August 28, 2021
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them and they follow Me. John 10:27
The prophets foretold the coming of Jesus, the ultimate Prophet. Our best chance of discerning any counterfeit “Jesus” is to know the real Jesus personally and intimately. His Word reveals intimate details that contrast with the counterfeits. Jesus is the Word that became flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:14) His Holy Spirit directed the writers of Scripture to give us the written Word. All is in perfect agreement and harmony. As the ultimate Prophet, Jesus stated that His sheep recognize His voice. This is essential for our wellbeing and eternal safety.
God’s Spirit spoke through the prophet Daniel, who saw in vision the efforts of Satan to usurp the roles of Jesus and deceive people into worshiping him. It is similar to a “bait and switch” scheme. The word “antichrist”(used by John in the New Testament) is usually taken to mean “against Christ”, but it also means “in the place of Christ.” This power claims to speak for God. Daniel calls this power the “little horn.”
I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words. Daniel 7:8
I watched then because of the pompous words which the horn was speaking; I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame. Daniel 7:11
He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time. Daniel 8:25
We understand from Scripture that this little horn power started small and grew into a worldwide organization that will stay in power until Jesus returns. It grew “from littleness” after Rome was divided into ten (7:7), gained official status with military protection in 538, and ruled unchecked for 1260 years (8:25). A temporary restraint fell upon its political power when Napoleon dethroned the Pope in 1798. But this “mortal wound” began healing (Revelation 13:3) and now the power is growing rapidly, both religiously and politically. Many people are looking only for a political power that is “against Christ” in the last days. But the central issue is worship, which is clearly a religious term. Rather than a violent opposer, this power is a subtle impostor. In 2 Thessalonians 2:3, this power is called the “son of perdition”. There is only one other time in all of Scripture that this term is used. Jesus uses it to refer to Judas (John 17:12) as the “son of perdition”. The unique and memorable act of Judas was to betray the Son of Man with a kiss (Luke 22:48).
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My Father’s hand.” John 10:27-28