THE SPIRIT OF ANTICHRIST / PT.3 / THE END GAME

7/26/2024

THE SPIRIT OF ANTICHRIST / PT.3
THE END GAME

JN.10:10  The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. NKJV

Before we examine the “end game” of Satan for his final days, for the last chapter in his quest to stop God's plans for all of the human race; let us do a quick review of what Lucifer's modus operendi / MO - has been from the time of his fall to the present. We know from the scriptures, and specifically Jesus teachings on Satan's character and sinister designs for mankind; that his three areas of focus are: 1. Stealing/Robbing 2. Killing / Murder 3. Destroying / Annihilation

One does not need to be an historian, or Bible scholar to know that the our past as human beings here on earth has been filled with wars, disease & plagues, famines, and every kind of instrument of death; with nuclear weapons and biological weapons now topping the list. That things would get worse as time goes on, was clear when Jesus taught his disciples about what the future would hold for those on earth after His ascension.
If we are humble and honest, we will have to admit that only God knows how much of the death, theft, destruction and chaos are the work of Satan; or God's judgment at a particular time in our checkered past – or simply the result of nature unleashing it's powerful and often deadly elements upon us. One thing we can ascertain from the scriptures is that after man's fall in the garden – the door was opened for Lucifer to compete openly with God for the souls of every human being. That is something to think about.

GEN. 3:15  And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.” NKJV (emphasis mine)

Most Biblical scholars believe the expression “your seed” and “her seed,” are references to Satan(his fallen angels), and Jesus Christ – the Seed of the woman. (of the House of David) The emnity that is mentioned here between the Satan and the woman(the human race in figure) is evidenced by mankind's ongoing struggle with either “choosing good or evil” or doing what's “right or wrong”; and as we read through the pages of the Bible, and history books it is clear that more often than not – people often succumb to the dark side of those conflicts.*note- (“your seed” could also refer to those who are the children of the Devil, anyone who serves Satan)see – MT.13:38,JN.8:44,1JN.3:10

After the fall of Adam & Eve, we find the effects of sin are immediately manifested in the relationships within the first family; with Cain deviously luring his brother Abel into the fields where he commits mankind's first murder! We aren't told very much about how the knowledge of sin affected everyone's behavior in the beginning; but we are given enough scriptural evidence to reveal things on earth were becoming very violent, and the hearts of men and women had become so depraved and corrupted that by the time of Noah – God determined mankind would have to be destroyed. That is a sobering thought as we look around at our present state of affairs here on earth.

GEN.4:8 Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. NKJV
GEN.6:5-8  Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7 So the Lord said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. NKJV

By anyone's standards, Satan was winning his war against God up to this point, if we are to look at things with clear eyes... This epic judgment by God on those alive at the time of Noah is almost hard to comprehend in terms of how harsh and and horrific The Flood was in nearly killing all of humanity but eight souls. The Devil surely was grinning.Make no mistake, killing souls is and always has been Satan's normal operation; but how that is achieved is as varied as the stars in the heavens - lying, deception, temptation, and all the works of the flesh.

Now to have humans kill each other and kill themselves is one thing; but to entice and lead people to become so depraved and wicked that God kills and destroys His own creation – well now – that dear friends, is quite stunning in every respect. There is no doubt in my mind – that Satan thought he had Jesus on his heels. And remember the words: “... He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.” Gen.3:15

We aren't told exactly how Satan was carrying out his plans throughtout most of the Bible, in terms of specifics; but we do know that people were doing things that God calls: wickedness, and this went deep into the very heart of people – their hearts and minds. The words: “every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” - paints a very grim and dark picture of what God saw inside of his creation – those made in His very image. That it made God sorry that He had made the earth – should be a wake up call to all who love God.

It is necessary to point out that the engine driving all of the descent into darkness by the human race after the fall – the momentum, is our “free will” to choose between good and evil, right & wrong – the holy or the profane, etc. If God had wanted people, human beings to be mere automatons or robots that simply did exactly whatever God desired or commanded; the spiritual war that has existed since Adam was created would not be!

Not surprisingly, God created human beings with the capacity to choose to obey or not to, and whether they would love Him or not; let's just say that we must admit that voluntarily choosing to obey God, to love God – or to disobey and reject God's overtures to love Him back; changes everything. By giving everyone the ability and right to choose between what is good and evil, right and wrong, etc; the door was left wide open for Satan to entice, deceive, and coax people into going backwards spiritually; or put another way: lead human beings into the darkness through voluntarily disobeying God.

It also means that choosing to obey God, and love God without being coerced, would mean it was truly a choice that God could appreciate and value those decisions, not only for their sincerity and legitimacy; but because in fact – they were done voluntarily! Without giving any examples, I think we all can understand the difference.

