Brainerd Dispatch Article, by Pastor Eric: June 19, 2018

The Bible is Truth. Truth about God and truth about humanity. The Bible also tells the end of history; that in the last days, there will be times of difficulty, which will be full of human and supernatural conflict, climaxed by the coming of an adversary of God, called in Scripture of the Man of Lawlessness, or the Anti-Christ.  

II Thessalonians 2:3-4 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.  

So why will many follow him?

Simple. No human remains neutral when it comes to the heart; Human are born needy of something to worship; which makes them feel compete and safe.

Peruse the Christian best-sellers list: How God-ward are most of the titles? Or are most expecting God to make us feel good today? Are the majority focused on making the Christian life more easier?

Ask people to evaluate their church: so often you hear about what people feel, see and enjoy

Enter the Anti-Christ. He is a complete tyrant, but he doesn’t look that way….for Anti-Christ is the embodiment of everything we wish God to be. The Anti-Christ is impressive; He counters every disappoint with the slowness of God;

Does not God often seem to be silent, or behind-the-times?

For the truth is that our Flesh, our natural sinful, fallen desires want and earthly messiah. We will readily follow and sell-out someone who gives us all now, who seems to give everything Jesus has failed to deliver to our expectations, who gives us religion and provision, power and prestige. This is the hell-bound, deceptive work of the final Anti-Christ and all in this age with the spirit of Anti-Christ (I John 2:18)

Who is the True Christ then? The Lord Jesus was tempted by Satan, and in Matthew 4:1-11 refused earthly success, earthy religion of sight and feel: Provision, Power, Prestige…

Why? the Lord Jesus Christ met our deepest needs: our sin problem; not what we feel we need.

He was a Prophet–We need truth—or our eternal souls, in a world of lies.

He was a Priest–We need a sacrifice to offer God; for the eternal penalty of our sin.

He is the true King–We need eternal victory, triumph–over the World, flesh and Devil

The Lord Jesus laid down his life for the sheep; to save us from eternal hell, the Anti-Christs never do this.

Who is the end of true Faith? What is it’s object? The true messiah, Jesus Christ: He was killed for sinners and raised from the dead. He is alive still. We thank him, receive him with reverence repentance, and worship. In Him we have life. He is our Priest, prophet and and King: the true need our our souls. And if your faith is in Him alone, trusting in his Word, repenting of trusting in yourself and all the anti-christs in the world, you will received sight someday in the new heavens and new earth.   

II Thessalonians 2:14-15 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.