Satan’s PR Man

So, last week was the beginning to the study in Revelation. It is obvious by the vast amounts of comments received last week, note the sarcasm, that we are very excited to study Revelation. So, this week we have another treat, a study on the antichrist. Throughout history different people have been thought to be the antichrist. I would imagine many evil rulers appeared at the time to be this character. Men like Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini, as well as other evil leaders throughout history would have seemed logical applicants for this position. They demanded complete submission and assumed total power of their nations. Their evil acts seem incomprehensible. The deaths of millions and millions of people assured these men their power. But, as I read through Revelation, I am not so sure the antichrist will seem all that bad. It seems actually that he will be liked and adored by many people. Many will be led astray by his wondrous acts. He will amaze many people and they will follow and worship him. At some point he will demand absolute power and require people to wear the mark. Exactly what that mark is I am not sure, but it will be a sign for all to see.

As I was talking to Michael Kelley this week, we were discussing how Apple is currently taking over the computer industry. We checked out the new “mobile me” system Apple has created. If you have not checked it out, it is quite fascinating. Just go to me.com and see how they are syncing everything together. We both kinda joked that maybe Steve Jobs was the antichrist. People are amazed by his “powers” and the Apple logo is found everywhere now. Even though we were totally joking, it is this type of figure that appears to be portrayed as the antichrist. Not necessarily the evil monster we sometimes think, but rather a beautiful person with amazing power and charisma. People will be amazed by what he will do and will gladly follow him and wear his sign. I think possibly the evil side will only be seen when people oppose him, like the people following Christ. Then the beast will show his ugly side. This figure will persecute everyone that follows Christ and will be worshipped be everyone that doesn’t.

There are two things I want to throw out there about this study. Throughout history, satan has used every tactic is his arsenal to draw people away from Christ. The antichrist will simply continue that. All the power he will have will be to convince people to turn from Christ and worship satan. His reign of power will be a great time of persecution for the church, but his time is limited. He will only be allowed to blaspheme God and persecute for a given period of time. Second, he will demand people to wear a sign of loyalty to him. It is here I want to make a point. What sign are you currently wearing? I am not talking about your WWJD bracelet, but rather the sign of your life. When people look at you and your life, what do they see? I desperately want them to see Christ. I want people to know I am a Christian by the way I live my life. So when the time comes to wear a mark, I am thankful I will already be wearing one. What about you? What sign is seen by those around you?