"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed..." (2nd Thessalonians 2:3-8).
There
is much theological debate over the meaning of 2nd Thessalonians 2:3-8; but
I think the Bible teaches here that the Antichrist cannot be revealed until
the New Testament Church is Raptured out of the world.
The term "falling away" is interpreted by many to mean "anarchy" (i.e., a time of woeful lawlessness); however, the term is not "apostasy," which we what we are seeing most of today. There has always been anarchy throughout history against governments. We don't see anarchy today much; but what we do see nowadays, in perfect agreement with this passage in 2nd Thessalonians 2:1-10, are the masses of this world being prepared through deception to willingly receive and worship the Antichrist.
I think 1st Thessalonians 4:17
clearly interprets what “falling away” means in 2nd Thessalonians 2:3. 1st
Thessalonians 4:17, “Then we which are alive and remain shall be
'caught up' together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the
air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” The word “Rapture” is
synonymous with the Biblical phrase we just read, “caught up.” Every
born-again believer throughout human history will be CAUGHT UP to meet with
the Lord in the air, and then we who are still alive will be CAUGHT UP to
join them. This is what 1st Thessalonians 4:17 teaches! Amen and amen!
Occult Influence
Though open to much speculation, it is clear to me that the term "mystery of iniquity" refers to the New World Order, i.e., the occult movement which controls the governments of this world. Paul saw the occult at work in his time, i.e., mystery Babylon. This is perhaps also the meaning of Revelation 2:9, "I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan." This is my opinion of course. The occult began long before modern times. Freemasonry is rooted in ancient Egyptian and Babylonian pagan religions, particularly the Kaballah and the Talmud. Please read, Religions: The Occult Connection. The term "Mystery of Iniquity" to me refers to the occult influences upon religion, government and business. Truth is certainly stranger than fiction.
Having laid the ground work, we cannot know for sure at this point "who" the Antichrist is. 2nd Thessalonians 2:3-8 clearly teach that the Antichrist cannot be revealed until there first be a "falling away." The Greek word for this term simply means, "departure." Hence, I believe it is a departure of the saints from the earth at the Rapture; and not as some claim, a departure from law and order. The Scriptures teach that the masses of the earth will be deceived and follow the Antichrist because they LOVED NOT THE TRUTH (2nd Thessalonians 2:10). Most people today couldn't care less about the truth, they just want more movies, games and parties. They have forgotten the God of the Bible.
It has been purported that
Barack Obama is a 32nd degree
Prince Hall Freemason and an active member of
The Council On
Foreign Relations (CFR). Birds-of-a-feather flock
together. All U.S. Presidents in recent decades have been members of the
occult. Thankfully, Jesus said He spoke "openly to the world" and not in
secret (John 18:20). Yet, our highest leaders sneak, and connive and plot
their dastardly deeds within demonic occult organizations. This is the
"spiritual wickedness in high places" that the Bible warns us about
(Ephesians 6:12).
Communism Synonymous with the New World Order
It was elite Illuminati Freemasons who created Communism as a tool to conquer the world. Karl Marx's Communist Manifesto is a blueprint for global enslavement.
Could Obama be the Antichrist? Certainly! Barack Obama's true Communist colors will show when he enters office. You can expect higher taxes, national healthcare and the legalization of same-sex marriage at a federal level. It is a shame what has happened to America. Capitalism works in an honest system. The reason why 40,000,000 Americans today DON'T have healthcare insurance isn't because Capitalism failed; it's because of the greedy companies, cut-throat lawyers, crooked judges and criminal politicians, who have sold their souls to the evil powers behind the New World Order.
All of America's high paying jobs have been eliminated, so companies can exploit foreign slave labor. This is why the average Joe can't make it anymore. And your average pastor's mind is still stuck in Goobersville, hounding his congregation to tithe 10% or else face the wrath of God. Has everyone gone insane?
America's future is very bleak. Communism has been here in America for the longest in remission, but now it's ugly side will start to show forth in the years ahead. Perhaps you're wondering what Communism has to do with the Antichrist? In a word, everything! The New World Order will be the fruition of a Godless Global Totalitarian Communist Police State, and it's leader will ultimately be the Antichrist. Halfway through the Tribulation Period, the Antichrist will declare himself as god and demand worship from his followers. The Bible calls this event, The Abomination of Desolation (Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:14). Exciting and scary times are ahead. Put your seatbelt on folks.
Yes, Obama could be the Antichrist, as could any number of other evil God-hating, Christ-rejecting, wolves in sheep's clothing. However, it would be unscriptural to go around saying Obama is the Antichrist, because God said we WOULDN'T know until the Church is removed from the world at the Rapture. We don't know who the Antichrist is, but I believe he is alive at this time and being prepared for his role in the End Times. Of course, the Antichrist may not be alive yet. We cannot know for certain according to God's Word. Nor do we know when the Lord will return (Matthew 25:13).
In Mark 13:33 Jesus told His disciples
what to do concerning the Second Coming and the End of the world... "And
what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch." We ought not be looking
for the Antichrist; but rather, "Looking for that blessed hope, and the
glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ" (Titus
2:13). Soulwinning ought to be
every believer's number one priority in these Last Days, laying up
Treasures in Heaven.
Barack Obama is an Anti-Christ
Whether Barack Obama is THE ANTICHRIST is something we cannot know at this point; BUT, we know according to 1st John that Obama is certainly an antichrist...
"Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time." —1st John 2:18
"Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son." —1st John 2:22
The average American is woefully ignorant of what's really happening in our nation. Evil Communists, sworn to America's destruction as a sovereign nation, have put on a big phony smile, promising the pot-of-gold at the end of the rainbow; but they are rotten criminals, evil to the core—hating God, the Bible, and the family. Woe unto America!
