaiah prophecy that Israel would become a nation again before the return of Christ. This of course happened in 1948, so we know the return of Christ would have to be after 1948. I believe the Bible teaches the Rapture and the Second Coming of Christ are two different events. The Rapture is the time when the Church is taken up from the earth to be with the Lord. The Second Coming will happen at the end of the Great Tribulation period. Revelation 16 and Matthew 24 points to Christ’s return at the conclusion of the Tribulation period to battle the Anti-Christ and his armies. The Scripture is clear that when this happens, “They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.” This has obviously not happened yet. I would challenge readers to study the Scripture and look carefully at Bible prophecy in places such as Daniel, Ezekiel 38-39, Revelation, Matthew 24, and other places. The Bible sets up a count-down, sort of, indicating the things that will happen before Christ’s Second Coming. While there is disagreement on when the Church is removed from the world (the Rapture), the Bible does say it will happen, and 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 indicates that removal will be different than the Second Coming. In the Rapture, we “meet the Lord in the air.” At the Second Coming, Jesus actually touches the earth. No one knows when the world will end or when the Rapture will happen, but Jesus does command us to watch and be alert. Many will be caught unaware, and many will try to deceive the Church and the world into believing that the things prophecied in the Bible will not come to pass. Beware of deception and of those who work to spread falsehood. Be students of God’s Word. Matthew 24:42 says, “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.” So, I challenge each person to be alert. Jesus is coming again, and we must be ready. In the meantime, we must be telling others of the saving message of the Gospel so they too will be ready at Christ’s return.
Cindy
That is the antichrist, Dave, not Jesus. I personally believe we are so close to the end of the age that the antichrist is on earth now, as you have described. But he is not Jesus. The antichrist will stand in the temple and make that declaration. (2 Thessalonians 2: 3-4) Jesus said that many will be deceived. Don’t be one of them.