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Christ's Kingdom and the End Times

Month: November 2017

From Many Religions to the Antichrist and One World Religion

November 24, 2017 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #45 ~

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In the Bible, God has told us many things that will be occurring before the coming of Christ. One significant thing He wants us to know, is that the Antichrist will be ruling over this whole world, politically, militarily and economically, but also spiritually. It will be the Antichrist and a one world religion. “The whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast (Antichrist)… they worshiped the beast.” Revelation 13:3-4

How do we get to the point where there are no more religions, no more Catholics, Lutherans, Muslims or Buddhists, etc., where everyone is worshiping the Antichrist? That seems impossible! People now go to churches, mosques, temples and synagogues; and many don’t attend any place of worship, but rather stay at home and watch football or soccer, or go out to eat, or go shopping, or go to the movies, or whatever. Every person is a worshiper, and always worships someone or something.

Let me share how we will get to that time when the world is worshiping the Antichrist:
1. Globalism. Everything on this earth is moving towards globalism. You see it with an increasing desire for one world government. You see it with travel, that you can go anyplace in the world. You see it with the economy, with foreign-made goods being sold in every country. You see it with the English language being spoken all over the world. You see it with communication, with the internet and smart phones. You see it with globally shared music and movies. You see it with currency. You see it with open borders. When you put it all together, you can see how we are getting closer to global unity and a global dictator, to one devilish man ruling the whole world.

2. Birth pains. Problems in the world, specifically the birth pains, earthquakes, famines and wars, will necessitate global solutions (Matthew 24:4-8). Eventually, a smart, sharp, strong and charismatic leader will take charge, solve our problems and bring “peace” to the world.

3. False prophets. False prophets and antichrists will increasingly be teaching that God’s word isn’t true, Christ isn’t God, man isn’t sinful, salvation isn’t through Christ alone, and that there’s no heaven and hell. (Matthew 24:11, 1 John 3:18). False teachers will be emphasizing “peace” and “love”, but diminishing truth and holiness. Popes will be pushing for unity, but it’s a fake unity. Churches and religion, in general, will be getting less popular, and attendance at places of worship will be decreasing.

4. Apostasy. There will be an apostasy, a falling away, a turning away, a huge defection from the church. “Many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and mislead many” (Matthew 24:10-11, 21). But these defectors were never true Christians in the first place. They will turn from the Lord, turn against Christians, and turn them in to the authorities. It will be very evident that there are just Christians and non-Christians, believers and non-believers. “The apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3

5. Deception. “God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false” (2 Thessalonians 2:8-12). Unbelievers in the world won’t be believing the truth, and so God will permit these unrighteous people to be deceived even more by all these Satan inspired signs and wonders. From the context of these verses, you can easily see how these sinners will be worshiping the Antichrist. Revelation 13:11-14

6. “Resurrection” of the beast. The Bible isn’t completely clear on the details, but some kind of seeming miracle takes place with regards to the beast, and people all over the world will be so amazed, and in awe, that they’ll worship this Antichrist. Revelation 13:3

7. Religions destroyed. Revelation 17:1-7 says that this harlot, this wicked woman symbolizing the false religions, will be destroyed, for the devil will have no more use for them. Revelation 17:16 says, “The ten horns you saw, and the beast (Antichrist), will hate the harlot and make her desolate and naked.” At this time, the midpoint of Daniel’s 70th week, the world will be so deceived that they will think this Antichrist is God, and will then worship him. “The man of lawlessness is revealed… who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4

All this, the globalism, birth pains, false prophets, apostasy, deception, “resurrection”, and destruction of religions, will be the means and motivation by which unbelievers in the world will worship this beast, this Antichrist. Right before Christ’s return there will be either the false religion of the Antichrist or Christianity. People will be worshiping God or worshiping the devil. But don’t be afraid, for God is in charge. And don’t forget, Christ will build His church, and we’ll be working with Him, preaching the gospel and making disciples right up to the end of the age. By God’s grace we will overcome, and then Christ will return to rapture the church, pour out His wrath on the unbelievers, defeat the Antichrist, and then rule over the world. Revelation 1:4-8

P.S.  Please email me at: stevehogan@christskingdom.org if you would like a free copy of Marvin Rosenthal’s  instructive and encouraging pamphlet entitled: “As a Thief in the Night”.   If you haven’t read my Thanksgiving  article, which I recently posted, you can check it out here: Being Thankful – The Character of a Christian.

