End times activities
I have often wondered if our position that the pope is the Antichrist (which I believe of course) is subject to a fuller expression close to the end of time. What do you make of the claims that there will be a one world government, one world religion and coming "Great Deception" that could facilitate this one world religion? I accept the WELS position of amillennialism, but I do see trends in the world that are moving toward globalism, the ecumenicalism that is so rampant, and the talk I hear in the media and conspiracy groups who believe that people could eventually be implanted with micro-chips in the hand and forehead. From a confessional Lutheran perspective, how should I view these events in our world? Will the work of the Antichrist intensify at the end, and what is "Satan's Little Season" and what do we make of this talk of one world government, religion etc? Is that taught in the Book of Revelation? Thank you.
Scripture speaks of “antichrists” (1 John 2:18) and a great Antichrist (2 Thessalonians 2). The Antichrist whom Paul describes is not a world ruler but someone who “sets himself up in God’s temple” (2 Thessalonians 2:4); he is someone in the church.
When it comes to conditions in the world, as we live in the “last days” (Hebrews 1:2), Scripture paints a picture of “terrible times” (2 Timothy 3:1-9). Jesus spoke of calamities that would take place (Matthew 24:4-13). He even asked the haunting question, “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8)
Revelation 20:7-10 describes Satan’s final, futile effort to overthrow Jesus Christ and his church. In a time period shortly before the last day, God will allow Satan to have more freedom and flexibility to carry out his dastardly work. Satan will enlist the help of his followers in church and government as he mounts a final assault that will end disastrously for him and his followers.
Are we living in that time period described in Revelation 20? God knows, but we do not know. In classes, I often answer that question with other questions: “As bad as it is right now, could things get worse? Could things get worse for Christians? Could things get worse for Christians in the United States?” The answers are usually “yes.” Finally, we don’t know where we are on God’s timeline to Judgment Day.
What we do know is that Jesus has defeated all our spiritual enemies—sin, Satan, hell and death—and through faith in him we are victorious over all those enemies.