SUPPLEMENTAL SCRIPTURES
- 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12
The name Antichrist introduces to us one who is absolutely opposed to Jesus Christ. The spirit of antichrist is already in the world, working in the children of disobedience. As Jesus Christ is the express image of God, so it appears that the Antichrist is the culminating manifestation of Satan. Also known as the Beast, his coming is through Satan who gives him power to work signs and lying wonders. His reign during the Tribulation will be ushered in by flatteries, prosperity, and a call for peace, but he will cause all, both small and great, whose names are not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, to take a mark which seals their doom.
QUESTIONS
- What is another name given for the Antichrist? Using 2 John 7 as a reference, explain the purpose of the Antichrist.
- Since the spirit of antichrist is in the world today, how can we avoid being deceived? The answer can be found in 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12.
- Using Matthew 24:24, tell how the spirit of antichrist will work, and the schemes that will be used.
- As the Antichrist gains control of the world during the Tribulation period, those who follow him will wear an identifying mark. What are the consequences of having the mark?
- Anyone who does not take the mark will not be allowed to buy or sell. The Antichrist will have complete control of all the world’s economy: commercial, political, and religious. Name some specific aspects of your own life which would be affected by such control.
- What role does the false prophet perform during the Tribulation period? See Revelation 19:20.
- What will be the end of the Beast (Antichrist), the false prophet, and the devil? See Revelation 20:10.
- What can we do each day to be accounted worthy to escape all these things and to be ready to stand faultless before the Son of Man? See Luke 21:36.
THEME THOUGHTS
Time is running out! The human race today is facing a crisis that is literally unimaginable for most people. But indicators in God’s Word reveal that the dramatic events happening all around us signal the end time is at hand. In this quarter we will be delving into these events and their meanings in light of prophecy. In the heart of every true believer is the assurance that Jesus Christ will come back to earth and deal with the insurmountable troubles that face this globe, and will establish His dominion here upon earth. This quarter revolves around the statements made by a group of ancient Hebrew prophets, whose predictions and statements have the stamp of divine authenticity. Much of what they prophesied is yet to come. But we can have confidence in their predictions. All of their prophecies whose time for fulfillment has already come have been literally fulfilled with 100 percent accuracy. The events detailed by John in the Book of Revelation are interwoven with these earlier prophecies. The first lesson focusses on Christ. By establishing the validity of prophetic statements concerning Him, we provide a basis for the remaining lessons in the quarter and for our faith that soon the end-time prophecies will be fulfilled. The second lesson moves on to explore prophecies concerning the nation of Israel which have already been fulfilled. The third lesson, Signs of the Times, establishes where we now stand on the time-line of history. Succeeding lessons move on into events prophesied which are yet to come. The purpose of this quarter is to help us understand the events we are facing in this world and to recognize the urgency of being ready for the most exciting and glorious event of all—the Rapture of the Church.