The Day of Christ’s return is described many times in Scripture as a thief [Matthew 24:43; 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 3:3; 16:15]. We are also told it will not be as a thief to those of us who are in the light, to those of us who are spiritually diligent. It will only be as a thief to those who are in darkness [1 Thessalonians 5:4-6]. How are we to be spiritually diligent? We are to be spiritually diligent by pursuing a relationship with Jesus Christ, from where true spirituality comes [John 14:6].
My concern is that there is an area where the Church as a whole is in darkness. It concerns God’s prophetic Word about these days we are in. My concern is that while we have been focusing our attention on Europe for the rise of the Antichrist, it is he who is coming upon us as a thief from the Middle-East in the guise of peaceful Islam. My concern is that we can’t warn others of the danger that is coming if we don’t know we should be warning them. My Concern is that while our attention has been diverted to one area of the world because of errant Bible interpretation, there is grave trouble brewing in another that could have devastating spiritual consequences if it is not recognized for what it is. My concern is that many people will needlessly suffer, perhaps never coming to know Christ at all, as a result of our blindness in this area. This highlights our unique role as the Church during this period of our existence.
The kingdom of the Antichrist is pressing against us. We should be purposeful in telling others about Christ.
The danger at our door. Consider that our media has taught us more about Islam and Sharia Law over the last decade than it ever has about Christianity, more than we should ever care to know. Consider that we are still teaching people about a European Antichrist and a revived Roman Empire while the hatred of Islam is flooding our news channels and spreading around the world. Do Christians ask themselves why? I’ve visited countless prophecy sites promoting a revived Roman Empire only to see all their current news headlines dominated by the conflict between Israel and Islam in the Middle-East.
It’s time to abandon the European Antichrist model. You may be thinking Scripture teaches us that Rome will be the revived kingdom of the Antichrist. I mean, even the uninspired passage titles and commentaries tell us this, right? Consider what one of the angels who helped deliver Daniel’s prophecy told him.
“But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase.” [Dan 12:4 NASB]
In proper context, this verse means at the time of the end many people will be searching the pages of Daniel’s book for prophetic insight because their knowledge will have increased. Knowledge of what? Their knowledge of history and current world trends. This can only happen with the unfolding of time that reveals these things to us. So, what does history tell us? It tells us Rome has waned many centuries ago, and that there is a kingdom rising again right now seeking to govern the world with the help of our current world leaders.
Secular analysis fails to recognize the severity of the concern. While some secular analysts may do a fine job at analyzing the times, there is no eternal perspective involved. I believe Christians are uniquely positioned to be at the forefront of such analysis. We have a promise from God and a road map of the future! Secular analysts may be keen to world trends and events but they lack a certain truth and comprehensive purpose in their insights that can only be found in God’s Word. Therefore, their analysis is deprived of the full reality of the things that are happening.
P2ALM 