Last week, we began a conversation about our current position in the biblical prophetic timeline. We touched on the subject of the Anti-Christ and the Rapture, and this week I want to delve into a little more detail. As you know, there are many books on this subject, and they all have their own interpretations, which makes it difficult to have a clear understanding. One of the first things an individual needs to decide is whether they believe the Bible is literal when it comes to eschatology, or based on symbolic types and shadows, and analogies. Many scholars who have spent their lives researching this subject are convinced the Old and New Testament prophecies, and of course, the descriptions in the book of Revelation and Daniel are literal and will happen as described. Another point to keep in mind is while the book of Revelation was being written, the writer was aware that great persecution was being waged against all Christians by an evil dictator named Nero. He was blaming them for the devastating fire in Rome, and some have mentioned that maybe this is who the writer was describing. Others say Nero was driven by the spirit of antiChrist, but was not “The” Antichrist. I John 2:18 explains that Satan has used human leaders throughout the ages to accomplish his evil plans, but there will be one cruel man at the end of time who will lead the armies of the earth against the King of glory and will be crushed by God’s overwhelming power and authority.
So, if we agree that the AntiChrist is a real human who is possessed by Satan, and this son of perdition has not yet been revealed, we are accepting the futuristic view. Whether or not the rapture occurs before the mark is enforced, the consistent biblical message is: God’s people must refuse it, even if it costs them everything. In chapter 13 of Revelation, we read where the dragon (which is Satan), gives power to the beast (the Antichrist), and that he makes war with the saints. Is this speaking about those who are saved after the rapture? It’s very interesting to note in verse 8 that every lost person will worship the beast. It goes on to say there will be a second beast that is thought to be a person called the False Prophet. He gives power to the image of the beast, whose number is 666, performs amazing miracles, and requires all inhabitants of the earth to take an identifying mark that allows them to buy and sell. Without this number or symbol, Christians will need faith and depend on God, much like Elijah at the brook to provide for their needs. The beast also establishes a global Marshall law that demands all who refuse to receive the mark and worship him to be killed. We notice in Revelation chapter 7 where John has a vision of an incredible multitude standing before the throne wearing white robes. He is told by an elder that these are the ones from the great tribulation who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. If the catching away of the saints happens sometime within the tribulation, could this be referring to you and I?
These demonic entities will have powerful personalities and incredible supernatural powers, and we assume that technology and a biased media will be included within their strategy to take over the world. Since one of Satan’s titles is prince and power of the air, I do not believe it would be a conspiracy theory to consider he will use the airwaves to help his cause. I suspect he’s using it now. Where do you believe artificial intelligence is headed? Since he is waging war against God and anyone who follows Him, do we believe he is not going to use any type of AI brainwashing weapons he can develop? Our world is filled with all types of waveforms in the air, and to what extent will new subliminal messaging be used? As the deceiver and father of all lies, we would be naive to think he is not developing technology as a weapon to control our minds. John 10:10 states that Satan has come to steal, kill, and destroy, and by manipulating, distracting, confusing, and lying through television and the world wide web, which are available at the touch of a button, how can we be sure our conscience is not being infected and influenced now?
Dr. Holland is an ordained minister, chaplain, and author. Read more about the Christian life at billyhollandministries.com
