A.R.Smith Bible Insight

ANTI-CHRIST.

In the Bible the word; “Anti-Christ” is mentioned 4 times. To understand these days we live in we must understand this spirit and man of anti-Christ.

The spirit of anti-Christ is AntiChris'tian;

Pertaining to antichrist; opposite to or opposing the christian religion.

A follower of antichrist; one opposed to the christian religion.

Pertaining to antichrist, this Spirit entices, or seduces, the unlearned and unprotected individual, this also includes whole nations and principalities. That which hath power or energy; the quality of any substance which manifest life, activity, or the power of strongly affecting other bodies. This spirit of anti-Christ has power, not over the body, but over the mind of many.

“The copy has not the spirit of the original.” This pertaining to the anti-Christ being a copy of the original spirit that Jesus left with us, to lead us and guide us into all truths. This copy cat spirit has not the interest of man nor of God in mind, but of a tearing down of the truth in the world, in other words, to kill, steal and destroy all that is holy.

The spirit of man includes;

The renewed nature of man.

An immaterial intelligent substance. Spirit is a substance in which thinking, knowing, doubting, and a power of moving do subsist. Hence, An immaterial intelligent being. This being the part of man, that controls the actions of the body and the thoughts of the heart.(Soul.)

“Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.”

This verse is concerning the spirit of the antichrist, being separate from, but also being equal to, the embodiment of the physical man.

Before Jesus started to preach the new covenant to all men, this spirit came in opposition to His teachings. The first bold mention of anti-Christ in the New Testament, was at the temptation of Christ.(Matthew 4:1-10.)

In today's world we have noticed a change from the principles that this country was founded upon and the teachings of God. We have seen many laws, statutes and rhetoric being leveled at the Christian life style and the falling away from the bind that ties Israel and us. We are being told in the media that Israel and Christianity are the two main causes of discord around the world. We have been told by our very leaders that this nation is no longer a Christian Nation, but a multi ethnic, multi religious society, becoming the largest Muslim nation in the world, this is the spirit of anti-Christ, deceiving. This spirit that we can all see, if we are willing to look, is trying to control the minds of men and separate many from the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.” We see here that this spirit of anti-Christ denies' both the Father and the Son. He is being led not by the spirit of God but rather, his father, the devil. Many people do not even know that this spirit exist, nor do they comprehend his power over the mind. People today have gone astray from the Godly principles of a good life style and have become indulgent in the pleasing of the flesh, and the pride of life. The spirit of anti-Christ, nor Satan, cares what lie you believe, just so you believe that Jesus doesn't exist.

“And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.”

Would this spirit of anti-Christ have been stopped by Christ? No. The Bible tells us that this spirit, and the man himself, shall be destroyed in the end days, being allowed to fulfill Biblical prophecy. God has given us signs and warnings, that should let every man know when the end of days are here. Many refuse to believe and therefore, this spirit is still with us. So long as this spirit deceives people, he is still strong in his resolve to destroy many souls, and the lives of man.

“For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.”

These deceivers are false religions, false prophets, and even government leaders, that are deceiving and being deceived by this spirit. When we see any man say that Christianity is a deterrent to peace, this is the spirit being manifested threw him. These deceivers reject the very notion of Christ, the very idea of loving your neighbor as yourself, and the intent of forgiveness of sins, threw the belief in Jesus being the Son of God.

“And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”

Many Christians will be called home before they are allowed to fall for this spirit of lies. Many shall be made stronger to withstand this spirit, and will, as Jesus stated, be hated by the world, persecuted and even killed for their testimony of Christ. Many today are calling for the removal of any reference to God, Christ, and even the cross from public display, this also is the spirit of anti-Christ being manifested. Why cannot the populace of this world see these signs?

They have eyes, and cannot see, they have ears, and refuse to hear, and they have mouths that spout filth, and lies, against the most High God. This also being a fulfillment of Biblical prophecy. Many do not realize that their hatred of Christ is fulfillment of prophecy, for we, believers and unbelievers, are all tied together in this Biblical prophecy.

Think about it. Ars.

1Jn 2:18 2Jn 1:7 1Jn 4:3 1Jn 2:22 Mat 24:22-24 Webster,TSK.

Morality;

The quality of an action which renders it good; the conformity of an act to the divine law, or to the principles of rectitude. This conformity implies that the act must be performed by a free agent, and from a motive of obedience to the divine will. This is the strict theological and scriptural sense of morality.

Morality cannot be forced on any one, this is contrary to scripture. Mankind has a choice, to live a moral life, or to ignore just, and moral ways, to become just another person in a vast network of unrighteousness. Many hate the Christian lifestyle because we are, (as it is written.) a peculiar people, separated from the lust and pride that envelops this world.

