What if....... part 2

     Do you know what it's like to believe something with all your heart and then suddenly, as if a curtain is opened, you see that thing in a totally different light?  Perhaps you have never had that happen.  If you haven't, let me tell you how absolutely awe inspiring it is! 

     Not too long ago I was having a conversation with a friend about current world events and I made an off the cuff remark.  Later I began thinking about what I had said and thought, hmmm what if....

     I now want to throw that idea out to you as well.  Within Christianity we have been taught that the anti-Christ is a person.  A charismatic person who will be so persuasive as to gain the confidence of the entire world.

     Now let me give you a what if.  What if the anti-Christ is not a person, but people.....a group of people?  In the days of Jesus there was an anti-Christ, but it wasn't one single person.  It was a group. In His day he was followed by throngs of common people and many of the religious leaders, but one group of people sought to take Him down. 

     They believed with all their hearts they were in the right.  They were, after all, the keepers of God's word.  They were the ones who had interpreted it, more clearly defined it, taught it, and carried out judgement on those who went against it.  They did their best to ensure that no one interfered with their interpretation and instruction.  They had become so self absorbed they could no longer hear the voice of God and in their zeal to uphold what they believed about the Messiah they actually were in opposition to Him and His teachings.  They had become so obsessed with the "Word" they were hearing it, but not doing it.

     Now if it is true as Solomon exclaimed in Proverbs that there is nothing new under the sun, then can we take the first anti-Christ and make a correlation?  If so, is the next anti-Christ the same?  If we read the entire Bible we can see that the same story seems to be repeating itself over and over, yet with a different generation and a slightly clearer picture.  Taking these things into consideration, could the anti-Christ be a similar group?

     Could these people be ones who believe with all their hearts they are in the right?  Could they be the keepers of God's word?  Could they be the ones who interpret it, more clearly define it, teach it, and carry out judgement on those who go against it?  Could they be people who do their best to ensure that no one interferes with their interpretation and instruction?  Could they be considered people who are self absorbed and can no longer hear the voice of God, and in their zeal to uphold what they believe about the Messiah unwittingly be thwarting Him and His teachings?  Could they be so obsessed with the "Word" they are hearing it, but not doing it?

     I am not making a prediction nor am I saying this is absolute truth, just throwing out an idea for you to think about.  If what I wrote about in part 1 of this post is true and that the first anti-Christ was the religious leaders and their faithful followers, could the correct interpretation of who the anti-Christ is actually be the "modern church" and it's followers?  I will just leave this idea here.  Remember it is just a thought of what if....

     Shalom!