Rev. David Holwick
First Baptist Church
West Lafayette, Ohio
June 19, 1988
FATHERS' DAY
2 Thessalonians 2:1-12
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I. The Importance of Leadership.
A. Look to leaders to solve problems.
B. Look to leaders to make us feel powerful, significant.
1) Roosevelt, Churchill, Reagan
2) Hitler, Lenin
II. Bible recognizes importance of leadership.
A. Leaders are needed in every level of society
1) Church.
2) Society.
B. Human leadership always bears seeds of destruction.
1) Dictators like Noriega, Pentagon bribery probe.
2) Ultimately, the Antichrist.
III. The Antichrist is a fascinating topic.
A. Not just curiosity -
1) Bible says he is real.
2) May be alive today.
B. Appears in both Old and New Testaments.
IV. Jesus' teaching.
A. Many false christs exist. Matt 24:5
B. Antichrist is a person who desecrates the Temple. Matt 24:15
C. Signal that Tribulation is beginning. Matt 24:21
V. Daniel - Old Testament background
A. Ruler will make a 7 year Covenant with Jews. Dan 9:27
B. Half-way through, halts sacrifices.
C. Puts an abomination (pig) in Temple.
(Jesus says it is antichrist himself who is
abomination, stands in temple.)
D. Magnifies himself above God. Dan 11:36
E. Invades Israel. Dan 11:40
VI. Paul - 2 Thessalonians 2
A. "Man of sin" 2 Th 2:3
1) Still future.
2) Doomed to destruction.
B. Opposes God: 2 Th 2:4
1) Sets self up in Temple.
2) Proclaims himself to be God.
C. His power exists right now. 2 Th 2:7
1) He is being restrained. (2 Th 2:6)
2) When he comes, he will have power of Satan. 2 Th 2:9
D. Wicked (who actually choose it) will be deceived. 2 Th 2:10
VII. John - 1 John 2
A. Many Antichrists have come already. 1 Jn 2:18; 4:3
1) They deny humanity of Jesus. 2 Jn :7
2) They deny messiahship of Jesus. 1 Jn 2:22
B. In Last Days an individual will come.
1) Will come out of Christian Church?
VIII. Book of Revelation
A. Comprehensive:
1) Many details.
2) But complicated - strange symbols.
3) Overlapping of concepts. (read Rev 13:1-3)
B. Summary:
1) Multiple significance -
a) A combination of past world empires. Rev 13:1 / Dan
b) A future empire of 10 nations. Rev 13:1 / 17:9
c) A dynasty of rulers, 5 already dead. Rev 17:9
d) One specific leader out of 10.
1> Individual appears to be slain. Rev 13:3
2> Individual has statue erected. Rev 13:14
2) Reverse image of Jesus -
a) Appears to be slain Rev 13:3
b) Authority over whole world Rev 13:5
c) Demands worship Rev 13:5,12
d) Gives credit to Satan (=Dragon) Rev 13:12
3) Appeals to worldliness -
a) Revives after assassination attempt Rev 13:3
b) Does miracles Rev 13:13
c) Militarily powerful and successful Rev 13:4
4) Demands obedience -
a) Enforces worship Rev 13:12
b) Economic controls Rev 13:16
1> Mark of Beast
2> 666 Rev 13:18
5) Opposes Christians -
a) Makes war on them Rev 13:7
b) Kills many
6) Is defeated by Jesus -
a) At Armageddon Rev 19:20
b) With word from Jesus' mouth 2 Th 2:8
and splendor of his coming
c) Thrown in Lake of Fire. Rev 19:20
Punished forever. Rev 20:10
IX. Application.
A. Whom do you follow and why?
1) Power, might exemplified.
2) Something in it for you.
B. Would you choose Jesus or Antichrist?
C. Would you follow Jesus if it meant hardship,
perhaps even death?
Copyright © 2024 by Rev. David Holwick
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