Whenever we make choices, decisions - it means that ultimately, no matter how we came to the place where we have disobeyed and rejected God's commandments, or even God himself; we are responsible for those choices and in the end, whether by hook or by crook – we will have to face judgment before God for the individual choices each of us have made in this life. The scriptures make it clear that all of us are sinners, and fall short of the glory – holy standards of God. It is also evident that there will be a day of reckoning and judgment; and everyone will one day give an account of their lives before God.
ROM.3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, PS.14:3, NIV
ROM.14:12 So then every one of us shall give an account of ourselves to God. 2 CO.5:10 N

KILLING THE SEED

One thing we see in studying the whole of scripture is the realization that Satan and Jesus are the main characters, representing the timeless battle between good and evil, the holy and profane, truth and error. That Jesus is destined, prophesied to be the One who would come and overcome sin and death, the Devil and the powers of darkness and ultimately stop Satan once and for all was not lost on Lucifer. Satan's main focus before Jesus arrived as the Messiah was to prevent that – that from becoming a reality.

Let me say that again another way. Satan, who knew Jesus before He was cast out of heaven, and knows the prophecies better than most Christians today; knew his immediate focus at hand was simply to stop Christ from coming, from fulfilling the myriad of prophetic scriptures that foretold in great detail how Jesus would come to earth. It is true, Satan did not know the exact time, or every possible detail concerning Christ's appearance – but surely he did know – he understood that the promised Messiah would one day come – and restore, save, and rescue fallen mankind as was clearly revealed over and over through the pages of scripture...

Having failed miserably at trying to stop Jesus Christ from arriving, that is from appearing in the flesh as both secular and Biblical history attest.... King Herod's jealousy drove him to kill all the baby boys in Bethlehem two years old and younger; but all to no avail. MT.2:16-18 As we know from the scriptures, God – The Holy Spirit was always one step ahead of Satan's devilish schemes to keep Christ – the promised Messiah from fulfilling the scriptures concerning His mission here on earth. Hmm – no let's make that 3 steps ahead !

THE BODY OF CHRIST/THE CHURCH IS THE “SEED”

In Parts 1 & 2 of this treatment on The Spirit of Antichrist; I wrote about Satan's desire to keep Christ from fulfilling scriptures, and how just preventing one single prophecy from being fulfilled would be sufficient grounds for Lucifer to charge into heaven and accuse God – Jesus Christ as being frauds – liars, or at the very least insist that if one prophecy failed – the entire Bible – all of it must necessarily be dismissed as unreliable and untrue. If that were the case – Satan would have a legitimate criticism to be sure.

Fortunately, up to this point in time, as far as the prophetic calendar is concerned; all of the prophecies to date have been fulfilled. There are no credible arguments that I am aware of, that can prove that even one of the Old Testament prophecies were not fulfilled! According to J. Barton Payne's Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy there are 1,239 O.T. Prophecies, and 578 N.T. Prophecies; for a total of 1,817 Prophecies. (note – there is not unanimous agreement on the exact number of prophecies)

Without, going into the minutia over which prophecies have been fulfilled, and which have not; which is not the point of this subject, suffice to say that all of the scriptures pertaining to Jesus Christ dying as The Lamb of God to take away our sins, and His being raised from the grave as the Conquering King have all been fulfilled. Satan failed in his unwavering attempts to keep Christ from fulfilling each and every scripture that foretold not only where The Messiah would be borne; but also all the details leading up to Christ's horrific death on the cross. We can thank God for that, amen.

So that leaves us with where are we now? What was Satan's game plan after he was openly defeated by Christ when He hung there on the cross and uttered those final words: It Is Finished ? Satan, suffered a humiliating defeat at Calvary, and has never fully recovered. He is still roaming the earth seeking whom he may devour, torment or seduce into any one of his deadly and hellish schemes; and he has a multitude of them.COL.2:15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. NIV (Paul is speaking of Christ's victory over Satan)

If Satan could not stop The Messiah, The Promised Seed which God spoke of in Genesis 3:15; then it begs the question:What is Satan's game plan – or more accurately – What has Lucifer's “game plan” been since Jesus Christ fulfilled His mission to die on the cross for all of humanity's sins, and then be buried and rise triumphant from the grave. While it is true, Christ is no longer here physically, His Church – The Body of Christ is. From the time of Jesus departure and ascension into heaven, Satan's wrath and hatred for God and Jesus Christ has been directed at the “Seed” - which is now the Church; the whole Body of Christ worldwide.

Paul the apostle, is distinguishing the true “Seed” of God as those who may or may not be descendants of Abraham by bloodline; but rather those that are the true children of God – are those like Abraham, who inherited the promises of God by faith. (read all of Rom.9 to understand fully) This means that once Christ – The Seed of Promise, came and fulfilled His mission to die for our sins, and then rose from the dead for our hope of eternal life: The Devil had to turn his focus and attention on the Children of Promise - “the Seed” - the Church of Jesus Christ in the earth.

