Antichrist
Q. What becomes of the prophecy about the antichrist setting himself up in a newly built temple on Temple Mount?
A. That view or interpretation is the result of conjoining two prophecies, which in truth do not go together. The misunderstanding begins with the Abomination of Desolation and ends with the Man of Sin prophecies:
27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, AND that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (Daniel 9)
3 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;
4 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. (2 Thessalonians 2)
The error: If Paul in 2 Thessalonians was referring to Daniel’s Abomination of Desolation prophecy, he would have referred to it just like Jesus did:
15 “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—”(Matthew 24, NIV)
When Paul used the word “temple,” he was not referring to Old Covenant physical temples as in the Old Testament. This is how Paul used the word temple:
Your Body a Temple of the Holy Ghost
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost’ (1 Corinthians 6)
Body of Believers a Temple
18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord. (Ephesians 2)
Your Body A Temple of God
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. (1 Corinthians 3)
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (2 Corinthians 6)
The definition of “temples” for the New Covenant/Testament is our bodies.
In Context
When the Man of Sin prophecy is read in full, and if Paul’s definition of “temple” is kept in mind, the context of the Man of Sin prophecy has a very different meaning:
1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first,[1] and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;[2]
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God,[3] or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work:[4] only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.[5]
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed,[6] whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth,[7] and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:[8]
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,[9]
10 And with all deceivableness[10] of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:[11]
12 That they all might be damned[12] who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2).
Points
1 Falling away
2 Man of Sin/Son of Perdition revealed
3 Who opposeth all that is God
4 Mystery of iniquity already at work
5 He who letteth
6 Wicked be revealed
7 Lord consume by spirit of his mouth
8 Destroy with the brightness of his coming
9 Him whose coming; after Satan; signs and lying wonders
10 All deceivableness
11 Strong delusion; believe a lie
12 That they might be damned
Difference
Q. What’s the difference between your view of prophetic events and others?
A. The biggest difference is a positive outlook. The others offer fear, doom, and gloom.
Q. What affect if any has this new positive outlook had upon readers?
A. The biggest difference is hope. They can leave the fear, the doom, and gloom behind and embrace a more optimistic outlook.
Q. Why is having a positive prophetic outlook any better?
A. Firstly, if it is true (and I believe that it is), then no harm can come by embracing it, and it will be pleasing to God. Secondly, negative standpoints are dark and full of fear. Because God is light and full of love, those other outlooks can create a barrier between the reader and God. And when God, light, and love are displaced, they will be replaced by evil, fear, and darkness.
Defined
Q. How are others defining this next move of God?
A. God is so kind that He speaks to us within our framework and at our level of understanding. Because of this, it may appear that He is showing different people different futures, but in truth, it is the same future. What they all have in common is that it will be something unique.
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The “end of the world” is coming – as we now know it
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The “last day on earth” is coming – as we now know it
- A third Great Awakening is coming
- Healings will be more pronounced than ever before
- There will be a revival that exceeds all revivals put together
- More ministering and interacting with angels
- To those bringing souls to Christ: “More souls will be won for God than any other time”
- To those who are trying to preach in closed nations: “Previously closed nations will become open”
- To those trying to make breakthroughs among closed religions: “Doors will open among the religions of earth”
- To those who are ministering to prisoners at home and abroad: “Prisons will literally become emptied”
- Hospitals will become emptied
- Mental hospitals will become closed
- Among the persecuted nations like Israel: “The oppressed among the nations will be protected”
- Those battling the demonic: “Very soon all evil will be removed”
- Among the sick and disease-riddened: “Soon there will be no diseases and no sicknesses and everyone will live to the age of a tree”
- To all who struggle with addictions: “Soon all addictions will end”
- To the lost and lonely: “Soon you will be comforted and a soul mate located”
- To those who are mourning the loss of a child: “Very soon your child will be returned”
- To those in debt: “Soon all debts will be paid, and finances will restart fairly for everyone”