A lot of folks seem to be looking for some great magician to come on the scene, someone to really WOW the world and cause them to believe that God is speaking through him. I have to wonder, though, how atheists would receive such a person. Why would they suddenly believe God exists, simply because someone is wowing the crowds and claiming to be God’s representative on earth? While such a thing may be a great Hollywood box office hit, I don’t believe this idea works in our culture, and, quite frankly, preaching it makes Christianity look foolish.
First of all the Bible doesn’t teach anything like this kind of thing, but let’s take a look at some of the passages that are used to say that such an individual is about to appear on the scene. Matthew tells us:
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (Matthew 24:24 KJV)
The Greek word for ‘signs’ in the text above does not have to have a supernatural meaning attached to it. It can mean “sign, miracle, token, wonder” (semeion G4592). It is used of Judas’ giving a ‘kiss’ as a sign (G4592) to those with him that that one was Jesus (Matthew 26:48). It is also used of circumcision, showing it was a sign of righteousness (Romans 4:11). It is used of the Jews ability to discern weather patterns but lacking the ability to discern the signs of the times (Matthew 16:3). It is also used for Paul’s signature on an epistle, as a token that the letter was from him. If we believe the word has a supernatural meaning attached to it when we read about the Antichrist, it is a meaning we, and not necessarily the text, is placing upon the word. In other words, we are saying Antichrist is able to perform supernatural wonders, but the scriptures actually say nothing of the kind. The meaning of the word is understood in its context.
What do the Scriptures say? Well, one of the most telling verses is found in Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians. He tells us that Jesus will destroy the Man of Sin with the brightness of his coming! What does Paul tell us about this Man of Sin? He says that this evil person will come on the scene according to the work or will of the enemy (Satan), someone who opposes God. This Son of Perdition will work signs and lying wonders (2Thessalonians 2:1-6, 8-10). What sort of signs would this man work, if his “wonders” were not authentic? If the “wonders” were lies or not real, could his “signs” be miraculous? No! They could not. They would be like Judas’ kiss or Paul’s signature. He would deceive people by telling them that something that occurred represented the judgment of God. Some real occurrence, like a famine, would be turned into a ‘sign’ from heaven, and its meaning would be defined by the Man of Sin. These occurrences were not done specifically by him, but they were defined by him in order to deceive the people and lead them away from God and his Gospel.
His work would be characterized as that of the enemy, according to Paul (2Thessalonians 2:9), and his effort would be to deceive the people (2Thessalonians 2:9-10). Moreover, this would be possible, because the people would be very willing to believe this man, rather than what the Apostles preached, and that is why the lie, and in point of fact why any lie, works. Of and by himself, he would have no power to deceive, but God sent the people strong delusion, because they would rather believe the Man of Sin, who claimed to be his representative (2Thessalonians 2:4),[1] than the true messengers of God—the Apostles (2Thessalonians 2:11-12).
Remember, all this was done in the first century AD. Many today try to tell us that these things must occur in our own time, but the word of God says no such thing. Don’t be deceived; don’t be willing to believe a lie. These things do not foretell the Lord’s coming to us, rather, they foretold his coming at the time of the Apostles!
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