From the time of Christ's ascension into heaven, and the birth of the Church on the Day of Pentecost; Satan's fury and hatred were turned directly on Jesus spiritual body – His Body – His Church – The Seed that now represents the hands, feet, mouth, and body of Jesus Christ upon the earth. Satan could not stop Jesus from fulfilling His mission (not from lack of trying), but now his agenda had to change – and adapt to a new battle plan. Opposing, destroying, and attacking the Body of Christ/The Church at large – from within and without has been; and still is the blueprint for Satan's Kingdom of darkness.

So, for the last two thousand plus years Lucifer has focused most of his attacks and stratagems on God's people, The Body of Christ – His Holy Church worldwide. (that would include Christians within the entire spectrum of Christianity throughout the world) The good news is we are promised by Jesus Himself, that His Church would stand, and the gates of hell would not prevail!
MT.16: 18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. KJV (emphasis mine)

FAST FORWARD TO THE PRESENT

If we look at what John the Apostle wrote in Revelation chapter 17, we find a portrait of the Dragon's endless attempts to kill-destroy and thwart God's plan of redemption through the promised Messiah – Jesus Christ. With the benefit of The New Testament scriptures, we can now see clearly what John was conveying with these powerful word pictures. As you read these scriptures keep in mind what the Dragon/The Serpent tried to do in his efforts to prevent Christ from fulfilling His mission to die for all the sins of all the world.

John the Apostle, reveals the ongoing struggle between the “Woman and the Dragon.”; and that he makes war with the “rest of her seed.” REV.12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. KJV (emphasis mine)

That this refers to the “Seed”, or Body of Christ in the earth is evident if you read the context - “who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” While we may not know precisely where we are at this time on God's prophetic calendar; we can understand that Satan's fury and hatred for Jesus Christ has not diminished – it is simply directed towards His followers – Christians.

  (A Woman/Child/and Dragon)REV. 12:1-5
1 Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a (a)woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars.
2 Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth. (see Gen. 37:9 – a reference to Israel, now the remnant/spiritual Israel – The Church)
3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, (b)fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. 4 His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. 5 She bore a (c)male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne.

*Note – a. the woman here identifies with Gen. 37:9 – (a reference to the nation - Israel, which now is the remnant/the spiritual Israel – The Church) see 1 Pet.2:9-10 , Rom.2:19.
b. fiery dragon – Rev. 9 – reveals the dragon as the serpent/Satan/Devil. (see Daniel 7:25 , Rev. 12:13) c. male child – is Jesus Christ the Messiah. (see Acts 7:56, Rev.12:4, Mk.16:19)

REV.12:10... for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. NKJV (emphasis mine, all 3 scriptures)
REV.12:13 Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. NKJV
REV.12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. KJV
The scriptural evidence in both the Old and New Testaments point to the simple fact that when Jesus ascended physically to heaven to reign at God's right hand; the Body of Christ became the physical representation of Christ in the earth. That Satan has focused his hatred for God, Jesus Christ – His word, and Christians in particular should come as no surprise; but sadly many Christians today go about their lives seemingly unaware of the spiritual war that is going on all around them. The Church of Jesus Christ, is now “The Seed” that Satan wants to devour.

1 PET. 5:8 - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: KJV (emphasis mine)

A “FALLING AWAY”
2 THESS.2:3
Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, NKJV
AMPLIFIED Let no one in any way deceive or entrap you, for that day will not come unless the apostasy comes first [that is, the great rebellion, the abandonment of the faith by professed Christians], and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction [the Antichrist, the one who is destined to be destroyed],

Anyone who has been a Christian for the last 30 to 40 years will tell you that finding Christians passionate and on fire for Jesus Christ is not easy; and reading the Bible and going to church has fallen dramatically. The Antichrist culture in the world(now often referred to as “the woke culture,”) has become so in your face and overtly hostile to anything to do with Christianity; that it's affected almost every facet of life from school, work, music, art, books, and of course the online social media that dominates our lives from morning to the time we lay our heads on a pillow. It is time for Christians to “wake up” to the woke cultural tidal wave that has swept across the world; especially here in the West.

ROM.13:11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. NKJV (emphasis mine)
MT. 7:15 “Beware of the false prophets, [teachers] who come to you dressed as sheep [appearing gentle and innocent], but inwardly are ravenous wolves. AMP
Acts 20:29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. NKJV

The New Testament scriptures give ample warnings to Christians to beware of “wolves in sheep's clothing.” who would infiltrate the Church and bring in doctrines of demons, and heresies; all designed to seduce and mislead Christians and followers of Christ into apostasy and error. While a large segment of The Body of Christ believe it is impossible to “lose one's salvation” or become “unsaved.” The scriptures both in the O.T. & N.T. - clearly warn about the real possibility of being drawn away from God, of being seduced to not only “fall away”; but to also turn from worshiping the One true God – to worshiping other gods... which are in reality demons and in essence Satan himself!

