155. The Anti-Christ and the End Times

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Have you ever wondered about what the Bible really says regarding the Antichrist and end times? In this thought-provoking episode of Coffee Talk, we unpack these challenging but crucial biblical teachings without sensationalism or fear-mongering.

The Antichrist isn't merely someone who opposes Christ – Scripture reveals him as a counterfeit who will present himself as God. Drawing from 2 Thessalonians 2 and 1 John 2, we explore how this "man of lawlessness" will deceive nations through false promises before revealing his true intentions. Most sobering is the revelation that the spirit of antichrist is already at work in our world today.

Jesus himself gave us specific signs to watch for: wars, natural disasters, widespread deception, and the love of many growing cold. These birth pains are intensifying around us, but our response shouldn't be fear. Instead, we're called to spiritual vigilance – staying rooted in Scripture, maintaining a close relationship with Christ, and living with readiness for His return. As believers, we can navigate these challenging times with discernment rather than alarm.

Whether you're new to these concepts or have studied them for years, this episode offers biblical clarity on recognizing deception and standing firm in truth. We conclude with practical reflection questions to evaluate your spiritual readiness and vigilance. Remember, our ultimate hope isn't in understanding every detail of end-time prophecy, but in knowing that our Redeemer is coming soon.

Join us on Instagram and Facebook @TheRadiantMission or on YouTube by searching for Rebecca Twomey to continue the conversation about living faithfully in these significant times.

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Episode Transcript

Rebecca Twomey (00:31):
The Welcome back to Coffee Talk on the Radiant
Mission Podcast.
I am your host, Rebecca Twomey,and today we are diving into a
sobering but critical topic theAntichrist and the end times.
These are subjects that stircuriosity, fear and sometimes

(00:58):
even confusion, but the Bibletells us not to be ignorant of
these things.
But the Bible tells us not tobe ignorant of these things.
Instead, we are called to watch, to be ready and to cling to
Christ as deception increases inthe world.
We're going to go ahead andjust dive right in.
Who is the Antichrist?

(01:19):
The Bible describes theAntichrist as a figure who will
rise to power in the last days.
His goals are to oppose God,deceive nations and exalt
himself.
Above all, in 2 Thessalonians 2, verses 3-4, paul writes Don't
let anyone deceive you in anyway, for that day will not come

(01:43):
until the rebellion occurs andthe man of lawlessness is
revealed, the man doomed todestruction.
He will oppose and will exalthimself over everything that is
called god or is worshipped, sothat he sets himself up in god's
temple proclaiming to be Godhimself.

(02:04):
This passage makes it clear theAntichrist will not simply be
anti, as in against Christ, butalso a counterfeit, presenting
himself as if he were God.
This deception will be sostrong that many will be led

(02:27):
astray, and the spirit of theAntichrist is already at work.
You guys, john, told us backway back in 1 John 2.18, dear
children, this is the last hourand as you have heard that the
Antichrist is coming even now.

(02:47):
Many Antichrists have come.
The spirit of deception hasbeen at work for centuries,
manifesting in false teachers,corrupt rulers and systems that
oppose God.
But the Bible indicates therewill be a final Antichrist who
embodies ultimate rebellion.

(03:10):
Some signs of the end times.
Jesus himself outlined thesesigns of the end times in
Matthew 24.
Wars and rumors of wars, nationrising against nation, famines
and earthquakes in variousplaces and increased wickedness

(03:32):
and the love of many growingcold.
We can look at the world aroundus and recognize that these
signs are already here andthey're becoming more frequent
and more intense, almost likethe birth pains leading to the
eventual birth.

(03:53):
And something that I want tofocus on for a moment is that
deception is going to be rampant.
One of the strongest warnings inscripture about the end times
is deception.
Jesus repeats in Matthew 24, 4,watch out that no one deceives
you.
Deception is going to comethrough false prophets, through

(04:16):
counterfeit miracles and smoothwords that tickle ears, and
likely through technology, andpeople will want teachers who
affirm their desires rather thanspeak the truth.
The Antichrist will exploitthis weakness and he will gain
followers by promises of peace,prosperity and unity before

(04:41):
revealing his true, evilintentions.
Why does this matter now?
And you may be wondering, whyshould I care if these things
haven't happened yet?
The truth is, we don't know howclose we are.
The Bible tells us the day ofthe Lord will come like a thief

(05:01):
in the night, in 1 Thessalonians5.2.
And that means that it will besudden and unexpected, but for
believers who are watchful, itwon't catch us off guard.
We are told to stay awake, tolive with urgency and to keep
our lamps burning, like the wiseversions in Matthew 25.

(05:26):
So how do you guard againstdeception?
There's a few ways that you canstand firm.
First and foremost, stay rootedin scripture.
Know what God's word says soyou can recognize lies.
Number two, abide in Christ.

(05:47):
A close relationship with Jesusis your strongest defense
against deception.
And number three, be alert andprayerful.
Watch the times, but don't letfear consume you.
Instead, let it fuel your faithand your readiness.
Let's talk a little bit aboutthat call to readiness.

(06:07):
The Antichrist may not yet berevealed, but the spirit of
deception is all around us,whether that's through false
religions, distorted worldviewsor even subtle compromises.
Satan is preparing the world toreceive him.
As Christians, our response isnot fear but faith.

(06:28):
We cling to Christ, we testeverything against scripture and
we live with urgency urgencyknowing that our Redeemer is
coming soon.
So a few reflection questionsfor today.
How can you personally stayrooted in truth when deception
abounds?
What signs of the end times doyou see most clearly in today's

(06:53):
world times do you see mostclearly in today's world, and
are you living with readinessand urgency for Christ's return,
or have you grown spirituallycomplacent?
Thank you so much for joining mefor this important conversation
on Coffee Talk.
Please stay alert, stayprayerful and, most importantly,

(07:14):
alert, stay prayerful and, mostimportantly, stay close to
Christ.
If you would like to join themission outside of the podcast,
you can do so by joining onInstagram at the Radiant Mission
, on Facebook at the RadiantMission Podcast, or you can find
these episodes on YouTube bysearching for my name, rebecca
Toomey, and my last name isspelled T-W-O-M-E-Y.

(07:36):
Today I'm going to close withRevelation 3.11.
I am coming soon.
Hold on to what you have sothat no one will take your crown
.
Wishing you a radiant week andI'll see you next time.