It’s a British take on the antichrist in American politics, but a good one. As many readers know, I don’t necessarily believe in ‘the antichrist,’ the mythical super-villain which will swoop in and unite the one world for one final apocalyptic battle, but do believe in ‘his’ power to be used to disrupt American politics.
When you start to case things in the light of what people understand as the ‘true’ biblical eschatological interpretation, then you can indeed cause a bit of fear.
For at least the past century, mainstream American evangelicalism has been eyeing global events for signs of the second coming of Christ. Were events such as the Bolshevik Revolution, Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal, or the establishment of the United Nations fulfilment of the prophesied sequence leading to the battle at Armageddon and Christ’s reappearing? Were these events a sign of the establishment of the one-world order evangelicals believe will be created by the false prophet – the antichrist – who will rule the world for seven years before that apocalyptic showdown? Were any of the players the antichrist himself, or at least a sign of his impending emergence?
Anticipating the antichrist | Sarah Posner | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk.
Joel Landon Watts is a Masters of Theological Studies student with a focus in Mimetic Criticism of the Gospel of Mark. His interests include exploring the role of mimesis in human civilization, specifically in the study of religion and media, as well as science fiction and the way in which it has allowed mythology to be explored in light of scientific ideals of the past century. Currently, he is a TA for Old Testament at United Theological Seminary under Dr. Vivian Johnson, Associate Professor of Old Testament. His first book, Rhetorical Strategies of the Evangelist: Mimetic Criticism of the Gospel of Mark, is expected to be published by Wipf and Stock early next year. He is currently co-editing a book on moving from Fear to Faith (Energion, 2013).
New blog posting, Anticipating the Antichrist – http://tinyurl.com/ydouqp9
Anticipating the Antichrist | The Church of Jesus Christ http://bit.ly/1b9jla
Anticipating the Antichrist | The Church of Jesus Christ: It’s a British take on the a.. http://bit.ly/pMXQ4 http://bit.ly/105Fmv
I have to ask how/why you don’t believe in Antichrist. Are you a preterist? Just curious.
I have to ask how/why you don’t believe in Antichrist. Are you a preterist? Just curious.
I started reading Naming The Antichrist: The History of an American Obsession by Robert C. Fuller a while back, though more pressing matters have kept me from finishing it. It’s along these same lines, but a more thorough treatment and a pretty interesting read for those who might be interested.
I started reading Naming The Antichrist: The History of an American Obsession by Robert C. Fuller a while back, though more pressing matters have kept me from finishing it. It’s along these same lines, but a more thorough treatment and a pretty interesting read for those who might be interested.
Nope, not a preterist. (Partially, maybe). I believe that the ‘antichrist’ is a misnomer, and is a deception of who is really coming.
At the risk of sounding like, here we go again..etc. I myself believe the scripture teaches a final end time personal Anti-christ. Also, I do believe the scripture teaches that those that will see and face this time, will know more as the time approaches. (2 Thes. 2 / Isa.2) – The Day of the Lord!
Surely, we are seeing more and more of the apostasy of the professing Church! (2 Thes. 2:3) See St. John 5:43!
Fr. R.
At the risk of sounding like, here we go again..etc. I myself believe the scripture teaches a final end time personal Anti-christ. Also, I do believe the scripture teaches that those that will see and face this time, will know more as the time approaches. (2 Thes. 2 / Isa.2) – The Day of the Lord!
Surely, we are seeing more and more of the apostasy of the professing Church! (2 Thes. 2:3) See St. John 5:43!
Fr. R.
This “apostacy” and rebellion is also seen more and more in our postmodern, postchristian day. It is a time even now when more and more human rebellion toward God and the name of Christ abounds! I don’t see how a Christian with both his scripture to hand, and his eye on today’s culture, can miss this reality! (2Tim.3:1-5) If this “spirit” of anti-Christ began in St. Paul’s time (2 Thes. 2:7), how much more along it has moved in our day!
Fr. R.
Fr. Robert,
I believe that we will see an end time figure, but I hesitate at using the term ‘antichrist’. Instead, John uses False Prophet. We know that Christ said that this end time figure will try to deceive the elect, and come close. How can someone who is the polar opposite of Christ do so? Instead, I believe we will see someone very close in appearance to ‘Christianity’ hence the term false prophet.
