Is The Antichrist Alive Today?

Is a question that I have been asked frequently in the past few years. My answer is, while I am not certain at this time, I personally believe he is indeed alive, though he may not be operating in any major capacity at the moment. And the reason I believe this is found in 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12 which reads, “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false...”

Has there ever existed such a time characterized by so much “strong delusion” which the above passage indicates will exist during the reign of the antichrist? Consider some of the delusions that are now playing out in our world…

The delusion that truth is a matter of personal preference.
In fact, we are frequently told today that there is no absolute truth for determining right and wrong but rather everyone must decide their own truth. A recent poll reported, that 55% of Americans 18-29 think "each person determines their own version of truth.” And for those “ages 30-40, 46% believe each person can pick the truth they like, for those 41-55 it was 35%, for those 56-65 it was 31% and for those over 65, it was 32%.” It is like the era of the judges… when “… Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 21:25)

The rampant and increase in lawlessness.
This bases justice on social perception rather than an unchanging moral standard. Jesus said in Matthew 24:12 that at the end of the age “lawlessness will be increased.”

The growing delusion that all beliefs must be accepted and tolerated. 
Except, of course, the beliefs of those who disagree with immoral and leftist values. Paul said, “because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator...” (Romans 1:25)

The delusion of gender identity as simply how a person choses to perceive themselves rather than their biological and anatomical reality.
Again, Paul writes in Romans 1:26,27, “For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise…”

The delusion of Pantheism.
Meaning that God is nature, nature is god, God is whatever or whoever you want him to be, all “gods” are equal, and God owes heaven to everyone. But God said, “I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God, that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other..” (Isaiah 45:5–7)

The delusion of freedom often expressed as “my body, my choice.”
This delusion is often called “health care” or “reproductive rights.” Ironically, this culturally demanded right was completely ignored during the COVID crisis. The scripture says, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,” (1 Corinthians 6:19)

These things defy scripture, common sense, and logic which make them clear representatives of the “strong delusion” that will characterize the age when the antichrist appears on the scene. So, is he alive? I think the probability is high. But keep your eyes on the Christ, He wins and with Him so do we.

And remember, God is always trying to take us someplace new. I love being your Pastor!

For God’s Glory Alone,
Pastor Ray