Happy Thanksgiving

November 23, 2017 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Special Post ~

This is Thanksgiving Day, a wonderful day to enjoy family and friends, and to eat some very good food. (Ecclesiastes 2:24-25). It is also a time to remember the great blessings God has bestowed on our lives, and to then reflect on His great goodness toward us. What a kind and gracious Father we have, who has blessed us so, so much, and will continue to bless us in this life on earth, and forever and ever. “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6

As you know this blog is about the end times and Christ’s Kingdom. Indeed, there is much that can be said, and needs to be said about what will be taking place in our future. But to live for the Lord in the way He wants we need to not just know what will be happening, but we need to possess the godly character He speaks about in His word. Over the course of the next year my desire is to write a number of articles about the character of a Christian. The first is given to you here – “Being Thankful – The Character of a Christian.”

Happy Thanksgiving!  “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” 2 Corinthians 13:14

God’s Plan for the Jews – From Now to the Coming of Christ

November 17, 2017 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #44 ~

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Many significant and history-defining events will be occurring in the years leading up to the coming of Christ, and we have already talked about some of them – birth pains, the decline of the United States, the coming of the Antichrist, increasing lawlessness, etc. But it’s also important to understand God’s plans for the Jews, for His working with them coincides with His working with the Christians. Seeing what’s happening with the Jews is to alert you and give you confidence that Christ is coming back soon to rapture the church. Let me go over what is now, and what will be, taking place with regard to the Jews:

The Jews have been miraculously gathering back to their land for the past 130 years, from about 25,000 in the 1880’s to over 6.5 million at the present, proving that we are now living in the end times of this church age (Ezekiel 37:21-23). During much of this period, Arabs and Muslims have been persecuting the Jews. But it’s also true that most every nation in the world is opposed to them, seen in the United Nations’ anti-Semitic activities, and their voting record, which consistently denounces and diminishes the rights and freedoms of the Jews. And it’s only going to get much worse. Zechariah 12:1-3

The time will soon come when the Jews will be desperate for peace, leading them to sign a deal with the devil, that is, with the future Antichrist. This treaty, predicted over 2500 years ago, will be confirmed at the beginning of Daniel’s 70th week (Daniel 9:27). Even now the United States and other world powers are actively pursuing this peace treaty. That the Jews will once again have a temple in Jerusalem is also a key component of God’s end-time plans for the Jews. A likely scenario is that the building of this temple will be part of this Israeli peace package. Revelation 11:1-2

But during the first half of Daniel’s 70th week global problems will be greatly increasing, at the same time this coming Antichrist is growing in influence, making alliances, and becoming more recognized around the world. At the midpoint of this 70th week, this Antichrist, this devilish beast of a man, will suddenly break his treaty with the Jews. “The man of lawlessness is revealed… who opposes and exalts himself above every so called god… so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as God.” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). To discerning Jews and Christians, it will be obvious that the person desolating the temple is the Antichrist, and that he is not a man of peace but a man of war, for right away he will begin aggressively persecuting them. Matthew 24:9, 21

Matthew 24:15-25 instructs the Jews living in Israel that they are to run for their lives. And Revelation 12:13-17 tells us that many of these Jews miraculously escape and are protected during the last 3½ years of this 70th week. This frustrated and angry Antichrist then “went off to make war with the rest of her children (Christians), who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.” In addition to the escape of these Jews, there are another 144,000 who are sealed and physically kept safe. At that time or shortly thereafter, these 144,000 Jews are spiritually saved, becoming holy worshipers and faithful followers of Jesus (Revelation 14:1-5). During this same time, God raises up two Jewish witnesses, believed to be Moses and Elijah, and for 3½ years they are performing amazing miracles and proclaiming the truth about Jesus.