Joel,
The term “false prophet” is used in the Book of Revelation. I am seeking to use the fuller NT term of “anti-christs” and “anti-christ” (singular). And by the way, someone asked me if I had one text of scripture for a renewed and future Israel? I quoted Hosea 3:4-5, “For the children of Israel shall dwell many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or pillar, without ephod or household gods. Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the Lord their God, and David their King, and they sall come in fear to the Lord and to his goodness in the latter days.”
Fr. R.
Fr. Robert,
I do not use ‘antichrist’ for the end time figure because I believe it is deceptive and beyond what John used it for in 1st John. Only in 1st John is it found, and for the spirit which denies the deity of Christ. I am not sure if this can be said of the end time figure.
Concerning that passage in Hosea, didn’t Peter state that the latter days started with Pentecost, when the in-gathering of Israel started? (I can only imagine you asked you that question). Here, Israel does return to seek the Lord her God, and David their King (Jesus Christ – btw, several ‘evangelical theories’ state that David will actually return in bodily form to rule the earth during the Millennial Reign.)
Joel,
As I noted, the people that will see the very last end time itself, will no doubt know much more about the details, etc. (1 Peter 1:12) We are still in the throws of the downward slide and apostasy of both culture and church. It is not just in the West now, but a global apostasy!
Fr. R.
Fr. Robert,
What an awful time that apostasy will be.
Joel,
I am not a dispensationalist, but we cannot marginalize their efforts. No, we would lose if we did, in my opinion. The truth of God is in His Word, and in His people! So we must consider the whole biblical history and revelation of God. Saying this means, we must look in every area of sound biblical desire and spirituality! The history of the Church, etc.
In 1 John 2:18, St. John speaks of “antichrist” singular, “shall come”…”is coming”.
Fr. R.
Joel,
I am not a dispensationalist, but we cannot marginalize their efforts. No, we would lose if we did, in my opinion. The truth of God is in His Word, and in His people! So we must consider the whole biblical history and revelation of God. Saying this means, we must look in every area of sound biblical desire and spirituality! The history of the Church, etc.
In 1 John 2:18, St. John speaks of “antichrist” singular, “shall come”…”is coming”.
Fr. R.
Joel,
And you will see even more of it, than I will.. if I live out normal days?, as you also! For you are much younger than I am.
Joel,
We cannot over press Acts 2:16-20, etc. If the Book of Acts is a progressive revelation and transition, from the OT covenant to the New? And as Bullinger has written, it is not said to be fulfilled (Acts 2:16-20, etc.), but stated in the emphatic. I have great respect for Bullinger’s handling of the Scripture Text! I don’t follow his dispensational lines, but he cannot be thrown over as a mere dispensationalist. He simply does not follow, where the modern or later dispensational people have gone!
Fr. R.
Joel,
As to the Millennial Kingdom and Temple, as I stated in another post, the visions of Ezekiel in chaps. 40-47, pre-date the Second Temple. As to the idea of who the “prince” is? (Ezek. 44:3). As Bullinger says, it could be the risen David, the Vice-regent of the Messiah? Or The Messiah Himself? I am not sure myself as to the details? But, it does appear to me that this great portion of Scripture is more than spiritual fulfillment! Note, it is also seen in the Text found at Qumran in the Temple Scrolls (Dead Sea).
Fr. R.
Fr. Robert, I do not see the Scriptural support for David as Vice-Regent. Instead, I see the prophetic David as pointing squarely to Christ Himself.
Joel,
You are perhaps right? The point (for me) is that Ezekiel chap’s 40-47 are still to come! Again, one does not need to be a dispensantionalist to believe and honor God’s Word in the literal sense here.
Fr. R.
Joel,
You are perhaps right? The point (for me) is that Ezekiel chap’s 40-47 are still to come! Again, one does not need to be a dispensantionalist to believe and honor God’s Word in the literal sense here.
Fr. R.
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The problem is that the prince of Ezekiel offers a sin offering for both himself and also the people. I’ll look for the reference if you want me to. Would Christ need to offer a sin offering for himself?
It seems that for Bullinger at least he sees that these offerings are “national,” and not individual. (Ezek. 45:17, etc.) The “prince’s part” = ” The prince will make the national offering for the People or nation as a whole.” And as Bullinger notes, there is no Day of Atonement here. See also, as he says the difference between Ezekiel, and the Mosaic. Here the sacrifices are not “as when under the law.” (See, Ezek. 43: 18)
As I said, I have myself, have not worked on the details here, but if there is an exegete that has…it would be Bullinger. I have his, ‘The Companion Bible’. Though Bullinger is a dispensationalist, he is always fair with the Text. And again, he does not follow todays Dispensational line. He is always consistent with his own thought and logic, at least.
