In an earlier series of postings I noted that historically certain events have taken place according to a repetition format. Over time, sometimes hundreds of years, the same things tend to happen time and again, each time involving a different, very powerful man living during that era. In the 2nd Thessalonians 2:8-12 and Revelation 13:11-16 passages we see this phenomenon being played out.  In the Revelation sequence it is prophesied to happen in the future during a time called the “Great Tribulation.” The final human manifestation of this power is referred to as “that Wicked,” the “First Beast” and the “Antichrist,” whom I believe will be the leader of the revised Roman Empire, today known as the European Union. Claiming to be the world’s messiah, that Wicked (one)–the Beast, Antichrist–will rule the earth’s masses during the last 3 1/2 years of the age. With the help of the False Prophet–Second Beast–his global empire will create havoc for a short period of time before being destroyed by the Lord Jesus Christ following His Second Coming.

In the Thessalonian-Revelation sequences we learn that the repetition format is operating under the power of Satan (2 Thes. 2:9)–the same source of power behind every such manifestation that has taken place throughout the history of mankind. In each case Satan spiritually empowered a certain man to do his bidding. An example of the transferal of Satan’s spirit to a man is given in the Books of First and Second Kings where we find Jeroboam, King of Israel, being described using such terms as “wicked” and “evil.” Many of the kings of Israel that followed him were condemned by God for committing the “sins of Jeroboam,” meaning that they operated in the “spirit of Jeroboam” who received that evil spirit from Satan.

Note that the transferal of spirit is not necessarily evil. In Luke 1:17 we are told that John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elijah, who had been empowered by the Spirit of God. True ministers of God operate in and by the power of that same Spirit today. This Spirit-transfer is not limited to God’s ministers. We find that same Spirit operating in all of God’s people, enabling them to overcome Satan’s temptations to sin (Rev. 3:21) and to “walk even as He walked” (1 Jn. 2:6) while He was on earth. It is only through the indwelling Holy Spirit that men can live in obedience to the Lord by obeying His Ten Commandments–His eternal, stone-etched Law of life.

In 2nd Thessalonians 2:8 we find God, through the Apostle Paul, telling the church (then and now) that, at the time of Christ’s return, “that Wicked”–First Beast/Antichrist–would be revealed to the world and dealt with by the Lord Himself because he had been the pawn of the devil (vs 9). The Lord tells us that all who disobey His Word, including church people, are pawns of the devil and will be dealt with in the same way   as the Antichrist. To be continued. L.J.