As I've said previously, whether one who has turned away from serving and worshiping God to worshiping and serving other gods has lost his or her faith is not my call – or yours. But I for one do not want to put myself in such a deplorable spiritual condition that such a possibility may seem reasonable – if you follow what I'm saying. Given the choice of being nonchalant and carefree about my salvation, or daily examining myself and living in a way that shows a reverence and fear of The Lord that is evident to all; I choose the latter.
PHIL.2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; NKJV (emphasis mine)

CRUMBLING FOUNDATIONS
Psalm 11:3  If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do? NKJV

THE FAMILY

The first family – the family of Adam & Eve was indeed a “broken family.” After the temptation, and their descent into a world of both good & evil, it was not long before the dreadful consequences of their decisions to eat from the forbidden tree of good and evil struck at the heart of their family. The happy and tranquil life that had been Adam and Eve's in the garden was shattered! By the time their sons were both young men, we find the Bible's first recorded murder. (Cain murders his brother Abel – Gen.4:8)

From that moment on to the present, we can see that once “sin entered the world” things for the family unit would never be right again. Humans would never be without sin and as close to God as it was when man and woman were first created. It is hard to imagine what the first family's lives would have been like, if Adam and Eve had not eaten of the forbidden fruit. We do know they had no knowledge of evil, and they were innocent; before they succumbed to the devil's guile and temptation to eat from the forbidden fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. One can only wonder what might have been?

We do know that God had a plan already in place in anticipation of the acts of disobedience that would unfold in the Garden of Eden; we see this revealed in the scriptures where it is written: 1 PET.1:18-20 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 20 He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you NKJV (my emphasis)

Long before the Church was born, or the nation of Israel, as God's chosen people; there was the family, and make no mistake the family has always been from the very beginning a favorite target of Satan and the Kingdom of Darkness. Why? The family is the very foundation of God's creation on earth in every way. Divorce, which God hates has now become all to common within not only secular society, but even among professing Christians. The divorce rate among Christians is at about 33 %, according to Harvard-trained social researcher and author Shaunti Feldhahn, from her book The Good News About Marriage

“The gloves are off” is an expression often used when the fighting is getting down and dirty; but I think “street fighting” is the term that says it best... The Devil and his army of demons know their time is short; the sun is going down on the time they have left to enact their demonic schemes to enslave everyone and bring them under the tyrannical rule and control of the Antichrist.

Marriage, the sacred union between one man and a woman, and for thousands of years recognized as the framework and foundation of the family and civilization; has been redefined by Supreme Court of the United States. Most Christians(and large numbers of other faiths and traditional values), winced and grimaced over the Supreme Court's 5 to 4 majority decision to change over 2000 years of what marriage is and should be; but that was not the end of the most sacred of God' foundations to be torn down.

Since the Roe v. Wade decision of 1973 that opened the door for millions of unborn babies to be killed (by some estimates over 63,000,000); the lack of respect and reverence for life, actually all living things is evident to all who know what the scriptures have to say about the value of a human life. While the Supreme Court's recent decision to overturn the historic Roe v. Wade decision; will surely save many unborn babies; many liberal states will still pass laws that allow for abortions up to the end of the third trimester. (some even after the baby has been delivered)

The damage from those two attacks on the very foundations of God's original order and design for the family and procreation; can not be quantified in terms of dollars and cents; but we can look around at the coarse and unholy culture we now live in here in the West; and see that our nation, (and much of the world at large) is not living according to the standards and commands that God has given humanity to live by.

These two foundations of God's creation have been assailed for centuries because they strike at the very heart of God, and if altered or changed to be something other than God intended – the results will be a corrupted and perverted mutation or substitute for what God has established as the very foundations for all the human race. When you change what God says a marriage and family is; to what a few people dressed in long black robes say it is – you welcome not only disaster for those who are forced to live under such madness and iniquity; but open the door for even more and more whimsical and bizarre ideas and notions(often under the guise of being “legal court decisions.”)

Once Pandora's Box has been opened, and it has – the demons of old return and do what they always do - steal, lie, murder and cause chaos and mayhem whenever and wherever they can. The next foundation of God, of His creation is of course our sex, or as I like to put it – our biological identity. We are born either male or female. Don't believe me? Go find your birth certificate if you can; and you will find that you were designated upon your birth in one of those two categories. (I understand that there are some hospitals and medical schools now that are reconsidering changing that; but that is for another time to explore more deeply.)

So, now the Devil has focused his disdain and disgust for God's natural order of only two sexes; and has introduced his seductive and not so sexy (yes that was a play on words)scheme to sell the idea that boys can be girls & girls can be boys, and not content with that; hey you can choose from a myriad of various sexual deviations from the norm – and be whatever you can think of. Now you have to admit, that while that is on it's face totally ridiculous and absurd; millions of people all over the world have bought this lie of being a “Trans” person hook line and sinker! (LGBTQ...)

