Dear Mike M. (Churches of Christ) –

The website of Churches of Christ, though for most part intensely evangelical, has committed a glaring oversight by alleging that John’s First Epistle does NOT speak of future, bodily personification of Antichrist. Instead emphasis is upon “spirit of Antichrist” and doctrine that many “antichrists” are gone out into world (which is true) and that he who denies that “Jesus Christ is come in flesh” is indeed antichrist and that there are “many antichrists” that are gone out into world who shall arise in Last Days—yet there shall be embodiment of a future end-times’ person called in Bible: THE ANTICHRIST.

In essence, your site denies tangibility of Antichrist and commits issue to a “spiritual reality” only, while denying preponderance of Biblical justification for such a future reality. Anyone who denies Father and Son bears “spirit of antichrist” only. Yet, you claim there is no such thing as THE Antichrist.

Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

ANTICHRIST AND THE GOG-MAGOG WAR

Prophecy as usual—this is not!

Swirling amidst confusion in Middle East and amidst those in media, think tanks, and Left-Behind-oriented prophecy buffs is a plethora of disjointed and ever-changing analyses and strategic conclusions/confusions which becloud real issues playing out in unfolding apocalyptic drama they interpret. Events twist and turn, but history’s inexorable march to finality confounds skeptic, thwarts agnostic, and befuddles wise in his own conceits.

Yes, this is an eschatological compass which takes its cue from Book, but it’s not what you’d expect, not at all. Of Samuel Huntington’s major civilizations which encompass globe, there are but three that militate against each other: Western, Chinese, and Islamic. All three, according Bible (and this is not a wild eyed conjecture, but a calculated hermeneutic of Scripture) were forecast to clash “in latter days” by Hebrew prophets Isaiah, Zechariah, Daniel and Ezekiel, and were substantiated by New Testament counterparts; namely, Jesus, Paul, and John.

No, “events have not overtaken us” . . . nor do we rely upon their fickle interpretations to fit Biblical account. To contrary, Word of God stands unalterable, unchanging, persistent in its discernment; yet, dynamic in manifestation “by prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations” at close of this age (Romans 16:26a).

The current realignment of nations in Middle East, and for that matter, throughout earth, astounds and comforts, persuades and consoles masses on planet . . . while alerting Gentile World Powers (“to all nations”), their days are numbered, for “with evil intent” have they conspired against His purposes (Zechariah 1:15).