"Morals are subjective to individuals and should be examined and concluded for themselves." This is true, but with each decision come a responsibility to accept its consequences. To Live in Christ or to die in sin, that is our moral choice.

Mankind's idea, and concept, of morality falls very short of that delivered in the gospel.

The man being the head of the house is commanded by the Lord to raise up his children in the fear and submission to the Lord, being His creation. A man must know what moral ideas and attributes that his children shall have as they progress into manhood.

For as it is written; “But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.”

also;

“(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)”

Moral judgments are not the result of being born, but are learned. A man that does not teach what morality is to his family is guilty of withholding vital information. The choice that children make in life are a result of these teachings. Lets take an example; A man doesn't tell a child that stealing to wrong and that child becomes a thief, another, a man doesn't tell a child that homosexuality is an abomination to God, and will never be acceptable to their own family. Are these things a teaching of morals, or just opinions?

A mans responsibility to his household;

“And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”

Morality in scripture is mentioned by the words;”Wisdom and Knowledge.”

“The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth.”

Let us read the responsibility of truth and morality;

“Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.

For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.

For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.

He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.

Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.

She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.”

Get wisdom, get understanding, these are the tools for choices in morality. Without these, moral choices will cause grief and discord within the home and within the way a man sees the world, and how the world sees the man.

“she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.” Moral choices are a two edged sword. On the one hand they will(according to scripture.) bring honour to the man, but on the other hand (Ignoring the laws of Good Doctrine.) will bring about shame and dishonour.

Moral choices by many today in the way they live, has brought about much controversy and hatred to them. Homosexuality and same sex marriage are the two most prominent today.

These two moral choices have divided many a nation and peoples. These moral choices are an abomination to God, and are listed as lifestyles that will not enter into the kingdom of Heaven. But these are moral choices. If a man desires to choose to live in these manners, he accepts the consequences for his actions.

The problem lies with, how a man, who adopts children, teaches these children about morality.

In the Bible a man that does not know the truth, cannot teach the truth, so therefore, the moral choices taught by these men cannot be considered as truths, but as a choice of immorality.

Can man dictate morality, can man force others to accept moral choices being contrary to what a man believes?

The answer is simple, No.

The Bible is clear on these things.

For as it is written;

“Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.”

Think about these words when making moral choices. Ars.

1Co 11:3 1Ti 3:5 Deu 11:19 Isa 38:19 Pro 4:1-9 Mat 13:30 Webster, TSK.

Ye Believe in God!

Faith.

Belief; the assent of the mind to the truth of what is declared by another, resting on his authority and veracity, without other evidence; the judgment that what another states or testifies is the truth.

We, who believe in God, have no need of physical proof, for His Spirit dwells within us. We see things that others can not see, hear things that others can not hear, and speak things that can only come from the Holy Spirit of God.

Jesus stated; "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me."

You cannot believe in God without believing in His Christ. For God has declared that Jesus is His only begotten Son, and who has the power to deni Gods will? Who can separate one from the other?

Many have waited for a Messiah for years, seeking the one who will lead all mankind into peace and prosperity. There are also many that deni the very existence of God, or say that God accepts unrighteous acts, and still others believe that, if they believe in Jesus as being the Son of God, they can live any life style they desire.

These are not only the foolish heart-ed, but also the enemies of the Cross, as stated by Paul.

"Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)"

"whose God is their belly", In scripture, belly is used for the heart. Carnal lusts, sensual pleasure.

We know by the Spirit that, it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles the man, but that which proceeds's out of the mouth. For out of the desires of the heart the mouth speaks. Many say they believe in God and His Christ, but refuse to follow Christ as an example. They refuse to believe in His word, therefore they do not believe in God.

We have two simple commandments to follow;

1."let us walk by the same rule",

2. "let us mind the same thing."

Rule;

To govern the movements of things; to conduct; to manage; to control. That God rules the world he has created, is a fundamental article of belief.

To manage; to conduct, in almost any manner.

These rules are set by God, as to the conduct and affairs of the Church and the Body of Christ.

"the same thing." "I will tell you by what authority I do these things."

Thing;

An event or action; that which happens or falls out, or that which is done, told or proposed. This is the general signification of the word in the Scriptures; as after these things, that is, events.

The rules of conduct haven't changed, but mankind seek change. Change that allows many to break commandments, or to change these rules to suite their agenda.

"let us walk by the same rule",

In the Book of Acts, the Apostle Paul, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, dictates to all churches, these rules of conduct. He tells us who is called to minister, how to minister, and what to minister.

We are instructed on the differences of administrations and the qualifications of each high position.