So, let's summarize before going on: Satan has managed to do serious damage to three of the most holy and basic foundations of God's creation.
1. The institution of Marriage & Family/which has for thousands of years been defined as a man and woman & the procreation of offspring – children. (the nuclear family - I've combined the two into one foundation pillar) GEN.2:14, PROV.12:4, ISA.62:5
* The Supreme Court of the U.S. /June 26th, 2015 – The court ruled in a 5-4 decision that same-sex marriage is legal in all 50 states. / effectively telling God “we make the rules now”
2. The sanctity of a human life/every human life from conception to death is from God, and should be protected. JER.1:5, PS.139:13-16, ISA.44:2, EX.21:22-23
* Roe v. Wade Decision, January 22, 1973 - legalized abortions (so called: reproductive rights) throughout the United States; until it was overturned on June 24, 2022. This is not the end – many states are still allowing for the killing of unborn babies. This has forever redefined the meaning of “Thou Shall Not Kill.”
3. There are only two sexes – male & female. This is not only stated clearly in the scriptures, but has been the entire world's belief for thousands of years. The fields of medicine, biology, physiology, and science have always affirmed the fact that there are only two sexes that are natural to the human race. GEN.5:2, GEN.1:27

Now voices/individuals within the secular world have declared there are more than two sexes, (male and female,)and that anyone can choose or decide what sexual orientation they prefer. The proponents of this new view of human biology state our sexuality is subjective and can be constantly evolving. This now involves gender reassignment surgery on children, and in some states without parental consent!(so called: Gender affirming care) One has to question whether this would be happening if no one was making money doing this “sex reassignment surgeries on children?”

Make no mistake, children – innocent and beautiful children are without a doubt the focus of much of what Satan is doing these days by debasing and corrupting our culture through vile and perverted movies/songs and indoctrination in the public schools. It is not surprising that taking God, prayer and The Bible out of almost every American institution from schools, government, and now even some of our churches; has resulted in a society that is now far removed from the godly and holy lives of previous generations.

Undoubtedly, there is a special place in hell for those who abuse children sexually, emotionally, and physically; and Jesus Christ leaves no doubt as to how He feels about anyone who harms those most vulnerable and innocent among us. LK.17:2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. NKJV

This arbitrary rewriting and redefining of long held truths and biblical standards (as well as most major world religions); has created a world where many people no longer know what is good or evil, what is right or wrong, or what is holy or profane. Truly, we are indeed living in bizarre times, and it would seem that the loudest voices often carry the day... For anyone who loves God, The Bible, and what is holy and good; we can no longer be silent. Praying is powerful and righteous, but there is a time to get up from your knees and stand up and fight the flood of insanity and filth being pushed on everyone.

If you stop and think about it – that those three foundations have been crumbling(though not totally destroyed – thank God!) is truly mind boggling. I can only imagine what God thinks of us, as we systematically dismantle the pillars of His divine and holy creation plans. It must grieve God's heart to know we have bought into Satan's lies; knowing that once these foundations are destroyed; our lives will be ruined and our world turned into darkness and depravity. I don't think we fathom the depth of how evil and wicked these schemes of the Devil are to destroy the very foundations of our lives and civilization as a whole.

Not content to wreck havoc on those three foundations of creation; the devil is really after something much more devilish and devious. The real aim of Satan if about exalting himself for one purpose, but before we examine Satan's real target in all of this; let us not forget to address the Devil's intense hatred for Christians – all Christians, but especially those that pose the greatest threat to his diabolical plans and his never ending goal of taking lost souls to hell with him. While that sounds very harsh and perhaps too much for some Christians today who never talk about judgment/hell, and Satan; the truth is hell is very real, and God does not want anyone to go there.

I've already addressed earlier about how the Gospel is the main target of Satan, and how that simple message of salvation has occupied so much of the Devil's time and resources in trying to prevent it from be preached and published in the earth. Well, that means that those who deliver that message, those who are called and commissioned to go into all the world with the Gospel; are themselves by association on the Devil's hit list. If you are called to share the Gospel(and we all are), you can expect to be attacked, and experience real spiritual resistance and conflict with the powers of darkness simply because you are sharing the Gospel message with people. That is simply a fact.

I could give you a list of many of the things that demons are assigned to do in order to oppose God on every possible front here on earth, especially when it comes to assailing His Church – His children, the Body of Christ, but that is not the purpose of this treatment of Satan's end game. He has many devices in his arsenal of horrors and chaos; but these are all just his everyday ploys and routine schemes to deceive, destroy, and kill whenever the opportunity is present. He is relentless in pursuing everything that is contrary to God, truth and goodness. Let us now turn our attention to what the Devil really desires above all else...

