Q. I heard a statement made recently to the effect that, since Satan does not know the exact time of Christ’s return, he must have a potential candidate for the Antichrist ready at all times. Is this true?
A. “But of that day and hour knows no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only” (Matt. 24:36).

The Bible says that there are “many antichrists” (1 John 2:18), meaning that even in biblical times, when those words were written, that spirit, which will be operative in its fullness in the one and only Antichrist, was present. But with the Church not yet raptured, it could not, and still cannot, be so operative (see 2 Thess. 2:7-12).

As we have said many times, the Antichrist could very well be alive somewhere on earth today. Should the Lord call His Church home soon, it is clear that Satan will have a man of his choosing, ready, willing and able to pilot the world to its dismal destiny from there. Let us be sure that we and our loved ones have trusted Christ as personal Savior, in order to be a part of the Rapture of the Church and be delivered from the wrath to come.

Q. I have heard that it is necessary for us to fear God. I thought that, as Christians, we were in God’s family and, therefore, we need not fear a loving God. Could you comment?
A. The answer to this question hinges upon how we define “fear.” Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,” Indicating that it is a wise thing to fear God. But the Hebrew word for “fear” in the passage means “reverence.” Throughout the Bible, when the word “fear” is used in conjunction with our relationship with the Lord, this is most often the meaning. This holds true in both the Old and the New Testaments. Moreover, in 1 John 4:18, where we are told, “perfect love” (such as that which God has for us) “casts out fear,” “fear” in that case is the Greek word “phobeo” meaning “terror,” and “being exceedingly afraid.”

There is one case that comes to mind of this same word, “phobeo,” being used for fear in conjunction with God, occurring in Matthew’s Gospel. It does not apply to the Christian, but should definitely cause the unsaved to stop and think.

EMERGENCE

I see more clearly now,
The mists of morn have lifted,
Revealing here the path of life
From which my heart had drifted.
For vision, indistinct in youth,
G rows clearer with the years
If subject to the press of life
And washed by time and tears.

I love more purely now,
’Tis more than mere emotion.
For feeling is to real love
As mountain stream to ocean.
And love invades the intellect
And love empow’rs the will
The heart endowing with a voice
That time can never still.

I move more surely now
My life has found its reason.
A holy purpose now pervades
Each day and every season,
For God has made me like Himself
I see this now, as never;
Perceiving this, I see in Him
My Destiny, forever.

by Dave Breese