THE SPIRIT OF THE ANTICHRIST EXPOSED (1 John 4:1-3; Revelation 13:1-18)

A Bible Study By Rev. Ernest A. Baker, Sr.

“You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4)

The Spirit Of The Antichrist Exposed (Part One) (1 John 4:1-3; Revelation 13:1-18) I. Introduction A. Words Defined 1. Antichrist – “anti” over against; instead of or in place of. B. The Spirit Of The Antichrist (1 John 4:1-3) 1. Don’t believe “everything” (vs. 1) 2. Assess everything you hear to determine whether it is from God (vs. 1) 3. False prophets are in the world (vs. 1) 4. The “Spirit” of God is that which confesses Jesus the Christ having come in the flesh. (vs. 2) 5. Every spirit that does not confess Jesus is the spirit of the Antichrist (vs. 3) 6. The spirit of the antichrist is already in the world (vs. 3) II. Eschatological Events A. Rapture of the Church (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17) B. Tribulation (Matthew 24:15-28; Revelation Chps. 6-18) 1. Period of seven (7) years 2. The “abomination of desolation” (Cp. Daniel 9:27) C. Millennial Kingdom (Revelation 20:1-6) 1. 1,000 year reign of Christ on earth 2. Satan bound during this period of 1,000 years. D. The Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15) E. The Eternal State (Revelation 21 – 22:1-5) 1. The “New Heaven” and “New Earth”

III. Profile Of The Antichrist (Revelation 13:1-18) A. A Man Possessed By Satan (vss. 1-2) 1. Daniel 7:25; 8:24-25; 11:36-45) 2. “The man of lawlessness” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4) B. One of “Great Authority” (vss. 2,7) 1. Indicated by description of 7 heads, 10 horns, and diadems (also: “bear, leopard and lion” images) 2. Will be a great political ruler

C. He Will Be The Object Of The World’s Worship (vss. 3-4) 1. As a result of a “seeming” supernatural occurrence of a resurrection

D. He Will Blaspheme God (vs. 6) E. He Will Have A “Religious” Companion (vss. 11-18) 1. The “Beast from the earth” or “False Prophet” He will be persuasive, alluring, and charismatic (vs. 11) He will lead the worldwide religion of antichrist worship (vss. 12-15) He will be able to perform “miracles” (vs. 13) He will assist the Antichrist with his evil political agenda (vss. 16-18) NOTE: implies a worldwide economy and currency IV. We Don’t Have To Worry !!! (2 Thessalonians 2:8-15)

The Spirit Of The Antichrist Exposed (Part Two) (1 John 4:1-3; Revelation 13:1-18)

I. Introduction/ Review A. Words Defined 1. antichrist “anti” a) “over against” b) intead of or in place of. Hence, the Antichrist is the one who is against Christ, and the one who imitates Christ, as well as the “spirit” of the same. 2. spirit – a pervading animating principle, essential or characteristic quality, or prevailing tendency or attitude. B. Review 1. The spirit of “the” Antichrist is already in the world (1 John 4:3); as opposed to “a” antichrist spirit. 2. The Antichrist will advance the agenda of Satan on the earth (Revelation 13:1-18) C. Satan and the “World” 1. Seeks to “steal, kill, and destroy” (John 10:10) 2. He is ruler of this world (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11) * also, “god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:4) 3. world (Gr. kosmos) the spiritual invisible “system” dominated by Satan. II.

Predominant “Systems” Of The World A. Economy 1. economy – (Gr. oikonomia) – “household management”. A system of producing, distributing, and consuming wealth. 2. under Satan’s control, since it is part of the “world’s” system * Cp. Satan’s attempt to tempt Jesus (Matthew 4:8-9) * Satan as the “devourer” (Malachi 3:11) 3. impacts the Christian’s living in this world.

B. Media 1. media – all the means of communication that provide the public with news, entertainment, and advertisement. 2. controlled by Satan (i.e. “… prince of the power of the air… “ Ephesians 2:2) * the promotion of heretical philosophies, teachings, books, etc… by “celebrities” * the display of graphic promiscuous and violent scenes and language through the mediums of radio, television, and the internet. C. Politics 1. politics – the science of government (i.e. the “world”) 2. the rigidity of partisan politics * its affect on Christian concerns such as same sex marriage and abortion 3. “What about other issues such as the economy, education, unemployment, etc..?” * The Christian is essentially a “citizen” of another “world” (Cp. Philippians 3:20; Matthew 6:33) 4. The Christian must NOT conform! (Romans 12:2) III. Greater Is He Who Is In Us!!! (1 John 4:4) A. We Are Overcomers