THE END GAME
MT.4:8-11
8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. NKJV (my emphasis)

It is quite remarkable, that Satan tempts Jesus for the third time with a most unusual proposal. Before we go into this “key” to understanding the Devil's end game; keep in mind the fact that Lucifer (his name from ages past) knew Christ very well. Their relationship goes back thousands of years for sure, and in view of eternity that may be actually millions of years... In any case, of all the temptations, the idea presented to Jesus that all the kingdoms of this world could be His – if only – if only Christ would bow down and worship him! That is very bold you have to admit; but if we examine this temptation closely, we will find what the Devil was after, what he has always wanted and craved.

Satan wants to be worshiped.

This has always been the real aim of Satan, the true longing of his conceited and pride filled heart. The Devil delights in lying, deceiving, destroying and certainly killing; but let us not miss what he has always desired above all else - being worshiped.-being adored. Once we realize what Satan's true desire is and has always been from the time “iniquity was found in him”, only then can we understand what his “end game” is. Certainly religion – or more accurately; creating religions that compete with God for our worship and devotion, have always been the masterful work of the Devil.

No where is the cunning and deceitful work of Satan more on display, then where we find every kind of religion known to man from the most primitive to the most sophisticated and alluring to human beings. People through the ages have always worshiped something or someone – it's indisputable, and whether it was an object like a stone image, or a person venerated as a god; or any number of gods seen and unseen; the historical evidence is clear – human beings are by their very nature created and drawn to worship.

We can conclude that we as human beings are wired or programmed; or designed as I prefer – to worship God. That may be disputed as anything can, but in examining the religions of the past and present(well in the tens of thousands); it is safe to say religion and our propensity and innate desire to worship is just part of what being a human being is.

  CHOOSE THE RIGHT GOD!

EXODUS 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before me.” NKJV (emphasis mine/all 3 scriptures)
PSALM 81:9 “You shall have no foreign god among you; you shall not worship any god other than me.”
DEUT.6:14-15 Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you;15 (For the Lord thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the Lord thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.

The most important decision anyone will ever make is the God or gods they will choose to worship and serve; the scriptures in both the Old & New Testaments bear this truth out. The number one snare for the Jewish nation throughout their checkered past as God's chosen people ; was their unfaithfulness to Yahweh and His covenant with them. Without going into detail about God's up and down relationship with His chosen people the Jews; let us conclude that the Jewish people, like people today – had a problem with being enticed and drawn away to worship and follow other gods – and not worship the One True God as we are supposed to.

  SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE

Why the Jews who had witnessed God do so many wonders and miracles from the parting of the Red Sea, to the heavenly manna appearing each day to satisfy their hunger; could so quickly abandon their worship of Him to bowing down before a golden calf made by their own hands is to many of us a mystery. The truth is, billions of people today are worshiping other gods, and bowing down before them. While Christianity remains the world's largest religion with over 2 billion followers(though their traditions and cultures may differ greatly); the rest of the world's population worship other gods or deities.

And while Judaism is the root from which Christianity was birthed in many respects, it is important to point out that Jesus Christ taught that without coming to Him, without first coming to Christ for salvation; no one can come to The Father. That is a bombshell for all who believe they can go to God without Jesus. Here is Jesus' statement that is unequivocal in it's meaning.
JN.14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

If we are to take Jesus words at face value, and other scriptures concerning “Who we are to worship” and “How we can know and have a relationship with God.”; we have to acknowledge the truth that most religions are false, and cannot take or bring anyone to God. That also means that the gods or deities, whatever names they may have within these religions are in reality Satan, demons, or at best nothing worthy of our devotion or worship. A person may be sincere in their devotion and worship of any number of gods that are named; but Jesus Christ and the scriptures tell us that “sincerity” is not enough.

JN.4:21-24 21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Satan is not content to simply entice and draw people away from worshiping the One True God, into vain worship of idols, and any myriad of gods that are named among the religions of the world. That most of the religions of the world are counterfeits – and have doctrines and gods that are contrary to Christianity and the teachings of Jesus Himself; is not sufficient to satisfy Satan's desire to be openly worshiped. While other religions may deceive it's followers to worship idols and false gods; they do so sincerely without knowing it is really a lie, a snare to keep them from knowing and serving/worshiping the God of gods.

That is never enough for the Devil!

The thing Satan desires more than having people worship idols, statues, or any number of false gods, demons, or even themselves – is for people to openly WORSHIP HIM! Let me say that again, what Lucifer has always wanted was to be esteemed as God, as The Supreme Deity... More than we can ever fathom, or comprehend – Satan's lust and craving to be worshiped and venerated openly can not be overstated.

