by Janet Mushi | 20 March 2019 08:46 pm03
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I pray this message finds you well. Today, we examine a subject that is both urgent and often misunderstood: the Antichrist—his work, his identity, and how Scripture warns us to be alert to his influence even now.
The world is unknowingly awaiting two figures:
While both are expected, many Christians fail to properly discern how the Antichrist operates before his physical manifestation. Jesus warned that deception would be a hallmark of the last days:
“Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.”
— Matthew 24:4–5 (NKJV)
You cannot recognize Satan or the Antichrist through secular research, conspiracy theories, or fear-driven speculation. True spiritual discernment only comes from a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, and through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
“But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him…because they are spiritually discerned.”
— 1 Corinthians 2:14 (NKJV)
Many today associate the Antichrist solely with dark symbolism, secret societies, or visible evil acts. While Satan certainly uses such tools, this superficial understanding misses the deeper biblical truth: the Antichrist’s primary strategy is spiritual deception through false religion, apostasy, and a counterfeit gospel.
“Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.”
— 2 Corinthians 11:14 (NKJV)
The danger is not only in demonic symbols but in false doctrines, lukewarm faith, and resistance to the true gospel.
Scripture teaches that the Antichrist is not only a future individual but also a present spirit of rebellion against Christ:
“Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.”
— 1 John 2:18 (NKJV)
This is echoed in Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians:
“For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.”
— 2 Thessalonians 2:7 (NKJV)
The Antichrist spirit is manifest wherever Christ is denied, the gospel is diluted, or the Holy Spirit is resisted.
Many believers are fixated on the physical mark of the beast (Revelation 13:16–17). While a physical mark may come, the spiritual mark already exists. Those who reject the gospel and resist the Holy Spirit are spiritually marked against Christ.
In contrast, those who belong to Christ are sealed by the Holy Spirit:
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”
— Ephesians 4:30 (NKJV)
“Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are His’…”
— 2 Timothy 2:19 (NKJV)
The second coming of Christ is not an idle event postponed indefinitely. Jesus is already at work, gathering and sanctifying His people. The rapture is both a present reality and a future fulfillment.
“Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”
— 1 Thessalonians 4:17 (NKJV)
This is only for those sealed by the Spirit, whether living or dead:
“If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.”
— Romans 8:9b (NKJV)
The Antichrist will not come with obvious evil. He will appear religious, even messianic. His weapon is not violence, but false teaching.
“He will exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods…”
— Daniel 11:36 (NKJV)
“…He sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.”
— 2 Thessalonians 2:4 (NKJV)
His base of power will come from Rome, the final kingdom in Daniel’s vision. The Vatican and the Papal system are widely interpreted by historic Christian scholars (e.g., Protestant Reformers) as prophetic symbols connected to the Antichrist system.
“The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition.”
— Revelation 17:8 (NKJV)
This passage speaks to the cyclical manifestation of Satan’s rule through empires and false religion — always opposing Christ in different forms through history.
The time for decision is now. The spirit of the Antichrist is active. Christ is calling. The Holy Spirit is still sealing. Grace is still available.
“Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.”
— Isaiah 55:6 (NKJV)
“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
— 2 Corinthians 6:2 (NKJV)
If you die in sin today, whose guest will you be in eternity? This is not a matter of curiosity — it is a matter of destiny. Don’t wait for signs and wonders. The spiritual battle is already raging, and the mark is already being received in hearts.
Grace is free, but the time is short.
“He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still.”
— Revelation 22:11 (NKJV)
Turn to Christ today.
Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2019/03/20/the-operations-of-the-antichrist/
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