Fr. R.
It seems that for Bullinger at least he sees that these offerings are “national,” and not individual. (Ezek. 45:17, etc.) The “prince’s part” = ” The prince will make the national offering for the People or nation as a whole.” And as Bullinger notes, there is no Day of Atonement here. See also, as he says the difference between Ezekiel, and the Mosaic. Here the sacrifices are not “as when under the law.” (See, Ezek. 43: 18)
As I said, I have myself, have not worked on the details here, but if there is an exegete that has…it would be Bullinger. I have his, ‘The Companion Bible’. Though Bullinger is a dispensationalist, he is always fair with the Text. And again, he does not follow todays Dispensational line. He is always consistent with his own thought and logic, at least.
Fr. R.
I agree. but who am I?
Now, going back to your first response to me, may I ask who it is you believe is really coming? My understanding has always been that a man will come and (perhaps not at first, but eventually) be filled with satan–perhaps an antigodly shadow or mockery of the duality of Christ(?) I gather from responses above you have discussed this all before and if you prefer to just send me a link, I will gladly read what you have already said.
Sorry…thought clicking reply would set it under the other. My last post was to Polycarp’s last post.
James,
Since Jesus was fully man, wouldn’t it stand to reason that His human nature would also need atonement? I think of this in combination to God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, that the sacrifice is committed by the only Holy man for all.
I believe that someone will come to lead a world government (Prophet/Beast) who will be so close to the real thing that professing Christians (not the real ones) will be deceived
http://thechurchofjesuschrist.us/category/debatediscussion/prophecy/
I am hesitant about calling the person ‘antichrist’ first because that is not the term used in Revelation and second, because I think it takes away from the person who will come with lying signs and wonders.
Fiery Dog
Since Jesus was born in and thru the virgin birth (miraculous) but still fully human, we have the perfection of the Last Adam…God&Man, thus dual in nature, but not dual in Person. Christ our God is perfect God and perfect Man! HE can be tempted (“not my will, but Thine be done”), but not tempted to sin (He had no sin nature).
Fr. R.
Hi Fiery Dog. Do you believe that Jesus’ sacrifice was the fulfillment of those passages in Ezekiel?
Hi Fiery Dog. Do you believe that Jesus’ sacrifice was the fulfillment of those passages in Ezekiel?
Robert,
I agree about perfection, et al. I guess my understanding has always been that, though Jesus was perfect, his human nature would require sacrifice because it was flesh and despite the virgin birth.
FieryDog,
HE was the Lamb of God that takes aways the Sin of the world! (St. John 1:29) Some MSS have “bears the sin”, etc. But as Augustine of Canterbury said, ‘God hath one Son without sin, but none without discipline.’
Fr. R.
FieryDog,
HE was the Lamb of God that takes aways the Sin of the world! (St. John 1:29) Some MSS have “bears the sin”, etc. But as Augustine of Canterbury said, ‘God hath one Son without sin, but none without discipline.’
Fr. R.
Sorry for some reason I got this last out of sequence?
Fr. R.
FieryDog,
Since Christ was born of a virgin, I do not believe he carried the nature of Adam’s sin, and was in Himself sinless. I believe it goes directly to the Typology in the OT concerning the spotless/spotted sacrifice. Christ had to be spotless to be a sacrifice.
Amen to this piece! Typology and the typological are simply the NT method of understanding the OT truth!
Fr. R.
Nope, not a preterist. (Partially, maybe). I believe that the ‘antichrist’ is a misnomer, and is a deception of who is really coming.
This “apostacy” and rebellion is also seen more and more in our postmodern, postchristian day. It is a time even now when more and more human rebellion toward God and the name of Christ abounds! I don’t see how a Christian with both his scripture to hand, and his eye on today’s culture, can miss this reality! (2Tim.3:1-5) If this “spirit” of anti-Christ began in St. Paul’s time (2 Thes. 2:7), how much more along it has moved in our day!
Fr. R.
Fr. Robert,
I believe that we will see an end time figure, but I hesitate at using the term ‘antichrist’. Instead, John uses False Prophet. We know that Christ said that this end time figure will try to deceive the elect, and come close. How can someone who is the polar opposite of Christ do so? Instead, I believe we will see someone very close in appearance to ‘Christianity’ hence the term false prophet.