ISAIAH 14:12-14  How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! 13 You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. 14.I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” NIV (emphasis mine)

The phrase “I will” is uttered 5 times by Lucifer in short order... God's will, is no where to be found in the Devil's pompous and outrageous declarations! From the moment Lucifer made his intentions known and revealed the dark and treasonous ambitions that were hidden in his heart; there was no turning back. The inevitable war between good & evil, those who would be faithful and remain loyal and obedient to God; and those who would choose to align with Satan and join in rebellion and opposition to God and all that is good and holy had been set in motion.

Without going into the hellish and horrific works of Satan, from the countless wars through the centuries (often in the name of God & religion)that have killed millions; to the repeated acts of genocide that have been carried out by ruthless despots – suffice to say: Satan is the personification of evil beyond what any of us can imagine. Evil without limitations!
(see GAL. 5:19-21, JN.8:44, 1 JN.3:8)

THE MARK, NUMBER & NAME OF THE BEAST

REV. 13:16-17   He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. NKJV
REV. 13:18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666. NKJV

This may be the only message you will ever read dealing with the above scriptures that make reference to the mark/name and number that will be required by everyone; that will not make that the focus of what to look at when attempting to understand what Satan's real aim or goal is. While most people have labored extensively through a multitude of books/articles/videos and documentaries; interpreting what the name/mark & number of the Antichrist is, and every possible scenario that might occur with it's implementation.

We can start with the fact that these scriptures, and other verses in the Bible; clearly state that Satan is the god of this world, and has controlled most of the world for thousands of years. Control is his game, or “power” if you prefer another word; and he has always been a master at getting people to serve him – through any and all means possible. So, that leads anyone paying attention to ask the obvious question: What is so different about this episode of Satan's control?

What is the Beast/Antichrist after, by requiring everyone to have his name/mark and number physically on them(some suggest it will be implanted in us), in order to do any kind of commerce throughout the entire world? We may conclude it is just “more control,” and while that is true; this calculated mandate by Satan is designed with one thing in mind.

  WORSHIP!
2 THESS.2: 3-4  Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. ESV (emphasis mine)

REV.13:8  And all who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. NKJV (emphasis mine)
REV. 13:4 They worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast. And they worshiped the beast saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to wage war with him? MEV (emphasis mine)

That everyone on earth will be worshiping Satan directly, and also the Beast/The Antichrist is clearly stated in several scriptures; and the connection to having to have the mark/name or number of the Beast if one is to be allowed to buy or sell cannot be overstated. Where we find people worshiping the Dragon(really Lucifer); and the Antichrist(really the embodiment of Satan) – we find that the price for permission or being allowed to buy or sell in the end times under the Antichrist, will be to give your worship and allegiance to him. Put another way – if you want to be free to live a fairly normal existence under the Antichrist – you will be coerced (though not physically forced) into one of two choices.

TWO CHOICES

One, you take the mark/number and/or name of the Antichrist; which will mean you will be expected to give back something of value to him, and Lucifer. Namely – your worship and loyalty. Or two, you can choose not to take the mark/name or number of the Beast; and be forced to try to survive outside of society and the world ruled by the Antichrist and those who willingly serve him here on earth. It doesn't take much imagination to see that it will be hard for most people to choose to “not take the mark/number or name of the Antichrist.”

I have to admit, it will take courage, tremendous faith, and a deep passionate love for Jesus Christ to say no to those threatening you or me with being cut off completely from buying the food, clothes, medicine, and things we all need not only to be comfortable; but simple to stay alive. No one will be forced to take the mark/name or number of the Beast; in the end it will be a “free choice” - a voluntary decision that each person will have to live with or die with. We know it has to be a voluntary decision, because the justice of God would not punish anyone “forced against their will” to take it. The Bible is quite clear about the consequences for anyone who takes/receives the mark,name or number of the Antichrist.

REV.14:9-10  Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation.  He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. NIV (emphasis mine)

The word “receives” comes from the Greek word: lambano – it refers to the receiver accepting something. John the Apostle is stating that anyone accepting the mark/name or number will be judged. The verses above are unequivocal in their meaning: Anyone who worships the Antichrist, and takes the mark will be condemned for all eternity.

So, what do we learn from these scriptures, and others that make reference to “taking the mark/name/number of the Antichrist” and the “worshiping of the dragon/beast and image?” While most Christians and people analyzing the possible scenarios that may be coming our way as it pertains to the Antichrist: Who will he be? Where will he come from? What will his rule and reign on the earth look like? Those are questions that I am not going to attempt to address here; but I do want to point out that when the Antichrist does finally appear and take control of everything - “worshiping him and Satan, as well as the image of the Beast – will be involved, and will be required if you want to enjoy the benefits of living under the Antichrist's rule. Most of the world we are told, will in fact worship the Beast.

