Mayhem

The insurance company, Allstate, has as one of its recurring advertising characters, “Mayhem,” the guy who deliberately causes damage to your property to show why you need to have insurance. These commercials are humorous to watch, however, it’s not so funny when the things portrayed happen to us! As I was thinking about our passage in Matthew 24:15 and all the horrific implications that will accompany this vile individual empowered by Satan himself, I kept thinking about the word, “mayhem.”

In the Bible, there is one who has relentlessly waged war on good. He has worked through depraved individuals, wicked rulers, and pagan empires to deceive the world. Ultimately Satan will empower an individual who will be the worst deceiver and destroyer the world will have ever seen. He will be someone who makes Nero, Hitler, Stalin pale in comparison; this is the antichrist.

Following the Rapture of the church, this individual will come onto the world stage and broker a peace treaty with Israel. He is the one who will finally solve the Israeli-Arab problem. He is a master politician, a captivating communicator, and has a charismatic personality. Having deceived the masses for three and a half years, he will reveal his true identity by breaking the covenant with Israel and setting himself up to be worshipped in the rebuilt Jewish temple in Jerusalem. This is the event Scripture reveals as, “the abomination of desolation.” Paul tells us that “he would exalt himself above every so-called god” (2 Thess. 2:4).

The good news is that if you know Jesus Christ as your Savior you do not have to live your life in fear. God will Rapture His bride away from this earth before the Antichrist is revealed, and “so will we ever be with the Lord.” Countless others, however, will be left behind to face the wrath of a holy God.

God has revealed this information to mankind so that we can be prepared. Someday, whether we like it or not, you and I will face the reality of death. Time will be no more. At that moment - before any funeral preparations will be made, we will be transported to eternity. My spiritual passport will be in my hand. How about you? What will it read? For many it will bear the stamp, “condemned,” but because of the grace of God through Jesus Christ, mine will read, “Redeemed.” What will yours say?

Press On,

Pastor Brian Richard