Who Is the Antichrist?
"What's Next?" Week 4
Gary Moritz
Part of "What's Next?"—Living in the Last Days
August 2, 2020

What'sNext.Bnr.jpg

INTRODUCTION

People all over the globe are talking about “What’s Next”. We are living in the last days, and yet the last day has not come. The Bible says that perilous times are coming, and we need to be prepared. We see these perilous times all over the news and social media.

“But know this: Hard times will come in the last days. 2For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, demeaning, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good, 4traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5holding to the form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid these people.” —2 Timothy 3:1-5

Despite these hard times, we can rest in the fact that God is in control and nothing takes Him by surprise. He has called His church to be watchful and to be prepared for His return.

In this collection of talks, we will explore some end time events by answering the following questions:

July 12         Are We Living in the Last Days?
July 19         How Will the Rapture Take Place?
July 26         What Happens to Those Left Behind?
August 2        Who Is the Antichrist?


Followers of Jesus Christ can face their future with confidence, regardless of changing circumstances and world events.


Text: Revelation 13:1-18 (CSB, New Testament)

Today’s Takeaway:

Look for Jesus Christ, not the Antichrist.

WEEK 4: Who Is the Antichrist?


  • The one sentence answer to today’s question:

    The Antichrist will be the world

    on earth during the , and he will do all he can to oppose God.

    “Then the king will do whatever he wants. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god, and he will say outrageous things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, because what has been decreed will be accomplished. —Daniel 11:36

    6 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ANTICHRIST

    I. THE ANTICHRIST WILL DISPLAY (vs 1-2)

    “3Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way. For that day will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he sits in God’s temple, proclaiming that he himself is God.

    7For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but the one now restraining will do so until he is out of the way, 8and then the lawless one will be revealed. The Lord Jesus will destroy him with the breath of his mouth and will bring him to nothing at the appearance of his coming. —2 Thessalonians 2:3-4; 7-8

    CONTRAST: JESUS CHRIST DISPLAYS RIGHTEOUSNESS.

    “He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” —2 Corinthians 5:21

    II. THE ANTICHRIST WILL DISPLAY A (vs 3, 12, 14)

    “The coming of the lawless one is based on Satan’s working, with every kind of miracle, both signs and wonders serving the lie, 10and with every wicked deception among those who are perishing. They perish because they did not accept the love of the truth and so be saved. 11For this reason God sends them a strong delusion so that they will believe the lie, 12so that all will be condemned ​— ​those who did not believe the truth but delighted in unrighteousness.” —2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

    CONTRAST: WE ARE

    BY JESUS CHRIST’S WOUNDS.

    “But he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds.” —Isaiah 53:5

    III. THE ANTICHRIST WILL DEMAND TO BE (vs 4, 8, 11-15)

    “Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9And he said to him, “I will give you all these things if you will fall down and worship me.” 10Then Jesus told him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.” —Matthew 4:8-10

    CONTRAST: JESUS CHRIST GIVES US THE

    TO WORSHIP HIM.

    “But an hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in truth. Yes, the Father wants such people to worship him.” —John 4:23

    IV. THE ANTICHRIST WILL DISPLAY POWER THROUGH HIS (vs 5-6)

    “He will speak words against the Most High and oppress the holy ones of the Most High. He will intend to change religious festivals and laws, and the holy ones will be handed over to him for a time, times, and half a time.” —Daniel 7:25

    CONTRAST: JESUS CHRIST IS THE ALL-POWERFUL

    .

    “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of his nature, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” —Hebrews 1:3

    V. THE ANTICHRIST WILL WAGE A GLOBAL (vs 7, 9-10)

    “As I was watching, this horn waged war against the holy ones and was prevailing over them 22until the Ancient of Days arrived and a judgment was given in favor of the holy ones of the Most High, for the time had come, and the holy ones took possession of the kingdom.” —Daniel 7:21-22

    CONTRAST: JESUS CHRIST BRINGS

    .

    “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.” —John 14:27

    VI. THE ANTICHRIST WILL DEMONSTRATE A FALSE VIEW OF CONTROL (vs 16-18)

    “Then I saw thrones, and people seated on them who were given authority to judge. I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and who had not accepted the mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.” —Revelation 20:4

    CONTRAST: JESUS CHRIST IS

    IN CONTROL.

    “When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He laid his right hand on me and said, Don’t be afraid. I am the First and the Last, and the Living One. I was dead, but look ​— ​I am alive forever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and Hades.” —Revelation 1:17

    CONCLUSION:

    Are you looking for Jesus Christ and are you ready for His return?

    DEEP DIVE:

    1. What did you learn from the discussion of the 6 characteristics of the Antichrist in comparison with who Jesus Christ is?

    2. Which one of the characteristics of Jesus Christ brings you the most comfort?

    3. Pastor Gary has reminded us that “Things are not falling apart; they are falling into place.” How can you bring comfort to others with this thought?

    4. How can you point people to Jesus this week?


    Missing a fill-in? No problem! Just select the email option below and the notes will arrive to you all filled in.