This connection between receiving the mark/name and number of the Antichrist and worshiping the Dragon and the Antichrist is a key to understanding what to look for when you are attempting to discern the times and seasons that will accompany the appearance and reign of the Antichrist. They will not be done covertly or “behind the curtains.” The call to worship Lucifer and the Antichrist will be out in the open, and everyone will be expected to participate and join in as all the world(except for those Christians who openly refuse) worships freely the Antichrist and Satan; and also the “image” of the Beast.

There will be some who will attempt to hide, or retreat to a safe place; and I do not know what will happen in those cases. What we do know, is that many who refuse to take the mark and worship the Antichrist – will be killed and martyred for their faith in Jesus Christ. Worshiping Satan and the Antichrist will be voluntary, but only if one does not want to be shut out of the world's system of commerce, or be faced with execution. That may seem involuntary on it's face; but the scriptures make clear it will in fact be “voluntary” and a personal decision with eternal consequences. When the mark/name and number of the Beast finally manifests here in the earth; it is important to realize that while controlling people will be a device Lucifer employs; it is really just an means to an end he has always had in mind. Worship me or starve – worship me or die!
REV.13:15 The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. NIV

   THOSE WHO REFUSE TO WORSHIP THE BEAST OR TAKE THE MARK...

REV.14:12  Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. NASB
These will be horrific times for Christians, and other people of religious faiths; who refuse to worship the Antichrist and his image. It will not be just Christians being persecuted at this time for their faith, but we can be certain that Christians will hold a special place in Devil's hatred and assault on God, The Bible and Christians in particular. The scriptures reveal a season where God allows the Antichrist to prevail over the Christians resisting him in the earth.
REV.13:7-8   It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. NKJV (emphasis mine)

For those who believe Christians will not be here when this time of war and suffering is going on because they have been “raptured away”; it is obvious that large numbers of Christians will be here on earth and will be overcome for a period of time. That is not to say there is no rapture (there are 4 teachings on the “harpazo” or rapture/1 Thess.4:17); but it is to say that anyone who believes Christians alive in the end times will not go through trials and tribulations – are not reading their Bibles.

REV.20:4  And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. NKJV (emphasis mine)

That Christians in the last days will be faced with extremely hard choices is plain for all who open their Bibles and read the scriptures. When will these things actually happen, and where are we now at this time on God's prophetic calendar? I honestly don't know. What I do know is that when we are at the point where we are given the choice to take the mark/name or number of the Antichrist or be cut out of the existing system for buying and selling; it will be “decision time!”

That won't happen in a vacuum, and it will be accompanied by the directive/mandate – that will really be a choice to worship Satan and the Antichrist – or not. Again, receiving the mark of the Beast and worshiping him will be connected, and the important thing to remember when and if you are alive to see and experience these things is: Do not take the mark/number/name of the Antichrist, and refuse to worship Lucifer/the Antichrist and the image, that all the world will be participating in. These decisions will be a matter of life in eternity with God, or in hell with the Devil!

The way things will unfold or overlap each other, and the timing with regards to being told to take the mark or be cut out of the system, or to worship the Beast or die is not completely clear. But we can ascertain that the Antichrist's rule will involve both receiving the mark and worshiping him. They are both joined together in the scriptures as acts so treacherous and abhorrent to God, that once a person has voluntarily succumbed to those two things, he or she will be damned for all eternity. That should give us all fair warning.

DO NOT TAKE THE MARK, NAME OR NUMBER OF THE BEAST!
DO NOT WORSHIP THE DRAGON/THE BEAST OR THE IMAGE !

SOME FINAL THOUGHTS
I hope this message on “The Spirit of Antichrist” added to your understanding of what the Bible has to say about the Antichrist, and what his real agenda is when all is said and done. That we are called to worship only the one true God and Jesus Christ – the son of God, is evident in the scriptures; but most of the world is blinded by the god of this world. We are all called to share the Gospel with people, and point them to Jesus Christ as the only one who can save them; the Savior, Lord, Messiah, and King of kings – and Redeemer of all the world.

If you are not a Christian now, if you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord; and would like to know that if you died, you would be in heaven with God - I invite you to pray this simple prayer to God.

A PRAYER FOR SALVATION
God, I come to you now asking You to forgive me for all my sins. I believe Jesus Christ, your son died on the cross to take away my sins, and that He rose from the grave on the 3rd day. I ask You to cleanse me God, and wash me in Your blood Jesus. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, and help me to live for you all the days of my life. In Jesus name I pray – amen.

  1 CO.15:1-4
...I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, NKJV (emphasis mine)
1 JN.1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. NKJV
ROM.10:13
For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” NKJV

    THE SPIRIT OF ANTICHRIST PT.1
  https://www.lightinthedarkministries.com/my-blog--scribe4god/archives/03-2020

THE SPIRIT OF ANTICHRIST PT.2
  https://www.lightinthedarkministries.com/my-blog--scribe4god/archives/04-2024

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