Son of Perdition

I am convinced that there is nowhere on this earth a more serious or controversial subject than the Anti-Christ of the Bible. I well remember the long discussions and debates of who we think this mystery man could be. I have seen people go so far out on a limb by devising mathematical wizardry to determine just who would fit into the mold of this Man of Sin. I have to admit, there are many throughout history that can fit into this mold but, as the Bible emphatically states, there has never been or will never be anyone who will destroy and put to waste as this man of the not too distant future will reveal to us all. And I thought the Nazis dictator Adolph Hitler was bad.  

“Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 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. 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 {the abomination of desolation}. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what with-holdeth 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, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” II Thessalonians 2:1-12

“And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, “Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindred’s, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If any man have an ear, let him hear. He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.” Revelation 13:1-18

In this Scripture above, the Apostles say the same thing according to the prophecies of Daniel and Ezekiel. Let me clarify what the Apostle Paul writes about when he talks about the son of perdition. The word perdition conjures up the imagination and speaks of all out destruction or of waste. That is what this mystery man is all about, complete all out waste culminating with the annihilation of the nation of Israel. There are so many proclaiming Christian’s today that have been told there is nothing to worry about because they won’t be here because the Rapture has already taken place. This is a lie of Satan to deceive the church. We will see just how good that fire insurance the devil has been peddling out these days pays off in the end. Are people really willing to chance their eternal soul on the belief that the fire insurance stipulates? The time will come that so many professing Christian’s will lose their faith in the church and their pastors because they have believed this lie for decades. They will be totally unprepared to deal with the events that will engulf all the church comprised of both true believers and false pretenders. It is they who lose their faith, who will take the mark of the Beast.

“When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.” Matthew 24:15-22 {words of Christ in red}

The prophet Daniel wrote prophesies leading to the ‘abomination of desolation’, some 350 years before it happened the first time in history. We have an account of the Old Testament event that took place during the Jewish revolt {civil war 167-160 BC} recorded in the historical accounts in the Book of Maccabees I &II recorded by the renowned historian of that time, Josephus. The ruler at that time was a Grecian conqueror, Antiochus IV Epiphanies (175-164 BC.), one of the sons of Alexander the Great. After taking by force the City of Jerusalem, decreed that all Jewish rituals of animal sacrifice be halted by slaughtering a pig on the altar of the House of God. This despicable atrocity was to infuriate and inflame the Jewish population into subjection of Grecian culture.

“And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.” Daniel 11:31

This accurate account of a tyrant has been given place, though many times mistaken, as the Anti-Christ of the Apocalypse. The Anti-Christ is described by Daniel’s prophecies in conjunction with John’s apocalyptic writings in the Book of Revelation. As I have stated in other writings many times, history has an uncanny way of repeating itself. You might be asking, what does this have to do with the anti-Christ of Revelation? I would like to point out that there are two distinct events taking place in the same portion of Scripture and is given away with closer inspection. Daniel 11:21-35 gives the life and exploits of the Seleucid King, Antiochus IV Epiphanies, a vile usurper of the throne. But the Scripture takes a turn from this epic event to look down the road of the future by focusing on yet a further future event, the “End of Times”. In Daniel 11:36 we have a further knowledge of these future events by the Prophet Daniel when he describes the ultimate evil and another vile usurper of the throne. Just when we thought it could not get any worse, the Anti-Christ appears to pick up where Antiochus IV Epiphanies leaves off somewhere in the very distant future. As I have stated many times, history runs in cycles and over periods of time and distance, the similar events will begin to surface once again to remind us of the things that used to be. Thus the saying, “what goes around comes around”. I mentioned earlier the debauchery and defamation of the Temple and the offering up a pagan sacrifice known in Jewish history as the “abomination of desolation”. This act of defilement is carried into the future at the “End of Times” or better known as the “Great Tribulation. This “abomination of desolation is performed again by the Beast of Revelation but there is one very distinct difference between Antiochus IV Epiphanies and the Beast of Revelation. This time the offence will be that the Beast will declare himself as god and will set himself upon the throne of David in the Holy City of Jerusalem. This is where it culminates and this event is the apex that stirs the God of the universe, Jehovah God.