A minister once told me that, I stressed thew rules of conduct to much, and the Love of God too little, but what he failed to realize is that, without obeying the rules set down by the Lord, we have no love of God. He also failed to realize that, without these rules of conduct, we have no church and no salvation threw Jesus Christ, who is the Head of the Church.

The reason that he objected of my stress on these rules is that, he was committing adultery with another mans wife.

"Let us Mind the Same Thing."

There is only true God, one true Messiah, and one true Gospel. We are instructed by this Gospel and our faith is imbedded within its passages.

"But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived."

Men today that do not follow righteous rules of conduct are deceiving the unlearned and unprepared, and being deceived themselves, not knowing God nor Christ.

Without following the teachings of Christ many have fallen away from the truth and have lost their first love. We cannot be a partaker with the world and its unrighteousness and be followers of Christ.

"But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."

Do we not all read the same scriptures, do we not all have the same things in mind, do we not all understand our place in the Church of the Firstborn, do we not all serve the same God?

Didn't Christ die for all, and give us an example of a lifestyle that was pleasing to God, did He not teach us correctly?

We know that we have assurance of the truth of the Gospel. We have a more sure word of prophecy, we know more, we see more, and we understand more, than any other generation in history.

For as it is written;

1."All scripture is given by inspiration of God", and

2. "is profitable for doctrine",

3. "for reproof,"

4. "for correction," and

5. "for instruction in righteousness:"

That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."

Just remember what Jesus stated; "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me."

ars

Webster,TSK

Joh 14:1 Php 3:16-19 Prov 18:8. 20.30.John 7:38. Rom 16:18. Phil 3:19. The whole man. Titus 1:12. Mat 21, 2Ti 3:13-17

Hope, Enduring, and Sustained.

The Hope that believers have is enduring, and sustained, by our trust in the Lord.

The hope that lies within us is, the hope of a resurrection from the dead, being promised by Jesus. We believe in hope because we are told that, the same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead shall also quicken our mortal bodies.

“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”

What was that spirit that Jesus had?

The Holy Spirit of God.

Hope is; Confidence in a future event; the highest degree of well founded expectation of good; as a hope founded on Gods gracious promises; a scriptural sense. To place confidence in; to trust in with confident expectation of good.

We have hope for many things, finances to be repaired, sickness to be healed, children to be saved, and of course, an eternity with the Lord. “Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope”

As our loved ones die, we have peace with the hope of their well being. As we look upon the grave, we know within ourselves that this body of flesh must go back to the dust of the earth from which it came. We see the shell of our loved ones resting in peace that we cannot find upon this earth. Trials, troubles, tribulation, and pain, are all gone from those that have put their trust and hope within the Lord.

This speaking of Christ; “Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.”

Corruption; Depravity; wickedness; perversion or deterioration of moral principles; loss of purity or integrity.

This also speaking of us. We are to be redeemed by the blood of Christ, we have the hope that our redemption shall not allow our souls to see corruption after we die. We shall not be partaker of the second death, for we are saved by grace threw faith in Christ Jesus.

“Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.”

We have a more sure witness of the truth. We have been taught by the Holy Spirit, and know the ways of God.

As it is written; “Why art thou cast down, O my soul, and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God.”

Many things upset us in this life. Fear of the unknown, but this should not be so. For everything that we fear is written for us to understand in the word of God. Do you fear war, strangers, uncertainty? Then put your hope and trust in God.

He has warned us of all the things that will come to pass. He has showed His deliverance many, many, times. Have you ever went hungry, naked? Has the Lord ever forsaken you, or left you alone to suffer the trials of this life?

“Fear not, little flock; for it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

You hope lies not in the things that you see, but rather in the things not seen.

Our hope is Sustained in Christ.

Sustained; To support; to keep from sinking in despondence. The hope of a better life sustains the afflicted amidst all their sorrows.

“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” “The hope of a better life sustains the afflicted amidst all their sorrows.” We will have to endure many sorrows in this life, but our hope will keep us, uphold us and strengthen us, in all these troublesome times.

Many of our brethren, around the world, are suffering the same afflictions that we all so suffer. We see a great need for food and shelter, but as we cannot aid them, we know that assurance in the Lords provisions, will come to rebuke the devourer for them, and their daily needs will be met.

These afflictions have been prophesied, and will come to pass. We cannot change these prophecies, but we already should be aware that they will come, and those that are believers in Christ will survive. We live only a little while in this life, for we are just sojourners and strangers in a strange land. Those without hope will suffer the most, being without the reassurance and provisioning of the Lord.

Remember we have the highest degree of well founded expectation of good; as a hope founded on Gods gracious promises, so why then should we fear, famine, petulance, as those without hope?

Our Hope is Enduring, and Sustained.

