An End Times Sign

Wars. Rumors of wars. Famine. Earthquakes.

These are signs of Jesus’s second coming found in Matthew 24. However, we are studying 2 Thessalonians, and in Chapter 2, the Apostle Paul tells us another sign of the Lord’s Day. Paul wrote, “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.”

Paul also wrote that this man, this lawless one, this man of sin, would have power, and perform signs and lying wonders under the power given to him by Satan (2 Thessalonians 2:9). Paul is not the only man of God who prophesied about the lawless one. This was also revealed to John in the Book of Revelation.

In Revelation 13, John documented what he saw in a vision given to him by Jesus: A beast rising from the sea, and given power, a throne, and great authority from the dragon, Satan (v.2). This beast blasphemed God, His name, His temple, and all those in heaven– it also made war with God’s people and overcame them and was given authority over every tribe, tongue and nation(v. 6-7).

With the beasts' power and deceptive miracles, the great falling away will occur. The signs and wonders performed by this beast and by the second beast listed in Revelation 13 will be so great that people will begin to worship the beast. The Bible says this lawless one will be able to even make fire rain down from heaven. Isn’t that what Elijah, God’s mighty prophet, did in 1 Kings 18?

This beast will do things so magical that people will believe he is God. For example, John also revealed that the second beast would command the people to make an image of the first beast, and he would make the image speak. And if the people would not worship the image, the image itself would kill those who would not worship the image. Reader … are you hearing me?

This second beast would essentially make people create an image of the first beast, and then make that image come to life. That image would then kill those who would not worship it. Imagine this. An inanimate object, a non-living thing (like a statue) coming alive, speaking, and killing those who do not worship it. This is the type of power and authority that these two beasts will have. And their power will come from Satan.

John wrote that everyone, except those whose names were written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, would worship this entity. And if we are ignorant of the truth, honestly, I understand how one would believe that these beasts are gods. I imagine the beasts will mock God’s people and declare our God is not real because of the blasphemy and murder of God's children. With the beast's power on full display and God’s people being killed, believers will look ridiculous for believing in a God who allows such tragedy. We won’t even be allowed to buy and sell goods or services without the mark of the beast, 666.

What will the believers do for food? What will we do for income? If Christians don’t fall in line with the beasts’ orders, we die. There’s no other option. And this is why knowing God’s word is important. We need to know that there will come a time when death or worshipping the beast will be the only two options. What would you choose?

But if we remember those who came before us, we would recall that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did not bow down to the image of the king (Daniel 10). They decided that even if they died in the fiery furnace, they would only worship God. They were tested by the king. And either we, or our descendants, will be tested by the beast. May we remember this account and teach our children and others so that when we are asked to worship, we will choose to only worship the true living God.

Paul and John both prophesied about these beasts. It is an end times sign. This beast will come and present itself as God and the great falling away will occur because people will believe the deceptive signs and wonders. Recall even the magicians of Egypt were able to perform the same signs Moses performed (Exodus 7).

This is why it’s so important to know what will come. We can’t be deceived if we already know the truth. Paul wrote that they were deceived “because they did not receive the love of the truth.” (2 Thessalonians 2:10). Therefore, they believed the lie and were condemned.

But we have the truth. God was gracious enough to tell us what would happen so that we won’t be blindsided. Paul encouraged the church at Thessalonica to stand fast in their faith despite the coming of the lawless one. John wrote, “Here is the patience and the faith of the saints” (Revelation 13:10) because this will undoubtedly be a hard time for believers that will require faith in God and patience for Christ's return.

Yet, when Christ comes down from heaven on that white horse with his army of angels, the enemies of God will be thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 19). And at last, the Book of Life will be opened and that Day of Judgment will begin. Those who worshipped the beast will not inherit the kingdom, but those who stood ten toes down on God and His Word, despite the threatening and harmful power of the beast, will reign with God in a restored Eden forever, and ever. Amen.

Reader, that’s all I have for you today. I just wanted to remind you of an End Times sign that’s found in 2 Thessalonians 2 as well as Revelations 13. It’s good to keep these things in mind. It’s even better to pass the information to our children and others so that we are all prepared and know what to expect. And although it will be a testing of the saints' faith, victory is guaranteed for those who remain in the Lord.

May God bless you and keep you is my prayer. Until next time, take care.

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Thank you for reading this week's Write On! Wednesday article. The Now That's A Word! YouTube Channel is here: http://YouTube.com/@nowthatsaword

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Sincerely,

Quin Arrington