I am reminded of one of the most notorious acts of Antiochus Epiphanies and there were many. By his design, everywhere there was a synagogue he had a gymnasium established to beguile the young Jewish children as a training center for the heart, body, and soul in the Grecian manner. This culture of Hellenization, with the encroaching idea of gymnasiums is integrated in the church denominations of America today and many insist on having a gymnasium just outside of the worship center. Ever wonder where the YMCA got its idea from? These gyms are intended to mix and mingle the unbeliever with the born-again people of God and they do this very well by disarming the born-again Christian. Did you know that the YMCA’s and YWCA’s are 501c3 tax exempt facilities just like the Church Corporations of today? They are in every denomination of churches of America. This is most definitely a device of Satan to divide and conquer the body of Christ and Satan used a Grecian conqueror to accomplish this. I make it a point to stay away from churches that incorporate the world in with the worship center. Some churches in our area have even built the gym with the intensions to double up the use of it as the main worship center when on the days of the week roll through it is just a gym. They now classify this building as a “Family Life Center”, to be able to let their guard down and play and worship at the same time. There is no wonder the children do not know how to act in the corporate worship service. They think they have come to play instead of worship the Living God who is Holy and Reverent altogether. The bottom line is that all God’s people do not fear the LORD anymore. God’s people do not realize that this type of action will bring judgment to the church? The spirit of the Anti-Christ is alive and well in the local assemblies.

“And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” 1Corinthians 10:4-11

This is the very thing God commands us to stay away from in the Church. It is a fact that the unsaved and the saved cannot worship together. Why is this? Because, the unsaved do not know what to worship except the idol of this world, money, flesh stirring music, notoriety, positions and posts of authority masking the real person they are, a lost sinner playing a ruse with the unknowing saved people of God. This action brings into perspective the classic scenario of the wheat being raised up with the tares {a vetch plant} of this world. They bring idol worship into the church so the born-again go along with this false worship bringing them into condemnation in God’s face. The Apostle Paul wrote two letters to the Church of Corinth admonishing them not to mix and mingle with the lost sinners in the worship service. It wasn’t an option; it was a command from God warning them not to touch the unclean thing in worshiping the Holy Son of God.

“Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.”

John 4:22 {words of Christ in red}

The Apostle Paul stated; “Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven {sin} that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened {without sin}. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, {in the church}   if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? Do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.” 1Corinthians 5:6-13

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of by wisdom this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that, in the wisdom of God the world knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” 1Corinthians 1:18-31

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 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. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” 2Corinthians 6:14-18

When I explain to the born-again Christian why we are not to mix and mingle with the unsaved in the corporate worship service they look at me thinking I have lost my mind. This is totally unheard of and I am looked at with disdain. Little do they know it was Christ Jesus, the very one who is head of the church, that gave the command is to separate ourselves from the unsaved, unregenerate sinners in the corporate church worship services. Why is it that the church has lost its power and influence over the community? There was a time when no alcoholic beverages were sold on Sunday and the local whore houses stayed on the outskirts of the town. No one in the community would dare open for business on Sunday. Why do so-called revivals fizzle out as soon as the last song and prayer is said? Why is it that a preacher of the Gospel has to obtain a Doctorate degree at least attending some kind of school before he is allowed in the pulpit of America? Why is it that every time I leave a church service I have this empty feeling come over me like I was white washed for the week? It is because we have put down our guard and allowed everyone that is curious, ambitious, glory seeking, or just looking for a platform to perform on stage, is encouraged to attend church. The preachers and pastors have migrated into the entertainment business with a little serving of the Scripture on the side and even that is watered down by using other strange versions that take away the power and fire of the Word of God. This action has literally drained the power of God right out of the church. It is like an electric power line that has been grounded out to the point the power is drained from being used as it was designed. This must be stopped and right away before we force the hand of God upon the local church. There is no doubt Satan’s strategy is working very well in today’s corporate churches.

All these set-backs of the local church are akin to the action Antiochus had taken against the Jew’s religious practices in the Temple signified the end of sacrifices by desecrating the altar with a forbidden sacrifice. Now, the spirit of the Anti-Christ has deliberately desecrated the altar of every local church body. This is one of the many reasons that the LORD Jesus gave to us personally His Spirit of the Holy Ghost to reside inside of the born-again believer. This is so we can worship the LORD Jesus in spirit and in truth no matter where we go in this wicked world.

“If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” John 14:15-18 {words of Christ in red}