THE WRONG ONE COMES FIRST
Then he will be revealed, that wicked man whom the Lord Jesus will destroy with the breath of his mouth, and annihilate by the radiance of his coming. But the coming of that wicked man is the work of Satan. 2 Thess. 2:8, 9, N.E.B.
Around the world millions of earnest, Bible-believing Christians are looking forward to the soon return of Jesus Christ. They are anticipating a dramatic pattern of events surrounding His coming: a time of terrible trial, the resurrection of the righteous dead, and the destruction of the wicked. But most important, these Christians are letting this blessed hope shape their daily lives. And I would hope that every reader of these pages would be included in this group!
Sometimes, however, Christians seem almost to compete with one another in asserting how quickly they believe Christ might return. It's as though the ones who believe He could come in a year are more devout than those who suspect ten years to be more likely.
There is a great risk involved for those whose primary concern about Christ's coming is its "soonness," and that is that the wrong "Christ" will get here first. Paul describes the fact that Satan, claiming to be Christ, will make a dramatic, deceptive appearing just prior to Christ's actual second coming. He will employ all his demonic, miracle-working power to sway the emotions of eager believers.
Satan is no fool; he will seek to approximate as closely as he can those qualities that many have hoped to find in Christ. He will heal the sick and even appear to raise the dead. And he will align himself with political powers to seek to enforce peace and unity in a fractured world. Those Christians who have believed all along that this is how God should solve the world's sin problems will gladly give their allegiance to Him.
Every emphasis on the nearness of Christ's coming should be matched with a strong emphasis on just who it is who is coming. The manner and methods of Jesus should be so clear in our minds, in clear contrast to the manner and methods of Satan, that we shall be able to spot the imposter in spite of his drama and power. Every message to the world that Jesus is coming soon should include such a clear and attractive picture of His character that people will indeed be glad to see Him when He arrives!
Then he will be revealed, that wicked man whom the Lord Jesus will destroy with the breath of his mouth, and annihilate by the radiance of his coming. But the coming of that wicked man is the work of Satan. 2 Thess. 2:8, 9, N.E.B.
Around the world millions of earnest, Bible-believing Christians are looking forward to the soon return of Jesus Christ. They are anticipating a dramatic pattern of events surrounding His coming: a time of terrible trial, the resurrection of the righteous dead, and the destruction of the wicked. But most important, these Christians are letting this blessed hope shape their daily lives. And I would hope that every reader of these pages would be included in this group!
Sometimes, however, Christians seem almost to compete with one another in asserting how quickly they believe Christ might return. It's as though the ones who believe He could come in a year are more devout than those who suspect ten years to be more likely.
There is a great risk involved for those whose primary concern about Christ's coming is its "soonness," and that is that the wrong "Christ" will get here first. Paul describes the fact that Satan, claiming to be Christ, will make a dramatic, deceptive appearing just prior to Christ's actual second coming. He will employ all his demonic, miracle-working power to sway the emotions of eager believers.
Satan is no fool; he will seek to approximate as closely as he can those qualities that many have hoped to find in Christ. He will heal the sick and even appear to raise the dead. And he will align himself with political powers to seek to enforce peace and unity in a fractured world. Those Christians who have believed all along that this is how God should solve the world's sin problems will gladly give their allegiance to Him.
Every emphasis on the nearness of Christ's coming should be matched with a strong emphasis on just who it is who is coming. The manner and methods of Jesus should be so clear in our minds, in clear contrast to the manner and methods of Satan, that we shall be able to spot the imposter in spite of his drama and power. Every message to the world that Jesus is coming soon should include such a clear and attractive picture of His character that people will indeed be glad to see Him when He arrives!
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