Sometime during this last 3½ years of Daniel’s 70th week this great persecution is cut short; and then Christ comes in the clouds for the Christians, glorifying them, and taking them home to heaven. God’s wrath is then righteously poured out on the earth, and a large number of rebellious and unrepentant Jews will be killed, two-thirds of their entire population, as Zechariah 13:8-9 seems to say. But this Jewish remnant that had escaped the Antichrist will continue to be protected up until the end of this 70th week. Then the two witnesses will be killed by this Antichrist, then raised from the dead and taken to heaven. It’s at this time that this chosen remnant of Jews will be redeemed by the Lord – “all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:26). These newly saved Jewish believers will then remain with Christ, reigning with Him during the millennial kingdom. Revelation 11

These are God’s end-time plans for the Jews – gathered back to their land – persecution – peace treaty – temple built – revealing of the Antichrist – great persecution – great escape and protection – sealing 144,000 Jews – two Jewish witnesses – the coming of Christ – the salvation of a remnant of Jews – and they will be carried out. “I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure… I have planned it, surely I will do it.’” Isaiah 46:9-11

The Jewish events listed above are divine sign posts for Christians living in the end times, giving us clear evidence and confidence that God is completing His final plans for this present age, and that Christ is returning soon to rapture the church. As we see these events unfold in the years ahead, might we be encouraged to keep loving our Lord and living for Him, and to keep persevering to the end of this age.

P.S.  I’ve just published an article that contains a long list of very encouraging Bible verses: Encouraging Verses that Express the Love, Grace and Peace of God.

It’s Going to Get Worse Before It Gets Better

November 10, 2017 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #43 ~

There’s a lot of sin in this world, and it’s going to get a whole lot worse before the return of Christ and the rapture of the church. “In the last days, difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving… lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God… evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse” (2 Timothy 3:1-3, 13). During this present evil age, we see all this sin, but this world will only get more and more wicked the closer we get to the coming of Christ.

Matthew 24 is all about the end times, and verse 12 warns us, “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.” In these years before Christ’s coming, the non-Christians will increasingly be mean, cruel and hateful. Then there’s 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 8-12, and it actually calls the Antichrist the “man of lawlessness.” One reason why there will be this escalating sin in the end times is because this Antichrist, this man of sin, will not just be permitting evil, but will be promoting it.

What does this sin look like? 2 Timothy 3 gives us some details, but Galatians 5:18-21 further describes it by saying, “the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities… drunkenness, carousing.” In Mark 7:21, Jesus says, “out of the heart of men proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries… envy, slander, pride and foolishness.” In the years leading up to Christ’s return, unbelievers will be blatantly sinning, unashamedly sinning, defiantly sinning and greatly sinning. Sin will be rampant, openly seen in families, in leaders, in schools, in government, at work, on the internet, and in media, music and movies. I know you may not want to hear this, but this is the truth, this is what God says in His Word, and this is what He wants you to know.

In the end times this entire planet will be filled with people who have cast off moral restraint, who hate God and love their sin. 2 Peter 2:10 talks of “those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despite authority.” People will be shaking their fists at God, rejecting those in authority, and doing what is right in their own eyes. Sinful behavior will be completely accepted and normalized. It will be like the days of Noah when “the wickedness of man was great on this earth, and every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only continually evil” (Genesis 6:5). Remember the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life,” when Bedford Falls is imagined to be Pottersville, a dark, evil, perverted and partying place? Sadly, this will be similar to the condition of our world.

Let’s be honest, these latter days will be very difficult for Christians. I’m reminded of that wicked city of Sodom when “Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men… while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds.” But remember the promise that follows, “The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment” (2 Peter 2:7-9). Christians living on earth in these coming days will go through great tribulation for a short time, and then be raptured, and then be with the Lord forever. But God’s enemies will not escape His wrath, for they will be punished forever. It won’t be by a flood like in the days of Noah, but by fire during the day of the Lord, and then in Hades for 1000 years, and then in the lake of fire for all eternity. Revelation 20:15

When you look at the world, you see how people are so polarized, on opposite sides in so many areas, but it’s only going to get worse. There will be right or wrong, light or darkness, those who do good or those who do evil. And then, like never before, the non-Christians will be hating and persecuting the Christians. But God is so patient, “not wishing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). As we live in this dark world, might we too be patient, and see this as an opportunity for our light to shine (Daniel 12:3). Might we love our enemies and give them the gospel, knowing that some will turn from their sin and turn to Christ, being forgiven and becoming children of God. May God give you the grace to persevere, to stay the course, and to keep making disciples right up until the end of the age and the return of Christ (Matthew 28:19-20).

“Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved (raptured). This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:12-14

P.S.  When life is difficult, we always need to have hope.  I encourage you to read my article: You Have to Have Hope!  It will be a blessing to your life!

