Focusing on the Facts
1. Apart from Satan himself, who is the most vehement adversary of God that will ever live (see p. 1)?
2.Why was the coming of the Antichrist common knowledge among the early Christians (see p. 1)?
3.Explain the promise of Genesis 3:15 and why it has caused Satan to focus his attack on Israel (see p. 2).
4.What was Satan’s first attempt in preventing the Messiah from coming (Gen. 6:2; see p. 2)?
5.Give a biblical example of how Satan tried to destroy Israel. Also give an example of how he tried to prevent Christ from fulfilling His work of redemption (see p. 3). 2-3).
6.In spite of Satan’s continued attempts to oppose God and His people, how do we know that he will never ultimately succeed (Matt. 16:18; see p. 3)?
7.When will Satan begin to spawn his evil in an unprecedented manner (see p. 3-4)?
8.Although he will have tremendous military backing, how will the Antichrist apparently take over the world (Dan. 11:21; see p. 4)?
9.In what sense will the Antichrist be a religious leader (2 Thess. 2:3-4; see p. 5)?
10.What is amazing about our sophisticated society agreeing to follow the Antichrist (see p. 5)?
11.How will the Antichrist violate his covenant with Israel (see p. 5)?
12.What indicates that the Antichrist will arise out of a revived Roman empire (Dan. 9:26; see p. 5)?
13.What is the irony of Israel’s rejection of the true Shepherd (see p. 5)?
14.How was Zechariah told to characterize the Antichrist (v. 15; see p. 6)?
15.According to verse 16, who allows the Antichrist to arise (see p. 6)?
16.What will the Antichrist neglect to do (v. 16b; see p. 7)?
17.Explain what the Antichrist will do for his personal gain (v. 16c; see p. 7-8)?
18.How does verse 17 symbolize judgment upon the Antichrist (see p. 8)?
19.After the Antichrist is judged in the presence of the Ancient of days in Daniel 7, what fate does he encounter (Dan. 7:12; see p. 9)?
20.What can be seen as a modern-day parallel of the ten kings who will precede the arrival of the Antichrist (see p. 9)?
21.According to Revelation 19:20 and 20:10, where does the Antichrist spend eternity (see p. 10)?
Pondering the Principles
1.It is easy to get caught up in the speculations that often surround end-time events and lose our focus on Christ. Some of the Thessalonians were “shaken in mind” and “troubled” because they thought they had missed the rapture (2 Thess. 2:2). Paul never had an attitude of being so heavenly minded that he was no earthly good. Rather he could say at the end of his life, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is lain up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Tim. 4:7-8). Commit those verses to memory and evaluate where your focus is.
2. It’s easy to be emotionally overwhelmed when considering the intense evil of Satan and the Antichrist. But praise God that the devastation of the Tribulation will end when “the Sun of righteousness [rises] with healing in his wings (Mal. 4:2). Let “A Mighty Fortress I s Our God” by Martin Luther encourage your heart:
And tho this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph thru us.
The prince of darkness grim–we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, For lo! his doom is sure–One little word shall fell him.
Thank the Lord for enabling us to have victory in the spiritual battles we encounter daily.
3. Sadly, the dark cloud of judgment can never be removed from Jewish people who have died, rejecting Christ. Ask the Lord to help you reach out to those who still have time to embrace their Messiah, telling them that their true shepherd still loves them and wants them as His sheep. Praise God also for His mercy in one day regathering His people, even though they will align themselves with the false shepherd.
“This article originally appeared here at Bible Bulletin Board.”
