2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 warns of the coming of a lawless one who will deceive the world and will ultimately demand to be worshipped. That lawless one is the Antichrist. In a strange comparison (though not exact), the Antichrist is to Satan what Jesus is to the Father.

In John 5:19-23, Jesus describes the relationship between Him and the Father, in essence declaring He (the Son) does nothing apart from the Father. In fact, Jesus specifically said , “The one who has seen Me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9)

Likewise, the Antichrist is a spitting image of his “father,” Satan. John 8:44 appears in the middle of a passage (verses 42-47) describing differences between divine relationships and that of the devil and his minions. Here is how verse 44 describes it:

⁴⁴ You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.

Indeed, the devil and his “son” (the Antichrist) are murderers and liars. Their means of control is to keep people in fear by lying to them and threatening to destroy their lives.

So it is today, but only a taste of what it will eventually be.

Yet, lest you think this is an American phenomena, think again. Around the world, lies and fear grip people. The pandemic, rumors of war, threats of nations being taken over by others, and just plain fearmongering are overtaking people. Even in Israel.

Check out this small sampling of what the current Israeli government is doing to the population there:

This is the world we live in today. But be reminded, believing friends, that this world is not our home! (Philippians 3:20) We are simply ambassadors of Christ while passing through! (2 Corinthians 5:20) So, refuse fear and embrace faith because our Savior reigns (Psalm 47:8, Psalm 97:1, Psalm 99:1), and will one day (soon!) come to redeem us from the wrath that will come upon this earth once the Antichrist is revealed. (1 Thessalonians 1:10)