1. Understanding the Age of the Antichrist
Family Worship Center
August 14, 2016
Pastor Rich Oertel

2. We should be looking for - preparing for - the coming of Jesus Christ – not for “The Antichrist!”

3. 1 John 2:18
Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.

4. 1 John 2:18
Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.

5. 1 John 2:18
Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.

6. 1 John 2:18
Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.

7. Antichrist
One who denies or opposes Christ; specifically :  a great antagonist expected to fill the world with wickedness but to be conquered forever by Christ at his second coming
A false Christ

8. Antichrist
One who denies or opposes Christ; specifically :  a great antagonist expected to fill the world with wickedness but to be conquered forever by Christ at his second coming
A false Christ

10. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God. (NIV)

11. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God. (NIV)

12. Secret Power of Lawlessness
The “secret power of lawlessness” already at work in the world must intensify – 2 Thess. 2:7

13. Secret Power of Lawlessness
The “secret power of lawlessness” already at work in the world must intensify – 2 Thess. 2:7
The “falling away” or “rebellion” must come – 2 Thess. 2:3-4

14. Secret Power of Lawlessness
The “secret power of lawlessness” already at work in the world must intensify – 2 Thess. 2:7
The “falling away” or “rebellion” must come – 2 Thess. 2:3-4
“the one who now holds it back” must be removed – 2 Thess. 2:7

15. Secret Power of Lawlessness
2 Thessalonians 2:7
For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.

16. "At the risk of appearing predictable, the Bible was and remains the biggest influence on my thinking. I was raised reading it, memorizing passages from it and being guided by it. I still find it a source of wisdom, comfort and encouragement.“
Hilary Clinton interview with Sunday's New York Times Book Review

18. “… right here in the United States.”
“…and deep-seated cultural codes, RELIGIOUS BELIEFS, and structural biases have to be changed…”
“… right here in the United States.”
Hilary Clinton video at Women in the World Conference

19. “… right here in the United States.”
“…and deep-seated cultural codes, RELIGIOUS BELIEFS, and structural biases have to be changed…”
“… right here in the United States.”
Hilary Clinton video at Women in the World Conference

20. Secret Power of Lawlessness
Matthew 24:10-12
“the love of many will grow cold.”

21. Secret Power of Lawlessness
Matthew 24:13-14
13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

22. Secret Power of Lawlessness
Ephesians 6:13
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

23. “Rebellion” or “Falling Away”
2 Thessalonians 2:3
Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away (rebellion) comes first, …

24. “Rebellion” or “Falling Away”
Matthew 24:11-12
Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.

25. “Rebellion” or “Falling Away”
2 Timothy 4:3-4
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

26. “Rebellion” or “Falling Away”
Theological apostasy
– the departure from and rejection of a part or all of the original teachings of Christ and the apostles

27. “Rebellion” or “Falling Away”
Theological apostasy
– the departure from and rejection of a part or all of the original teachings of Christ and the apostles
Moral apostasy
– the severing of one’s saving relationship with Christ and returning to sin and immorality

28. “Rebellion” or “Falling Away”
Moral apostasy
…to radically renounce sin
Romans 8:13
 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

29. “Rebellion” or “Falling Away”
Moral apostasy
… to sacrifice for God’s kingdom
2 Timothy 3:1-5 …2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power.

30. The “Day of the Lord”
1 Thessalonians 5:8-11
But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

31. Before The “Day of the Lord”
1 Thessalonians 2:3-4
 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.

32. Before The “Day of the Lord”
1 Thessalonians 2:6-7
6 And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. 7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.

33. Before The “Day of the Lord”
1 Thessalonians 2:6-7
6 And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. 7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.

35. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15
… God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.