The Antichrist is Coming Soon, and It’s Before the Coming of Christ

November 3, 2017 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #42 ~

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The most wicked, vile, evil man ever, will soon be ruling over this world. This man is the Antichrist, also called the Beast, the man of lawlessness, or the little horn. He will hate God and Jesus Christ with a devilish passion, and therefore hate His people, both Jews and Christians. Now I’m not here to scare you, I just want you to know the truth.

Since the Jews are back in their land, we know we’re living in the end times, and now in 2019, we’re in that time period Matthew 24:8 calls the “beginning of birth pains.” That is, wars, earthquakes, famines and economic problems are taking place in various places around the world. But we’re only at the beginning stage, which means they will be getting a lot worse. And what comes next? Matthew 24:9 says, “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.” This is why I say Antichrist is coming soon, because this tribulation, which is instigated and directed by the Antichrist, clearly comes right after the “beginning of birth pains.”

Some of you may not want to hear this, or believe this, for you don’t even want to think about the possibility that you and your family may be alive when this Hitler-like Antichrist is ruling this earth. But as a Christian, you need to know what God wants you to know. And what does the Bible say about the Antichrist? It’s Daniel’s 70th week (Daniel 9:24-27) that helps you to frame this end-times’ picture of the Antichrist and his evil work.

Right at the beginning of Daniel’s 70th week, there will be the signing or confirming of a peace agreement involving the Jews, and the Antichrist will be the key player promoting this deal. During the first half of this 70th week, these “birth pains” will be increasing in intensity and frequency. People will be so distraught with these worsening world conditions that they will be desperate for some strong leader to rise up and solve these global problems. During this time, this future Antichrist will be growing in popularity, power and influence, eventually gaining control over 10 different countries.

Then we come to the 3½ year mark, the midpoint of Daniel’s 70th week. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-9 tells us that the Antichrist is in Jerusalem, and he breaks this peace agreement with the Jews, for he “exalts himself above every so called god… so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as God.” The Jews were sacrificing in their temple, but no more. This “abomination of desolation,” this desecration of the temple, is when Christians will know for certain the identity of the Antichrist, for this is exactly what God had predicted would happen. But the good news is that they know it won’t be long before the true Christ returns to rapture the church. Matthew 24:15-26

At the midpoint of Daniel’s 70th week, the unbelievers are so happy, for the Antichrist, the answer to all their problems, is now ruling the world. He is in charge of the military, the economy and religion, and he will be their “god.” This smart, well dressed, good looking, smooth talking super-man will bring a pseudo peace to this planet. And Satan is super-happy, for now both he and the Antichrist are being worshiped. “The whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast, they worshiped the Dragon (Satan)… and they worshiped the beast.” Revelation 13:3-6

The Antichrist will be in power, in charge, but it’s his evil partner, this false prophet, who implements his plan. By doing great signs and wonders this 2nd beast will further deceive the masses and gain their allegiance. Then he will make people worship an image of the Antichrist, and if they don’t, then they are to be killed. He will force people to take his mark on their right hand or forehead, and if they don’t, they won’t be able to buy or sell. But please, don’t be afraid, for true Christians will not and cannot worship the Antichrist or take his mark. Revelation 13:11-18, 14:9-13

What happens to the Christians? Revelation 13:7 says, “It was given to him (the Antichrist) to make war with the saints and to overcome them.” This is what is called great tribulation. Matthew 24:9, 15-26 and Revelation 12:13-17 describe how the Antichrist first comes after the Jews in Israel, but a remnant of them will escape and be protected. But this Antichrist, as mad as the devil, now comes chasing after the Christians. Many Christians will be martyred for their faith (Revelation 6:9-11), but a great many will persevere and endure to the end, and then be raptured at the coming of Christ. Matthew 24:9-14

That the devil’s man, this Antichrist, will soon be ruling this world, is a most sobering subject. But this is God’s plan, and who are we to argue with God? Isn’t it also true that many of our Christian forefathers have had the privilege of suffering for the Lord? It’s our time, and so let’s continue to serve our Lord in this great battle for the truth, right up to the end of this age. And let’s be singing, “Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before.” Remember, God is God, and He will lead you, encourage you and use you for His purposes – and one day, whether by death or by rapture, He will bring you home to heaven.

P.S. Here is another shorter post about the Antichrist – That Evil Antichrist and His Short Rule on Earth. I also encourage you to read a more extensive article about the Antichrist. 

© Steven J. Hogan and ChristsKingdom.org, 2018. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Steven J. Hogan and ChristsKingdom.org with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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