Enduring, Having the quality of enduring evils without murmuring or fretfulness; sustaining afflictions of body or mind with fortitude, calmness or christian submission to the divine will; as a patient person, or a person of patient temper.

Sustained, To hold; to keep from falling.

Think as a man, that would die for love, Jesus died for us and we die daily for Him. We are our brothers keeper, a sustained, enduring beacon of hope to those in trouble. We live each day, knowing that if this day is our last, we are promised life everlasting with the Lord. So our problems in life are but for a short time, and we are, and have assurance from God, that our tears shall be turned to gold, our suffering shall be turned to gladness and our poverty shall be turned to riches.

Ars.

Act 2:26-28 Psa 43. Rom 8:11 Luke 12:32 Mat 24:13 Webster,TSK

Through the Valley.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

The Lord is our Father, and we are His Children.

As a baby the Lord teaches us to crawl, as we learn, we are given His hand to stand and He teaches us to walk. This is with all men who are born of woman.

As we start our walk with the Lord He holds onto us firmly until we are able to walk on our own. He continues to walk beside us, and guide us, into the paths that He has chosen.

Man, who is still in the flesh, is distracted by many things. His curiosity takes over as he decides to see what this world has to offer. In this valley we begin to see dark clouds forming upon the horizon. The Lord decides to allow you to walk alone in front of Him to see what you will do in times of adversity. As we continue to walk, the sky grows darker, we hear the dogs howling, and the bats flying past a clouded moon.

We hear the wolves, the roar of the Lion, and Jackal, we see in the darkness the bright eyes of mysterious creatures, not knowing what they are. Our hearts grow faint, our legs weaken, and we start to run. Our strength is taken away from us, and we stumble, just as we are about to fall, the hand of the Lord reaches down, and catches us. He teaches us of the terrible things and shows us what we were so afraid of. Our strength returns, and we continue our walk with God.

What do you fear?

“For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.

I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent.

Terrors shall make him afraid on every side, and shall drive him to his feet.”

Is it sorrows that brings fear to you? Is it the burdens of this life that make you weak? Is it the terrors of mans inhumanity that cause you to lie awake at night?

Our life is full of uncertainties, but we know that these things will come upon all men, weather they serve the Lord, or not. Don't you remember that we are in the world, but not of the world? That the just and the unjust shall have the rain to fall upon both, and the sun shall rise upon both?

“In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;” Many of the unrighteousness acts of man occur by the light of the moon, the darkness, committing the hidden things that we cannot see. These are the eyes that shine in the darkness, the wolves, the roar of the Lion, and Jackal, the bright eyes of mysterious creatures, that have been uncovered, and we know now what they are.

Thieves roam at night, taking what is not lawfully theirs. Those that seek the blood of the innocent also roam at night, seeking, as Satan does, whom they can devour. We lock our doors, and are afraid to walk the night streets because of these Jackals and snakes.

No need to fear.

“Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us.

For the LORD spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying,

Say ye not, A confederacy(The friendships of the world are oft confederacies in vice.), to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy(A league, or covenant; a contract between two or more persons, bodies of men or states, combined in support of each other, in some act or enterprise; mutual engagement; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.

Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.”

Many things shall come upon the righteous, but we are not to fear. Man has made a confederacy among themselves, some to commit acts of terror, fear, robbery, murder, thefts, and even war. Many have caused famine by their confederacy of greed and power. Many times an act of charity goes without thanks, for the receivers of this charity, takes what is given them, and it is sold.

As it is written; “At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth.

I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.”

What fear can man bring upon you that would cause you to abandon the safety of the Lord? We know that the wisdom of man is foolishness to God, and Gods weakness is stronger than man.

Man is a weak thing, made of only flesh and bone. If I am cut, do I not bleed, if I am beaten, do my limbs not break. Who then is stronger than the Lord? Is man not His creation, or do you believe that man created God?

Again as it is written;“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

“When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.

Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.”

No army, nor confederacy, nor Jackal, or snake, can harm you, if the Lord is by your side. The fearful and abominable shall flee at the presence of the Lord. Famine shall not touch His Children, nor shall nakedness appear among those that believe. Sickness and death will be only a passing thing among the Children of the Most High.

You are Kings and Priest before the Lord, a co-inheritor to the Kingdom of Heaven threw Jesus Christ. Stand tall, fear not, show your faith, our Lord will return.

Ars.

(Pro 3:24 Psa 91:6 Psa 91:7 Isa 8:10 Isa 8:11 Isa 8:12 Psa 27:1 Job 5:22 Psa 3:6 Psa 56:11 Psa 91:5 Psa 23:4 Job 3:25 Job 9:28 Job 18:11 Isa 8:13)

(Webster,TSK.)