Joel,
The term “false prophet” is used in the Book of Revelation. I am seeking to use the fuller NT term of “anti-christs” and “anti-christ” (singular). And by the way, someone asked me if I had one text of scripture for a renewed and future Israel? I quoted Hosea 3:4-5, “For the children of Israel shall dwell many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or pillar, without ephod or household gods. Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the Lord their God, and David their King, and they sall come in fear to the Lord and to his goodness in the latter days.”
Fr. R.
Joel,
As I noted, the people that will see the very last end time itself, will no doubt know much more about the details, etc. (1 Peter 1:12) We are still in the throws of the downward slide and apostasy of both culture and church. It is not just in the West now, but a global apostasy!
Fr. R.
Fr. Robert,
I do not use ‘antichrist’ for the end time figure because I believe it is deceptive and beyond what John used it for in 1st John. Only in 1st John is it found, and for the spirit which denies the deity of Christ. I am not sure if this can be said of the end time figure.
Concerning that passage in Hosea, didn’t Peter state that the latter days started with Pentecost, when the in-gathering of Israel started? (I can only imagine you asked you that question). Here, Israel does return to seek the Lord her God, and David their King (Jesus Christ – btw, several ‘evangelical theories’ state that David will actually return in bodily form to rule the earth during the Millennial Reign.)
Fr. Robert,
What an awful time that apostasy will be.
Joel,
And you will see even more of it, than I will.. if I live out normal days?, as you also! For you are much younger than I am.
Joel,
We cannot over press Acts 2:16-20, etc. If the Book of Acts is a progressive revelation and transition, from the OT covenant to the New? And as Bullinger has written, it is not said to be fulfilled (Acts 2:16-20, etc.), but stated in the emphatic. I have great respect for Bullinger’s handling of the Scripture Text! I don’t follow his dispensational lines, but he cannot be thrown over as a mere dispensationalist. He simply does not follow, where the modern or later dispensational people have gone!
Fr. R.
Joel,
As to the Millennial Kingdom and Temple, as I stated in another post, the visions of Ezekiel in chaps. 40-47, pre-date the Second Temple. As to the idea of who the “prince” is? (Ezek. 44:3). As Bullinger says, it could be the risen David, the Vice-regent of the Messiah? Or The Messiah Himself? I am not sure myself as to the details? But, it does appear to me that this great portion of Scripture is more than spiritual fulfillment! Note, it is also seen in the Text found at Qumran in the Temple Scrolls (Dead Sea).
Fr. R.
Fr. Robert, I do not see the Scriptural support for David as Vice-Regent. Instead, I see the prophetic David as pointing squarely to Christ Himself.
The problem is that the prince of Ezekiel offers a sin offering for both himself and also the people. I’ll look for the reference if you want me to. Would Christ need to offer a sin offering for himself?
I agree. but who am I?
Now, going back to your first response to me, may I ask who it is you believe is really coming? My understanding has always been that a man will come and (perhaps not at first, but eventually) be filled with satan–perhaps an antigodly shadow or mockery of the duality of Christ(?) I gather from responses above you have discussed this all before and if you prefer to just send me a link, I will gladly read what you have already said.
Sorry…thought clicking reply would set it under the other. My last post was to Polycarp’s last post.
James,
Since Jesus was fully man, wouldn’t it stand to reason that His human nature would also need atonement? I think of this in combination to God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, that the sacrifice is committed by the only Holy man for all.
I believe that someone will come to lead a world government (Prophet/Beast) who will be so close to the real thing that professing Christians (not the real ones) will be deceived
http://thechurchofjesuschrist.us/category/debatediscussion/prophecy/
I am hesitant about calling the person ‘antichrist’ first because that is not the term used in Revelation and second, because I think it takes away from the person who will come with lying signs and wonders.
Fiery Dog
Since Jesus was born in and thru the virgin birth (miraculous) but still fully human, we have the perfection of the Last Adam…God&Man, thus dual in nature, but not dual in Person. Christ our God is perfect God and perfect Man! HE can be tempted (“not my will, but Thine be done”), but not tempted to sin (He had no sin nature).
Fr. R.
Robert,
I agree about perfection, et al. I guess my understanding has always been that, though Jesus was perfect, his human nature would require sacrifice because it was flesh and despite the virgin birth.
Sorry for some reason I got this last out of sequence?
Fr. R.
FieryDog,
Since Christ was born of a virgin, I do not believe he carried the nature of Adam’s sin, and was in Himself sinless. I believe it goes directly to the Typology in the OT concerning the spotless/spotted sacrifice. Christ had to be spotless to be a sacrifice.
Amen to this piece! Typology and the typological are simply the NT method of understanding the OT truth!
Fr. R.