The Image of Evil
Is this the image of the Antichrist?
In light of prophetic events on the global horizon, it seems appropriate to raise this thought as something all Christians might reasonably consider. The implications are consistent with my last post on false Prophets. Still, I’m not attempting to convey any absolute theological position about future events, or this image as an exact representation of the antichrist. However, it’s curious to ponder the narrative below and seriously question the degree to which deception must be deceptive, to deceive.
Mar 13:21-23: At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Messiah!' or, 'Look, there he is!' do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.
Most Western Christians have grown up with this sanitized image of Jesus Christ, and I imagine most of us might feel some degree of affinity with the sentiment it conveys. We might easily imagine Jesus walking in Galilee with the Disciples, dying on the cross, or coming on the clouds of heaven at the end of days.
As intelligent, rational, and bible believing Christians most of us might believe such false Messiahs or Prophets could never deceive us, and these warnings were written for everyone else. So how would we describe the “everyone else” these warnings were written too?
For the false to deceive, the false must be convincing, someone or something we recognise, something or someone we trust and expect. It must be believable, easily recognised and deserving of our love, trust, and hope. I imagine it would be difficult for a false Prophet or Messiah to successfully deceive the Church if they came as someone who epitomized evil and looked like a devil. Or one who opposed everything the body of Christ exemplifies and stands for.
I’ll finish this by stating that my appraisal is based on educated speculation because we don’t know the details of future events. However, the image above could be like the coming antichrist, so it’s reasonable to raise the question. Those who profess a relationship with Jesus Christ should be fully prepared for any prophetic event in the coming years.
